Browning Hi Power--the mystery pistol?
- Thread starter UncleEd
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SPEMack618
New member
WVSig's Hi-Power is an example of the allure of the Hi-Power for me.
I'd venture to say that the Hi-Power is almost like the FN-FAL, in that most of the free world had one issued as some point or another.
I'd venture to say that the Hi-Power is almost like the FN-FAL, in that most of the free world had one issued as some point or another.
Hate the fat grip, feels all wrong, somewhat throws the balance off, a single stack 8 rd would work better for me. The upper is so slender, streamlined, and elegant, very Art Deco, the lower so fat... like a pregnant baboon, late Picasso for sure, the newer ones have gotten uglier... what was wrong with the internal extractor? or the thumb safety?... now it looks like a banana...or the ring hammer?...JMB must be rolling in his grave.
Finally picked one up, from the LGS, a Canadian Inglis (circa 1944) in near mint condition. The 2nd most accurate 9mm pistol I have shot. Somewhere along its life the mag disconnect was removed leaving a light pull, actually quite good, somewhat 1911. An excellent shooter.
Gets carried on occasion, may pick up another, but will make sure it is a pre-1946 model.
Finally picked one up, from the LGS, a Canadian Inglis (circa 1944) in near mint condition. The 2nd most accurate 9mm pistol I have shot. Somewhere along its life the mag disconnect was removed leaving a light pull, actually quite good, somewhat 1911. An excellent shooter.
Gets carried on occasion, may pick up another, but will make sure it is a pre-1946 model.
You do realize that JMB never saw the Browning Hi Power in anywhere close to its original....
The internal extractor is prone to breakage. It was corrected in the model of 1962. FN killed two birds with one stone on this move. The extractor was prone to breakage and failure and was expensive to produce. The external extractor functions better, less prone to breakage and cheaper to manufacture.
The Inglis are a remarkable piece of reverse engineering which we have the Chinese of all people to thank for.
If you shoot it often I would invest in an internal extractor which can be hard to come by these days. Either way enjoy it!Funny that you should say that because they have the designer in common! Dieudonné Saive.
Cyanide971
New member
Very nice Hi Power WVSig!
Ahoy WVsig,
Allow me to applaud your valiant efforts in improving the aesthetics (and mechanics) of your Hi-Power, you have done well indeed.
Thank you for your info re the internal extractor, the one in the gun is an Inglis factory original, as is a second one I procured recently, they are still out there. The broken extractor problem may be an internet myth, I have never encountered a broken one in the real world. I have encountered 1911 broken extractors.
It is an exceptional handgun design, shot a 'German' WW2 version the other day, despite its obvious rough condition, it is an accurate shooter. IIRC saw a photo of a Canadian soldier carrying one in Afganistan.
Allow me to applaud your valiant efforts in improving the aesthetics (and mechanics) of your Hi-Power, you have done well indeed.
Thank you for your info re the internal extractor, the one in the gun is an Inglis factory original, as is a second one I procured recently, they are still out there. The broken extractor problem may be an internet myth, I have never encountered a broken one in the real world. I have encountered 1911 broken extractors.
It is an exceptional handgun design, shot a 'German' WW2 version the other day, despite its obvious rough condition, it is an accurate shooter. IIRC saw a photo of a Canadian soldier carrying one in Afganistan.
Some years ago (I don't recall exactly, but around 10 years, maybe?), I bought a heavily used BHP Mk II, purportedly formerly belonging to the Israeli government (funny though, no import mark). It was badly beat-up looking and rattled quite a bit too. It shot fine for the first two hundred rounds or so and then the extractor broke. I had the local gunsmith replace the extractor and it has been fine since though I haven't shot it much (I actually disliked the feel of BHP's until recently when I put Hogue rosewood grips on it - then it dawned on me how great it felt with that little bit of a change). I've been meaning to send it to Novak's or Don Williams to spruce it up. New sights, ring hammer, magazine safety removal, new safety, re-Parkerize, etc. The stumpy safety on it is funny - if I pull the trigger with the safety engaged, the lever locks up and takes a lot of effort to disengage.
Even though the extractor had to be replaced and the safety should be replaced/repaired, I wasn't too heartbroken about it since I paid about $300 or so for the gun initially.
I bought a used Practical more recently for much more (around $900) and it was a considerably better deal in the end, as it came with tritium sights, the barrel was re-crowned, the magazine safety was removed, and the trigger was already crisp! Basically it just needed a new set of wood grips and it was/is good to go! Heck, it even came with the original box, manual, 2 factory mags, and all the paperwork including warranty card and period-specific Browning ads.
But the moral of the story is, yes, the extractor can break.
Hey JJNA,
A little confused here.
Are you taking about the internal (original) extractor or the Mk 2? and subsequent, external extractor. I have seen broken external (post 1962) extractors, but never a broken early model pre-1962 internal extractor. That is the issue here.
"I actually disliked the feel of BHP's until recently when I put Hogue rosewood grips on it..." [JJNA]
I don't care for the feel either. Thanks for the tip.
A little confused here.
Are you taking about the internal (original) extractor or the Mk 2? and subsequent, external extractor. I have seen broken external (post 1962) extractors, but never a broken early model pre-1962 internal extractor. That is the issue here.
