BHP or is it me???

[Birch]

Well I had my first range session with a BHP MkIII in .40. Recoil was pretty snappy. Much more so than my Glock 29. On top of that, I couldn't hit crap! I'd put one or two in the black (NRA 50ft. target at an NRA 50 ft range) two or three left and a little low and one or two not even on paper!

Now I'm not claiming to be a deadeye, but I took my new Sig 228 to the range for the first time last week and put 8 of 10 in the black at the same distance. No problems with my G29 or 1076 either.

I'm torn. I hope it's just me (kinda), then again I hope it's the BHP (kinda)

Ideas?

 

[MK11]

Probably a little of both. Lot of people like .40s, but I think the accuracy stinks. I can't hit the broad side of a barn with the .40 barrel in my Sig P229 but with the .357 Sig it turns into a tackdriver. I haven't had any luck with .40s in Glock or S&W either.

On the other hand, stock MKIIIs seem pretty rough. I bought one in 9mm a few months ago because I've always lusted for an HP and this was the first one I'd seen in ages. It has the absolute worst SA trigger I've ever come across, and it noticeably affects my shooting. I still like the gun though, so when I get a chance I'll have a gunsmith deactivate the stupid magazine safety and smooth up the trigger. Some nice wood grips will be a big improvement too.

 

[Birch]

I have the wood grips from an Argentine HP that the slide cracked on me! I was thinking the same thing. Just waiting for some $$$ to make her perfect. I also plan on getting a .357 sig bbl from KKM for it.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The newer BHPs (and by definition a .40 will be one of these) can have some poor stock triggers. The newer ones tend to have a heavier trigger and the additional parts involved in the magazine disconnect don't help.

If your a right-handed shooter, the problem you are describing (hitting low and left) sounds like you are jerking the trigger. The combination of the snappier recoil in the .40 and a less-than perfect trigger may be your problem here.

I don't know about others; but I personally have had a huge problem with transitioning between my Glock and my Hi-Power. Before I sent my Hi-Power off for work I was consistently hitting 8-ring or better at 25yds offhand. I sent the gun off to be customized and began shooting my Glock 26 in the 6-month interval while it was away.

At first my shooting with the Glock was horrendous; but after a three-week familiarization period I could shoot it almost as good as my Hi-Power and by the end of the 6-month period I was shooting it better at close ranges and almost as good at longer ranges.

I finally receive my custom Hi-Power and with giddy anticipation I take it out to the range only to discover that I can't hit a damn thing with it. I am all over the place with it. I'm not even hitting the 8-ring or better consistently at 7yds, let alone 25. I'm also aghast that I spent all this money on the gun and actually shoot it worse than before I sent it off.

I put away the Glock and begin practicing with the Hi-Power exclusively. Within about 4 range trips and probably 600 rounds, I am very good with the Hi-Power; but now whenever I shoot the Glock it is consistently off to the left (but nice groups).

I still haven't figured out WHY I have the transition problem but there is no question that I have one. You may be experiencing something similar.

As far as solutions, I'd recommend continuing to shoot the gun. As the gun is shot more, the trigger will smooth out a bit and you'll also get more accustomed to it. If after about 500 rounds, you aren't comfortable with it - I'd recommend a trigger job.

Alternatively, since you already have several guns that you are comfortable with and shoot well, you could just ditch the Hi-Power. I love the Hi-Power myself; but guns are a subjective thing. If it doesn't work for you, it may be easier to stick with what works rather than trying to adjust your style to be compatible with a certain gun.

 

[Erich]

Wow, that's odd. My BHP in .40 is very accurate, right out of the box. 1" groups offhand at 10 yards accurate, which is better than most non-target non-fixed-bbl pistols I've had. And I had thought (from this and other boards) that my experience was the common one.

I hope you get it straightened out, because this BHP in .40 is really nice to shoot. (I have found the recoil to be about like that of a .45 - much less sharp than that of my Glock 33 or my S&W 940.) It's one of my favorite pistols in a long time - I hope you can figure out a way to get yours working for you.