If one owned a Hi-Power...

[TCinVA]

...then it would probably be a good idea to pay careful attention to Apex:

99946

Magazine extensions, magazine wells, compatible stocks and upgraded fire control parts appear to be forthcoming.

[Flamingo]

I hope they have this at SHOT. I am pretty excited.

[wmu12071]

I have never had a Hi Power but having recently seen one next to a G19 I an curious why they aren't more popular.

[Joe in PNG]

I have never had a Hi Power but having recently seen one next to a G19 I an curious why they aren't more popular.

Depends on where you live. In a lot of Europe, it was the service sidearm for decades.

In the USA, it's a 9mm semi-auto that debuted in the 30's. So, during the era between WWII and the 1980's, most American gun users shunned autos as being unreliable, and shunned 9mm as being too weak. When the Wonder9 thing hit in the 80's, it was a gun that wasn't especially hollowpoint friendly, and had a bad trigger (unless you removed the mag safety). Then, when the Glock revolution happened, it was an expensive gun in comparison.

[4RNR]

I have never had a Hi Power but having recently seen one next to a G19 I an curious why they aren't more popular.More expensive, heavier with less ammo capacity (although there are MecGar 15 rounds mags). Unusable tiny safety, bad trigger with mag drop safety. Worse sights and no option for RDS if that's a must for you.

They weren't bad for their time but mostly status/rank symbol in military. They may have went to many wars bitcas far as actual use?????

It's like why aren't FALs and G3s more popular. They're fine but they can't compare to a basic AR

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[entropy]

99958

You can’t plug-n-play parts. It’s workings require knowledge or a gunsmith.

[Joe in PNG]

99958

You can’t plug-n-play parts. It’s workings require knowledge or a gunsmith.

To be fair, the C&S hammer & extended safety, then the BHP Spring Solutions SFS dropped right into my early 60's model with no fuss.

[entropy]

I guess my point was compared to polymer stuff or 1911’s, it requires a bit more skill and finesse. But you’re absolutely correct on the SFS parts (except that tiny spring). Lol

[TCinVA]

As I understand it, this set of parts is aimed primarily at the new Springfield P35, and will essentially allow installation without much gunsmithing.

[entropy]

As I understand it, this set of parts is aimed primarily at the new Springfield P35, and will essentially allow installation without much gunsmithing.

Thanks for the info. I haven’t looked into the Springfield much, but parts for the BHP from any source is certainly welcome!

[nalesq]

More expensive, heavier with less ammo capacity (although there are MecGar 15 rounds mags). Unusable tiny safety, bad trigger with mag drop safety. Worse sights and no option for RDS if that's a must for you.

They weren't bad for their time but mostly status/rank symbol in military. They may have went to many wars bitcas far as actual use?????

It's like why aren't FALs and G3s more popular. They're fine but they can't compare to a basic AR

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They weren’t always so expensive. The first handgun I ever bought back in the late nineties was a brand new Mk III Browning Hi Power (which did have a useable safety and decent sights) bought for $400.

Also, back in those days of the AWB, you could still get magazines that held more than 10 rounds for a reasonable price.


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[MRW]

I like seeing an old design getting some aftermarket support. I enjoy shooting the Hi-Power and have been interested in the newer Springfield. That being said, have the initial issues with the Springfields been worked out?

[4RNR]

They weren’t always so expensive. The first handgun I ever bought back in the late nineties was a brand new Mk III Browning Hi Power (which did have a useable safety and decent sights) bought for $400.

Also, back in those days of the AWB, you could still get magazines that held more than 10 rounds for a reasonable price.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProIn 1998 $400 is equivalent to $720 today. It's cheap when thinking about $400 today

The sights on mk3 are usable and the safety is ... better. Still small just not as itty bitty as it was before. I have one and it has been reliable in typical range use.

I wouldn't mind the new FN one but I don't have that kind of F-it money for 2023.

[Joe in PNG]

I guess my point was compared to polymer stuff or 1911’s, it requires a bit more skill and finesse. But you’re absolutely correct on the SFS parts (except that tiny spring). Lol

Should we call it a drop out part? Which it loves to do.

