BrowningHP/ 1911 reciprocity

Jessie

Jessie

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I recently aquired a HP. I've found that my 1911 holsters work perfectly with it.
This includes a Bianchi OWB, a Galco IWB, and an Alien Gear IWB.
The Alien Gear is adjustable, but the others are not and it fits perfectly.
Am I mistaken with this or do you find that its true?
Sure saves money with holsters.
 
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Lawrence used different size codes for the two pistols. I'd be interested to try both pistols in the same holster to see if the fit differed. Whatever works, works I guess.
Regards,
turnerriver
 
I have a Galco Havana, made for a 1911, and my BHP fits it perfectly.

I think you'll find most holsters, if made for one, will fit both.
 
The Safariland holsters I use have enough adjustment so they can be fit to various 1911s and even BHP. One adjusted to be tight on a BHP will not take a 5" S&W Pro 1911. One adjusted for tight on the 1911 will take either.
 
The definitive answer, from The Duke, is that "it goes in but it doesn't 'fit' ". This pic's of a Bianchi #19 for the 1911 that the prop man has filled with a BHP. You'll have to look closely to realise, that, if you had the set in hand, the holster muzzle is too long, the pocket's loose, and the strap's too long to block the hammer safely in Condition One.

1 mcq (1).jpg

An advanced maker would not call that "fitting", and if we shipped an expensive holster to you that way, with or without a thumb snap, you'd likely agree -- loudly :-)

P.S. The Duke's lawyers took exception to our use of it in our Bianchi catalogues. Seems John didn't actually ASK before using it; copyrights and all that. It's from the film McQ. Plenty of hi-jinks with which pistol was in which holster in that film :-)
 
rednichols said:
The definitive answer, from The Duke, is that "it goes in but it doesn't 'fit' ". This pic's of a Bianchi #19 for the 1911 that the prop man has filled with a BHP. You'll have to look closely to realise, that, if you had the set in hand, the holster muzzle is too long, the pocket's loose, and the strap's too long to block the hammer safely in Condition One.
Click to expand...

Well, at least the holster looks good, even if it doesn't fit right.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for Wayne's toupée.

600px-Mc23.jpg
 
In a pinch yes they can work but IMHO you are better off getting leather that is built for specifically for the BHP.
 
Holsters

I'm a tightwad when it comes to holsters and have no other excuses:o:o So I have several nylon "black-ops" type holters that work just fine for my 1911s, Hi-Powers, and even my old Tokarevs and VIS 35s if I want to show up wierd at the range:p:D:D I always get that look like "NOW what has he brought":D
 
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I find that my 1911 holsters work just fine for the HiPower, including the Blackhawk Serpa. I know there are some that don't care for the Serpa but it is used extensively in my Dept without issue. That picture of the Duke with the Bianchi holster has always bugged me.......he is wearing a RH holster with an FBI tilt as a cross draw.........WRONG. Ruined the movie for me.
 
My Bianchi is a 19L and the thumbstrap fits the same as on a 1911. It's not loose at all.
It's probably a true statement that a 1911 will not fit in a holster made for the HP, or if so, very snugly. So if the holster was inverted with a HP in it without being strapped, it would probably fall out.
I don't plan on it being unstrapped unless I'm drawing it so I'm not sure that its a serious factor for me.
I probably should, and will get a dedicated holster for it someday, but in the mean time I have no problem carrying it with what I have.
 
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Clearly in the minority here. A good test is to take a kydek holster made for each gun and try to holster a gun. The actual dimensional differences will become apparent. In properly molded shells a BHP will not fit into a 1911 holster and a 1911 will not fit into a BHP holster.

Leather and other softer materials allow for give and let the smaller BHP to slip into a 1911 holster but IMHO it does not really "fit".
 
In a "pinch" a 1911 Holster will work for a Browning HP (I have done that once or twice myself when I owned a HP), however the two guns are not exactly the same and if you have a nicely boned and expensive 1911 holster and want to keep it that way, I'd get a dedicated holster the the HP also.

Using a holster that fits a specific gun (lets say using a Chief's Special holster for a Dick Special) will reconfigure the leather, soften the boning lines, and turn a precisely fitted holster into more of a pouch.
 
As noted, it will go in, but you will have to squint a little as to fitting. Having a little extra leather beyond the muzzle is no big deal. "Usually" a holster designed for condition one 1911 will also hold in a HiPower and also usually have the thumb strap similarily positioned between the cocked hammer and firing pin. But it will be have more wiggle room inside the holster. A virgin leather holster may be better than one already stretched from use with a 1911.

It is up to you to decide if the fit is acceptable to you.

Disclaimer - I have carried an Argentinean HiPower in 1911 holsters, but I stop short of unqualified endorsement of the practice.
 
I've got both a 5" 1911 and a standard HP. Have a classic leather GI holster, made for the 1911. Yes, the HP will ride in it.

I also have a leather holster that in made to fit the HP snugly, and the 1911 doesn't fit in it. Too big.

I have a French surplus holster, I think it was for the French version of the Beretta or perhaps the MAB 15. Pretty much anything will ride around inside of that.
 
Holster Share

Some of the economy holster companies will mold a holster to the 1911 but offer the same holster for the Browning HP. If the gun is loose enough to move within the holster, expect increased holster wear if the finish is blued.
 
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