Browning HPs

[Drm50]

Got into a couple Browning HPs. The model with adjustable sights. Both in nice condition and they appear to be low round count pistols. One had Browning medallions in grips originally but they are missing, I can live without them. The other was more interesting. The exterior looked fine, bore shiny. When I got pistol I couldn’t field strip it. The HP is easier to strip than a 1911.
I couldn’t budge the slide stop. The trigger pull was about 15lbs and gritty. The safety was all but locked up. Innards were gunked solid with something that solidified like leather. Once I got cleaned everything was ok. Whatever that crap was it prevented rust.
Have shot both a few rounds for function test. Both run fine and waiting for nice weather to bench and 0.

 

[biku324]

Now you need one in 40.

 

[Onomea]

I think — not that I know much about Brownings, so I am guessing — that the medallions were aftermarket. Probably why they fell out.

On the other hand, since the panels are inlet, easy enough to find Browning medallions on eBay. I’d buy a set and stick ‘em back in there.

 

[Bevo84]

The HP is easier to strip than a 1911.

yup

 

[biku324]

If you're bored enough, drop the mag safeties out for a better, more consistent trigger on each. It's a 15-20 minute operation.

 

[Drm50]

If you're bored enough, drop the mag safeties out for a better, more consistent trigger on each. It's a 15-20 minute operation.

Got two for sale! Have been polishing innards and have both shade under 4lb. Not interested in anything .40 and in HPs only Browning FN Belgian. I only ever bought one new HP and that was early 70s. It had tiny sights and cone hammer.
The action was like glass but I had S&W 39 that I could shoot much better because of sights.

 

[biku324]

Got two for sale! Have been polishing innards and have both shade under 4lb. Not interested in anything .40 and in HPs only Browning FN Belgian. I only ever bought one new HP and that was early 70s. It had tiny sights and cone hammer.
The action was like glass but I had S&W 39 that I could shoot much better because of sights.

I bought mine in 40 to carry. Always shot the BHP 9s well but had zero confidence in the smaller cartridge.

We were issued 4506s when I bought my 40 MkIII (good sights); I could shoot rings around others on the line because they had first shot DA, then follow-ups SA. You have to be mighty focused to overcome the trigger pull change, plus I had 2 extra rounds. On the other hand, the smaller groups didn't mean they all weren't putting their rounds where they needed to be.

Still have that well-worn 40 and have had no issues with it ever.

 

[Drm50]

I bought mine in 40 to carry. Always shot the BHP 9s well but had zero confidence in the smaller cartridge.

We were issued 4506s when I bought my 40 MkIII (good sights); I could shoot rings around others on the line because they had first shot DA, then follow-ups SA. You have to be mighty focused to overcome the trigger pull change, plus I had 2 extra rounds. On the other hand, the smaller groups didn't mean they all weren't putting their rounds where they needed to be.

Still have that well-worn 40 and have had no issues with it ever.

Nothing wrong with .40 but not being LEO it’s just another cartridge and I’m suppose to be thinning out. I’ve started with S&Ws and first to go were the model 57s/ 41 magnums.

 

[biku324]

I've thinned down to 45 ACP/AR, 41 mag, 40, and 38/357. It does feel weird not to have 44 mag, 44/40, 45 Colt, or 10mm around the house.

Welcome to 70.

 

[Drm50]

I've thinned down to 45 ACP/AR, 41 mag, 40, and 38/357. It does feel weird not to have 44 mag, 44/40, 45 Colt, or 10mm around the house.

Welcome to 70.

70 ? That’s in the rear view. Still have abundant 38/357, 44sp, 44mag, 45 and 45acp revolvers not to mention 32/20 & 22

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Bought my HP in 1967-still have it. Bought a lengthened and ported barrel off Ebay, also another Belgium made slide and spare barrels.
Fired mine probably 40-50X more with my Ciener Unit than with 9MM, did a great job of smoothing out the trigger.
My cousin bought an FEG -licensed (yes !!) Hungarian copy of the Belgian HP, also a slide stop-different design. Needed a little lapping to fit the slide, works great.
Zero experience with the 40 S&W, from what I have read the HP really didn't work with it.
Biggest mistake that JMB-and Dieudonne Saive-maded with the HIP is that since it was designed around the 9MMP it can't be chambered in other rounds-38 Super, 45ACP without a major re-design.

