Browning Hi-Power anyone?

Ok.......I'm not a huge fan of 9mm...nothing wrong with it, but why own/carry/shoot a 9 when you can own/carry/shoot a .45(or even .40), has always been my train of thought on the matter..............but dang it......ive got the itch for a new pistol(without the funds to support it right now........sadness......) and the Hi-Power is just really speaking to me!!!

I have always been a 1911(jmb creations fan in general), so it's only logical that if I must buy a 9, it should be a hi-power right? And yes I know they made some in .40(now defunct but surely still readily available)...but I have this thing where I like my guns to be chambered in the caliber they were designed for......

If I were to get one I'd want the model with fixed sights, because I'm going to carry it as long as it functions properly, but I don't understand the difference between the two current models, the mark III and the standard? I know grips......and if I recall correctly the standard can be had with the adjustable sights which I'm not interested in really........

Next question, what is magazine availability like? Is the market similar to 1911 mags and there are a few favorites? Or is it like the glock/XD market where you want factory mags only? What're the prices like? What mags do you like best in yours?

Holsters(primarily quality leather, and of course supertucks)? And other accessories/parts?

How finicky are they about ammo? I know the proverbial bs about 1911s only needing 230gr fmj rounds...is there a similar rule/suggestion for hi-powers?

I've picked up a few before but never actually paid much attention until yesterday afternoon at bass pro I asked to see the mark III on display. It was the green digi camo model, which I liked, but I'd prefer blued, and will in all honesty wind up black-t'ing it anyway due to the amount of sweat my big butt manages to produce. But the tag price was $699(msrp while in production in 2010, and on current models is right at $1000), which is about on par with what I've seen the same one go for on gun broker, and this model is no longer available. But the camo "finish" had a lot of wear just from the display! It was obviously not a finish built to last...it wasn't just rubs, it was down to the metal underneath in I know 3 spots that were about 1/16-1/8" wide and 1/4-1/2" long maybe? Mostly under the triggerguard and at the bottom of the dust cover. Is that something they should discount for? If so, any idea about how much? I know the big box stores aren't so quick to knock anything off prices for finish wear like that, but if I were to buy it I'd have to get it refinished pretty quick, and that's about $150 there....

But, I noticed I really liked the sights, even though I'd want night sights eventually, and actually paying attention to the feel of the gun in my hand...wow!!! Maybe it was the grips...but i think it felt even better than a 1911......maybe.....but is that possible?????? The ridges on either side of the grips just fit my hand so perfectly and kept it where I needed it to be.

I'm not planning on going back this week and getting it or anything, but I'm just trying to do some research, since a Hi-power is on my short list...and if the right deal came along I'd like to know I could make the decision knowing I could expect good things....

Any input here would be fantastic.......all opinions, comments and suggestions are welcome....

Also if anyone here has one, and is planning to come to the meet and greet, could I trouble you for a few rounds through it?

I got a blued MKIII from CDNN sports a few months ago for around 680.00. You can normally find magazines anywhere, With Mec-Gar being the most popular. From what I understand they make the "factory" mags for a lot of guns. I have a 4 of their 15 rounders, as well as 2 KBI 15 rounders, and a few of the Asian 20 rounders, all bought from CDNN as well. I've used then all with FMJ as well as 115, 124, and 147 grain hollow points and have yet to have a missfeed or a jam.

You are right, most people love the grip on the hi power, and once you get the fever, it's normally a done deal. Another gun with a similar feel is the CZ 75. It's a little larger with the same ergos. Ihave yet to have an issue with it either. It is single/double action and can be carried "cocked and locked" like the Hi Power.

Good luck.

jakeg823 wrote:...

the difference between the two current models, the mark III and the standard?

The main difference between the III and the Standard is that the III has a firing pin safety; it also has a "Commander" hammer and ambi safety. The III's are two-toned--- hard-chromed frames and blued slides (I think most of the III's were "Practicals" and those slides weren't classic blueing but some kind of painted coating. The III's also came with contoured grips.

Next question, what is magazine availability like? Is the market similar to 1911 mags and there are a few favorites? Or is it like the glock/XD market where you want factory mags only? What're the prices like? What mags do you like best in yours?

Nothin' beats OEM, but the BHP's I've had were pretty tolerant of after-market mags, though I stuck with KRDs only and only heard about other shooters' experiences with MecGar and the like. Neither of the other two BHP shooters nor I ever had a magazine complaint with OEM, KRD's, and MecGar. I like the KRD's because they were completely reliable and held 15 rounds, making the HP a 16-capacity 9mm. Glock, my ass.

Holsters(primarily quality leather, and of course supertucks)? And other accessories/parts?

I use leather only. I've found the VM2 to be too bulky, so I settled on an AKJ Concealco. Cylinder and Slide sells extra parts and ignition kits.

How finicky are they about ammo? I know the proverbial bs about 1911s only needing 230gr fmj rounds...is there a similar rule/suggestion for hi-powers?

I dunno. The only failures I've had in a BHP were traceable to ammo and the ammo was Greek milsurp ('Olympic' brand) that had unreliable primers. They never failed to feed; some just didn't ignite. Winchester, Fiocchi, Remington and US milsurp were all completely dependable no matter the bullet weight or shape.

I'm not planning on going back this week and getting it or anything, but I'm just trying to do some research, since a Hi-power is on my short list...and if the right deal came along I'd like to know I could make the decision knowing I could expect good things....

Also if anyone here has one, and is planning to come to the meet and greet, could I trouble you for a few rounds through it?

