Browning Hi-Power as a carry gun

[Harkrader]

HEY, oldcorps76, how 'bout some pics?

 

[Xfuzz]

One of my all time favorites..had a few over the years.
Decided a few months ago to keep one and use it.
Try and buy one on the auciton sites...prices have gone thru the
roof. Like everything else I guess.

 

[rmbrad]

I have an Arcus 98 DAC which is the Bulgarian military and police "official" side arm. They are a Hi-power clone. The difference is that these can be carried cocked and locked, or with the hammer down. They are double action. The DAC is a compact version with 4" barrel. These guns are well made, and with a little work shoot really well. They come with an extended beavertail. They accept many parts from the Browning including magazines. I think I paid $250.00 for the gun new. It is very reliable, will FMJ or hollow points. It is easy to carry. My intent is to have it worked on by a good gun smith just to make an already good gun better.

 

[KertP]

Hi-Powers carry well

I've often carried one of my Brownng HPs. Mine are all in .40S&W. My carry gun has the SFS installed, which works as designed (it was originally designed for the HP). I use a Kramer IWB#3 holster and carry my spare magazine in a Case knife tool carrier. Until the S&W M&P, I had not found another gun that fit my hand as well as the HP. YMMV, but it works for me

 

[sheriff54]

I've done the BHP "thing" since the early '70's so it's something that fits like it was made for me... BUT the first time I picked up the newer M&P, I said, that's what the next generation BHP should feel like. Not all think like me so there are choices. But I still use the BHP because there is no need for me to "start over". If I did though, it would be the M&P. I am not ill equipped with the BHP as like above, it shoots where I point. In the end, that's really what counts. Enjoy the trip. By the way, I never spoke with Steven Camp but was privileged to trade e-mails with him on several times, He was a Grand Gentleman and you would be proud to of known him. If you want to know anything about the BHP, get his books. Great info, great read well done. BIG Thanks to Steve

 

[DepOne]

If the size and weight doesn't bother you, anything designed by John Browning is an excellent carry piece. With Hornady Critical Duty or Critical Defense even this old .45 throwback would be happy with a BHP.

 

[Darkenfast]

I've already commented above, but I'd like to add that if you wander around the internet's specific brand/model handgun forums, whenever the Browning Hi-Power comes up it generally gets good comments, regardless of what firearm that forum is about. That is pretty good praise.

 

[CoMF]

By the way, I never spoke with Steven Camp but was privileged to trade e-mails with him on several times, He was a Grand Gentleman and you would be proud to of known him.

I've had similar experiences with the late Mr. Camp. I always had pleasant exhanges with him in E-mails, and he was a great help to me when I was trying to troubleshoot a mysterious jam that disabled the entire pistol when I was shooting Federal 9BPLE from my own BHP. Turns out, I shot it so much that I wore out the magazine springs.

What happened was a round jumped free from the feed lips before the slide could strip it from the magazine in a controlled fashion, causing it to wedge inside the chamber at a very odd angle. W.C. Wolff came to the rescue with their "extra power" magazine springs, and all was well again.

One thing he touched upon that always stood out in my mind was that I could never seem to find any satisfaction in the long reset of the Mk. III compared to the concise reset of a 1911's trigger. Despite that one "flaw," I still fondly remember that svelte pistol "for a more civilized age" even though I sold it many years ago, but I miss Stephen Camp's wit and wisdom most of all.

 

[tenntucker]

My 40 in a FIST IWB:

And nude.

 

[sub-moa]

And another...

 

[Jim PHL]

I have one. Would love another. They are "true classics". Feels just perfect in my hand. I don't regularly carry mine concealed but would not hesitate to do so. It is among my most accurate guns - I shoot it as well as my 1911's and only shoot better with .22's. Mine is a 1990 Mk III that I bought used. It's been 100% reliable with a wide variety of ammo.

I've always felt it "carries smaller" than it really is. It feels lighter and slimmer than it should, being a "full-size, all-steel, hi-capacity, duty weapon". I have several 9mm's but if I could only own one gun in that caliber, it would be hard for me to decide between one of my 39xx's or my hi-power.

 

[sub-moa]

And...one more ...

 

[OIF2]

An '89 MKIII forged-frame that Arnie Dew in Fayetteville, NC worked over for me. I'll keep this one, I think.
Bob

Here's a really nice "shooter grade" late-model T series that came with a replacement FN military-contract barrel. I had the slide reblued. It came out rather well. Holster is a Browning rig, made in Mexico.

 

[sipowicz]

OK...what movie? and no cheating!

 

[nitestalker700]

I carry a 1911, all the time. I think you will do well with your Hi Power.

 

[COULT D]

OK...what movie? and no cheating!

Goodfellas when NYPD Det. Bo Diedel (ret.) now actor points the HP to arrest the main character Henry Hill.

 

[sub-moa]

Yep, Bo Dietl taking down Henry Hill in his driveway...

 

[sub-moa]

Oh, and one more still

 

[silentflyer]

Did John Browning ever design a bad firearm?

 

[sub-moa]

Yep, the 1922/23 design that many point to as the ancestor of the P35, which had to be substantially redesigned by Dieudonne Saive in order to become the P35

 

[sub-moa]

And...yet another

 

[badge]

I dont know if anyone else here has had issues with 147 grain rounds with their HP's but my 1977 version has never hickuped. I was always admonished to have the weapon " throated " and polished prior to theirs or most other hollowpoints use.

 

[BillyMagg]

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.

Actually if you have an older T series Hi-Power, leave the + p to the kids with wonder nines, Federal 9BP will work, and best of all its kind to your classic. Billy Magg, I'm not positive, but I believe Steve Camp would agree if he were still with us. Billy

 

[sub-moa]

And.....yep, one more

 

[OIF2]

And.....yep, one more

Any more? Gorgeous!
Bob

 

[sub-moa]

Thanks Bob...you know there certainly is

 

[sub-moa]

And today's offering ...

 

[sub-moa]

Come on guys...and perhaps ladies as well, there's got to be more closet BHP fans out there.

Post your pics...even if they're not quite as drop dead gorgeous as Bob's '89 MkIII, "T"...and others of course

Here's a "sort-of" to keep this on page 1 ...

 

[OIF2]

OK,here's a couple more. Two custom MKIIIs. Stocks are Spegels. Doesn't get any better than these two.
Bob

 

[OIF2]

How about a nice Belgian Police contract alloy-framed Hi Power?
Bob