 

[pawncop]

I did not have good luck with either Hi Power that I purchased. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Springfield SA - 35. Not a huge fan of 9 mm, but the gun is very nice.

 

[BarryinIN]

My favorite handgun. I’ve been buying, shooting, and carrying HiPowers for 30 years and I wish I had started 20 years earlier!
When I sent a gun off for my first custom handgun, I chose a HiPower. When my vision forced me to red dots, I bought an SA-35 and had it cut for one.

I like ‘em.

As for .40, I tried to like the cartridge, buying and shooting several, but was never happy. I have kept one .40, and that’s a BHP. It is the best shooting of the .40s I tried.
Still, it rarely sees the light of day. The slightly thicker slide of the .40 BHP screws up the great BHP feel for me. It may be my favorite of the .40s I’ve used, but it’s definitely my least favorite BHP.

 

[FZ1Tom]

Hi-Powers have a funny way of growing on you, can’t quite explain it but I sure do like em:
1968-69 T-Series FN no import mark

2016 standard BHP 9mm, polished blue, adjustable sights, walnut grips, ANIB:


1993 BHP Practical, 2 tone, .40S&W, adjustable sights. This one looked really good on the outside when I got it but the right hand safety lever was missing (probably lost when the PO removed the magazine disconnect safety, and boy did I ever have fun locating a replacement one too), plus it was absolutely filthy inside. The recoil spring, which is ferociously strong in .40’s, was also severely kinked and likely binding the slide. Replaced that, gun works great now.

Also, an EAA/Girsan MC PW35LW Match (Commander size, alloy frame, optic cut w/integrated rear sight cover plate and fiber optic front sight, G10 grips), and lastly, not shown is an SDS/Inglis L9A1 I just got from PSA - they’re practically pushing them out the door on account of SDS exiting the US distribution agreement


Random observations: The FN T-series has an excellent trigger despite the magazine safety and a humanely reasonable hammer spring. The 2016 also still has the mag safety, still has a good trigger but the hammer spring is so powerful as to require a gorilla to cock it, thus requiring said hammer be cocked first before the slide is racked. The Girsan has the same hammer spring from Hell, and a lousy trigger, but no mag disconnect FWIW. It's got good potential, though. The Inglis has the same mean hammer spring (what is it with modern HP's and their sledgehammer springs?) but also no mag disconnect AND a MUCH better trigger than the GIrsan. I also used to have a Springfield SA-35 for a few years but sold it to a good friend of mine who still has it and the newer FN High Power 2.0 in FDE, outstanding pistol but I sold it to fund my recent Third Generation buying spree. Hopefully I get another one someday, it’s too good not to. So, on the whole I think the Springfield is likely the best clone overall, and IF they choose to build and offer a lightweight compact version a la the Girsan while retaining its superior fit, finish (especially the polished blue ones) and trigger, they'll have far and away the best of the HP 1.0 clones available.

Oddly for an avowed JMB fan I only have but one 1911 at the moment. But hey, you never know, because goals

Tom

 

[Drm50]

I did not have good luck with either Hi Power that I purchased. I have thoroughly enjoyed my Springfield SA - 35. Not a huge fan of 9 mm, but the gun is very nice.

I was shooting/plinking with HP at a friends house. He wanted to buy it but I didn’t want to sell. Another friend present went right out and bought one. Both these guys had Ruger MK2s and that was extent of their pistol experience. This was around 2005. The guy that bought the new HP is still POed at me because it don’t shoot for beans. I took out the mag disconnect and it did lighten it a bit but trigger was so lousy it didn’t matter. Had others that bought HPs around same time also disappointed.
There is outfit B&M Spring Solutions that specializes in tricking out HPs. I have bought from them and it’s quality stuff.
The SA-35 is not as slick as the Brn Fn HPs/ Belgian but they are equal to anything they sold after that period.

 

[oldcorps76]

I bought an Israeli surplus BHP T-series in 2012. Had a good 'smith install a C&S safety and dovetail for front and rear Meprolight sights. I added new springs, contoured grips and removed the mag safety. FIST leather IWB holster.

