Ignoring Hi-Power

[BC38]

The FEG P9 was a 100 percent parts compatible clone of the pre Mk II Hi Power and had the small safety and half moon shaped slide release lever.

The First Generation P9M used a 1911 style slide release and an extended safety along with 3 dot sights. However the 1911 slide release had a small triangular stop and the cut in the slide matched it.

The top Hi Power is an FN with the larger slide cut, while the bottom is an FEG 1st Gen P9M. Note the difference in slide cuts for the slide release levers.

I converted the FEG to the same SFS configuration as the factory FN SFS.

However to do that I had to reprofile the slide release lever included in the factory FN SFS conversion kit to match the smaller slide cut on the 1st Gen P9M.

It’s common to find a P9 with an extended safety and or larger three dot sights as FEG would build them in whatever configuration and finish the commercial or military customer wanted - round or spur hammer, wood or plastic grips, blued or parkerized finish, small or large safety, standard or three dot sights, etc.

This P9 has the extended safety and the larger 3 dot sights. IMHO it’s the ideal configuration for the FEG P9.

Some importers like KBI looking for minimum cost would just take whatever FEG wanted to send and FEG in turn would use what ever parts they had handy on the shelf.

However, I have not encountered a P9 that used a 1911 style 1st Gen P9M slide release lever before. I guess the smaller catch on the slide release will work with the larger slide cut but it doesn’t seem like a great idea. I suspect it’s either a replacement part and not how it left FEG.

Alternatively the slide has been replaced with a P9 slide, but that would be obvious as the slide, frame and barrel serial numbers would not match.

Cylinder and slide does sell Browning Hi Power factory replacement parts including a slide stop. But it’s $157.

They no longer sell the SFS kit.

If I'm reading you right, you're saying my slide stop lever is unusual and possibly not original? Your comments made me curious, so I just pulled it out of the safe to look it over. It not only has the larger slide cut, but it also has the larger catch on the slide release lever to match. The SNs on the frame, slide, & barrel all match.

I know that the longer slide stop lever is available, but it isn't worth $157 to me. Heck, that's over 60% of what I paid for the whole gun!

For an old finish-challenged shooter like this, I'd only be interested in actually getting and fitting one if I got it REALLY cheap.

BTW, after reading about the Blue Wonder products here, and doing a little internet research I ordered their bluing kit from Amazon today. This gun is the first one I want to try it on. If it turns out as good as what I've seen, I may even refinish the grips to make it purdy!

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Bought mine in 1967, paid $110-a lot of money for an Army PFC then. Still have it. Biggest drawback to the JMB/Dieudonne Saive design is that since it was designed around the 9MMP like the S&W M-39 it cannot be chambered in other calibers without a major redesign and retooling. IIRC the HP in 40 S&W didn't work that well. The rate of twist and depth of the lands and grooves in the barrels makes for good accuracy with lead bullets. In recent years I have fired mine with my Ciener unit,that has smoothed out the trigger nicely.

 

[Cartwright Jones]

The Hi Power in all its variants was surprisingly ahead of its time. Even today, handling a Hi Power makes one wonder why we need all these new-fangled designs.
The Hi Power has a bore axis as low as the Glock. It's slender, points naturally, holds a solid 15+1 round of 9x19 with modern magazines. The Hi Power in many ways is SIMPLER than more modern designs. The Girsan version - P35, has an ingenious firing pin block, and the entire fire control group is VISIBLE with the slide off!
There is nothing that favors a striker fired system, and the single-action, hammer-fired Hi Power system has been doing just fine for well over half a Century!
But the most important criteria of any combat handgun is that it POINT with one hand - accurately, and this the Hi Power does BETTER than all the DA pistols, and even Glock.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

My first semi / 9x19 pistol was Argentinian FM M90
I bought it 1994 and sold or change some another gun in 1990s because I bought some Glocks.
I regret it, just as I regret selling or trading all other weapons.

Someday I want an FN HP or a good clone in my safe.

My first duty carry pistol was FN FPDA in the early 1990s, when I was conscript service as MP.
In the late 1990s, I continued FN HPDA duty carry to 2012, when issued changed to Glock 17

 

[squidsix]

This was is my favorite. Refinished by our very own Guzzitaco.

 

[Engine49guy]

Picked up a blue FN made BHP in .40 SW a few years ago, it had the factory installed SFS which is pretty neat.

