Should I get a Hi Power?

M

MRH

New member
I've developed a fascination with 1911 .45's, and now have a 1991A1 Colt Govt and a Kimber Classic Royal Govt -- the Colt has no modifications, while the Kimber has them all. I love both guns.

I have my eye on this nice new Browning Hi Power with adjustable sights in 9mm down at the local gun shop. I'm debating whether to buy it.

I've had a Hi Power in .40 and a Beretta and a Ruger in 9mm. Never have shot a Browning in 9mm, and given my locality, it'd be pretty difficult to do so (no gun range rentals).

Is there much noticeable difference in kick or accuracy between a Hi Power 9mm and a 1911 .45?

Is a 9mm Hi Power as difficult to break down and reassemble as the .40 is? (I'm referring to replacing the recoil spring without kinking it.)

Should a 1911 fan stick to 1911's? I could get another 1911, after all ... I just like classic guns. (After the Colt, my favorite pistol is my German-made Walther PPK/S).

Best regards to all.
 
I sure ain't no expert but I do have a 9mm Hi-Power and it seems to me if you like classic guns you really ought to have a Hi-Power in 9mm.

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Lazarus
 
I just have 2 words to say:
Get It

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AK-47, When you absolutely have to kill every mother&*$#er in the room...accept no substitutes.

Browning Hi-Power, What went wrong during 65 years?
 
Hi, MRH,

Of course there is a difference in recoil between the .45 and the 9mm, with the latter being significantly lighter. Accuracy depends more on individual guns than on the type in this case; both are more than adequate out of the box.

The HP 9mm recoil spring is lighter than that of the .40 and much easier to install.

Since the HP is no longer being made, my advice would be the same as the others. If you want it, buy it.

Jim
 
Don't waste your money, the BHP has little going for it. Buy a Glock, Walther, or a Desert Eagle, you won't regret any of 'em.
 
I can only imagine that G50AE's comment was tongue-in-cheek. :) The Browning HP is one of the finest, most reliable handguns ever made. Until recently it was the choice of almost all military and police SWAT-type units (who changed only because they wanted a more powerful caliber). It is truly, with the 1911, one of the two best handguns in existence. Buy it!!!
 
My question would be Why not? :D

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We preserve our freedoms by using four boxes: soap,ballot,jury, and cartridge.
Anonymous
 
Yes YEs YES YES!!!!!!!! PICK it up, check out the "feel", then plunk down the cash and get ready to be happy.
 
If you like 1911s, you will probably really like Hi-Powers. I pretty much would echo what Jim said.

The Hi-Powers in 9mm will have less recoil than a standard 1911 and should be more controllable.

Disassembly is a lot easier than the .45 and you shouldn't have any trouble with the recoil spring (other than remembering which way is up on the recoil spring guide)
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Prof: ... The Browning HP is one of the finest, most reliable handguns ever made ...[/quote]I have to disagree with most others here. While the BHP will eat FMJ like there is no tomorrow, I usually can't get past one box of hollowpoints without a jam -- and I've fed it just about everything. Additionally, it lacks the grip safety of the 1911. If you want to own a truly classic firearm, then go ahead and get it. Otherwise, don't bother.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
fud-nra.gif


[This message has been edited by FUD (edited June 07, 2000).]
 
Kelly McWethy stated:
"Disassembly is a lot easier than the .45 and you shouldn't have any trouble with the recoil spring (other than remembering which
way is up on the recoil spring guide)"

Kelly, I don't want to start a flame war here, but I most disagree with that statement. To me, field stripping the 1911 is a piece of cake while the BHP is a nightmare.

I also own a BHP and love it, but I HATE trying to field strip that bugger. Is this a problem with me or do others have the same problem?

Happy Shooting. :)

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"Lead, follow or get the HELL out of the way."
 
FUD: I haven't noticed that problem myself; but I don't often shoot hollowpoints in any significant quantity. Have you tried polishing the feed ramp? The older Hi-Powers often have a little hump where the ramp meets the chamber that is tough on hollowpoints. The newer MkIII Hi-Powers (1988 and newer) have more reliable feeding of hollowpoints and self-defense ammo but individual guns may still need special attention.

DorGunR: Hmmmm, I learned on Hi-Powers, so the breakdown seems second nature to me. I have a lot harder time getting that recoil spring back in the 1911. What is it about the disassembly of the Hi-Power that causes you dislike? (With any luck maybe both of us can learn an easier way to disassemble these guns).
 
Kelly
Maybe it's just me, but everytime I try to field strip my BHP I seem to be all thumbs and wind up quoting from the Scriptures. ;)

I think you answered my question...I started out on the 1911 in 1950 and did not aquire my BHP until 1967. You know the old saying about "old dogs and new tricks". :)

Take care and happy shooting.

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"Lead, follow or get the HELL out of the way."
 
As my friend Julian Macassey says: Every man needs a Browning HiPower.

Words of wisdom we should all heed.

Ken Strayhorn
Hillsborough NC
 
For Kelly McW and DorGunR---

Sometimes, it is what we get used to, or perhaps a lack of proper instruction that causes us to feel a certain way about certain guns. I went through this recently with a Charles Daly short version of the 1911. (I do truly HATE full length guide rod systems. they weren't needed in 1911 and they aren't needed now!) (THAT ought to ber good for another discussion, huh?)

Anyhow--Field stripping of the P-35 Browning High Power:
FIRST, Remove magazine. SECOND, clear chamber.

Hold pistol in right hand. With right thumb, press upward on the safety catch, NOT the slide lock.

Draw slide to rear, using left hand, so that the hook on top of the safety engages the rearmost notch on bottom of left side of slide. This locks the slide back but leaves the slide lock free to move up and down.

Using left index finger, press out on the right end of the slide lock axis pin, from the right side of the frame, while wiggling the slide lock up and down. It will pop out from the left side of slide and frame. Remove completely.

Hold slide to the rear with left hand and press down on safety, disengaging it from the slide. Slide will then go forward off the frame, under control.

Turn slide over so sights are downmost.
NOTE position of the ring on rear of the recoil spring guide guide rod. Center of this circle is lower (nearer to sight line) than the rod. Stabilize slide assembly with right hand. Use left hand to FIRMLY hold and disengage the recoil spring guide rod from front of the lower barrel lug, and lift out of engagement.

Barrel is lifted out of engagement with slide and is removed downward and to the rear of the slide.

If recoil spring is removed from the guide rod, note that one end is wound a bit smaller than the other. This is the end that slides onto the rod and back up against the flanged end, during reassembly.

As the saying goes, "Reassemble in reverse order."

This is "Field Stripping," and disassembly should not be taken further without a proper manual and tools, and preferably with competent on-site instruction.

I'm one of the biggest fans of the 1911 pistol, and even I believe the above procedure is easier than field stripping and disassembly of the 1911. DETAIL stripping, though, is easier with the 1911.

Best regards to all--
RR


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---The Second Amendment ensures the rest of the Bill of Rights---

[This message has been edited by Rocky Road (edited June 07, 2000).]
 
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