I was asked awhile ago to write an AAR about my issued BHP. So, for Sonofpaleface and those who might want to know, I'll throw down some of my opinions and thoughts.
I took my issued pistol from Canada as it was signed out from my CQ stores. The pistol, 2 mags and Bianchi drop leg holster. Before I left I went on a shopping spree for kit, to include; Safariland 6004, Pachmayer grips and a lanyard. I already possessed the belt and mag pouches.
The pistol itself was very reliable, when it was clean and dust free that is. The dust was everywhere and weapon cleaning had to be a daily process. At the very least wiping or blowing the dust out of the weapon. Compressed air is your friend.
As for the operation of the BHP, there are some improvements that should be considered. Larger safety and better sights would be a huge benefit. The magazines were the worst part of the system. As must know, you can have a firearm worth thousands of dollars, but if the mags are junk, how effective can that firearm be? I had to purchase my own aftermarket magazines. (Thanks Wags ) Yes they were only 10 rounds, but 10 rounds that fire are better than 1 then a jam. I did this because I relied on my sidearm for my safety, not so I could carry it around the office. (Slag intended. If we had the pistols that were in KAF, all of us could have carried them outside the wire.) Anyway, the magazines are the major fault of this weapon. It is a proven design and does what it is intended to do. It is a combat firearm. It is not your tricked out racegun with the ability to drop plates at 100m.
I personally used mine for searching, convoy escorts, intimidation when required and personal protection when the rifle was not practical. I did buy the 6004 and it is an excellent piece of kit. I have used them before for my Glocks and Sigs. The Bianchi drop leg is garbage and not designed well IMHO. There has been some unit purchased Blackhawk dropleg holsters that showed up which are slightly better than the Bianchi. I found that in the vehicle, turret specifically, it got caught on everything. In the back it was okay, but hard to draw when needed. In the end I carried it in my chest rig in the right hand mag pouch under the velcro flap. Not as fast to draw, but alot easier to carry and when seated, you could draw it. I carried 5 mags for the gun. One on it, 2 in my chest rig and 2 on my gun belt. This should be the standard load out.
As for the grips, I put on the rubber Pachmayer ones in order to give me better purchase of the pistol. I also added grip tape to the front and back strap of the grip. I find the grip tape is needed when the gun is wet, from whatever. I wore flight gloves all the time and I needed the grip tape in order to hold the gun effectively. The black plastic issue grips are too smooth. Some guys used the rubber finger groove type with great success. I prefer to put my fingers where I want, not in the grooves of a grip.
In the end, I found the BHP to be a very reliable weapon. The major concern to all should be the magazines. They are the heart of the system and without a quality piece, the gun will jam. Keep it clean and it will work when you need it to. All those guys that went before us didn't have any problems with it.
If I was to take something different with me next time, what would it be? I guess I would have to say a Glock of some sort in 9mm. This gun is easy to use and maintain. That being said, if the BHP was upgraded instead of mothballed, we would still have a very effective hi capacity 9mm.
Again this is just my opinion on the whole matter. I have used this firearm in defensive and offensive action. I don't think this makes me an expert, just someone who is in the know.
Hoddie.
I took my issued pistol from Canada as it was signed out from my CQ stores. The pistol, 2 mags and Bianchi drop leg holster. Before I left I went on a shopping spree for kit, to include; Safariland 6004, Pachmayer grips and a lanyard. I already possessed the belt and mag pouches.
The pistol itself was very reliable, when it was clean and dust free that is. The dust was everywhere and weapon cleaning had to be a daily process. At the very least wiping or blowing the dust out of the weapon. Compressed air is your friend.
As for the operation of the BHP, there are some improvements that should be considered. Larger safety and better sights would be a huge benefit. The magazines were the worst part of the system. As must know, you can have a firearm worth thousands of dollars, but if the mags are junk, how effective can that firearm be? I had to purchase my own aftermarket magazines. (Thanks Wags
) Yes they were only 10 rounds, but 10 rounds that fire are better than 1 then a jam. I did this because I relied on my sidearm for my safety, not so I could carry it around the office. (Slag intended. If we had the pistols that were in KAF, all of us could have carried them outside the wire.) Anyway, the magazines are the major fault of this weapon. It is a proven design and does what it is intended to do. It is a combat firearm. It is not your tricked out racegun with the ability to drop plates at 100m. I personally used mine for searching, convoy escorts, intimidation when required and personal protection when the rifle was not practical. I did buy the 6004 and it is an excellent piece of kit. I have used them before for my Glocks and Sigs. The Bianchi drop leg is garbage and not designed well IMHO. There has been some unit purchased Blackhawk dropleg holsters that showed up which are slightly better than the Bianchi. I found that in the vehicle, turret specifically, it got caught on everything. In the back it was okay, but hard to draw when needed. In the end I carried it in my chest rig in the right hand mag pouch under the velcro flap. Not as fast to draw, but alot easier to carry and when seated, you could draw it. I carried 5 mags for the gun. One on it, 2 in my chest rig and 2 on my gun belt. This should be the standard load out.
As for the grips, I put on the rubber Pachmayer ones in order to give me better purchase of the pistol. I also added grip tape to the front and back strap of the grip. I find the grip tape is needed when the gun is wet, from whatever. I wore flight gloves all the time and I needed the grip tape in order to hold the gun effectively. The black plastic issue grips are too smooth. Some guys used the rubber finger groove type with great success. I prefer to put my fingers where I want, not in the grooves of a grip.
In the end, I found the BHP to be a very reliable weapon. The major concern to all should be the magazines. They are the heart of the system and without a quality piece, the gun will jam. Keep it clean and it will work when you need it to. All those guys that went before us didn't have any problems with it.
If I was to take something different with me next time, what would it be? I guess I would have to say a Glock of some sort in 9mm. This gun is easy to use and maintain. That being said, if the BHP was upgraded instead of mothballed, we would still have a very effective hi capacity 9mm.
Again this is just my opinion on the whole matter. I have used this firearm in defensive and offensive action. I don't think this makes me an expert, just someone who is in the know.
Hoddie.
