Browning Hi-Power Advice

sharpee

sharpee

Regular
Rating - 100%
140   0   0
Location
Saskatoon
Hi all!

I'm looking to add my first Browning Hi-Power to my pistol collection and I am hoping to get some advice from the aficiandos out there. I see there are knocks offs like the Dominion DA35 and various countries/companies of manufacture due to licencing proliferation but where is the best place to start with the Hi-Power? Is there a preferred place of manufacturer to look out for or would a knock off be a good entry point into this gun?

All advice appreciated!

Sharpee
 
The 9mm book to buy is from now-deceased author Clive Law who ran Service Publications. The business was sold as a going concern, and is now on line.

He told me about getting stopped at Customs by some new agent whose eyes widened when the shipping case with 20 HPs was opened. Figured he had some major gun smuggler. Clive knew the game and started gradually working his way up the export permit writing chain through each of his old friends, all the while making the agent's eyes bug out bigger and bigger. Finally he had a Deputy Minister grovelling about messing up a date and pleading for Clive's forgiveness. Mostly a put on, but slightly true. He had the case released and took it to a big US collectors' convention. Maybe it was in Kansas City. He sold those guns for twice the normal price - because it was the one in THE book! Great guy, sadly missed. I rode in a Ferret Scout Car that escorted his urn from the service to the graveside.
 
sharpee said:
Now that's neat - John Inglis design with the 14 round mag instead of 13 and made in Canada....i'll keep reading.

Thanks cuslog
Click to expand...

The mags are marked JI, but they are also the cause of most of the bad reputation the Brownings earned in the service. Load too many, and the welds on the top edges on the back crack open. The feedlips separate and the jams occur. The mags issued for AFG were all new European ones that run flawlessly.
 
sharpee said:
Hi all!

I'm looking to add my first Browning Hi-Power to my pistol collection and I am hoping to get some advice from the aficiandos out there. I see there are knocks offs like the Dominion DA35 and various countries/companies of manufacture due to licencing proliferation but where is the best place to start with the Hi-Power? Is there a preferred place of manufacturer to look out for or would a knock off be a good entry point into this gun?

All advice appreciated!

Sharpee
Click to expand...

There are only two manufacturers I would consider. The wartime John Inglis production in Canada - because it was and still is the Canadian Force's sidearm. There are three variants of note by Inglis. The ones with a big lift up tangent sight. The Chinese contract ones with a slot for the hollow wooden butt. And, the low profile fixed sights issued to the troops. The other maker is Browning themselves in Belgium, sometimes assembled in Portugal. If you are lucky, the 1970s series are also marked Montreal on the slide.

FWIW, the wartime German ones are interesting but untrustworthy. The Mark III with the curved safety levers are good and reliable, but just not my bag.
 
I would add the high powers that were made in Argentina under
FN supervision for the military They also made them for export
 
Main problem with the HP is a rubbish trigger, mostly due to the magazine safety.

If you get an Inglis you're either stuck with heavy gritty mush, or you're modifying a piece of history. I left mine as heavy gritty mush.

The one I shoot most is a modern Standard model, whose ridiculously heavy**, gritty mush of a trigger I was in better conscience willing to clean up.


The Turk ones look interesting, but I don't need another. I've dithered over the stainless, however.



** no SAO pistol costing north of a grand should come from the factory with an 11lb trigger.
 
Mark-II said:
Main problem with the HP is a rubbish trigger, mostly due to the magazine safety.

If you get an Inglis you're either stuck with heavy gritty mush, or you're modifying a piece of history. I left mine as heavy gritty mush.

The one I shoot most is a modern Standard model, whose ridiculously heavy**, gritty mush of a trigger I was in better conscience willing to clean up.


The Turk ones look interesting, but I don't need another. I've dithered over the stainless, however.



** no SAO pistol costing north of a grand should come from the factory with an 11lb trigger.
Click to expand...
Are they generally available as original reproductions
 
I have a Belgium made Hi Power and its one of my favorites to shoot. Its all stock, and the only complaint I have is the sights are not that great once your eyes start going.And I imagine I could replace them if I choose. I don't notice the trigger being a problem, although I'm sure it could be tweaked better.
That pistol has had all types of different branded ammo and reloads through it, and it has never once failed to work perfectly.
Overall its one of the best pistol designs ever in my mind.
 
I have a Browning High Power that I sent to Frank Pachmyr many
years ago. The trigger pull is like an old model Smith Model 27, which I have.
 
tobin said:
That is the best site for HP info. Stephen Camp was a great guy, very knowledgeable and helpful, sadly no longer with us.
Click to expand...

I agree. We exchanged a few emails when I contacted him re my '68 T-series BHP. Very humble and knowledgeable man....
 
Mark-II said:
Main problem with the HP is a rubbish trigger, mostly due to the magazine safety.

If you get an Inglis you're either stuck with heavy gritty mush, or you're modifying a piece of history. I left mine as heavy gritty mush.

...
...
Click to expand...

Strip the trigger out of the frame. Remove the safety plunger and set the parts aside. Strip the upper and polish the sides of the trigger bar. Very respectable trigger pull afterwards, with no irreversible mods.
 
^^^exactly what I did to mine. Ended up with an excellent trigger. Also, my slide is so smooth it feels like its on ball-bearings.....
 
This thread seriously lacks pics!

I love my Mk III for the improved ergos and workable ambi Safety Lever.....


20jlj4z.jpg



But my Inglis Mk1* will never leave the collection. It is in nicer condition than any Hi Power I was issued during a 32 year infantry career (at least when i was done with them).....


15ri3px.jpg
 
maple_leaf_eh said:
Strip the trigger out of the frame. Remove the safety plunger and set the parts aside. Strip the upper and polish the sides of the trigger bar. Very respectable trigger pull afterwards, with no irreversible mods.
Click to expand...

Done that with a few of mine but could not get the trigger pin out of an epoxy coated Mark III so I had to live with the mag safety. On some of the Mark III guns the epoxy finish is so thick you cannot drive that pin out safely with a punch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom