I just sold my 1911 so I have $800 to spend on a new gun. Neither would fill the role of home defense what would buy a pre lock 686 plus with a 2.5 barrel or browning hi power 9mm or glock 19 if I go with glock I would also buy a snub j frame.

While I own a bunch of revolvers and between your choices I would buy a Browning HP in a second. I owned one and sold it a few years ago and man have I regretted it.

The BHP would operate like your 1911 did, so it would be familiar to you. I like and own BHP's and 1911's, and would choose either over a L frame revolver. I gave my Glock 19 to our son, but still have Glock 17, 32, and two 26's. I like them enough to carry one. I think the BHP might work best for you. Is there a range near you where you could rent these guns and shoot them to determine which you like best?

Hi-Power! They have a certain style and grace that no Glock can match, and a lot of real world experience. And they're just so easy to shoot! Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

Then what is the purpose?

Plinking? I'd go with the HP.
Trail gun? I'd pick the revolver.
Collector? The HP again.
CCW? The Glock/J frame combo.

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Jon

This man nailed it.

I have 4 686s a 646 and a 681 so you know I like my L frame revolvers but the HP is a must have. I have one and don't shoot it very often but when I do I always say " this is one hell of a pistol". I think a nice one might cost you a little more than a nice L.

Nothing wrong with the BHP. Over 50 countries have issued it since the late 30's. This one was purchased from "handejector" and given a few minor custom touches.
Bob

BHP
Reliable, accurate, classy, VERY easy to CCW. Get one immediately if not sooner.

I'd get another 1911, but that's just me.

Go with the 686, it is the real man's gun. You can shoot it from inside the coat pocket, upside down, and no other feed problems like the auto does. Auto's are for the ones that can't shoot or able to hit anything with a revolver. I would take a pump shotgun over a auto any day.

Maybe you should tell us how you really feel.

If you ever had a BHP and shot combat courses with it you would know that they will shoot upside down, sideways and every which way even when fouled to the max with 124 grain factory ammo. Even weak handed or with a limp hold.

That being said, for home defense, I would rather have a revolver. Just pick it up and pull the trigger.

Really? Must ... hold ... my ... toung.

What to get depends entirely on your purpose, and what you already have in your stable. If, like most, you can't afford every handgun you want, you may consider spreading out what you get to cover a broader base of uses.

-Carry? The Glock and J frame.

-Just to have something else? Draw straws.

-Pride of ownership? As most have said, the Browning, but it will depend on why you got rid of the 1911. Since the Hi-Power is the same platform as the 1911, you may love or hate it (but it will never match the 1911's trigger).

I have the Glock 19 and the 686 (4"). The Glock is a wonderful tool, and I don't worry much about babying it. The 2 1/2" 686 is quite limited in what you would use it for. But a Browning, well, John Moses was inspired in pretty much everything he designed, even if the Hi-Power was actually finished by a Frenchman. I'm not biased.

Because most on this site, including myself, tend to be older rather than younger, I suspect the classic over the plastic will be the trend ... IOW, Browning. However, as I said, it depends on your intended use and current inventory.

I'm gonna' go against the grain here. Love 1911's, BHP, not so much, they never felt right to me. Of your choices, for a "woods gun", the 686, too big & heavy for 365 day carry though. For carry & home defense, even though I don't care much for the HP, it's the best of your choices for CCW, IMHO. And yes, I don't like Glocks, they feel all "wrong" to me. I do like J-frames though, maybe a 686 & 642 would work for you. $800 should get you a good used 686, & a new 642-1 without a lock. Just my two cents.

All of the above would serve you well for the intended purpose. Some just feel better with a revolver. It is simple to operate with no bells or whistles that you have to remember when you need it most. I love the HP. It has a great feel and is an excellent design for a number of reasons. It also has many more rounds on board. If you are familiar with the 1911, there would be no reason why you would not do well to stick with that nomenclature since you are already familiar with the design. However, you could not go wrong with any of the above munitioned.