"I actually disliked the feel of BHP's until recently when I put Hogue rosewood grips on it..." [JJNA]
I don't care for the feel either. Thanks for the tip.
Sorry, I meant the external extractor. The one that broke on my MK II was an external one.
BHP with factory plastic grips feels absolutely terrible for me. With vintage walnut grips, it still feels pretty bad. Yet with the Hogue exotic wood grips (which according to the late Mr. Camp approximates the feel of the legendary Spegel grips), BHPs become absolutely the best feeling for my hands. Okay, maybe not quite the best as that honor belongs to H&K P30 with small panels, but certainly the second best. I was just shocked by how dramatic the difference was.
My factory Silver Chrome MK III BHP came with the wrap around Pachmyr rubber grips. While I could carry it, I haven't much because it has the larger factory adjustable target sights, which are nice for the range, but less so for carry. I have considered switching out the sights for Novaks, and putting some Spegel grips on it. I think the Spegels look and feel great.
I may just get a second MK III to mod a bit for carry. The problem is my CZ PCR does everything the BHP can do except it does have two different trigger pulls being DA/SA.
I may just get a second MK III to mod a bit for carry. The problem is my CZ PCR does everything the BHP can do except it does have two different trigger pulls being DA/SA.
If you are looking for a carry BHP to lightly customize and you have a good transfer dealer look at Coles Dist on GB.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Semi-Auto-Pistols/BI.aspx?IncludeSellers=2621012&mfg=1000049
This gun can be had for $469 + $25 shipping. It has been re-parkerized but they did a good job. Clearly an Israeli Defense Force or Israeli LEO gun. It is an MKIII with MKIII dovetails for new sights. Looks like a 1992 gun. Add a C&S extended safety and a new hammer and sear set and you will be rocking!
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So for the past few weeks I've been considering picking up a CZ 75 Compact for a new 9mm carry gun (wife spent lots of $$ on jewelry, so I get a new gun 
). Then I thought to myself "Self, why not just dust off that BHP MKIII you haven't shot in years and carry that?"
Well, myself is smart. I fell back in love with my BHP, bought some nice new Esmerelda grips and gonna grab a pile of 9mm and spend some solid range time in the near future. Oh, and a few 15 round mags to try out.
Mine is bone stock (apart from grips) and came with actually a pretty nice trigger even with the disconnect. A bit heavy but very little creep and a clean break. I shoot it so well I wouldn't dream of changing it right now. The only thing I've considered is the no-bite hammer as it does bite me some, but only when I'm shooting off the draw (I apparently grip real high when drawing) but I think some practice will get my hands to where they need to be.
The CZ can wait until the bug hits me later.
). Then I thought to myself "Self, why not just dust off that BHP MKIII you haven't shot in years and carry that?"Well, myself is smart. I fell back in love with my BHP, bought some nice new Esmerelda grips and gonna grab a pile of 9mm and spend some solid range time in the near future. Oh, and a few 15 round mags to try out.
Mine is bone stock (apart from grips) and came with actually a pretty nice trigger even with the disconnect. A bit heavy but very little creep and a clean break. I shoot it so well I wouldn't dream of changing it right now. The only thing I've considered is the no-bite hammer as it does bite me some, but only when I'm shooting off the draw (I apparently grip real high when drawing) but I think some practice will get my hands to where they need to be.
The CZ can wait until the bug hits me later.
Not in the "older" category (not going to reveal my age, 'cause I'm paranoid like that, but I'm a pretty new father at a common/normal age for becoming a new father). My tastes are pretty distinct from most people in my age group, though.
I don't think any pistol collection can be complete without a BHP. The BHP was the first centerfire pistol I ever shot, and I love my 1970s Belgian. There are a couple of 9mm pistols/platforms I like more, and I think people exaggerate the BHP's strengths/abilities and ignore its flaws to a greater degree than they do with most pistols (and I surmise that the JMB connection has something to do with that), but the BHP is still up there on my list.
My long-term Hi-Power plans include a couple of T-Series BHPs, a Hi-Power GP Competition Model, and a Yost Signature Grade Hi-Power.
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This has been said, but I'm chiming in...
I'm in my mid 30's, and I really want one. Trigger and all! I have an XDs for carry, love it. I have a 1911, love it. Had a Glock 23, liked it, wish I still had it. SR22, Buckmark...and so on.
My next handgun will be a 9mm, and I'd be tickled pink if it's a Hi-power. I love the feel of it. Love the classic look, sexy as hell. Unfortunately, I've never shot one so I can't offer any useful input on that, but I'm definitely in the market for one. Especially one of the older Belgians. On a side note, I want to have two 9s in the collection...one will be a HP, the other will be an M&P, or a Glock. Just my $.02.
I'm in my mid 30's, and I really want one. Trigger and all! I have an XDs for carry, love it. I have a 1911, love it. Had a Glock 23, liked it, wish I still had it. SR22, Buckmark...and so on.
My next handgun will be a 9mm, and I'd be tickled pink if it's a Hi-power. I love the feel of it. Love the classic look, sexy as hell. Unfortunately, I've never shot one so I can't offer any useful input on that, but I'm definitely in the market for one. Especially one of the older Belgians. On a side note, I want to have two 9s in the collection...one will be a HP, the other will be an M&P, or a Glock. Just my $.02.