Browning Hi Power in .40S&W...opinions?

[Jeff/1911]

Hi Folks,

I have owned a couple of 9mm BHP's and found them to be great guns. Recently I've been thinking I'd like to try one chambered in .40 S&W. I'd like to hear some opinion from those of you who do own them, or have fired one.

I guess I'm really just hoping to have you all help me justify the purchase... But hey, isn't that what GunNut buddies are for?

Thanks, Jeff/1911.

 

[RobAK]

I love mine. Very well made, very solid.
You'll know the difference right away between it and the 9mm BHP when you #### it due to the heavier recoil spring.
I put some of the Simonich grips on it and love it.

 

[RePete]

I have shot RobAK's and what he say's is true. It take a grown man to rack the slide.

The grips didn't suit me but it is accurate and fun to shoot.

 

[richardoldfield]

Jeff/1911, the BHP 40 S&W has a very heavy recoil spring and there is an art to racking the slide; you push out with your dominant hand and pull back on the slide with your other hand. Once you master this you will enjoy shooting the softest shooting 40 that I know of. Regards, Richard

 

[NAA]

BHP .40 cal

I have BHP MkIII's in both 9mm & .40 S&W... love 'em both.

Notice the upper of the .40 [bottom pic] is 'beefier'....

 

[prproulx]

There you go Jeff! Just tell your wife you need the extra strength spring to work out your arms!

 

[Jeff/1911]

Hey Pat, good idea!

Thanks for your feedback guys...geez' I thought the slides on the 9mm BHP's were hard to rack! Yikes!

 

[Jeff/1911]

Jeff/1911, the BHP 40 S&W has a very heavy recoil spring and there is an art to racking the slide; you push out with your dominant hand and pull back on the slide with your other hand. Once you master this you will enjoy shooting the softest shooting 40 that I know of. Regards, Richard

Richard,

I recall you talking before about how soft shoting these guns were...Thanks!

 

[capp325]

I second RobAK's comments. Reliability and fit and finish are excellent, as you'd expect from FN. Moreover, it is not just a regular highpower chambered for .40S&W. FN made a number of major upgrades to beef up the gun, including a three-lug barrel, a much thicker slide (it is literally twice as thick as its 9mm counterpart), and a heavier recoil spring. The end result is a very soft shooting .40. The only downside I can think of is that racking the slide requires some effort, but it's not as bad as richaroldfield makes it sound. Overall, it's an excellent gun and one of my favorite pistols.

 

[Max Owner]

I have more rounds down the barrell of my 226 in .40.

But I can do better double taps with my MKIII. Hits on target are grouped closer together.

And accurate. Grips I will replace with something better.

 

[prproulx]

Are the grips the same?

Now I want one.

 

[capp325]

Are the grips the same?

Now I want one.

9mm and .40? Yes, the frames are identical.