Beretta or Browning ?

Beretta or BHP?

I throw my gun into the ring (gently, of course) for the Browning HiPower. I, too, believe the gun you are talking about is a Practical and that also happens to be the same gun that I own and love. Thought I would love to own a 1911 in .45ACP, let's face it...when it comes to "shooting" the Browning HiPower is...well...more practical! Designed by the same mind, higher capacity, still in use in many military camps and still in production. It is a beautiful piece of work and is a fitting finish to John Browning's storied career. I have to add that I have never shot a Beretta but I know they have a sterling reputation as well.
 
It is a beautiful piece of work and is a fitting finish to John Browning's storied career. I have to add that I have never shot a Beretta but I know they have a sterling reputation as well.

Yes JMB started the BHP which bears his name but the gun we shoot and love is more the work of Dieudonné Saive then JMB.

This is what JMB left Saive to work with.

 
I was choosing between the 92FS and Hi Power and in SoCal the price difference was closer to $400 (at least at the LG Shops). The High Power felt better, but the price was an issue. The salesman decided to show me a CZ 75 BD (de-cocker model). Looked and felt more like the Hi Power (actually had better ergonomics for me) and was $599. I bought it and have been very happy with it. Just bought a CZ P-01 (basically a compact alloy CZ75) and really like that too. If money is not an issue, there is something special about a BHP, but you might want to check out the CZ.
 
My 1978 Belgian Hi Power with Navidrex grips … a glove and such a vintage appeal.
I shooted a 92 Inox, nice gun but too bulky for me.
 
Of the two, I would take the Browning. I owned a HP for several years, good gun that I traded. I prefer the 45acp Colt. If I had my druthers I would have Browning Hi Power in 45acp.:rolleyes:
 
Have them both so that's the best answer (I say that clearly understanding that I criticize responses to OP that are other than the options spelled out in the original question ;)...). It's all relative but as a true "Firearms History" buff I would have to defer to the one of which the Late Great John Moses Browning was associated).

But honestly this is a "can't lose" situation with either.
 
I have picked up both and have 2 Hi Powers, and no Berettas.

Despite the heavy/rough out of box trigger on the Hi Power, it must be said.

Now, the triggers are smooth, crisp and lighter [but still not 'light': 5.5-6.5lb range].

Beretta just felt too thick in my hand for my short-ish index finger. I have to change grips between DA and SA shooting to pull the trigger properly: that is a deal-breaker for me in buying a defensive handgun.

Hi Power felt MUCH better in this regard.

I am in California, so am limited to 10-rounds anyway: thus the mag capacity differences are not an issue.

I would check to see which model of HP it is: is it a Mark II? A Mark III? or an earlier version? You should know that before sending a lot of +P ammo through it.

Berettas are great guns: but they don't fit my hand well enough to use in DA mode without shifting the gun in my grip for SA after the first shot. No such problem on the HP.
 
I've got both, have FAR more rounds through the 92 than the HP but in your case I'd buy the Browning. If I surmise correctly, the BHP is costing a max of 750. That's a steal in today's market!
 
I made this choice this spring and wound up with both, the Browning I bought (new) has the worst trigger I've ever had on a gun going back to my Daisy BB guns. It is mushy, feels like four inches of travel before breaking. Greatly affects accuracy. The Beretta handles better for me, is more accurate and is not going to cost me more money for a trigger remedy. I have a BHP I bought used, made in the early 70s with a good trigger, but the new one is very disappointing.
 
I have and enjoy both. For me it would depend on cost entry point versus value.

Each is a fine gun, neither is my first choice in 9mm.

 
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