Tom

If you are already comfotable with the 1911, maybe it's time to try the other Browning Masterpiece, the High power. There really isn't anything like it. The list of those that put their trust in them is long, not to exclude our own CIA. It was their choice in Nam. I have a HP in .40 S&W under a towel next to my chair. It holds 10, and has the SFS system, which allows me to put it into action from safe in a split second, a much better idea than cocked and locked in my view-much safer. The SFS system can also be installed on a 1911, but only those two. Look at the numbers on a .40 S&W compared to a 357, it's interesting reading when you start into the lighter bullets. Enjoy safely. Flapjack

BHP is certainly a sweet gun.

You also mentioned a G19. Give the M&P a hard look, too. I was a GLOCK fan until shooting my wife's M&P 9mm. Exceptional shooter.

I love the BHP. I have two, an older blue and walnut model and a more
recent gun with plastic grips and black finish. I also have a Glock 19 and I think the 19 is the best all around model Glock makes. The BHP is great for holster carry while woods walking but being single action
means it is not really suited for CC in my opinion. The Glock purchase
allows you to buy a J frame also, so I don't see how you can go wrong
with this choice. Again I love my BHPs but the Glock 19 some how
seems to have that " just right " feel to me.

I knew that would fire this bunch up, but you have to remember this is the "SMITH & WESSON" forum and the "REVOLVER" section where the revolver is KING . OK - now my true feelings even if you don't like it, the REVOLVER is king no matter where you are or what forum you are on. That is my two cents and $3.98 will get you a gallon of gas, I must be getting old - I remember when you could fill the tank for $5.00 . Each to his own is my true 2 cents worth, that is what makes the world go round or square - which is it ??????????????????

BHP for me out of your choices. Though I love my S&W's I'm a die hard 1911 guy but my BHP points more naturally than ANY other weapon I own and I shoot it well IMO. If its an older model with the mini safety so highly recommend a Cylinder and Slide extended safety as the stock one is too darn small to operate in a high stress situation. Add a mag of Speer Gold Dots and you're very well armed.

Here is my very first semi that I bought for myself with my first paycheck from the Jensie coal mine back in 77. Paid a whopping 200.00 for it IMS. Couldn't bring myself to carrying it full time to keep it looking good so went the 1911 route. Has the mag safety removed, sports a set of Spegals and has the C&S safety. I shoot it once a year, clean it thoroughly and put her back in the safe.

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V/R
Roger / SG

Well said and I'm a huge S&W fan all the way and own a bunch of them. That said as a combat veteran I would use a high capacity semi auto pistol every time in a dangerous situation requiring the use of deadly force. It's not because I have a spray and pray mentality but its just common sense that 15 to 18 rounds lasts a long time compared to 6. That's why the law enforcement agencies have all changed to semi auto's.

I learned to shoot what was in my hand and my revolvers outnumber my semi-autos these days 4 or 5 to 1.

But I have two Hi-Powers and would buy another if the right deal/combination came along.

Been a fan of the Browning ever since Al Pacino brought Frank Serpico to the big screen.

I was just getting into handguns in a big way and drooling over the Hi-Powers in catalogs and whatnot was a futile past time - out of my price range back then.

A nice blued older HP is harder to come by than the other models mentioned. Depending on what it was, my personal preference would be to look at the HP first . . . . YMMV

The average officer involved shooting in the days of revolvers was 3 rounds, today it's 4 rounds. Law enforcement agencies will never turn down an opportunity to spend taxpayer money on fancy new gadgets. A singular event in North Hollywood and the entire police community needs to equip all their cruisers with M4s.

I have a Portugal-assembled Hi-Power, a pre-lock 686 2.5" and a Glock 30. The 686 will be hardest to find, the all-Belgian Browning will be second hardest, and Glocks grow on polymer trees.

When I see all the money being spent on gadgets, I often find myself feeling that way too.

