If it were up to me I’d call it the first wonder nine, even though it pre dated the concept by 35 years.
However a defining trait of the wonder nine is double action operation.
Ignoring Hi-Power
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If it were up to me I’d call it the first wonder nine, even though it pre dated the concept by 35 years.
However a defining trait of the wonder nine is double action operation.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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The small safety on the Browning HP is rather typical for the time. The larger safeties we use today came about in the last 50 years or so with the development of modern pistolcraft and combat shooting.
Left the magazine safety in mine, lots of shooting smoothed it out.
Left the magazine safety in mine, lots of shooting smoothed it out.
Weight and crisp are two different things.
Even before the mag disconnect was removed the trigger was, I should have said, heavy but absolutely crisp.
Seemed to be a bit lighter after mag disconnect removed, but it was never measured prior.
Just apply pressure and it breaks.
That's my definition of crisp.
"No such thing as a stock BHP with a crisp trigger", said many at the range.
"Try it for a beer", said I.
Markham Park usually had Root Beer in the machine.
I don't mind a bit stout, as you say, just a clean break with pressure applied.
Recently installed a Geiessle SSP in one of our 6920s.
No range time yet and put the T36 on top.
My boy's Marine Gunnery Sergeant buddy, with a stock 6920,
only missed a few times, prone at 300yds, down at Homestead, during their many trips while he was TDY.
Taught my boy to clean his firearms properly.
Almost passed my white glove.
Hope we can all meet up when we get together for my niece's wedding in Lake Tahoe next year.
Her retired Deputy Sheriff uncle lives there, has a horse ranch, and I'll be bringing a Smith 460 with the Leupold DPP.
Miracles may happen and I'll have the
X Frame grips ready.
The small thumb safety on the BHP is a mystery as to why.
The Israeli surplus bought when they were $270 has a 7 lb clean breaking trigger. Am very appreciative of this type of trigger in a handgun made for serious social use, as well as the natural pointing ability. 3 other HP's owned are similar, but my comp version is not.
The SA-35 just bought has a 4.2 lb trigger, and the trigger is not clean breaking and can see the sear rising before it breaks. Very functional, but not clean. Am betting a heavier spring would make it cleaner breaking due to the trigger/sear design.
BHP vs S&W Model 39-2
Always enjoyed my Browning Hi Power whether plinking cans and spinners outdoors or indoor range, so when I acquired my first S & W semi-auto, a Model 39-2 several years ago I naturally had to take them both for an indoor range session at 10 yards using Winchester White Box (124 gr) FMJ ammo in both.
I knew what the BHP could do, as it has never let me down, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the S & W hold its own too. Very happy with either gun, but I guess a carry advantage would still have to go to Mr. Browning for capacity.
Always enjoyed my Browning Hi Power whether plinking cans and spinners outdoors or indoor range, so when I acquired my first S & W semi-auto, a Model 39-2 several years ago I naturally had to take them both for an indoor range session at 10 yards using Winchester White Box (124 gr) FMJ ammo in both.
I knew what the BHP could do, as it has never let me down, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the S & W hold its own too. Very happy with either gun, but I guess a carry advantage would still have to go to Mr. Browning for capacity.
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ridewv
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Weight and crisp are two different things.
Even before the mag disconnect was removed the trigger was, I should have said, heavy but absolutely crisp.
Seemed to be a bit lighter after mag disconnect removed, but it was never measured prior.
Just apply pressure and it breaks.
That's my definition of crisp.
This is my feeling as well, it's a very crisp trigger.
All of mine but one have had a trigger job and the disconnects removed. The local gunsmith polishes some parts of the trigger system and changes the spring to what he refers to as "1 step lighter" which makes it perfect for me.
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44wheelman
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Bought a "T" series with pouch...it bit me on a couple occasions...bad gun, sent it down the road. Years later maybe I ought to try again, look at one to buy, see there is a slight gap in the 2-piece bbl, hhmmm, your bbl is broke..."that's the way it's supposed to be"...ok, thanks, Ill pass.
I will get a SA35. The BHP is a top 10 iconic pistol in my mind, we just haven't gotten along, yet.
I will get a SA35. The BHP is a top 10 iconic pistol in my mind, we just haven't gotten along, yet.
I got out the hard finishing stone from my Buck knife sharpening kit and rubbed it on the front of the magazines for my Browning High Powers. It definitely smoothed out the trigger pulls since the magazine disconnect pushes up against the magazine.
Glenn R. McMannly
Member
Here’s my mint Mk III with original British service holster:
One of the finest fighting handguns yet.
One of the finest fighting handguns yet.
Whew, that's a beauty!
