Ignoring Hi-Power

[stanmerrell]

I'm not sure why, but I have never had much interest in the Browning Hi-Power and its clones until recently...It's actually a great gun and some accounts even say that Browning wanted it to be striker fired. It was really a testament to Brownings ingenuity. Anyway, I was reading about the alloy version and got excited about them and bought two. Here they are.

 

[LVSteve]

I'd always viewed the Hi Power with a bit of suspicion. After handling several and shooting a Feg clone, my suspicions were confirmed. Yes, it was the first hicap 9mm design in widespread use, but other than that I see more Kool-Aid than substance.

 

[326MOD10]

I'd always viewed the Hi Power with a bit of suspicion. After handling several and shooting a Feg clone, my suspicions were confirmed. Yes, it was the first hicap 9mm design in widespread use, but other than that I see more Kool-Aid than substance.

The Hi Power was the staple for 100's of military units around the world for decades.

I have an original Browning and two clones and believe them to be a quality weapon, that excels at what it was intended for, a quality military weapon.

Modern designs and materials have replaced the Hi Power but it still performs at a high level and if not for the design advancements it would still be fulfilling that roll.

 

[03hemi]

The Hi Power does have some drawbacks that can be corrected, but it's the most natural extension of your shooting arm I've ever shot. I recently switched my daily to the HP because of 15rnd capacity and general civil unrest. I have two.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

BHP solving the world's troubles since 1935. From Mozambique to Vietnam and around the globe a few times.

Frank Serpico NYPD and other American LEOs who were shootists carried it too.

Its a "Combat" Pistol and some people do not understand "Combat". JMHO

 

[Dave_n]

I lucked out a few years ago picking up an Inglis Mk 2 (unfortunately without the decal). It is allowed out at times with its slightly more bulky 40 Cal HP brother. Definitely nice to shoot both. Dave_n

 

[Lucnic]

I have a Centennial Edition that I shoot from time to time. When I take the long "dirt nap" my two sons are going to have a fight over it. They both want it. Sometimes one or the other will take a picture of themselves holding it, texting the other that I just gave it to him.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I will probably continue to make do with my CZ-75.

 

[TheTinMan]

The Browning High Power is one of the best Mauser '98 derivatives ever made:

Oh wait! You meant the Hi Power 9mm pistol… I do not understand why the 1911 - which I love - has such a strong following today while the Browning Hi Power has more of a cult following. Perhaps it's because the vast majority of modern semiautomatic pistols are derivatives of the Hi Power: short recoil, locked beach action with a cam permanently attached to the barrel instead of the 1911s barrel link.

This Inglis Hi Power was made in 1944 and cost me all of $300

It has been abused. The sights are best described as vestigial, but it runs like a top.

This late 1960s "T-series" Browning Hi Power came into my possession early this year. Note that it while it was made in Belgium, the rollmark says "Browning" not "FN".

(Please forgive me for the bad joke about the rifle. Somehow I uploaded my new BHP pics into the "High Power" album.)

 

[BKLooney]

I've always loved the Hi-Power, great pistols in my opinion. I've got one now, had a few nice ones in the past as well. The only thing I believe I ever did to the ones I've had is remove the mag safety, much improves the trigger...and change the grips out here and there..

 

[stanmerrell]

That's funny

I have a Centennial Edition that I shoot from time to time. When I take the long "dirt nap" my two sons are going to have a fight over it. They both want it. Sometimes one or the other will take a picture of themselves holding it, texting the other that I just gave it to him.

They sound like good boys. Just buy another and leave one to each. I got two boys also.

 

[sigp220.45]

The Hi-Power is the best 1911 ever made. You either get it or you don't.

 

[stanmerrell]

That's true

The Browning High Power is one of the best Mauser '98 derivatives ever made:

Oh wait! You meant the Hi Power 9mm pistol… I do not understand why the 1911 - which I love - has such a strong following today while the Browning Hi Power has more of a cult following. Perhaps it's because the vast majority of modern semiautomatic pistols are derivatives of the Hi Power: short recoil, locked beach action with a cam permanently attached to the barrel instead of the 1911s barrel link.

This Inglis Hi Power was made in 1944 and cost me all of $300

It has been abused. The sights are best described as vestigial, but it runs like a top.

This late 1960s "T-series" Browning Hi Power came into my possession early this year. Note that it while it was made in Belgium, the rollmark says "Browning" not "FN".

(Please forgive me for the bad joke about the rifle. Somehow I uploaded my new BHP pics into the "High Power" album.)

That's true. More than one Browning Hi- Power!

 

[BB57]

I like them, always have. If a 1911 fits you well, the Hi Power is a double stack 9mm that will probably also fit you well, along with the SA/DA CZ 75.

All three are classics.

I have a Browning Hi Power, an 80s vintage Hard Chrome Hi Power:

As well as an FN SFS Hi Power, a Mk III Hi Power with the factory SFS system;

A few very nice commercial grade FEG P9 and first Gen P9M pistols, including one converted to SFS configuration;

I also have an alloy frame compact MC35 Match. It's a Hi Power clone but in a configuration similar to the old FM Detective Model Hi Power. FM produced them after it was no longer producing Hi Powers under license to FN. It's a Hi Power variant that FN should have produced. It's the perfect concealed carry Hi Power.

 

[UncleEd]

The Hi Power was the staple for 100's of military units around the world for decades.

