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Browning Hi-Power: small changes make a big difference.
- Thread starter sigp220.45
- Start date
Sig, love your HP, it's a beauty. And nice HPs guys. I've never owned a HP, but have been thinking a lot about getting a new one. I've thought about looking around for a nice vintage HP, but I've fondled some of the new ones at the LGS, and think they look real nice. I like the high polish ones, but I can't decide whether to get the one with the adjustable sights, or go with the more traditional fixed sights.
What do you guys think, waste of time/heresy with the adjustable sights?
What do you guys think, waste of time/heresy with the adjustable sights?
Darkenfast
Member
Regarding the magazines and their effect on the trigger when the MDS is present: I have had the opposite experience with my BHP from the 70's. I have three types of magazines: the original that came with the gun (which spent thirty years in a safe and was apparently fired little or not at all); the Browning-marked "mousetrap" magazines (made by Mec-Gar), and the Mec-Gar marked blued magazines.
On my particular gun, the trigger pull is crisp and right at six pounds, which I think is fine for a real-world service SA auto. The drag from the MDS only appears to affect the take-up. The "mousetrap" mags are the least gritty, followed by the original, then the blued Mec-gars, which are noticeably worse. The actual trigger release is the same with all of them, however. Note that I haven't polished the MDS face, which might change the order. I understand that Mec-Gar cannot market the "mousetrap" design under it's name because of patents. The "mousetrap" magazine also features a slightly different follower, which positions the nose of the round slightly higher and supposedly aids in feeding hollowpoints in older pre-MkIII pistols. I haven't had the opportunity to test this out yet.
For those who wish to keep their older High Powers in original condition, do not despair! It took awhile, but I learned to be comfortable with the small safety. It helped me to focus on just the one gun for awhile. The small lever is extremely unlikely to be rubbed off in a holster, which may be why Browning designed them that way.
Whether you keep them original, or personalize them as the OP has thoughtfully done, the Browning/Saive High-Power is a classic. I personally believe that it was the BEST service handgun of World War II and most of the Cold War.
gagunner 2
US Veteran
how hard is it to fit the C&S safety ?
BCDWYO
Member
Some beautiful BHPs on here! Here's mine that has a 357 Sig barrel along with a beavertail and some other custom work:
That looks GREAT to me. Just broken in.......What year was it made?
All I know is late '40s. It is one of the Cole Distributing guns. I got it for $250 shipped to my front door. All my HiPowers are from Coles and all are C&R eligible.
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policerevolvercollector
Member
Some beautiful BHPs on here! Here's mine that has a 357 Sig barrel along with a beavertail and some other custom work:
That is simply.....perfect! I'm a huge fan of the .357 Sig round. (I have a Glock 31 & Glock 32). But, honestly never considered converting a HP. The balance,ergonomics and yes......elegance of a HP in that caliber..... that may be the next "gotta have"!!! I guess you use the .40 mags?
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SpartanDCI
Member
BHP's are my favorite 9mm pistol, slightly edging out the SIG P228 - since both fit my hand to perfection.
From shooting tens of thousands of rounds through them, thanks to Uncle Sam, I would be reluctant to shoot alot of .357 SIG rounds through them though. That model is beefier to handle the 40 S&W round, and the 357 SIG is a hot round compared to the 9mm +P+; but I would watch out for wear marks on the portion of the frame, where the barrel unlocks against.
I say that since when I first started working for the Government, my agency gave people the option of using a 9mm BHP (Belgian 70's vintage 245 prefix) but the only rounds we had were +p+ 9mm ammo that came by the way of DEA. Those rounds were very accurate in the Browning, and some guys could reliably hit steel Popper targets out to 100 yards, and knock them down at 50 yards when set for major caliber! We found that firing that round caused the recoil spring to have to be replaced after about 1000 rounds and the frame showed deep grooves where the barrel wore down against the frame. Our armorer showed us UZI subguns that had been ported to feed +P+ special loaded Federal 9mm with a special cannelure on the case to help feeding. All those Uzis had deep grooves worn on the frame also, and he had a BHP that was withdrawn from service when the frame became too worn to head space correctly. The locking lugs on the barrel were also peened over. More a problem with the round that the weapon.
