Talk me into/out of a Browning Hi Power

Doryman

Doryman

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So. I currently don't own a pistol. Rifles and shotties, in both Fuddish and Tacticool styles, but no pistol.

I've been idly looking around at pistols available in Canada, and I keep coming back to the Browning Hi-power. It's got a few things going for it to my mind; Commonly available calibre, decades of service in various fields, I've got a bit of experience with it,(CF), bit of historical significance, etc...


However, I want to hear the thoughts of the CGN community. Is the BHP worth the money? Do you think I should try something else? Is it the bees knees or a failvalanche?

Have at me!
 
Can't go wrong with Hi-Power, but a CZ 75, 85, or Shadow are also great guns.
Have you considered a .22LR for for first pistol? Everyone ought to have at least one.IMO
Cheaper to buy and shoot.
 
I am a registered collector, and I don't shoot much. I have an old Inglis Browning, have shot it, and really like it a lot. The Browning is not the most modern or even the best design, but it's proven, practical and available. There are lots of arguments about what ought to be a "first" handgun, but you could do a lot worse than the P-35. It will fit just about any hand and it will pretty much shoot whenever the trigger is pulled and there's a round in the chamber. If you're going to buy a used gun, try to find one that will shoot more or less to point of aim at ten to twenty yards, and hasn't been abused. Good luck with it.
 
OMG, a Hi-Power pistol should sell itself. I would look for an older used one with the nice bluing. There are Canadian ones out there which may be a little costly if you can find one.
 
Lol. I love how people come on to the "Canadian Gun Nutz" forum to get talked out of buying a firearm... But I digress, Fenceline is right on the money, you don't have it, so you should buy it. Heck, buy 2.
 
-BHP is the greatest 9mm ever devised.
-The superior JMB design (yep, I'm looking at you, "you know who"...)
-best looking and feling HG.

-what are the downsides?
 
The Browning HP is an excellent design - 25 yrs newer than the 1911 and none of its problems.

Pluses - fewer pieces to be handfitted; no barrel link; no front bushing; side ejection; 9mm accuracy and recoil recovery; VERY reliable; pointable; and generally very well made.

Negatives - not basking in the glory of a century of pro-American gun glamour; larger diameter grip (for double stack magazines); 1970's factory adjustable backsight is delicate; fewer aftermarket parts; fewer aftermarket accessories; and undeserved bad reputation of unreliability from Canadian military issue guns (those were worn and loose guns abused repeatedly for peacetime training).
 
A browning High Power has no down falls. They just flat out work and they also look good as well. You will have to pay more for them new and used but that only means that they are well worth it. If they were not then people would not buy them. To make a long story short you get what you pay for.

Graydog
 
Lexthedestroyer said:
Lol. I love how people come on to the "Canadian Gun Nutz" forum to get talked out of buying a firearm... But I digress, Fenceline is right on the money, you don't have it, so you should buy it. Heck, buy 2.
Click to expand...


Hah, yeah, I know... this thread was partially to get myself a couple opposing views, to balance everything out. Also to get people to shoot the sh 1 t, which is what the internet was invented for. That and ####.

Trebor, I hear you on the .22 pistol, and I do plan on keeping my eye out for one. Can't spend everything all at once, though.


So, I hear a lot of you echoing the Pro-BHP voices I keep hearing in my head. I am going to assume that CGN has my best interests at heart and forge ahead.


Anyone around the Ottawa area that might sell the Browning?
 
It's a truly beautiful pistol.
Good ergonomics (for the small hands at least - I have long fingers and much prefer CZ75 frame).
Accurate, reliable, classic.
Bit fragile for the modern standards (especially the older, forged models).
Expensive.
Many people report hammer bite problem (I didn't experience such issue).
Trigger sucks BADLY on the NIB pistols.
I like the BHP, but much prefer CZ75.
Good luck.
 
I've fired both the Hi Power and CZ within a short time apart and was more accurate with the CZ (I'm not that good though, so could have been an off day!) If I had to choose, I'd probably go for the Hi Power for the historical value, get good with it, then get a CZ later.
 
Antiquated design, good for collector's interest. A CZ 75 is going to be more durable, easier to field strip and maintain, not bite your hand, and probably be more reliable.
A Glock 17, ditto. Both will also be less expensive.

Neither one will be as nice-looking, but my P226 and CZ75 SP-01 come damn close.
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I own('d) a few of the mainstream brands....Glock, Sig, S&W, Ruger, etc., but the only HG I own with Soul is my "T"-series BHP that my father bought new in the mid '70's (IIRC).
It's in mint condition seen maybe 50rnds and I will pass it down to my son when I'm done with it.
Get one......
 
johNTO said:
I own('d) a few of the mainstream brands....Glock, Sig, S&W, Ruger, etc., but the only HG I own with Soul is my "T"-series BHP that my father bought new in the mid '70's (IIRC).
It's in mint condition seen maybe 50rnds and I will pass it down to my son when I'm done with it.
Get one......
Click to expand...

Yeah, the commercial T series is special, so many little details handled so amazingly well.

OP - there are no downsides to a Browning HP - none.
 
I had to sell my BHP years ago due to financial reasons. It was by far my favourite 9mm to shoot. It is just plain easy and fun to shoot and it does it very well. I've had my eyes open for an interesting buy on another one for a while now.
 
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