I suppose it's a tossup as to which Browning creation, the 1911 or the BHP, is more of a classic. Probably depends on which hemisphere you're in.
For people with my hand size, the BHP is just about as good as a 1911, which is to say great. And it does this with 12-14 rounds in the mag. Although the grip is a bit thicker, the rest of the gun is the same size as the 1911. In fact, you can usually get away with using the same holster.
I have found the BHP to be one of the fastest-recovery full power pistols made, probably because the axis of the bore is pretty close to the axis of my forearm. Although I seem to be a bit slower these days, I can still remember how impressed I was the first time I fired one.
I am one of those who is cautious in response to rumors that the 1911 and BHP can discharge if dropped (this probably requires that at least a few other things be wrong or go wrong), so I prefer Series 80 Colts or Para-Ords, and the later BHP models with a somewhat similar firing pin block. Those who don't see a need would probably be better served with the simpler models.
Great gun. Classic. I was very fortunate to find a 1987 Belgian MkII after all these years, although I'm quite sure that the Portuguese-assembled ones are just as good. In fact, my Belgian was the first factory Belgian I ever saw with a decent safety. Until that time, I thought that proper fitting of safeties was done only by the Portuguese factory and American after-market gunsmiths.
For people with my hand size, the BHP is just about as good as a 1911, which is to say great. And it does this with 12-14 rounds in the mag. Although the grip is a bit thicker, the rest of the gun is the same size as the 1911. In fact, you can usually get away with using the same holster.
I have found the BHP to be one of the fastest-recovery full power pistols made, probably because the axis of the bore is pretty close to the axis of my forearm. Although I seem to be a bit slower these days, I can still remember how impressed I was the first time I fired one.
I am one of those who is cautious in response to rumors that the 1911 and BHP can discharge if dropped (this probably requires that at least a few other things be wrong or go wrong), so I prefer Series 80 Colts or Para-Ords, and the later BHP models with a somewhat similar firing pin block. Those who don't see a need would probably be better served with the simpler models.
Great gun. Classic. I was very fortunate to find a 1987 Belgian MkII after all these years, although I'm quite sure that the Portuguese-assembled ones are just as good. In fact, my Belgian was the first factory Belgian I ever saw with a decent safety. Until that time, I thought that proper fitting of safeties was done only by the Portuguese factory and American after-market gunsmiths.
