Advise on shooting a Inglis Hi Power

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Boom182

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I recently have had the pleasure of acquiring a numbers matching original finish Inglis Hi Power No 2 M1*. This is the first gun I've had with any real collector's value. I would like to shoot it once in a while but would also like to keep it in as good shape as it is now. It will probably not see very many rounds.

Should I:
- replace the recoil spring with stock pressure or higher pressure?
- replace the main spring? (Does this have a significant effect in arresting the slide?)
- reload lower power ammo or just shoot standard (not +P) ammo? I don't currently reload 9mm but I could.
- are there any parts that tend to break I should attempt to acquire spares for?
- any other storage or shooting advice?

And here's the obligatory photo:

browning_hp_r106354_zps54cb16f0.jpg
 
I used to have severalof those. they're terrible, you should send it to me immediately to save you any trouble.
Seriously though, great gun, one of the most reliable pistols ever made. The springs were all very heavy on the one i had.
I took out the mag safety on a couple of them. It improves the trigger pull noticeably and you can find instructions online if you're interested. I took a couple of coils of the hammer spring on the last one I had. I shot some competition up against raceguns, the hi-power was slower and less accurate, but way more reliable. I wish I had one now.
 
Shoot it and care for it appropriately. In my experience, and speaking with current CF weapons techs, the only thing that has a remote tendency to crack is the piece at the back of the slide which holds your firing pin in place. This happens infrequently, but is something to to keep an eye on.

I've put a few rounds through my personal CH Inglis, and have dumped many many rounds through the No2 Mk1*s. They run very well with very few problems or stoppages as long as you ensure that your mag has unbent feed lips, and you load it properly.
 
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Hawkshadow said:
the only thing that has a remote (very remote) tendency to crack is the piece at the back of the slide which holds your firing pin in place. This happens very rarely, but is the single thing to to keep an eye on.
Click to expand...
Actually it's quite common, in the military it was not an issue if it just cracks on one corner.

The other problem that creeps up after many rounds is that the locking lug works loose in the frame. That is a much bigger deal when it gets too far gone.
 
stencollector said:
The other problem that creeps up after many rounds is that the locking lug works loose in the frame. That is a much bigger deal when it gets too far gone.
Click to expand...

Ah yes, I remember being instructed to check for that expediently: "take pliers or your gerber. Grip the locking lug and if it moves at all, the pistol is buggered"

stencollector said:
Actually it's quite common, in the military it was not an issue if it just cracks on one corner.
Click to expand...

How common did you find it to be? I've seen cracked ones once or twice between garrison and the range.
 
When these pistols are used, even infrequently, the front strap finish becomes worn.

I would suggest you take off the issue grips and put on some Hogue wrap around grips. This will stop the wear.

Be careful not to use corrosive ammo in it. The barrels on those old girls are just looking for an excuse to rust. The bbl steel seems to be soft as well. Can't prove it though, just my experience with my Inglis Hi Powers.

They can be very accurate or real dogs. Just depends on how well the barrels were fitted. I have one now that has a Belgian replacement barrel. It is fitted quite tightly and shoots extremely well.

The MkI * I have, is as new, with a shoulder stock and it isn't nearly as accurate.

You will enjoy shooting it. If you want to shoot reduced pressure loads, get a spring kit for the pistol from Wolf springs. They make a quality product and fit well.
 
Hawkshadow said:
How common did you find it to be? I've seen cracked ones once or twice between garrison and the range.
Click to expand...
Very common. The crack occurs at the 7 o'clock position on the back pin retaining plate. When I look at Inglis hipowers available at gunshows, I find the crack on over 50% of the guns I see. Again, not an issue if it's at that position. Any further cracking requires the plate be replaced.
 
Boom182, here just my thoughts;

You have a nice original example. Any use will cause additional wear even if it's very subtle. You need to ask yourself if you're okay with adding wear to your collectable pistol or if you would rather keep it as nice as it is now and just buy a similar one in rough condition for range use.

-Steve
 
Depends if you are a collector or a shooter. The shooting worn't hurt it if you keep the round count in reason and don't use overloaded ammunition. If you are buying it as an investment, that's another story. I'm looking for one, but will shoot it occasionaly.
 
Too good to shoot! The finish looks outstanding for your Inglis. This gun is becoming very desirable as a collector and one in that kind of shape should not be a casual shooter. If you want to shoot 9mm, buy the superb S&W M&P 9mm or a Glock 17.
Another option would be to list it on the EE for sale. Take the cash and buy a 9mm you can shoot all day. BTW, what T series is it?
Judging by your picture and the condition, this gun should go for at least C$1000.00 on the EE. Maybe more.
 
It's not my intention to shoot this gun regularly. I've got a CZ75 for that. But I think a piece of history I can hold in my hand and shoot is a whole lot more interesting than a piece of history I only look at. I still want to keep any wear and tear to a bare minimum.

The finish is quite good although there is a bit of wear on some edges and someone buggered the front sight slightly trying to drift it sideways. The front sight is locked in place by two center punches from the top. I don't know if this is normal.

Why is the overweight firing pin spring important?

It's a 6T serial number. I just checked the registration and am reminded that the manufacturer is registered as "Browning". :mad: I don't think I'll ever get hassled over it as it does say Browning on the slide.

I paid more than $1000 for it. I've never seen enough Inglis's for sale to get a good feel for their value! I actually don't want to know what it's worth because I'm happy with my purchase.
 
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