Posted: 10/30/2013 4:28:41 PM EDT
| Dumb question but has the grip profile for high powers changed over the years? I've lately gotten an itch for a high power but its been years since I've shot one. Just want to know before I start my quest. |
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Frame profile has remained the same.
The factory supplied grip panels have changed over the years to the current, more narrow design but the frame is the same (shape, material has gone from forged to cast). However, depending on when your last experience was, you might be happy to know that the thumb safety is now larger, as are the sights. |
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It's been quite a number of years (20 ish) but now I'm in a position where I can indulge this desire and just didn't want to order something that had radically changed. Thinner grips, larger sights and safety are definitely all in the direction of goodness. A friend offered me his but it had been mangled by the crude installation of some adjustable sights way too large that just looked slapped on. This will be a weapon ill put in my carry rotation so clean lines matter
Thanks for the insight folks. I can go forward with more confidence. |
| WADR, the BHP frame profile certainly has changed. It might be subtle, BUT the change is discernible to devoted BHP fans. In 1993 FN began using a cast frame v. the original forged frame. The frontstrap of the cast frame is thicker and less rounded as compared to the forged frame... |
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Quoted:
WADR, the BHP frame profile certainly has changed. It might be subtle, BUT the change is discernible to devoted BHP fans. In 1993 FN began using a cast frame v. the original forged frame. The frontstrap of the cast frame is thicker and less rounded as compared to the forged frame... I didn't want to disagree with Mister-Z, as he knows his stuff, but I was thinking this above. I read it somewhere though and have no experience with it. I have a MkIII made in 2004. I think I read about this difference in Mr. Camp's book. Maybe the newer processes make the cast stronger. And forged is a little bit more "soft". If my memory serves me right. I'm not 100% sure about that either though. But there might be some truth in it. I read his book last winter and it's not all staying with me. |
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Quoted:
I didn't want to disagree with Mister-Z, as he knows his stuff, but I was thinking this above. I read it somewhere though and have no experience with it. I have a MkIII made in 2004. I think I read about this difference in Mr. Camp's book. Maybe the newer processes make the cast stronger. And forged is a little bit more "soft". If my memory serves me right. I'm not 100% sure about that either though. But there might be some truth in it. I read his book last winter and it's not all staying with me. Quoted:
Quoted:
WADR, the BHP frame profile certainly has changed. It might be subtle, BUT the change is discernible to devoted BHP fans. In 1993 FN began using a cast frame v. the original forged frame. The frontstrap of the cast frame is thicker and less rounded as compared to the forged frame... I didn't want to disagree with Mister-Z, as he knows his stuff, but I was thinking this above. I read it somewhere though and have no experience with it. I have a MkIII made in 2004. I think I read about this difference in Mr. Camp's book. Maybe the newer processes make the cast stronger. And forged is a little bit more "soft". If my memory serves me right. I'm not 100% sure about that either though. But there might be some truth in it. I read his book last winter and it's not all staying with me. I certainly won't disagree with realsubmoa. I've owned newer and older production models but quite frankly never went so far as to slap a set of calipers on them. As he mentioned, the changes are subtle. Dare I say so subtle you won't notice them. Grips are interchangeable and the profile at the rear backstrap feels the same. I did mention the changes in material but for all intents and purposes, I think the OP would find that picking up a current production gun is like shaking hands with an old friend. Personally, my comment was aimed more at substantial changes - like going from gen 1 to 3 glocks where finger grooves, rails and all sorts of fundamental, noticeable changes were made. mags, grips, and parts (excluding internal vs external extractors, changed lug counts on the barrels and modification to some of the slide parts) are essentially unchanged. |
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Quoted:
I certainly won't disagree with realsubmoa. I've owned newer and older production models but quite frankly never went so far as to slap a set of calipers on them. As he mentioned, the changes are subtle. Dare I say so subtle you won't notice them. Grips are interchangeable and the profile at the rear backstrap feels the same. I did mention the changes in material but for all intents and purposes, I think the OP would find that picking up a current production gun is like shaking hands with an old friend. Personally, my comment was aimed more at substantial changes - like going from gen 1 to 3 glocks where finger grooves, rails and all sorts of fundamental, noticeable changes were made. mags, grips, and parts (excluding internal vs external extractors, changed lug counts on the barrels and modification to some of the slide parts) are essentially unchanged. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
WADR, the BHP frame profile certainly has changed. It might be subtle, BUT the change is discernible to devoted BHP fans. In 1993 FN began using a cast frame v. the original forged frame. The frontstrap of the cast frame is thicker and less rounded as compared to the forged frame... I didn't want to disagree with Mister-Z, as he knows his stuff, but I was thinking this above. I read it somewhere though and have no experience with it. I have a MkIII made in 2004. I think I read about this difference in Mr. Camp's book. Maybe the newer processes make the cast stronger. And forged is a little bit more "soft". If my memory serves me right. I'm not 100% sure about that either though. But there might be some truth in it. I read his book last winter and it's not all staying with me. I certainly won't disagree with realsubmoa. I've owned newer and older production models but quite frankly never went so far as to slap a set of calipers on them. As he mentioned, the changes are subtle. Dare I say so subtle you won't notice them. Grips are interchangeable and the profile at the rear backstrap feels the same. I did mention the changes in material but for all intents and purposes, I think the OP would find that picking up a current production gun is like shaking hands with an old friend. Personally, my comment was aimed more at substantial changes - like going from gen 1 to 3 glocks where finger grooves, rails and all sorts of fundamental, noticeable changes were made. mags, grips, and parts (excluding internal vs external extractors, changed lug counts on the barrels and modification to some of the slide parts) are essentially unchanged. Once more, WADR: I merely pointed out the fact that FN made that subtle change...in order to allow the OP to decide for himself. Practically speaking, calipers don't really enter into the equation...as I mentioned, it's more the change in contour of the frontstrap that causes some to prefer the forged frame over the cast. You're correct JJREA, Steve...RIP, did point out that the cast frame enabled FN to produce a "tougher" frame...as required for the .40, as well as the fact that FN apparently took the decision right away to produce a single frame for both the .40 and the 9mmP. |
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Camp has pics on his site showing the slight frame differences between cast and forged.
The frontstrap of the forged is VERY thin. The cast doesn't add much bulk at all though. The forged HP probably had mores metal cut away per square inch of bar stock, than any other pistol in history. It really is just enough metal to keep all the parts together. Significantly more notable than say a clunky sig or beretta. Edit: There it is. http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/does_my_hi_power_have_a_forged_or%20cast%20frame.htm |