AJ
US Veteran
Shooting a Feg Clone High Power is like comparing a Rolls Royce (The original Belgium Gun) to a Yugo Automobile (dubbed the worst car ever made). Now I am not saying all the High Power Cones were bad but none ever came within a good country mile of the original FN High Power.
In reality the FN High Power has always been the "Gold Standard" of 9mm Hi-Capacity 9x19's. It had what most of the competitor's never had or ever will have and that was outstanding workmanship and outstanding accuracy.
The High Power's long history of being a military weapon of over 50 countries puts it in a class far above all the other "Wonder 9's".
In a recent TV documentary on the "High Power" the host Joe Mantegna said "You would not be at a disadvantage even today if you went to war with a High Power and not a "Plastic Fantastic" pistol.
I might also add its ergonomics is matched by very, very few pistols as it points like a finger. Only the Luger or the Sig P210 can be compared to it when one points the gun at the target.
In reality the FN High Power has always been the "Gold Standard" of 9mm Hi-Capacity 9x19's. It had what most of the competitor's never had or ever will have and that was outstanding workmanship and outstanding accuracy.
The High Power's long history of being a military weapon of over 50 countries puts it in a class far above all the other "Wonder 9's".
In a recent TV documentary on the "High Power" the host Joe Mantegna said "You would not be at a disadvantage even today if you went to war with a High Power and not a "Plastic Fantastic" pistol.
I might also add its ergonomics is matched by very, very few pistols as it points like a finger. Only the Luger or the Sig P210 can be compared to it when one points the gun at the target.
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SWFan27
Member
A Raymond Reddington approved Hi Power is on my want list, but my CZ75 will have to do for now.
I have been a fan since 1976.. ten years old... when my dad got one... I am the caretaker of it now.. resides in the red lined pouch next to a practical 40s&w & a 75th Anniversary NIB... and my father carried it and shot IPSC with it... Bill @ C&S even fiddled with it a bit... was a shooting buddy of dad's... I shagged brass as a lil guy...
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Darkenfast
Member
I'll second what a lot of others have said above: The High Power is a classic. My C-series from the mid-70's is completely stock. With either the original phosphate magazine or with newer OEM "mousetrap spring" magazines, the pull is six pounds and crisp, and for a service pistol, that is just fine. Blued magazines drag on the disconnect, so I stopped using them. The "mousetrap" magazines present the round at a slightly higher angle to help with hollowpoint feeding. I ran a limited test with Critical Duty +P and they worked fine. Once you learn the small safety, it's just as fast as any other (for me at least), and is extremely unlikely to be rubbed off. Since cataract surgery, I'm even fine with the old sights!
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cd228
Member
Box stock it was a decent and very durable service pistol. Remove the magazine safety, get a set of grips you prefer and have a good gunsmith do a little work and it was a great pistol. If you can get your hands on a Novak or Cylinder and Slide (IIRC) Hi-power and you have a work of art.
The Hi-power was like the 1911 in that way, out of the box it was good, with some investment, excellent.
I have to go shoot mine now. It's been hiding in the safe.
The Hi-power was like the 1911 in that way, out of the box it was good, with some investment, excellent.
I have to go shoot mine now. It's been hiding in the safe.
That is a gorgeous gun. I like shiny guns. I have the twin to yours and a hard chrome finished piece that was customized by the Wild West shop up in Alaska.
Markham Park is located on the North side of State Road 84, (Alligator Alley) and West of State Road 869, (the Sawgrass Expressway).
Was supposed to have a 600yd range.
More later, garden chores before the next rain.
AJ, what year was that from?
I was allowed to shoot at the Sunrise Police range long ago.
Just a trailer and a berm, plus Rattler skins on the wall.
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Patrick L
Member
I had the hots for one back in the 90s. At the time Wayne Novak was becoming well known, and his FBI HRT guns were all the rage. Plus the historical connotations of a Browning Hi Power! I bought a plain Jane Browning "made in Belgium, assembled in Portugal " fixed sight blue one. It was great. I removed mag safety, IIRC put in somebody's spring kit, and put a set of knock off ultra thin rosewood grips on it. It was a peach. I never measured the trigger, but definitely crisp. Light enough for what I was doing. It was accurate with light cast bullet loads (3.5 Bullseye, 125 gr bullet) too.
I ultimately sold it, it was cool but it didn't serve any purpose I didn't have better things for. I regret it though. Most of the wondernines were too fat, I always said if you're a 1911 45 guy, the Hi Power was the 9mm that made sense.
I ultimately sold it, it was cool but it didn't serve any purpose I didn't have better things for. I regret it though. Most of the wondernines were too fat, I always said if you're a 1911 45 guy, the Hi Power was the 9mm that made sense.
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I tried Hi-Powers twice. Kept going back to 1911's
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