Let's talk Hi-Power / M-35
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I suppose I could buy a mag or two before I get my gun. You don't need a PAL to buy mags do you? On that front I need a cleaning kit and some oil and rags and such as well.
I've noticed that despite how prolific these pistols are around the world. Nobody seems to have them. I ask at the counter and I get this odd look like they're thinking really hard to make sure they heard me right. Then they spin their head around asking all the staff in view if they have any, and seem to constantly come back with a resounding "No." and even at a HUGE gun show like calgary. I saw about 4 individual pistols total.
My local paintball and airsoft shop is even owned and run by a couple of reservists, and while chatting with one of them one day he asked why I would want something that every army in the world hated.
Hardly the impression I've gotten from people who own and use them. What's with all the hate anyway?
I've noticed that despite how prolific these pistols are around the world. Nobody seems to have them. I ask at the counter and I get this odd look like they're thinking really hard to make sure they heard me right. Then they spin their head around asking all the staff in view if they have any, and seem to constantly come back with a resounding "No." and even at a HUGE gun show like calgary. I saw about 4 individual pistols total.
My local paintball and airsoft shop is even owned and run by a couple of reservists, and while chatting with one of them one day he asked why I would want something that every army in the world hated.
Hardly the impression I've gotten from people who own and use them. What's with all the hate anyway?
Guys in the Army hate the Browning because
1) A lot of the BHP's are beaten to crap, with worn barrels, which makes them inaccurate and prone to failure. Mags are also junk.
2) Guys spend VERY little time on the pistol, especially compared to their rifle. So, they go from being superstars on the long guns to being nearly useless with the pistol. This leads dudes to believe the pistol is inaccurate, when really it's a lack of training.
3) Due to one and two, everybody constantly says the Browning is junk. New guys hear the refrain, believe it, and repeat it. Then more new guys pick it up, on and on and on. Soon everyone is telling each other the Browning is junk, while wearing the same Tapout shirts and chewing the same brand of chewing tobacco as their Sergeant.
I was in an Infantry unit. Hated the battered Brownings that we trained on (infrequently). Then I managed to get onto a range ran by a bunch of Brigade HQ types, with their pristine, almost-never-used guns. (Wogs... lol) It was like night and day. Some WO ran me and a few other guys through about 400 rounds each, doing all sorts of drills and stuff, picking out specific point targets on the Cut-Out Kraut. That Browning was a like a god damn laser beam. I have been jonesing for one ever since.
1) A lot of the BHP's are beaten to crap, with worn barrels, which makes them inaccurate and prone to failure. Mags are also junk.
2) Guys spend VERY little time on the pistol, especially compared to their rifle. So, they go from being superstars on the long guns to being nearly useless with the pistol. This leads dudes to believe the pistol is inaccurate, when really it's a lack of training.
3) Due to one and two, everybody constantly says the Browning is junk. New guys hear the refrain, believe it, and repeat it. Then more new guys pick it up, on and on and on. Soon everyone is telling each other the Browning is junk, while wearing the same Tapout shirts and chewing the same brand of chewing tobacco as their Sergeant.
I was in an Infantry unit. Hated the battered Brownings that we trained on (infrequently). Then I managed to get onto a range ran by a bunch of Brigade HQ types, with their pristine, almost-never-used guns. (Wogs... lol) It was like night and day. Some WO ran me and a few other guys through about 400 rounds each, doing all sorts of drills and stuff, picking out specific point targets on the Cut-Out Kraut. That Browning was a like a god damn laser beam. I have been jonesing for one ever since.
TacticalTeacher
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Georgian Bay, ON
You guys struck a chord with me. Your description nailed everthing / sentiments on the head. I was shooting alongside a pile of soldiers from the 4 CanDiv shooting Team at NSCC in Connaught Ranges last August and many of them were shooting their issued Brownings. Trust me, many of them kicked my butt while I was shooting a brand new out of the box SIG P226 from Cabela's Winnipeg store.
Back in 1975 while doing my JrNCO Crse, I had to teach several classes on the C1A1, SMG, and Browning HP. I am forever grateful for that super learning journey.
In 1976, here I was teaching a BMQ Crse (or Basic Recruit) and was assigned to teach the BHP. Was that ever a good time. I even had to assist (FPO) at the pistol range during a Range Training Ex. Good times. No jams at all back in the seventies, maybe the magazines were not so abused back then.
