I have to admit, I like Browning High Powers. Good magazine capacity, reliable, and good feel in the hand. I've had several over the years. John Browning and Dieudonne Saive did a pretty good job in designing it. It's been military issue to innumerable countries. With today's hollow point and +P 9mm ammo, it's a formidable package.
But there were some things I didn't like. First, the stock sights are miserable and small. Second, the trigger pull is usually atrocious. Third, the safety is small and not very manageable. Fourth, the magazine safety is an abomination on a combat handgun. And fifth, the hammer bites most hands; it certainly does mine.
I thought, "If only I could have a HP on which all of those things I don't like were addressed and taken care of." Not wishing to work over an original Browning, I focused my attention on an FEG clone, made in Hungary. These are good guns, well made, and in the opinion of many, quite comparable in quality to the original Browning product, but much more affordable.
The first thing I did was remove the magazine safety. In addition to making the gun more useful than a club when there's a round in the chamber but no magazine, this alone helped the trigger pull. Then, I applied some skateboard tape to the frame fore-strap for a slip-free grip. It's inexpensive, and it works.
Next, I got on the waiting list at Cylinder and Slide. They have a lot of knowledge on HPs and their quality is unmatched. When they finally called to let me know I could send the gun, I did so, specifying the following: 1. Improve the trigger pull to a crisp 4.5 lbs. 2. Replace the sights with Novak's fine combat fixed setup. 3. Replace the safety with one with a larger flange. 4. Refinish the slide; I had dinged it up with use. And 5, fix the frame with a beavertail so the hammer no longer bites me!
They called me when they received the gun and asked if I wanted forward grooves in the slide. I thought it unnecessary, due to the step in the HP slide providing plenty of purchase for a chamber check. However, they said the charge would be the same for just refinishing, or refinishing with the forward grooves. OK - couldn't hurt, so do it.
So I waited a few weeks for the gun to be worked on and returned to me. Needless to say, I was very pleased. The pistol is totally reliable, easy to handle, has a sweet trigger, great sights and and easy-to-manipulate safety. And the damn thing doesn't bite me any more. Also, dead accurate; sights regulated for 25 yards. If restricted to 9mm for any reason, I'm entirely happy with this one. Anyone considering Cylinder and Slide for work on their pistols should have no qualms.
Here's the result: My FEG High Power now works to my satisfaction. It's photographed, for comparison, with a WWII Canadian Inglis High Power.
But there were some things I didn't like. First, the stock sights are miserable and small. Second, the trigger pull is usually atrocious. Third, the safety is small and not very manageable. Fourth, the magazine safety is an abomination on a combat handgun. And fifth, the hammer bites most hands; it certainly does mine.
I thought, "If only I could have a HP on which all of those things I don't like were addressed and taken care of." Not wishing to work over an original Browning, I focused my attention on an FEG clone, made in Hungary. These are good guns, well made, and in the opinion of many, quite comparable in quality to the original Browning product, but much more affordable.
The first thing I did was remove the magazine safety. In addition to making the gun more useful than a club when there's a round in the chamber but no magazine, this alone helped the trigger pull. Then, I applied some skateboard tape to the frame fore-strap for a slip-free grip. It's inexpensive, and it works.
Next, I got on the waiting list at Cylinder and Slide. They have a lot of knowledge on HPs and their quality is unmatched. When they finally called to let me know I could send the gun, I did so, specifying the following: 1. Improve the trigger pull to a crisp 4.5 lbs. 2. Replace the sights with Novak's fine combat fixed setup. 3. Replace the safety with one with a larger flange. 4. Refinish the slide; I had dinged it up with use. And 5, fix the frame with a beavertail so the hammer no longer bites me!
They called me when they received the gun and asked if I wanted forward grooves in the slide. I thought it unnecessary, due to the step in the HP slide providing plenty of purchase for a chamber check. However, they said the charge would be the same for just refinishing, or refinishing with the forward grooves. OK - couldn't hurt, so do it.
So I waited a few weeks for the gun to be worked on and returned to me. Needless to say, I was very pleased. The pistol is totally reliable, easy to handle, has a sweet trigger, great sights and and easy-to-manipulate safety. And the damn thing doesn't bite me any more. Also, dead accurate; sights regulated for 25 yards. If restricted to 9mm for any reason, I'm entirely happy with this one. Anyone considering Cylinder and Slide for work on their pistols should have no qualms.
Here's the result: My FEG High Power now works to my satisfaction. It's photographed, for comparison, with a WWII Canadian Inglis High Power.