On the other hand, if I had the job, I would want the M4 myself, so I have to temper my thinking a little. Of course any rifle would do. Jeff Cooper said one man that knew how to run a .30/30 could have handled that situation with ease - and he was correct.

I agree with the majority on the BHP. Since you've already bought one, I think we can all congratulate ourselves for giving such useful advice.

If I could only have one handgun it would be the BHP, but in .40. I have had a lot of hand guns over the years, and the BHP is a true work horse, for me. JMHO But I love my Smiths, they all have their place.

I concur with fyimo, 100%, I am a retired combat vet and Infantryman. I love S&W revolvers and even have one in 9mm and .45 ACP, however, a high capacity auto in a decent caliber is a go to for a service weapon. If you shoot with the mentality of a revolver (less rounds, critical shot placement), then you've just doubled your effectiveness. The Browning high power represents decades of John Browning's design research and developement and to him it was his finest handgun design. You cannot deny Browning's designs, they are probably the most copied, best service grade weapons of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, and it can be argued he is the most prolific and successful military and civilian small arms inventor of all time. The US military still relies heavily on the M2 .50 cal HB machine gun to this day, that 's eighty years of service. It was a weapon system of choice when I was in Iraq, and worth noting that most handgun designs, to include the M9, are Browning based.

I still love my S&W revolvers though!!!

Thank you for your service, but I have to correct the statement above. The M9, a derivative of the Beretta M-92, has its roots in the M1951 Beretta, and it uses the 1951's swinging locking block, which was itself a modified version of the Walther P-38 system. The Browning system uses a tilting barrel to lock and unlock the slide. As you noted, many current handguns use the Browning system, but the M9 is not one of them.

FWIW, I have about 9 High Powers, and I have been unable to detect any shortcomings in the Portugal assembled versions. I think it's just the "not made like the older ones" syndrome that seems to affect many people who collect things, be it guns, cars, or most anything else that's been made for a long time.

Buck

It depends on the vintage and place of manufacture. If it's a nice old Belgian Browning then you could probably convince me. If is a new one assembled in Portugal then I would easily choose the S&W. The Glock is and always will be just a Glock.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

I would say get the Hi Power if it was made & assembled in Belgian, if not I would go with the Pre Lock 686 (Like the K Frame better but that wasn't a choice)

Me too. Good luck finding one of those in good shape for $800... at least here in the PRK.

i would go with that 686 i just got the fever... have a 28-2 4"... 586 4"... and this coming week... 19 4"

Elegant, reliable, accurate: Browning High Power.

Well I went pawn shop hunting this morning after the guy I hab been talkin to here in houston stopped answering his phone I figured the deal fell through. After four diiferent pawn shops one of the managers told me a sister store just put one out so I walked with a browning hi power one mag the soft case and no box I paid $650 out the door I will post some pics later

Eager to see it.

Get the BHP it's the best of the 3. They are all good, and it might have been tougher if you had said BHP v 24/28/29. For someone already familiar with one of Browning's masterpieces, the transition will be easy, every HP I have ever shot has been accurate and reliable to a fault, and they pack a lot better than a revolver or a Glock.
If you decide the revolver is your choice, forget the 686 and get an N frame, the KING of all revolvers and any non-Browning auto.

Go with the Browning. The H.P. I sold years ago is the only handgun I wish I'd never sold.

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Always Stay Strong!

You sold you 1911 so why get another Browning design? The Glock 19 and a J frame? That's a two for one. The Glock 19 is easy to carry and reliable as they come. The J frame speaks for itself. I have a G-19 and a model 36.
I must say that if I owned a Browning High Power I would be proud. It is on my list of pistols to buy. But for concealed carry I would go with the G-19 J frame combo.

If I was choosing between the three I'd go with the Hi-Power. The Model 686 isn't a classic enough Smith & Wesson revolver to suit my tastes and the Glock...well the less said the better.

