What to buy browning hi power vs. 686 vs. G19

I would say get the Hi Power if it was made & assembled in Belgian, if not I would go with the Pre Lock 686 (Like the K Frame better but that wasn't a choice)
 
i would go with that 686 :) i just got the fever... have a 28-2 4"... 586 4"... and this coming week... 19 4"
 
Elegant, reliable, accurate: Browning High Power.

DSCN0183.jpg
 
I knew that would fire this bunch up, but you have to remember this is the "SMITH & WESSON" forum and the "REVOLVER" section where the revolver is KING :D . OK - now my true feelings even if you don't like it, the REVOLVER is king no matter where you are or what forum you are on. That is my two cents and $3.98 will get you a gallon of gas, I must be getting old - I remember when you could fill the tank for $5.00 . Each to his own is my true 2 cents worth, that is what makes the world go round or square - which is it ?????????????????? :D

Well said and I'm a huge S&W fan all the way and own a bunch of them. That said as a combat veteran I would use a high capacity semi auto pistol every time in a dangerous situation requiring the use of deadly force. It's not because I have a spray and pray mentality but its just common sense that 15 to 18 rounds lasts a long time compared to 6. That's why the law enforcement agencies have all changed to semi auto's.
 
Last edited:
I learned to shoot what was in my hand and my revolvers outnumber my semi-autos these days 4 or 5 to 1.

But I have two Hi-Powers and would buy another if the right deal/combination came along.

Been a fan of the Browning ever since Al Pacino brought Frank Serpico to the big screen.

I was just getting into handguns in a big way and drooling over the Hi-Powers in catalogs and whatnot was a futile past time - out of my price range back then.

A nice blued older HP is harder to come by than the other models mentioned. Depending on what it was, my personal preference would be to look at the HP first . . . . YMMV
 
Well I went pawn shop hunting this morning after the guy I hab been talkin to here in houston stopped answering his phone I figured the deal fell through. After four diiferent pawn shops one of the managers told me a sister store just put one out so I walked with a browning hi power one mag the soft case and no box I paid $650 out the door I will post some pics later
 
15 to 18 rounds lasts a long time compared to 6. That's why the law enforcement agencies have all changed to semi auto's.

The average officer involved shooting in the days of revolvers was 3 rounds, today it's 4 rounds. Law enforcement agencies will never turn down an opportunity to spend taxpayer money on fancy new gadgets. A singular event in North Hollywood and the entire police community needs to equip all their cruisers with M4s.

I have a Portugal-assembled Hi-Power, a pre-lock 686 2.5" and a Glock 30. The 686 will be hardest to find, the all-Belgian Browning will be second hardest, and Glocks grow on polymer trees.
 
...Law enforcement agencies will never turn down an opportunity to spend taxpayer money on fancy new gadgets. A singular event in North Hollywood and the entire police community needs to equip all their cruisers with M4s.

When I see all the money being spent on gadgets, I often find myself feeling that way too.

On the other hand, if I had the job, I would want the M4 myself, so I have to temper my thinking a little. :o Of course any rifle would do. Jeff Cooper said one man that knew how to run a .30/30 could have handled that situation with ease - and he was correct.

I agree with the majority on the BHP. Since you've already bought one, I think we can all congratulate ourselves for giving such useful advice. :D
 
If I could only have one handgun it would be the BHP, but in .40. I have had a lot of hand guns over the years, and the BHP is a true work horse, for me. JMHO But I love my Smiths, they all have their place.
 
Get the BHP it's the best of the 3. They are all good, and it might have been tougher if you had said BHP v 24/28/29. For someone already familiar with one of Browning's masterpieces, the transition will be easy, every HP I have ever shot has been accurate and reliable to a fault, and they pack a lot better than a revolver or a Glock.
If you decide the revolver is your choice, forget the 686 and get an N frame, the KING of all revolvers and any non-Browning auto. :)
 
You sold you 1911 so why get another Browning design? The Glock 19 and a J frame? That's a two for one. The Glock 19 is easy to carry and reliable as they come. The J frame speaks for itself. I have a G-19 and a model 36.
I must say that if I owned a Browning High Power I would be proud. It is on my list of pistols to buy. But for concealed carry I would go with the G-19 J frame combo.
 
If I was choosing between the three I'd go with the Hi-Power. The Model 686 isn't a classic enough Smith & Wesson revolver to suit my tastes and the Glock...well the less said the better.
 
I'd choose the 686p. In point of fact I do choose the 686p and am alternating carrying it or a 627PC "Bloodwork" as daily carries. They recently replaced a G19 as a daily packer. I own 1911's, Glocks, Smiths and a number of other weapons as well. Never felt the need for another HP, had one years ago and just didn't "feel it". To each their own.

With all due respect, but if I knew I was going into harms way, I'd pack a rifle but that was not I suspect the scope of the question. IIRC, the OP asked how we thought he should spend $800.00.

On that note, and in view of the forum where asked, I'd say the Smith.

Just my .02.
 
I am going to go against every one here so far. I would go with the Glock 19 without hesitation. I love 1911's and S&W revolvers. Never had a Highpower, but respect anyone who does and have no doubt that they are great weapons. But today, the Glock 19 would be the best choice. They are cheap, reliable, and easy to shoot. If you carry and they get banged up, you are not adding wear and tear to the sweet revolvers. For every day carry you are hard pressed to beat the Glock.

Regards,

Chuck
 
I'm a S&W guy, but for me the 686 is a "taint". Taint quite a mid and taint quite a large... especially with the short barrel. The HP and the G19 are both classics, you should probably own both. My Belgian BHP has a HORRENDOUS trigger (Gotta do something about that one of these days.) The j frame with the G19 tips it in favor for me. For $800 if you shop hard, you might be able to get TWO used G19s. Mo betta!
 
If I was choosing between the three I'd go with the Hi-Power. The Model 686 isn't a classic enough Smith & Wesson revolver to suit my tastes and the Glock...well the less said the better.

I have to agree with the Glock comment. I'm not by any means an old curmudgeon,but the 'plastic fantastic' just does nothing for me. Owned a Glock 23 for a couple months, then traded it for a loss. I just picked up a Browning HP for my collection. Just an absolute classic pistol that will always be fun at the range.
 
Well said and I'm a huge S&W fan all the way and own a bunch of them. That said as a combat veteran I would use a high capacity semi auto pistol every time in a dangerous situation requiring the use of deadly force. It's not because I have a spray and pray mentality but its just common sense that 15 to 18 rounds lasts a long time compared to 6. That's why the law enforcement agencies have all changed to semi auto's.

I concur with fyimo, 100%, I am a retired combat vet and Infantryman. I love S&W revolvers and even have one in 9mm and .45 ACP, however, a high capacity auto in a decent caliber is a go to for a service weapon. If you shoot with the mentality of a revolver (less rounds, critical shot placement), then you've just doubled your effectiveness. The Browning high power represents decades of John Browning's design research and developement and to him it was his finest handgun design. You cannot deny Browning's designs, they are probably the most copied, best service grade weapons of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, and it can be argued he is the most prolific and successful military and civilian small arms inventor of all time. The US military still relies heavily on the M2 .50 cal HB machine gun to this day, that 's eighty years of service. It was a weapon system of choice when I was in Iraq, and worth noting that most handgun designs, to include the M9, are Browning based.

I still love my S&W revolvers though!!!
 
Back
Top