Range Report, Browning Hi-Power

[Captain Crunch]

I picked up a used 9mm Browning Hi-Power a couple weeks ago, primarily for my wife's use. We compared several different pistols and this Browning was the best fit for her. It was made in 1992 and had been well cared for. It came with one factory 10 round mag (which oddly will only hold 9 rounds), plus a pair of 13 round Mec-Gar mags. I paid $350.00 for it.

We took it to the range yesterday for a modest work-out with 100 rounds of Winchester 115 grain FMJ and 50 rounds of Winchester 115 grain JHP ammo. There were no malfunctions of any type. The fixed white dot sights were right on at 15 yards. The ejection pattern is very consistent, about 6 feet to the right rear.

But there is a downside, and that would be the trigger. This pistol's trigger is atrocious! All of the adjectives I can think of (gritty, sloppy, excessive overtravel and a few more) apply to this trigger. A visit to the gunsmith is definitely indicated, which will be done shortly.



This is my wife's best 15 yard group, 13 rounds, including the two fliers, with the 115 grain JHPs, in spite of the crummy trigger.

In its present form, this Browning is a diamond in the rough. With some trigger work, it should become a real gem. I've also decided to have the magazine safety removed because it prevents the Mec-Gar mags from dropping free. The Browning mag, being spring assisted, pops right out.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[P95Carry]

Thx for report Terry - I love the BHP but yes you are right - often it is the trigger that lets it down. Probably some fairly simple work will make a big improvement.

That group for 15 yards ain't too sloppy at all

The gun is a classic IMO just as is the 1911.

[srfl]

Good report....my BHP's trigger pull was made right by Bill Laughridge at Cylinder & Slide.

That was a real nice price.

[pgrass101]

I have found that removing the mag safety aften helps with the trigger. I don't know why this is but it seems to help a lot.

[Team American]

Terry, my BHP trigger went from atrocious to wonderful after Ike Stark (here in Denver) removed the mag safety and smoothed up the internals...it's my most accurate semi-auto pistol now...

Good report on a fine handgun...

[pogo2]

Browning Hi Powers seem to be notorious for bad stock triggers. I have dry fired a few new ones and they really are awful as they come from the factory. But they lend themselves to a little work and can be greatly improved.

I have sometimes wondered how many more of these the manufacturer could sell if they would put a decent trigger on the gun in the factory, and offer a new model with a somewhat shorter barrel and grip for CCW applications?

[canon6]

The BHP trigger is one of the easiest to" help" just by removing the magazine safety is usually all that is necessary,go to Hi powers and Handguns, there are several article on the how to's hth Doug

[P95Carry]

offer a new model with a somewhat shorter barrel and grip for CCW applications

That makes me half remember - some BHP version I had heard of, which was shorter, at least in barrel . Darned if I can think of any other details.

[fed_wif_a_sig]

Good report. Now sit down, go to www.novaksights.com and pull out your credit card. Believe it or not, unless you go nuts, you can get a decent trigger (with the magazine disconnect still installed), good sights and a carry bevel and not drop to much money.

Heck just give Wayne (Novak) a call as he will talk to you personally and once you get it back, you'll have a sweet shooting best 9mm handgun ever made (period bar none .....IMO).

[Echo_Four]

I wish JMB was still around. I'd love to ask him what he likes better, the 1911 or Hi-Power.

[nn]

Your wife did a vert nice job on that tgt.

[Bark'n]

I've wanted a P-35 BHP every since I saw the movie Serpico with Al Pacino.

I've held many, but never shot one. (they fit my rather small hands well) Always been a fan of the SA autoloader and have pondered whether to get the full size or the newer compact version, but never actually put the money down.

I still dream of the venerable P-35 and one day... I will have one!

Your wife seems to mesh well with her new pistola.

Congrats on the new piece!

P.S. Has anyone shot the .40 cal version? Your thoughts?

[PapaScout]

That makes me half remember - some BHP version I had heard of, which was shorter, at least in barrel . Darned if I can think of any other details.

Chris, I think it's called the Detective or something? Looks just like a regular bhp but shorter slide/barrel. I'll see if I can find a link.

Ron

Edit: Seems to be a conversion kit for the bhp to make it the "Detective." Check out http://www.cruffler.com/review-February-01.html

[falcon1]

Chris, I think it's called the Detective or something? Looks just like a regular bhp but shorter slide/barrel. I'll see if I can find a link.

Ron

Edit: Seems to be a conversion kit for the bhp to make it the "Detective." Check out http://www.cruffler.com/review-February-01.html

The "Detective" is made by FM in Argentina.

[P95Carry]

"Detective"

Ahh that sounds familiar ..... thx guys.