BHP's wre designed for the 9mm round and with the correct recoil spring and lube, they work forever with that load - in my opinion, when your stray away from that load into the 40 and 357 SIG chamber pressures - it may not last as long. Take it for what its worth - just my 2 cents.
Love that safety by the way! Looks like an updated Hoag safety, when he was doing his masterful BHP combat upgrades!
From shooting tens of thousands of rounds through them, thanks to Uncle Sam, I would be reluctant to shoot alot of .357 SIG rounds through them though. That model is beefier to handle the 40 S&W round, and the 357 SIG is a hot round compared to the 9mm +P+; but I would watch out for wear marks on the portion of the frame, where the barrel unlocks against.
I say that since when I first started working for the Government, my agency gave people the option of using a 9mm BHP (Belgian 70's vintage 245 prefix) but the only rounds we had were +p+ 9mm ammo that came by the way of DEA. Those rounds were very accurate in the Browning, and some guys could reliably hit steel Popper targets out to 100 yards, and knock them down at 50 yards when set for major caliber! We found that firing that round caused the recoil spring to have to be replaced after about 1000 rounds and the frame showed deep grooves where the barrel wore down against the frame. Our armorer showed us UZI subguns that had been ported to feed +P+ special loaded Federal 9mm with a special cannelure on the case to help feeding. All those Uzis had deep grooves worn on the frame also, and he had a BHP that was withdrawn from service when the frame became too worn to head space correctly. The locking lugs on the barrel were also peened over. More a problem with the round that the weapon.
BHP's wre designed for the 9mm round and with the correct recoil spring and lube, they work forever with that load - in my opinion, when your stray away from that load into the 40 and 357 SIG chamber pressures - it may not last as long. Take it for what its worth - just my 2 cents.
Love that safety by the way! Looks like an updated Hoag safety, when he was doing his masterful BHP combat upgrades!
It's one of those "go slowly and try often" jobs. This site is helpful for all things BHP: Handguns and Ammunition Forums - Powered by vBulletin
Dmar: "What do you guys think, waste of time/heresy with the adjustable sights?"
My Israeli Mk. III shoots to the sights; have never needed to fool with them. The factory adjustables always seemed way too high and ruined the lines of the gun to boot, to my eyes, anyway. Back in the day it was somewhat fashionable to custom adapt the S&W adjustable rear sights to the BHP, which looked much better. Don't know how durable long term they were, though.
There are lots of good fixed sights out there for the BHP nowadays. I get along okay with the stock fixed sights, just black on black.
wx7b
Member
Put an extended FEG safety from Numrich Arms a few years ago on the '82 9mm, did a great job and looks smaller than the C&S. Unfortunately a co-worker talked me out of it.
BCDWYO
Member
Yes I use the .40 mags, and it is a great round!
And Spartan I agree that lots of rounds with the 357 Sig may wear a BHP out. I've shot enough thru it to determine that it is reliable and accurate, but I don't intend to torture test it with the 357 Sigs. For carry and occasional range use I'm happy with it.
If it is a MKIII then it can take the 40S&W pressures and the pressures of the .357 Sig. The main issue with the older guns where the rails of the frame which was forged. The MKIIIs are a cast frame but are actually more durable.
The other thing to do is make sure you change out the recoil spring every 1000 to 2000 rounds. This will keep the slide from battering itself to death and also keep the lugs from being excessively worn.
Nice gun who did the work?
I personally do not like the factory beer can sights. They are too tall and don't look right to my eyes. They also did not always hold zero as well as they should. Many people used locite on them to hold zero which sort of defeats the purpose.
I like adjustable sights if you are shooting a wide range of distances with a wide range of loads. Different weight and different distances make it nice to be able to dial in the gun.
I love the look of the old S&W sights on the BHP. If done right they will last longer than I will. I missed out on a T series with S&Ws a while back. Still kicking myself.
I do have this one. It is a 69C series with a real Bomar Sight. She is well worn but shoots great. This is the gun I want to put a old school thumb safety on before I get it reblued. With that she should be good to go for a long time.