[nalesq]

In 1998 $400 is equivalent to $720 today. It's cheap when thinking about $400 today


That’s true. But I don’t think Glocks or any other service-type handgun were much cheaper than that back then either. I was a relatively poor college student in those days and if there existed then a better handgun for significantly less than $400 I’m sure I would have bought that instead.


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[JonInWA]

Most of BH Spring Solutions components are literally plug and play. They also have a prototype magwell assembly that incorporates the grips, and requires no more than a screwdriver and a light hammer to instal; I t&e'd it a year or so back, and discussed on my High Power thread blog. There were two versions of them; the one I tested in polished bare aluminum, and one finished in black (which I thought aesthetically blended in better with the High Power, but that's me).

Here's the magwell setup:

https://i.imgur.com/f5tkedsh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rS6QGnzh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/6HYdzTbh.jpg

The magwell is discussed on page 8, post #72 on the thread...https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?39835-The-FN-Browning-High-Power-Revisited-Part-One&highlight=Revisited+Part

Best, Jon

[4RNR]

That’s true. But I don’t think Glocks or any other service-type handgun were much cheaper than that back then either. I was a relatively poor college student in those days and if there existed then a better handgun for significantly less than $400 I’m sure I would have bought that instead.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProI tried looking it it. Not much out there except for other forums where members were talking about how much they paid. Prices seemed a little bit all over the place. Late 80s were typically around $249 - 280 which would make that $665 - 692 today.

In the 90s it seemed to be from $300 to over $500. Someone paid $525 for a G22 in 2001 ($758 today). So yeah....I guess the dollar amount changed but the price didn't.

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[Up1911Fan]

More expensive, heavier with less ammo capacity (although there are MecGar 15 rounds mags). Unusable tiny safety, bad trigger with mag drop safety. Worse sights and no option for RDS if that's a must for you.

They weren't bad for their time but mostly status/rank symbol in military. They may have went to many wars bitcas far as actual use?????

It's like why aren't FALs and G3s more popular. They're fine but they can't compare to a basic AR

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There is an RDS option.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClpW8yYpBzY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[Bergeron]

I'm happy with my Glocks and 1911s, and I refuse to play the "pistol of the month" game, but if I did, I would 100% pick up at least one of the Browning "Practical" models in two-tone and have a silly-happy time getting tuned it all to here and back.

[Flamingo]

I stopped and talked to Randy at SHOT. The HP stuff is amazing! He has a 17 round tube that he is attaching a +3-5 round base plate on. I can't remember what he said the + was. He did say the tube was from a non-HP magazine.

[M2CattleCo]

I have never had a Hi Power but having recently seen one next to a G19 I an curious why they aren't more popular.



The fatal flaws of the Hi Power:

The ergos are just about right for a petite 13 year old girl. The thumb safety and trigger are too far back for any male to comfortably use.

The triggers are heavy and gritty or light and vague.

They’re harder to work on than a 1911.

They don’t have a very long service life compared to any other handgun. The latest cast frames with the ungodly mainspring and building a 9mm out of a 40 will go for a long time though. I would expect easily 20K rounds.

I’m a dyed in the wool Hi Power fan, carried one for about a year, but there is absolutely NOTHING a Hi Power does that a Glock 17 or even 19 doesn’t do better, and not just a little bit better. Despite being a heavy steel framed 9mm they have a weird recoil impulse that has the tendency to beat the bejeezus out of the wrist for some reason.

[mmc45414]

there is absolutely NOTHING a Hi Power does that a Glock 17 or even 19 doesn’t do better
I know what one I would rather carry to a BBQ. Shit, I live in Ohio.... :cool:

[Trooper224]

The fatal flaws of the Hi Power:

The ergos are just about right for a petite 13 year old girl. The thumb safety and trigger are too far back for any male to comfortably use.

Or a Frenchman, maybe that's the same thing.


The triggers are heavy and gritty or light and vague.

They’re harder to work on than a 1911.

Doing an action job on a P35 is like messing with a Hellraiser puzzle, and a third hand is needed to reassemble it.


I’m a dyed in the wool Hi Power fan, carried one for about a year, but there is absolutely NOTHING a Hi Power does that a Glock 17 or even 19 doesn’t do better, and not just a little bit better. Despite being a heavy steel framed 9mm they have a weird recoil impulse that has the tendency to beat the bejeezus out of the wrist for some reason.

