A Hi-Power hammer that WON'T bite...?

S

SDC

New member
A couple of recent threads on the Browning P-35 got me thinking about mine, and I have to say it's a very nice pistol. Comfortable, accurate, low recoil, but the one complaint I have about it is that EVERY time I go to the range with it, I end up dripping blood from a hammer bite in the web between my thumb and index finger. I've tried both the spur and the roundel hammer versions, and they both do the same thing. Does anyone out there make a Hi-Power hammer that won't bite the hand that loves it?
 
Depends on how you are getting bit... is the shank of the hammer catching the web of your hand between the tang when it cycles or is the hammer itself hitting you?

If it is the shank of the hammer, a little metal can be removed to make it "no-bite". Novak's and Wickmann's both offer this service for about $30.

If it is the hammer, a Cylinder and Slide commander hammer will do the trick nicely. Steve Camp (who is pretty sharp on Hi-Power models) can also recommend mods to the spur hammer that will help solve the problem.
 
I have a HP that I bought new in 86 with the spur hammer. I have never had it bite me. I've heard this alot from people but never had the problem. I have medium sized hands so maybe I've just been lucky.
 
Hello, SDC. If you get bit because the web of your hand consistently gets up over the tang, you'll really need the thinner shank modification done by Novak's, Wickmann, and others for the HP.

It it's the spur that's eatting you up, I've found that by bobbing the spur hammer at the second lateral serration and reshaping a bit, the problem's gone. I went through years of being "bit" by the Hi Power's "pirahna hammer" before trying that. Switching to a factory ring hammer likely will not help, but using a C&S abbreviated Type I or Type II ring hammer will; at least it did for me.

Here's a picture of a spur hammer I bobbed:

fdd2dee5.jpg


Here's one with a C&S Type I ring hammer:

fdd47a63.jpg


If you have a good trigger pull, I'd just bob the hammer. Reshape it with a file and stone and reblue. It'd be cheaper. If you go with the C&S, go ahead and get their sear as well and have it matted to that hammer, i.e., a trigger job.

Best.
 
Early on when I first got my Hi-Power (MkIII), I was subjected to the bite. Oddly enough, after a couple of years, I no longer get bitten. I don't think I've change my hold any but maybe put a more firmer grip on the gun. Not totally sure. Anyways, one of the things I tried that worked when I did get bitten was to tightly place a bandaid on the web of my hand where it would get chewed. The bandaids were those older more rigid plastic types.
 
Stephen, stop showing that hard chromed beauty....every time I see it I want to send my beautiful blued baby that doesn't need refinishing (I must chant it over nd over) off to ford's who also did my P7.......

yours truly,

Serpico from the fnhipower forum
 
Hello, there. Sorry. I'll see if I can find another bobbed hammer pistol in the future. Take care.

Best.

PS: Glad you like that old HP. So do I....
 
No matter how hard I try I can't get my FEG Hi-Power clone to bite me and I'm sure the dimensions and components are practically identical to the original Hi-Power.

You must have hands like a Gorilla's uncle, no offence intended.

Mike H
 
My experience with the HP has been limited but I shot one enough to get bitten ... alot. I bought an FEG clone cause I'd always wanted a GP-35. My first trip to the range I ended up with a bloody hand. Oddly enough, I sold it to a friend of mine who's hand's are a bit larger than mine and it doesn't bother him at all. Go figure.

Stay aware,
Stay safe.
 
Thanks for all the replies, guys. As far as I can tell, it's mainly the shank of the hammer that's getting me, and it might just be because I prefer a high grip with ALL of my handguns (on occasion, I also get nipped by the bottom edge of the striker on my Glocks). The fact that I've got big, meaty hands doesn't help either, so I'll give Cylinder & Slide a call and see what they've got. Thanks again.
 
Here's another option: this was done for my by Kurt Wickman. It was cutting my hand up pretty bad, but no more hammer bite for me.

Sorry it's dirty. I just got back from the range this morning, and haven't had time to even get it out of the holster.

20026146085839334549062.jpg


Scott
 
I have two Hi-Power's and thinking of getting a third in the future, and I have never had hammer bite. It must be the size of the hands plus the grip, since I prefer a high grip. Even on a 1911 without a beavertail, I am fine.
I think that having a beavertail added, as Cylinder and Slide will do, will work. Wasn't that the reason beaver tails were added to 1911's?
 
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