In 1978, I was issued a BHP for my duties in Nicosia, Cyprus and was never worried. Here's the ru
the WO or CQ of HQ Coy handed me the pistol over the counter and asked how a private like me had pistol trg. Being a wise private from the reserves, I replied, "Discovery Channel, Warrant." I proceed to inspect it and carry out a detailed inspection of the slide, frame, and then the 2 magazines. If you are gonna show yer stuff, carry out your safety drills with confidence and competence. Here's a pic, okay, I'm a lot younger here but with the SMG, you guys get the drift...
Anyways, once I started my undergrad studies at UBC and then U of A in Edmonchuk, I bought a used 70's BHP (first pistol ever) from Milarm and it came with rubber Pachmayr's and I could not have been happier. I traded it to a former battalion buddy who was living and working in Fort MakeMoney for Suncor and received an Aussie L1A1, that's when they were NR babies.
Ah, the good old day.Fast forward to 2009, I got nostalgic and bought a Mk3 from Ellwood Epps for $850 plus taxes and I was super happy. Yeah, they installed them goofy springs to pop the magazines out faster since the mag safety slowed things down on the reload drills. I still loved those factory black plastic grips since my medium sized hands felt right at home with an old friend.
In the last year, I had to sell it and sadly let it go because my business required me to purchase platforms my clients would be using: SIG P226, Glock 17
I was also reluctant to carry my BHP while working the target butts at the Milcun training complex since we are told to carry a pistol on our body and keep a magazine handy
Lots of blackies running around the backstop at the www.milcun dot com facility. So the Glock gets carried over there!I had to choose to keep one steel warrior and the BHP had to go. I kept my STI Spartan 9mm 1911 single stack since my wife happens to prefer the 1911 platform in 9mm. I'm using Pearce Thin-grips with the Spartan and she is so happy. Happy Wife!!
Thanks for the great memories and discussion!
Cheers and regards,
Barney
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Your story is close to home;
I started in '88 and soon was a member of the Regimental shooting team and as such, was issued damn near un-used FN C1A1, SMG, and BHP's. I was so impressed with each I bought a former Dutch military issue BHP and an Aussie FN L1A1 which I converted almost completely to Canadian spec. When the laws started to go stupid in the 90's I got rid of them, along with my AK47, Mini 14, and Mossberg 500.
I REALLY regret getting rid of the L1A1 and the BHP. I can't get another L1A1 but am constantly on the lookout for a good BHP.
I started in '88 and soon was a member of the Regimental shooting team and as such, was issued damn near un-used FN C1A1, SMG, and BHP's. I was so impressed with each I bought a former Dutch military issue BHP and an Aussie FN L1A1 which I converted almost completely to Canadian spec. When the laws started to go stupid in the 90's I got rid of them, along with my AK47, Mini 14, and Mossberg 500.
I REALLY regret getting rid of the L1A1 and the BHP. I can't get another L1A1 but am constantly on the lookout for a good BHP.
You guys struck a chord with me. Your description nailed everthing / sentiments on the head. I was shooting alongside a pile of soldiers from the 4 CanDiv shooting Team at NSCC in Connaught Ranges last August and many of them were shooting their issued Brownings. Trust me, many of them kicked my butt while I was shooting a brand new out of the box SIG P226 from Cabela's Winnipeg store.
Back in 1975 while doing my JrNCO Crse, I had to teach several classes on the C1A1, SMG, and Browning HP. I am forever grateful for that super learning journey.
In 1976, here I was teaching a BMQ Crse (or Basic Recruit) and was assigned to teach the BHP. Was that ever a good time. I even had to assist (FPO) at the pistol range during a Range Training Ex. Good times. No jams at all back in the seventies, maybe the magazines were not so abused back then.
In 1978, I was issued a BHP for my duties in Nicosia, Cyprus and was never worried. Here's the ru
Here's a pic, okay, I'm a lot younger here but with the SMG, you guys get the drift...
Anyways, once I started my undergrad studies at UBC and then U of A in Edmonchuk, I bought a used 70's BHP (first pistol ever) from Milarm and it came with rubber Pachmayr's and I could not have been happier. I traded it to a former battalion buddy who was living and working in Fort MakeMoney for Suncor and received an Aussie L1A1, that's when they were NR babies.
