Hi Power vs 1911

Dukeoflawnchair

Dukeoflawnchair

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I've read a bunch of times that there are three hand guns that you should own. Two of which are the HP and the 1911.

Between the two, which is a better gun? For arguement sake, assume that the 1911 is chambered in 9mm...so that this doesn't turn into a 9mm vs .45acp debate...

Durability, reliability, design weaknesses...paper shooting, and theoretical "shoot to get to the rifle" in SHTF zombie situation :p

What are your thoughts and opinions? I'm going to start with the BHP and move on from there when sweet lady tax return comes in...

Cheers,
 
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Well for one thing, I've had four hipowers and one clone. They all ate everything from ball to HP ammo.
I'm sorry I can't say that for the four 1911 9mm's I've had.

Both feel totally different in your hand but I find both feel great, with a little advantage to the HP because I don't feel like I'm always having to re-adjust my grip.
 
Heard something about the F.B.I. hostage rescue team were using the Hi-Power,But now have gone over to using a 1911,the Hi-Power couldn't take the # of rds they were putting though them,parts were wareing out or breaking,not sure about the kind of ammo they use,may have been kind of hot.
Thinking the 1911 is the tougher one,IMHO.
 
I can let my thumb ride the safety of the 1911, something not possible with the High-Power. The 1911 has a grip safety, something that is reassuring when one carries in condition 1. The High-Power is often found with a magazine safety that serves no purpose that I can understand. The High-Power was traditionally designed as a 13 shot 9mm and has been recently chambered in 40 S&W. The 1911 has been chambered in 9mm, 38 ACP, .38 Super, .45 ACP, and there has been 1911 conversion kits offered from time to time for .22 rim fire. While I think both are fine pistols, my vote would be for the 1911.
 
IMHO I have both, but first choice is the 1911, and second is the high power. I think the balance is different for both when loaded, and you should try to test fire both if you can, before buying if you are just buying one. I have 2 of the belgium high power, one with adj. sights and one with fixed sights. The old style adj. sights are not as good as 1911 sights now. The old fixed sights are terrible and small to get a good sight picture. In terms of the grip, I took a belt sander to the high power wood grips, thinned them out, the walnut is quite tough, and no cracks or chipping if you are careful, use wet and dry sandpaper with a bit of oil, and the smooth grips are now just right. Skateboard tape on the front.

The 1911 will have checkering in the backstrap and on most models in the front, and the gripping is better. Checkering is really useless on the grip panels, and it is the front and back that holds the gun tight in your hand.

The high power is more the dimension size of the commander than the full government model size.

All the best in your final selection. I agree with the other CGN members you can't go wrong with either, and one day you may want to get both.
 
1911 advantage: better trigger
Hi-Power advantages: more reliable, more compact, higher magazine capacity

Both are durable enough to last a lifetime.
 
Greenhorse six said:
Heard something about the F.B.I. hostage rescue team were using the Hi-Power,But now have gone over to using a 1911,the Hi-Power couldn't take the # of rds they were putting though them,parts were wareing out or breaking,not sure about the kind of ammo they use,may have been kind of hot.
Thinking the 1911 is the tougher one,IMHO.
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Sounds like BS to me. Canadian Forces are still using WWII vintage Hi-Powers, many with mags dating back to the same era. And from what I heard, the CF uses pretty hot ammo that was originally intended for the Sten. The Hi-Power is plenty tough....likely tougher then most modern alloy and plastic frame wonder nines.
 
Got two HP's, one newer Belgium and one Nazi marked. Also got a 1911. Love 'em all but never had an issue with any of the HP's after putting thousands of rounds through them. Find the HP easier to take apart and clean.
 
The HiPower feels good in my left hand and not great in my right. My 1991 feels good in either hand. I also don't like the thinner HiPower trigger. Also my 1911s have better trigger pulls. I still like the look of the HiPower better though.
 
1911s have evolved quite a bit over tha last 97 years or so; everyone makes a 1911 these days in different configurations and calibers. While HP is pretty much the same now as it was 70 years ago. IMO that's the main reason it's not more popular these days.

1911 advantage: better trigger
Hi-Power advantages: more reliable, more compact, higher magazine capacity
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Not the case with double stack 1911s and/or camander/compact sized 1911s...;)

Personally I prefer 1911; Hi-Power just never appealed to me. I'm also more accurate with 1911...
 
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1911 has a better trigger pull and a MUCH shorter trigger reset.
You can get alloy frames for the 1911, yes this is a custom route but it's available.

with the 1911 you can build it or buy it commander length, or CCO (commander slide/officer's frame). Much more concealible.

Considering our magazine laws, 1911 gives you 9 rounds in a slim magazine...I read on 1911 forum that metalform just made a flush 10 round magazine for 9mm. The BHP gives you a fat neutered 10 round magazine.

BHP is quicker to fieldstrip but 1911 is much easier to detail strip...just need a punch.

For me anyway, the 1911 fits my hand better, slab like shape aligns it better. The bigger/rounder shape of the BHP causes it to 'torque' in my hand.
 
IM_Lugger said:
Not the case with double stack 1911s and/or camander/compact sized 1911s...;)
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A double-stack "1911" is not a true 1911, as it loses one of the gun's main selling points – superior grip comfort. A double stack 1911 is far thicker than the BHP(which is pretty close to the single stack 1911).

And while it is true that there are some 1911-style pistols out there that are more compact than the BHP, the vast majority of them are too unreliable for any sort of serious use. I'm not aware of any military force that adopted commander or officer size 1911s, let alone any of the subcompact models.
 
"...which is a better gun?..." Which vehicle is better a Ford or Chevy?
"...Hence the lack of after market parts..." There are lots of aftermarket BHP parts. No easily installed sights for the Inglis made BHP though. Not in the variety as for the .45 either.
 
A double-stack "1911" is not a true 1911, as it loses one of the gun's main selling points – superior grip comfort
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meah it's not that comfortable :p I think doblestack might even fit my mediium sized hands better...

I'm not aware of any military force that adopted commander or officer size 1911s, let alone any of the subcompact models.
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that's because comander/compact 1911 was designed for CCW - no point in getting a compact gun as a sidearm.
 
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