Browning Hi-Power: Educate me, please
- Thread starter Spats McGee
- Start date
If it was possible to obtain a P-35 in .45 ACP, I would own one instead of the 1911A1. Despite its venerable design, I still regard it as the premier 9mm defensive pistol, the standard by which all others should be judged.
Then again, I've been accused of being biased in these matters.
Then again, I've been accused of being biased in these matters.
You do need to be advised though that FEG made some pistols that look very much like a Hi-Power, but aren't. And their model designations are sometimes confusing or unclear which is which. I believe mine is a 9HP (the clone) and the P9R mentioned by kilimanjaro is sometimes a clone and sometimes not. Still a fine enough pistol, but it may not be a Hi-Power clone. (Or then again, it might be.)
I have a Browning HP made in Belgium and assembled in Portugal. I bought it in like new condition about 5 years ago for 700. I don't think it had a round cycled by the original owner. I traded in a Glock 17 gen 2 for the upgrade and it was a great trade. I don't see it going anywhere for a very long time. It shoots well and is well fitted. It cycles like a dream with what ever I choose to use for ammo. I feel guilty leaving it home on a range day.
Spats McGee
Administrator
Thank you, everyone. Clearly, I have plenty of research to do while I save up for this one.
highpower3006
New member
I have had the same old FN Hipower for a number of years. I also had an FM Hipower that was stolen from me many years ago. Quite honestly, they both handled the same, the only difference was that the Argentine HP was parkerized vs blued for the Belgian gun.
Despite it being considered outdated and obsolete by today's standards, I still like to carry mine.
Despite it being considered outdated and obsolete by today's standards, I still like to carry mine.
I took a combat hand gun course a few years ago, and my primary gun was my MK III BHP. Everyone else except for one other guy (he had a BHP) also had newer polymer firearms. Glocks, HK USP's etc. All fine guns of course. I was jokingly called "old school", "old timer", etc. I got lucky and ended up scoring at the top of the course with the old BHP, and I think the other guy with the BHP came in second. It was pretty funny.
They are still a relevant, elegant, and useful tool. I don't understand why some call them "obsolete". Mec Gar makes excellent flush fit 15 round mags, so I don't see why you lose anything by carrying a BHP.
They are still a relevant, elegant, and useful tool. I don't understand why some call them "obsolete". Mec Gar makes excellent flush fit 15 round mags, so I don't see why you lose anything by carrying a BHP.
Bartholomew Roberts
Moderator
My preferences for shooter Hi-Powers are post-2000 MkIII Hi-Powers whether FN marked or Browning marked. Those are the most durable IMO, with a cast frame and a number of small parts improvements. Downside is the increased cost of these pistols is usually not worth the small gains in durability over the earlier surplus MkIIIs on the market.
Second is any cast-frame MkIII - while MOST MkIIIs are cast frame, not all of them are. 1995 and later are usually (90%+) cast frame. 1990-1992 are usually 90% forged frame MkIIIs. Steve Camp goes into how to identify what you are looking at; but ridges on the butt are not 100% accurate. Again, this preference is only for a high-volume shooter Hi-Power.
After that, forged frame MkIII, just because they have larger more practical sights and they are already dovetailed and easy to replace.
Then any MkII. Anything before the MkIIs is usually too pretty to shoot a lot or it has smaller sights, controls, less sturdy parts, etc. and won't make a goid shooter for my purposes without a fair amount of work.
Second is any cast-frame MkIII - while MOST MkIIIs are cast frame, not all of them are. 1995 and later are usually (90%+) cast frame. 1990-1992 are usually 90% forged frame MkIIIs. Steve Camp goes into how to identify what you are looking at; but ridges on the butt are not 100% accurate. Again, this preference is only for a high-volume shooter Hi-Power.
After that, forged frame MkIII, just because they have larger more practical sights and they are already dovetailed and easy to replace.
Then any MkII. Anything before the MkIIs is usually too pretty to shoot a lot or it has smaller sights, controls, less sturdy parts, etc. and won't make a goid shooter for my purposes without a fair amount of work.
"The pity of that is the P9R is not a bad gun. The biggest problems are that the grip is bulky and there are little to no parts available for it any more."
I have one that is definitely NOT a good gun, and I have no idea how to make it work. With three different magazines it malfunctions on nearly every shot. I have about $250 in it but I suspect I'd have to buy it all over again if I could find someone that could fix it. I started a thread on it a few years and really got nowhere. Caveat emptor...
I have one that is definitely NOT a good gun, and I have no idea how to make it work. With three different magazines it malfunctions on nearly every shot. I have about $250 in it but I suspect I'd have to buy it all over again if I could find someone that could fix it. I started a thread on it a few years and really got nowhere. Caveat emptor...
101combatvet
New member
My first handgun was an FN, damn I miss it.
AFAIK, the FN BHP did not use a cast frame; they were forged. I don't know about the various clones, except the FEG which also appears to be forged.
The FEG P9M guns are pretty good*, and well made, and most BHP parts will interchange. But they didn't tumble parts, so the insides are full of burrs and sharp edges; if you decide to do a detail strip, stock up on adhesive bandages - you will need them.
*The P9M is a BHP clone; the P9R is a DA/SA pistol which resembles the BHP but is a different gun.
Jim
The FEG P9M guns are pretty good*, and well made, and most BHP parts will interchange. But they didn't tumble parts, so the insides are full of burrs and sharp edges; if you decide to do a detail strip, stock up on adhesive bandages - you will need them.
*The P9M is a BHP clone; the P9R is a DA/SA pistol which resembles the BHP but is a different gun.
Jim
The HP is a very easy subject to educate someone on.
All you do is look at one, then pick it up.
If the "magic" is there, you'll smile.
If the "magic" isn't there, you'll wonder what all the fuss is about.
One little tiny step is all it takes from that point.
You get yourself a set of Craig Spegel "thin" grips.
All you do is look at one, then pick it up.
If the "magic" is there, you'll smile.
If the "magic" isn't there, you'll wonder what all the fuss is about.
One little tiny step is all it takes from that point.
You get yourself a set of Craig Spegel "thin" grips.