I'd choose the 686p. In point of fact I do choose the 686p and am alternating carrying it or a 627PC "Bloodwork" as daily carries. They recently replaced a G19 as a daily packer. I own 1911's, Glocks, Smiths and a number of other weapons as well. Never felt the need for another HP, had one years ago and just didn't "feel it". To each their own.

With all due respect, but if I knew I was going into harms way, I'd pack a rifle but that was not I suspect the scope of the question. IIRC, the OP asked how we thought he should spend $800.00.

On that note, and in view of the forum where asked, I'd say the Smith.

Just my .02.

I have to agree with the Glock comment. I'm not by any means an old curmudgeon,but the 'plastic fantastic' just does nothing for me. Owned a Glock 23 for a couple months, then traded it for a loss. I just picked up a Browning HP for my collection. Just an absolute classic pistol that will always be fun at the range.

Browning Hi Power

I am going to go against every one here so far. I would go with the Glock 19 without hesitation. I love 1911's and S&W revolvers. Never had a Highpower, but respect anyone who does and have no doubt that they are great weapons. But today, the Glock 19 would be the best choice. They are cheap, reliable, and easy to shoot. If you carry and they get banged up, you are not adding wear and tear to the sweet revolvers. For every day carry you are hard pressed to beat the Glock.

Regards,

Chuck

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Tennessee Hillbilly

I'm a S&W guy, but for me the 686 is a "taint". Taint quite a mid and taint quite a large... especially with the short barrel. The HP and the G19 are both classics, you should probably own both. My Belgian BHP has a HORRENDOUS trigger (Gotta do something about that one of these days.) The j frame with the G19 tips it in favor for me. For $800 if you shop hard, you might be able to get TWO used G19s. Mo betta!

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Member MVGCA, OGCA, NRA Life

We are eager to give our opinions, but he said he bought the HP in post # 26.

If you want to play dirty and introduce facts and all...

What do the guys at the Browning and Glock forums say, haha.

The Browning Hi-Power is one of the finest pistols ever made, hands down.

However, your other options are good too. A Glock and snubby J frame would be a nice choice.

If I understand your question correctly, you are not looking for a HD handgun but simply want suggestions for what to buy with your new pile of cash! Simple! Buy a S&W M-19 2.5 inch and a nice snubnosed J-Frame! Now, this is not to snub Glocks. I have and am thoroughly pleased with my Glock G-22. It is excellent. I have owned several Hi-Powers of various eras. They were nicely made and combat accurate. They were not however tack drivers. A nice well-appointed 686 or the suggested 19 2.5 is just simply an outstanding revolver in a size that is excellent for carry, range and that handles wonderfully. The little snubnosed J-Frame would be a nice extra. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

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Heck I'm still having trouble with the first sentance. Did he say he sold a 1911? What's up with that?

Bronwning HP is a misnomer, nothing HP about it. Love the gun fun to shoot, but 9mm?

If some one gave me a glock I would tape a quater to it and throw it away so that when the garbage men found it they could say they found something.

The Glock will last longer than the HP,but most people won't shoot either enough to see the difference.

I have all three of these (well, a 586) but I'm not much into autoloaders. The HP is a pistol any handgun fan needs at least 1 copy of, and a Glock 17 is a useful tool for self defense.

"We are eager to give our opinions, but he said he bought the HP in post # 26."

Condition Yellow, I missed that post, you are correct, us old retired guys always want profess our opinions, but I surely should have looked back for that. I guess I beat the proverbial dead horse.

Haggis, thanks for the correction on the M-9, you are of course dead on with that information. Although much maligned and for what it's worth, I thought the M-9 a pretty decent service pistol; I was in long enough to carry M1911s as well so I had experience with both. As soon as they determined they would replace the M1911, I immediately purchased a 92 SB-F (that's what it was called early on, as I'm sure you know). My admiration for Browning from military standpoint clouds my judgement from time to time!