Browning Hi-Power

[Siggy]

Good Morning.  New Member, first post.  Just trying to learn something about firearms and learning to shoot.  For all the talk about 1911s, why is there so little interest in Browning's "other" gun in 9mm..  I can acquire a Browning Hi-power, about 25 years old, that has never been fired, new in the box with a case.   What are the good, bad and otherwise about this type of gun compared to buying something new (P250, or and S&W 686 in 9mm or 38.) I would need to have the Hi-Power checked out and lubed as it has been in a closet for most of the 25 years.  Remember, I'm new to the sport...and looking at this more as recreation rather than being interested in CC.  Some have told me first gun should be a 22 auto for these purposes.

Thanks.  Look forward to being in the forum.

[jaybet]

Siggy,
Assuming the gun is functional, cleaned and lubed, a Hi-Power is an excellent first gun. They are often overlooked for more "Modern" and "stylish" pistols, but it's a solid, high quality platform. I'd love to have a 25 year old piece.

[Dougdubya]

The good?

Ergonomics - the gun fits almost everyone with excellent trigger reach and comfort of grip.  Most modern Brownings have ambi-safeties for us southpaws.
Perfect size - short butt for easy concealment, but full length slide for good sight radius.
Efficiency - just the right size for the caliber.  Not overly fat or tall, and the slide is slender and sleek, making it a joy to share a waistband with.
Caliber - if 9mm isn't enough, you can get a modern .40 S&W, but the 9mm IS enough.

The bad?
The "shelf grips" - make the Browning unnecessarily wide.  Look for Spiegel grips for the BHP.  They make the gun perfect.
Magazine disconnect - a lot of people whine about this - it ruins the trigger, it renders the gun inoperable if the magazine is ejected, blah blah blah.  If you're that much of a nervous Norvus about it, you can take it out in a kitchen-table operation.  Me, I'd rather have it, simply because if it comes to wrestling with the gun, I just hit the mag release and I let go of an inert paperweight and pull out my pocket knife and begin carving off the face and throat of the guy with the gun.
Locked and cocked - for many, condition one single action is the finest trigger system on the planet.  For the undertrained, it can be a dangerous and scary thing.  Learn to carry locked and cocked properly and all will be fine.  That means a lot of training and weapons handling, which is a good thing anyway.

That's it in the nutshell.

[ellis4538]

Siggy, I agree with what has been said but also hammer bite can be a problem with an unmodified HiP.  Ask around and try to shoot an unmodified HiP.  Hope it's not a problem because with modern 9mm ammo you couldn't ask for too much more (except for better sights and maybe a trigger job).

[Bill Stryker]

Buy it if the price is right. HPs are great guns.

[Sponsor]

[Pathfinder]

I've got a fairly modern Mk III, so it's a newer one, better grips and no hammer bite.

It was the first handgun I ever bought - I'm late to the game, I know - but I bought it just because I have always wanted one, it's like the '56 Chevy of handguns. Great styling, very comfortable, ammo for it everywhere, fun to shot, holsters available - what's not to like?

 

[tumblebug]

I would jump on it if you don't let me know .

[Teresa Heilevang]

I Luuuuve my Brownings.. and have several..
Can't tell you the pros and cons.. cause all I have to report is the pros.. 

[Dougdubya]

I Luuuuve my Brownings.. and have several..
Can't tell you the pros and cons.. cause all I have to report is the pros.. 

A gorgeous lady with great taste... too bad you're taken.

Oh wait, so am I.  And mine lurves big boomie-style guns.

[jpr9954]

I have the Charles Daly Hi-Power clone and love it. One of these days I'll add a good Browning. If they are offering the 25 y.o. Hi-Power for a decent price, run - don't walk - and buy it. It is a wonderful pistol.

Here is a Stephen Camp's website devoted mostly to the Hi-Power:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/

There is a lot of good info on it.

John