It's been replaced by a Ruger RxM now for CCW but it is going nowhere. I have had five others including some I bought in Germany and regret selling most of them, esp the one with adjustable sights. .

 

[alwslate]

Now you need one in 40.

Noooooo you don't.

 

[Top Strap]

I was shooting/plinking with HP at a friends house. He wanted to buy it but I didn’t want to sell. Another friend present went right out and bought one. Both these guys had Ruger MK2s and that was extent of their pistol experience. This was around 2005. The guy that bought the new HP is still POed at me because it don’t shoot for beans. I took out the mag disconnect and it did lighten it a bit but trigger was so lousy it didn’t matter. Had others that bought HPs around same time also disappointed.
There is outfit B&M Spring Solutions that specializes in tricking out HPs. I have bought from them and it’s quality stuff.
The SA-35 is not as slick as the Brn Fn HPs/ Belgian but they are equal to anything they sold after that period.

Years ago, here in southern Oregon an Old Sheriff from Northern California was visiting the pawn shops showing off his collection of confiscated handguns. A friend who was part owner in one shop made the old Sheriff the best offer. Later he gave me a call, and I went down to take a look. I bought what turned out to be my very best shooting Browning HP and a 4" S&W 28. I still have them.

 

[gdogs]

I really like Hi Powers, but just recently acquired my first 40. Wasn't something I was looking for, but I couldn't pass this one up. It's a full custom job by John Jardine (Swenson's nephew). It was in the original box (relieved for the beavertail) and was wearing an ultra rare set of Ahrends grips to boot!

 

[Sucre]

That is a nice one! The Browning HP is one of the all time classic handguns.

I have 5 or 6 of them and they are fantastic guns. The earliest I have is a Tangent Sight German WWII version.

 

[Mike LaNier]

I purchased my first P-35 in 1965, a pre-war model that had made its way to Vietnam, an early gun with target sights and a slot for the detachable stock. Sold it to a fellow grunt when I got my DROS orders; but I have owned a High Power ever since. EVERYBODY should own at least one...just my opinion, of course!

 

[Narragansett]

I have had mine since 1971. Always been a safe queen. Just started using it

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Bought mine in 1972.....New in pouch for $114.00........Added Millet adjustable sights......Still have it......Still shoot it.
Back then my favorite 9mm ammo was Super-Vel.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

My first handgun, bought it in 1967 during my Army days-still have it. Just bought an 2nd Belgian made slide, also some spare barrels. In recent years fired it mostly with my Ciener Conversion Unit, that did a great job of smoothing out the trigger.
Biggest drawback to the HP is that since JMB-and Dieudonne Saive-designed it around the 9MMP it cannot be chambered in other calibers without a major redsign and retooling.

 

[jdlii]

The one I acquired was labeled as a "combat model.' Silver chrome, gold plated trigger, blued controls and beer can sights. It came with three silver chromed magazines and the pouch. It is a very nice shooter.

I acquired a BHP in .40 a few years ago and immediately had to replace the front sight since it shot over a foot hight no matter how I adjusted the rear sight. Once the front sight was changed, it shot okay but, nothing to brag about. A friend of mine wanted it worse than I did and I was happy to divest myself of the only .40 cal. that I have ever owned.

 

[MelvinWalker]

Noooooo you don't.

Correct...You don't

I have one gun in .40, (Glock 22), and a few boxes of ammo for it....

No problems with it or the caliber and I carried one for a year, but the fact is that it is overrated and unnecessary.

 

[oberon]

I had a HiPower from around the early '80s, and an FN Nazi from later. When FN made the last of the 'legacy' ones, several various ones popped up at the trading post, all at financially convenient intervals. So, I was fortunate to acquire these. This was around the time Springfield was introducing the SA-35. I did better than I would have done with the Springfield, which I was hot for. But I did grab 3 pistols instead of 1, so......
I love theses things.

There are two 'T's, '66 & '86, a 73 'C', a '41 FN Nazi, and a~mid '80s
(Mn phosphate in the middle)

 

[bc1023]

I’ve got a few, from 1960 through the 90’s. I like them for nostalgia.

I think they’re terrible shooters, frankly. So many pistols way, way better in that regard.