Sadly, all true. I think the P35 is one of the sexiest pistol ever made. I wanted so much to love it. But, after owning three of them over the years, I had to admit it was a toxic relationship.

[Joe in PNG]

Then there's the fact that Condition 3 carry isn't as comfortable as with a proper 1911.
That hammer just floats out there, and has a tendency to hit you in the spare tyre- which is why I put the SFS on mine.

[M2CattleCo]

The back corners of the mag baseplates with shred skin and clothes if they’re not dehorned.

[Joe in PNG]

The back corners of the mag baseplates with shred skin and clothes if they’re not dehorned.

Or use the Beretta 92 mag baseplate hack.

[Up1911Fan]

So here's a question.

I've always wanted to get a High Power to have customized. With Karl Sokol passing and C&S closing up shop, who's left to send one to?

[El Cid]

So here's a question.

I've always wanted to get a High Power to have customized. With Karl Sokol passing and C&S closing up shop, who's left to send one to?

I’ve wanted a Novak custom HP since I was a kid.
http://www.novaksinc.com/

[fatdog]

So here's a question.

I've always wanted to get a High Power to have customized. With Karl Sokol passing and C&S closing up shop, who's left to send one to?

Bob Cogan (https://apwcogan.com/), he did several for me.

[CJK]

So here's a question.

I've always wanted to get a High Power to have customized. With Karl Sokol passing and C&S closing up shop, who's left to send one to?Don Williams.

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[Moped]

I had a MkIII back in the 2000s, and it was one of my favorite pistols. Sadly it was stolen, in a burglary at my home. And I couldn't find another one at the time, that I could afford. The Girsan is something I am interested in trying out now. But I highly doubt I will ever carry a SA pistol as a CCW again. Just too many other great lighter options out there now. For a range toy, the SA and the FN are way more than I wish to pay.

[Flamingo]

The back corners of the mag baseplates with shred skin and clothes if they’re not dehorned.

Apex is going to make new base plates.

[Super77]

So here's a question.

I've always wanted to get a High Power to have customized. With Karl Sokol passing and C&S closing up shop, who's left to send one to?

I have no personal experience with these folks, but I have been admiring their work for awhile:

https://www.mk3firearms.com/services

[entropy]

A BHP is like an incredibly hot wife. There’s good. There’s bad. You want good? Got’s ta put up and/or deal with the bad...

[JAD]

My C&S P35 was ok. My MARS hi power is teh s3x.
100657

[vcdgrips]

JAD

That is straight up HAAWT!!!

That is a serious pistol for serious work.

That is simply Bad ACE.

[JAD]

Kart barrel is nice, good trigger and safety, but the key is the Harrison sights.
. 100661

[Trooper224]

Kart barrel is nice, good trigger and safety, but the key is the Harrison sights.
. 100661

Some of my favorites.

I used his rear sight on this pistol and had him install a gold bead on the stock front sight.

100663

[Corse]

Some of my favorites.

I used his rear sight on this pistol and had him install a gold bead on the stock front sight.

100663

I didn’t know he made a rear sight for the hi powers.

[Super77]

Some of my favorites.

I used his rear sight on this pistol and had him install a gold bead on the stock front sight.

100663

What are the grips you have on there? I like how the diamonds are inset.

[Trooper224]

What are the grips you have on there? I like how the diamonds are inset.

They've become my go-to grip maker for 1911s.

https://www.woodcaliber.com/

[vcdgrips]

Those 1911 wood grips remind me of the offerings of Kim Ahrends.

Good Stuff For Sure.

[JAD]

I didn’t know he made a rear sight for the hi powers.
He doesn’t. Mr. Morrison modified the cut to use the Harrison ‘retro’ 1911 sight, which is designed for the GI dovetail.

My Israeli hp is a mark ii, so the dovetail was 285 x .070 deep (probably 7.25 x 1.75 mm in metric). I don’t know what the Girsan hps have — probably mkiii which is 375 x .140 deep (9.5 mm x 3.5 mm). GI is 347x90, so you’d have to start with a MKii to get the hardball sights.

I got mine.

[entropy]

Lots of svelte hotness in this thread.