I have an original Browning and two clones and believe them to be a quality weapon, that excels at what it was intended for, a quality military weapon.

Modern designs and materials have replaced the Hi Power but it still performs at a high level and if not for the design advancements it would still be fulfilling that roll.

This. A great pistol. For various reasons I favor the Beretta 92 but in a SA pistol, this is my choice.

 

[BB57]

I will probably continue to make do with my CZ-75.

It's hard to go wrong with a CZ 75, the alloy frame CZ 75D Compact PCR is my favorite concealed carry CZ 75.

The CZ has the advantage of coming in a wide range of configurations including both the safety equipped B models and the decocker equipped D models.

And in large, regular and compact sizes, the Micro sized 2075 RAMI, and in the .22 LR Kadet version.

 

[AJ]

Guess I don't get it according to some. I grew up with the M1911A1. Carried it Condition Three quite a bit, was taught and did carry Condition One while in the Corps. Knew lots of police that carried BHP's, but never could warm up to one. Same with the Beretta 92. Guess it takes all kinds.

 

[Breadman1]

I've owned a lot of Hi Powers over the years, but last week I found this one in factory nickel from 1981, gorgeous pistol. First one I've come across in nickel.

 

[zeke]

A BHP with Navidrex (spelling?) thin grips really fits my hand, and points naturally. The only other pistols owned that fit as well is a K/L frame rb's with Hogue Bantam rubbers.

 

[Jakerin]

The only other 9mm I'd be interested in would be a genuine Browning HiPower. Years ago I read a story about some 9mm tests and the only handgun that (never) failed to feed and fire was the BHP. It would even feed the black case hypo Czech machine gun ammo. Others that tried ended up with the slide not locking back up after ejecting the spent round. Would love to have a real Bren Ten too (with) a magazine…

 

[AJ]

The local gun dealer here has an importers license. About 5-6 years ago he imported about 500 BH's from Europe all police pieces. Had just about every type of one that had been made. Sold 90% of them on Gunbroker. passed on them also.

 

[Imissedagain]

Our old BHP cut my boy's groups in half after shooting the old M59 at 25yds, both in SA mode.
The Gold Cup did the same vs the GM.
I like 45s but switched to the M59 around '81.
More ammo and flatter shooting for solo fishing carry chores in the Keys.
Our old 9mm BHP, bought new, gets range time, with the Gold Cup, but both not carried.
Trigger on the BHP, mag disconnect removed, IIRC is 7lbs/2oz and has always been crisp.
Our Smith revolver triggers are perfect as well.
Sometimes ya gets lucky.

 

[Echo40]

The Browning Hi-Power is the premier Wonder Nine which began the trend before it became in vogue. It may not be the most attractive, the most reliable, or the highest capacity Wonder Nine, but it did it first and has remained popular ever since because like the 1911 before it, the HP is a true classic.

 

[Xfuzz]

Introduced to the Hi Power by an old copper as a rookie
in 1972.
He packed it in a cigar box front seat of the patrol car.
His reasoning if you rolled up on a rollin stolen back then
it was game on.

After the chase when the crooks bailed as they always did... your belt
gun was ready for the foot chase.

Convinced me..

 

[AJ]

Our old BHP cut my boy's groups in half after shooting the old M59 at 25yds, both in SA mode.
The Gold Cup did the same vs the GM.
I like 45s but switched to the M59 around '81.
More ammo and flatter shooting for solo fishing carry chores in the Keys.
Our old 9mm BHP, bought new, gets range time, with the Gold Cup, but both not carried.
Trigger on the BHP, mag disconnect removed, IIRC is 7lbs/2oz and has always been crisp.
Our Smith revolver triggers are perfect as well.
Sometimes ya gets lucky.

Would not call a 7 lbs/2oz trigger crisp. To me it is way to stout. Personal choice, I guess. However, I do agree with the removal of the mag. disconnect!

 

[minconrevo]

I've owned a few BHP's. One had the lower and the barrel "fall" into the hard chrome vat. That one was a real shooter! Recently I acquired a Springfield Armory SA 35. It's an absolute winner. SA updated the hammer so it doesn't "bite". Omitted the magazine safety in their version. Upped the cartridge count in the magazine from 13 to 15. More modern fixed sights. Extended thumb safety. All forged steel and nice wood stocks. Most parts interchange with a spec BHP. Barrel is now one-piece SS, not the two-piece carbon steel they used for years that would sometimes separate. Trigger pull is a crisp 4.5# on my digital gauge.

Yes it suitable for carry or duty.

 

[Golddollar]

I got to extoll the virtues of the Browning High Power in a court case I worked on. It involved an accidental shooting with an FEG pistol and I swore out an affidavit for a Motion to Dismiss stating that the Browning High Power, which the Hungarians copied to make the FEG, was a well respected and well designed pistol with numerous safety features, all of which worked on the pistol in question. Our client was dismissed out of the case before trial.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

This is mine, Bought New in 1972 for $114.00.....I was a youngun...I put it on layaway paid on it weekly till it was mine. I did upgrade the sights to Millet adjustables........It's bad news on raccoons and armadillos. It still sleeps in the original Browning rug with Booklet.

 

[Valmet]

I've always liked them. I really wish SA and Tisas would start making some of their HP clones with LW frames.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Biggest flaw of the BHP is since JMB designed it around the 9MMP it cannot be chambered in other rounds without a major redesign and retooling. From what I have read the ones chambered in 40 S&W had problems.