Fast forward to 2009, I got nostalgic and bought a Mk3 from Ellwood Epps for $850 plus taxes and I was super happy. Yeah, they installed them goofy springs to pop the magazines out faster since the mag safety slowed things down on the reload drills. I still loved those factory black plastic grips since my medium sized hands felt right at home with an old friend.
In the last year, I had to sell it and sadly let it go because my business required me to purchase platforms my clients would be using: SIG P226, Glock 17
I was also reluctant to carry my BHP while working the target butts at the Milcun training complex since we are told to carry a pistol on our body and keep a magazine handy
I had to choose to keep one steel warrior and the BHP had to go. I kept my STI Spartan 9mm 1911 single stack since my wife happens to prefer the 1911 platform in 9mm. I'm using Pearce Thin-grips with the Spartan and she is so happy. Happy Wife!!
Thanks for the great memories and discussion!
Cheers and regards,
Barney
FYI: the magazine disconnect on BHP's issued to military units is indirectly responsible for about 80% of overseas negligent discharges! This is due to the clearing drills taught by the military and the need to have the hammer lowered after the chamber is cleared. Having sleep deprived troops reinserting mags into pistols just to fire off the action is asking for it IMO.
There's my rant about the evils of magazine disconnects. The solution is training.
There's my rant about the evils of magazine disconnects. The solution is training.
You guys are certainly not doing anything for my sense of restraint. Great stories. I want one of these badly.
Would you buy? : http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1068986-FEG-Hi-Power-in-9mm
Would you buy? : http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1068986-FEG-Hi-Power-in-9mm
No dis-respect to the seller or anyone who has a copy….but I would save up to get the real deal (it's not that much more $$).
I also performed the mag disco on my 1968 BHP. Some say it improves the trigger but I didn't notice anything different. It does make function testing, etc., much easier.
This one is on my Never Sell List...
I trained on the Inglis's too; already knew how to shoot pistol by then and however clapped-out I was told they were, they shot just fine for me. Does anybody else want to raise a stink with the gummint about the military should be offering the Inglis's for sale to the Canadian shooting community vice burning and crushing them? I'd love to have an Inglis.
My current one seems to have a lot of trouble shooting straight. I have a 'classic' Belgian, ~1988 with coke-can adjustable sight; it's given (giving) me a lot of trouble but it's mine forever! I slugged the barrel at 0.357" so I need 0.358" bullets for it; the only one I could find in a Lee 6-cavity is the 125gr RF. I size it 0.358" and then immediately run-into a further problem; only certain brass, very carefully loaded (and not Winchester brass; it's great brass, but it's thicker than all the rest. Get Winchester 9mm for quality, but don't load it with any bullet fatter than 0.357") won't get jammed in the chamber and lock the gun up. And then when the gun does chamber them, it spits them all over the target, which I'm prepared to take at least some of the blame for - it has nice shiny sights with rounded edges that catch all the glare, and the old eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be.
I found one load the pistol liked; a curious one. The Lyman 147gr BB doesn't have a great rep at the club for accuracy, and my Hi Power didn't like it all that much. But it would keyhole two per 10-shot string, which suggested to me that the bullet wasn't spinning fast enough to stabilise. So I tossed-in a bit more powder to speed it up - literally, 0.1gr, up to 2.8gr Titewad from 2.7gr - and it started driving tacks; I shot its first X-possible that weekend.
- And then, being me, I went and did something stupid. I read that the Hi Power doesn't have a sterling rep for bullseye shooting, and one guy who's had several of them, always found that if he had the barrel crowned to 11 degrees they shot a lot better. My muzzle was toothed and a bit messy, so I had the barrel crowned to 11 degrees, and the Hi Power immediately started spitting the 147gr's all over the target too.
One of these days I'll learn that if it works, don't fix it......