4barrel
Member
Another Potential Problem
I love my Browning HP and have no plans to part with it but as others have said, the gun isn't perfect. I find that in doing rapid or tactical reload drills, the magazine tends to hang up on the front edge of the magazine well. This may be chamfered a bit but there's little original material to work with.
Yes, a funneled magazine guide may be installed but tricking out this handgun somewhat compromises it in that the gun is already maxed out for size and weight as far as carry comfort and concealability are concerned.
Perhaps I just need to practice with this model to insure a smoother reload if ever needed.
I love my Browning HP and have no plans to part with it but as others have said, the gun isn't perfect. I find that in doing rapid or tactical reload drills, the magazine tends to hang up on the front edge of the magazine well. This may be chamfered a bit but there's little original material to work with.
Yes, a funneled magazine guide may be installed but tricking out this handgun somewhat compromises it in that the gun is already maxed out for size and weight as far as carry comfort and concealability are concerned.
Perhaps I just need to practice with this model to insure a smoother reload if ever needed.
Feeding the Hi-Power
I have a substantial supply of Federal 115 grain JHPs and both Federal and Winchester 147 grain JHPs. The 115 grainers are a bit blasty but the 147 grainers provide less whip and quicker recoil recovery.
While most everybody seems to seek the ultimate smash'em-dead load for whatever they carry, a critical element to cartridge effectiveness and selection is recoil recovery. The Browning HP and the 147 grain Sub-sonic are an ideal combination together and allow very quick follow-up shots if needed.
I have a substantial supply of Federal 115 grain JHPs and both Federal and Winchester 147 grain JHPs. The 115 grainers are a bit blasty but the 147 grainers provide less whip and quicker recoil recovery.
While most everybody seems to seek the ultimate smash'em-dead load for whatever they carry, a critical element to cartridge effectiveness and selection is recoil recovery. The Browning HP and the 147 grain Sub-sonic are an ideal combination together and allow very quick follow-up shots if needed.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
I'd always admired, and wanted one of these iconic firearms, but could never find one I could afford. I had all but given up hope when I found this Mk III in LNIB condition at a crazy good price a couple of years ago. It shoots as good as it looks, but the finish is thin and it makes you long for the gorgeous deep blueing from the old days.
Regards,
Dave
Regards,
Dave
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The P35 is the last design of John Browning, the final touches having been put on after his death. And it shows. Excellent ergonomics.
Some Spec Ops people in the 60, give or take, countries that adooted it, carried it in Condition 0, cocked and UNlocked, in order to avoid the problem of the safety. Personally, I prefer the extended safety option, and the one used on the Mark III works quite nicely.
Some Spec Ops people in the 60, give or take, countries that adooted it, carried it in Condition 0, cocked and UNlocked, in order to avoid the problem of the safety. Personally, I prefer the extended safety option, and the one used on the Mark III works quite nicely.
My BHP is a 73C series. I removed the mag safety and installed a ring style hammer myself. I also added a set of MK-III grips. Then I had a MK-III ambidextrous safety installed by Don Williams of Action Works in Arizona:
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
the.batman
Member
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Hi Power
Sorry for the response to such an old thread, but I'm a real HP fan too- couldn't resist. Here's my Standard, polished blue 'before'-
I fully tweaked my HP- Slide/frame tightened, removed "hump" in barrel feed ramp, I had a buddy crown/flush cut muzzle, installed Cylinder&Slide no bite ring hammer, C&S sear, C&S wide trigger (removed mag safety), C&S strong side extended thumb safety, had Novak's install Lo Mount rear/front sights, VZ Gunner grips, MecGar 15 round mags bead blasted/Parkerized, bead blast/Parkerize gun. It's been well traveled since then.
Sorry for the response to such an old thread, but I'm a real HP fan too- couldn't resist. Here's my Standard, polished blue 'before'-
I fully tweaked my HP- Slide/frame tightened, removed "hump" in barrel feed ramp, I had a buddy crown/flush cut muzzle, installed Cylinder&Slide no bite ring hammer, C&S sear, C&S wide trigger (removed mag safety), C&S strong side extended thumb safety, had Novak's install Lo Mount rear/front sights, VZ Gunner grips, MecGar 15 round mags bead blasted/Parkerized, bead blast/Parkerize gun. It's been well traveled since then.
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