For those not familiar with the unique "Safe Fire System" here is a short video explaining it's function, with this feature you eliminate the need for a double action trigger completely and don't have to carry with a cocked hammer.

https://youtu.be/TvAihcaWrHI?si=VIzIARkEXX_usDpN

 

[curtmini14]

the sfs system is a problem in search of an answer!

 

[PALADIN85020]

My favorite High Power is this Canadian Inglis example that dates from 1945, the last year of WWII. It's complete with its wooden stock/holster dated 1945. The combination of the two is legal according to BATF as being exempt from the "short-barreled rifle" nonsense. Being made near the end of the war, these beauties are still in pristine condition.

John


(Click for larger image)

 

[ACORN]

I see PSA has the Inglis Hi-power on sale for $399

 

[shawn mccarver]

A real BHP is pricey these days. That said, the new L9A1 is well built and 100% reliable.

 

[otis24]

I’ve always loved the Hi Power. I picked one up on Valentines Day four years ago that dates to 1976. When Springfield came out with the SA35, I foolishly sold mine and got an SA35, which had ejection problems right away. I got rid of the SA35. Fortunately, about a year after I sold my Hi Power, I was able to get it back. My Hi Power had two drawbacks; the minuscule sights and the tiny safety lever. I picked up Hi Power Mk3 sights from Midway USA and had the slide dovetailed to fit. I also ordered a larger safety lever from Cylinder and Slide and had that installed. Very happy now!

 

[otis24]

Picked up a blue FN made BHP in .40 SW a few years ago, it had the factory installed SFS which is pretty neat.

For those not familiar with the unique "Safe Fire System" here is a short video explaining it's function, with this feature you eliminate the need for a double action trigger completely and don't have to carry with a cocked hammer.

https://youtu.be/TvAihcaWrHI?si=VIzIARkEXX_usDpN

I would actually prefer not to carry cocked and locked and would love to find a Hi Power SFS reasonably priced. I could buy the kit from C&S but then there is the cost of installation. If the timing and finances are right, I may pick one up some day. In spite of the funky looking hammer!

 

[Engine49guy]

I see PSA has the Inglis Hi-power on sale for $399

Psa had the satin nickel one for $389.00
I'm guessing they flew out the door based by them raising it to abt $500, it's now on sale for $429 just not a fan of satin nickel.

 

[smoothshooter]

I have had several Hi-Powers over the years and love the grip frame dimensions and angle.
However, the safety has always been the design “ weak link “ that caused me to eventually stop buying them. The safety is always mushy, even with an ambidextrous one, and the standard ones are difficult to to operate under stress and seem to have been added by Browning as either an afterthought, or to comply with military contract requirements.

 

[oberon]

I love Hi Powers.

 

[WVSig]

I have had several Hi-Powers over the years and love the grip frame dimensions and angle.
However, the safety has always been the design “ weak link “ that caused me to eventually stop buying them. The safety is always mushy, even with an ambidextrous one, and the standard ones are difficult to to operate under stress and seem to have been added by Browning as either an afterthought, or to comply with military contract requirements.

This is fixable. It will never be a 1911 click but with the right spring and the better detent it can be very good.

 

[smoothshooter]

This is fixable. It will never be a 1911 click but with the right spring and the better detent it can be very good.

Assuming you are correct, that sounds like something the factory should have incorporated into their design decades ago.
Wonder why they didn’t?

 

[austintexas]

Hi Powers

As a S&W guy I like to venture into other backyards. I Have several Browning Hi-Powers. Eased into them when I was augmenting my military collection of guns. Bought an Inglus Then a commercial then an Argentine and so on. I have 9mms, 40s and one 30 Luger. Just bought one of the Israeli return FN Hi-Powers and a new Ingles Turkish copy's (Very nice gun for $400) I like them but shoot my 1911s more often.
SWCA 892

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

I found two picts of my ex duty carry FN HPDA

I miss its accuracy

 

[Jpsbgt]

A older gentleman I knew recently passed away. Before he died he told me a bit about his military career during WWII. He was along for the ride with Patton . During a lull in the storm he and a buddy ran into a group of Germans. They quickly surrendered to two GI’s. My friend took a HP off one of them and kept it for the duration. My doctor now has the pistol because of the careful attention he paid to him and his wife.