My current one seems to have a lot of trouble shooting straight. I have a 'classic' Belgian, ~1988 with coke-can adjustable sight; it's given (giving) me a lot of trouble but it's mine forever! I slugged the barrel at 0.357" so I need 0.358" bullets for it; the only one I could find in a Lee 6-cavity is the 125gr RF. I size it 0.358" and then immediately run-into a further problem; only certain brass, very carefully loaded (and not Winchester brass; it's great brass, but it's thicker than all the rest. Get Winchester 9mm for quality, but don't load it with any bullet fatter than 0.357") won't get jammed in the chamber and lock the gun up. And then when the gun does chamber them, it spits them all over the target, which I'm prepared to take at least some of the blame for - it has nice shiny sights with rounded edges that catch all the glare, and the old eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be.
I found one load the pistol liked; a curious one. The Lyman 147gr BB doesn't have a great rep at the club for accuracy, and my Hi Power didn't like it all that much. But it would keyhole two per 10-shot string, which suggested to me that the bullet wasn't spinning fast enough to stabilise. So I tossed-in a bit more powder to speed it up - literally, 0.1gr, up to 2.8gr Titewad from 2.7gr - and it started driving tacks; I shot its first X-possible that weekend.
- And then, being me, I went and did something stupid. I read that the Hi Power doesn't have a sterling rep for bullseye shooting, and one guy who's had several of them, always found that if he had the barrel crowned to 11 degrees they shot a lot better. My muzzle was toothed and a bit messy, so I had the barrel crowned to 11 degrees, and the Hi Power immediately started spitting the 147gr's all over the target too.
One of these days I'll learn that if it works, don't fix it......
I only have one, a circa 1968 T-series and have just started to really try shooting it.
Aside from the teeny sights, it's pretty good and it definitely feels good in my hand. It has a ring hammer so no bite. The trigger was pretty poor but after finding a service manual online I did a little (very) judicious stoning of the sear to correct the angle and the trigger is now pretty good. (I'd already removed the magazine disconnect)
I'm thinking of getting a set of the newer Browning 3-dot/white line sights installed on it and maybe Duracoating or Parkerizing it as it's not a "collector-grade" pistol.
OK- back to the basement to load more 9mm now...
Stuart
Aside from the teeny sights, it's pretty good and it definitely feels good in my hand. It has a ring hammer so no bite. The trigger was pretty poor but after finding a service manual online I did a little (very) judicious stoning of the sear to correct the angle and the trigger is now pretty good. (I'd already removed the magazine disconnect)
I'm thinking of getting a set of the newer Browning 3-dot/white line sights installed on it and maybe Duracoating or Parkerizing it as it's not a "collector-grade" pistol.
OK- back to the basement to load more 9mm now...
Stuart
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Gunnerlove
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver Island
The CF has a very tired fleet.
That said I have never met a MK III I didn't like.
That said I have never met a MK III I didn't like.
Stupid question. (Maybe)
Can .40 mags be used in a 9x19 pistol like the Glocks do? I'm not thinking so much about increased capacity, although that would be fun, as I am about availability of mags. Marstar seems to be sold out of everything but .40 right now for BHP.
Can .40 mags be used in a 9x19 pistol like the Glocks do? I'm not thinking so much about increased capacity, although that would be fun, as I am about availability of mags. Marstar seems to be sold out of everything but .40 right now for BHP.
Love the Hi Power. I get annoyed when troops that don't know any better trash talk them. Of course the CF could do a lot better in terms of maintaining/refurbishing them. Lots of brand new ones were pulled out of depot for Afghanistan. Lots of them made their way to the troops but far too many ended up in the hands of KAFites that didn't think they should have to carry that heavy C7 around.
I haven't been on here that much the last year or two. Had I known about the FEGs I'd have been all over them, especially with that Christmas blow out. It seems like all the Hi Powers I see at the gun shows or on the EE are beyond my meagre financial means .
What I'd really like to do is get my hands on a beater/mixmaster Inglis and then build it up the way I think the CF should refurb theirs. Most that I see pop up are more collector specimens and therefore too expensive for my purposes. He'll, I'd be happy to just get my hands on an Inglis slide.
I haven't been on here that much the last year or two. Had I known about the FEGs I'd have been all over them, especially with that Christmas blow out. It seems like all the Hi Powers I see at the gun shows or on the EE are beyond my meagre financial means .
What I'd really like to do is get my hands on a beater/mixmaster Inglis and then build it up the way I think the CF should refurb theirs. Most that I see pop up are more collector specimens and therefore too expensive for my purposes. He'll, I'd be happy to just get my hands on an Inglis slide.