I ain't goin' to the meet and greet, but I've got one for sale. Shooting a BHP is like shooting a miniature version of a 1911. It pretty much points the same way, and recoils less. The major difference is the grip is a little wider than a 1911. Mine was chopped by Bruce Gray (who apprenticed under Austin Behlert. He chopped a LOT of 11's and BHP's). Mine looks like a BHP "Commander". The slide and barrel are shortened by 3/4" and parkerized, over a hard-chrome frame. Single-sided Cylinder and Slide extended safety, Cylinder and Slide skeleton Commander hammer and sear, magazine safety disconnected. A FINE trigger that Wilson Combat would be proud of. Five mags, AKJ Concealco holster, and OEM case included. $1300. If you're interested, please PM me your email and I'll send you pics.

you need to buy the one at bass pro!!! i am tired of looking at it!

Lot of good information from moredes above. I had a MkIII years ago and miss it often. The 1911's baby sister and you don't have to worry about the grip safety which John Moses Browning didn't want to use in the first place a.k.a go Army. If they still have the fixed sight post with the big white rectangles you can always use an acrylic artists' paint or Birchwood Casey kit to paint the front orange until you change sights if wanted to. I would often shoot several round types in one session and they'll feed anything 'cept maybe the rare overseas cheap stuff. Bet it'll even eat the Tula ammo very well. If you get one I still have a complete Wolff spring kit never opened. Even magazine springs.

Joe S. wrote:you need to buy the one at bass pro!!! i am tired of looking at it!

I forget you work there right? My fiancé's cousin works at the gun counter I just found out, but I've never met him and can't recall his name.

I know that pistol has been there forever. Someone mentioned the additional safety of the mark III, that's definitely a non issue for me...don't mind it on 1911s so odds are it won't bother me on a HP either.

Joe S. wrote:I need to buy the one at bass pro!!! i am tired of looking at it!

Fixed that quote to show what joe is really thinking...

moredes wrote:
I ain't goin' to the meet and greet, but I've got one for sale. Shooting a BHP is like shooting a miniature version of a 1911. It pretty much points the same way, and recoils less. The major difference is the grip is a little wider than a 1911. Mine was chopped by Bruce Gray (who apprenticed under Austin Behlert. He chopped a LOT of 11's and BHP's). Mine looks like a BHP "Commander". The slide and barrel are shortened by 3/4" and parkerized, over a hard-chrome frame. Single-sided Cylinder and Slide extended safety, Cylinder and Slide skeleton Commander hammer and sear, magazine safety disconnected. A FINE trigger that Wilson Combat would be proud of. Five mags, AKJ Concealco holster, and OEM case included. $1300. If you're interested, please PM me your email and I'll send you pics.

not that it doesnt sound worth it with those upgrades, but that's definitely out of my price range...but if you're feeling generous and have a few minutes to spare, i'd love to see pictures of it...never heard of doing the chop on a HP, but i havent been researching them long, so there's a lot that I don't know...

and out of curiosity, those of you that have sold off your HPs, mind if I ask why? no one has said a bad thing yet, but everyone who's commented seems to have sold theirs. i've only sold one gun that I've owned, and that was a judge, because I got to the point where i'd outgrown the neatness factor it had for a new shooter

Cdnn has a couple of hi powers in the flyer this month. Starting at $699 i think.

Mine is not for sale. The only thing negative about the high power is the magazine disconnect, and it is easily removed. After it is removed, the trigger pull is much better. it has a few sharp edges too, but nothing major. It is, in my opinion, the best looking handgun made. I think you will like it.

There are many different varieties of HP's...which one in particular are ya'll talking about

One made about 75 or more years ago in Belgium, I could get interested in...They are not all created equal IMHO

msredneck wrote:One made about 75 or more years ago in Belgium, I could get interested in...They are not all created equal IMHO

like 1911s, i know they're not all equal, but I'm looking at a new one. I don't have luck with used anything so i buy everything knew, have to pay for it, but its worth it to me...but yes an old one would be cool

Yep I work there. Didn't know anyone on the counter was engaged. Gotta be nosy now.

And RW, that quote is wrong. They feel really good and in a normal finish they look good too. I wouldn't pay 20$ for that ugly duckling we have up there. Poor digi-camo bastage.

Joe S. wrote:Yep I work there. Didn't know anyone on the counter was engaged. Gotta be nosy now.

Ha you misunderstood I believe. MY fiancé has a cousin at the counter...still haven't asked who though

Just to be clear...saying Browning HP anyone?...is kinda like saying

"What do ya'll think of Chevrolet"?

well what kinda chevy are we talking about...Impala, 57 convertible, C/K trucks...I dunno

The Browning HP is a "family" of pistols

I don't know how this topic can really be discussed without clarifying that. There are a hell of a lot of clones...I think I'd only consider a P35 built by FN. Lot of the stuff I've seen from S. America is crapola


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Hi-Power#Variants

I'm talking about a brand new gun. I've only looked into the Browning, not the clones, but for a good one I'd be willing to look into it

Any of the 90's BHP are good guns with amb safety's. Good news, BHP will mostly fit the same holsters as the 1911's. Lot of the different models here are different due to age. Canadian or Argentine are similar but not same. They use parts which can be used in BHP. if you really want the BHP experience but not the original gun, look at the CZ75. It is the best aftermarket BHP and for many years was rated the best semiauto gun, period. You are taking the right step, research.

jakeg823 wrote:

Joe S. wrote:Yep I work there. Didn't know anyone on the counter was engaged. Gotta be nosy now.

Ha you misunderstood I believe. MY fiancé has a cousin at the counter...still haven't asked who though

oops, my bad... musta been half asleep when i read that...

well you didnt jump quick enough... guy bought it last night. glad to see it go!! lol

neck, it was a hi-power mark 3, made in belgium, assembled in portugal, if that means anything to you?

bling bling yo!