Browning Hi-Power as a carry gun

[imjin138]

I don't want to start a firestorm today but since I have a few Browning Hi-Power pistols I have given some thought of making one an alternate carry gun. Anyone else use one as a carry gun? My plan is to use 124grn or 147 grn ammo as a defense round.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[OKFC05]

Don't know why it would cause a firestorm.
Mine carries just fine in a Safariland holster on a Looper belt.
I choose 124gr Gold Dots. Choose the ammo you prefer.

Not exactly a pocket gun, but easily covered by a sports jacket, shirt-jac, etc.

 

[mg357]

Make sure you have a good and comfortable holster.

 

[squidsix]

I have found the HiPower to fit very nicely in almost all 1911 leather, making finding a good holster pretty easy.
As for carry: Hard to find a better suited 9mm pistol in the world for that purpose.

 

[Mphstiger1981]

Only other things you'll need will be a good strong gun belt and good solid holster and it would seem you're set!!

I believe the late great Stephen A. Camp was a big fan of both the snubby revolver and the BHP. Both of them are great guns.

 

[ACP230]

I have a couple of Hi-Powers and have carried them occasionally.
One of the holster I used was an old Dillon Leather LTD made for the 1911. One was made for the Hi-Power. Both worked well.

Ammo I've used includes 115 and 124 grain loads from Winchester and Cor-
Bon. I have also shot a lot of surplus FMJ ammo in practice.

I see no reason not to carry a BHP if you feel like doing so.

 

[M29since14]

With the Browning my only concern was magazines. As long as you have good, reliable magazines, you should be all set. As for ammo, I have used two or three different types in my guns but always try to use the +P stuff sparingly. The norm for me is Federal 124 gr Hydra-shok +P and the Winchester Ranger 124 gr. SXT +P. I am not a big fan of 147 gr. loads in 9x19.

 

[cmort666]

I've frequently carried a Browning. It carries pretty much like an M1911. I only carry IWB, in one of my handmade tuckable IWB holsters.

The BHP is a great CCW gun. I use the Winchester White Box 147gr. JHPs, with which it's both accurate and reliable.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The Browning Hi Power has always been one of my "must have" pieces. I've carried and used the Hi Power since 1970 or so, on 3 continents and in multiple roles in military and civilian life. I would never feel under-armed with a Hi Power in my hand or under my pillow in any circumstances.

Picked up a short case of Speer Gold Dot 124-grain ammo a few years back, and it is just as good as 9mm ammo can be.

 

[Limey46]

I love the High Power, but I've never felt comfortable with it for concealed carry because the safety doesn't 'click' on or off the way a 1911 safety does. Sure, if the safety is up the gun's on safe, and if it's down it's on fire, but it doesn't 'tell" you that; you don't feel or hear it happen. Moreover, more than once I've holstered a High Power set on safe -- crossdraw, in a good IWB holster made for the gun -- and found it set on fire when I drew it.

 

[Rule 303]

Nothing wrong with the HPs. I have about eleven of them.
And I sometimes carry one as a CHL Gun.

Rule 303

 

[Out West]

Heck yes! Few firearms have the real world cred's of this gun. Among it's virtues are incredible ergonomics, fantastic reliability, slender and flat slide (aiding concealability) and better than average cartridge capacity. It's only the advent of the polymer gun that give the Hi Power a significant disadvantage over more modern pistols: weight. However, as pointed out many times above, a good holster pretty much eliminates the issue.

Out
West

 

[msinc]

Love and carry my HP. I have two, a "T" 1967 that is unfired{I dont carry that one} and a Practical that has a Bar-Sto barrel, C&S hammer and sear and Tru-glo sights {the carry gun.} I carry it for one reason...of all the handguns I own {about 50} it is the one I consistently shoot the best. I have a shoulder rig, a small of back, a Wilderness case and a "Day planner" when holsters just wont work. I do not carry it "cocked and locked." I figure if I got time to push the safety off then I also got time to pull the hammer back. Fortunately I have not had to find out and I am hopeful it will stay that way, but it is my carry gun in bear country {cabin in Virginia} or urban environment and everywhere in between. I prefer Winchester Ranger ammo but often carry with Federal Hydro-shok as well.

 

[Poohgyrr]

Hi Powers are proven, world wide, to be reliable, accurate enough, and powerful enough for general self defense. Perhaps the most commonly found pistol in military & civilian use in the free world during the Cold War (outside the USA).

9mm ammo is often cheaper, and 40 S&W ammo is commonly found around here.

Two problems are the lack of marketing and skyrocketing retail prices.

 

[Sprefix]

Gotta have good ammo............

I am in line for a Hi-power when finances permit. I carry around a Beretta brigadier now for the 9MM side of things. My only problem is I'm not a fan of the .40S&W and that leaves the 9MM. The ammo offered today is anemic at best. I have some IMI 9MM +P carbine ammo that is sufficient. Bargain 9mm ammo suxx for speed, let alone power. Critical defense or double tap should be ok, but it is not where it should be power-wise, as when the cartridge was incepted. A 16 pound spring(in my Beretta) and 1400-1450 FPS is good 9MM ammo in my opinion. Those HP's can be darned sexy pistols when set up properly. Again, JMO

 

[BearBio]

I've never carried mine but I've carried full size 1911. Had a buddy who was a LRRP in "Nam. Preferred the HiPower over the 1911 due to magazine capacity. He said he carried his around town, concealed.

 

[sipowicz]

Still my favorite auto of all time...wish I could carry it but not allowed single actions. If you feel comfortable with cocked and locked, then go for it. On a related note, Jim Hoag called me yesterday and said mine is ready....can't wait to try his 4.5 pound trigger!

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

The Hi-Power is one of my favorite "full-size" semi-autos (the 1911 being the other). I use a Galco IWB holster that is for a 1911 Commander and it fits the Hi-Power perfectly. A loose t-shirt in warm weather, or a jacket or sweatshirt in colder weather cover it up nicely. An excellent choice for concealed carry in my opinion.
Ammo-wise, I stick with 124gr or 147 golden sabres, gold dots, or rangers/pdx1.

 

[jlanecole]

I love the High Power, but I've never felt comfortable with it for concealed carry because the safety doesn't 'click' on or off the way a 1911 safety does. Sure, if the safety is up the gun's on safe, and if it's down it's on fire, but it doesn't 'tell" you that; you don't feel or hear it happen. Moreover, more than once I've holstered a High Power set on safe -- crossdraw, in a good IWB holster made for the gun -- and found it set on fire when I drew it.

This may have been addressed in later engineering changes. My Mark III clicks noticeably, and can be felt when the safety changes position.

 

[sipowicz]

Got the gun back...trigger is sweet...best 75 bucks I ever spent.