Posted: 2/3/2010 10:41:27 PM EDT
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I currently own a Browning Hi Power that was worked over by Don Williams out of the Action Works (see my avatar) and a box-stock-never-been-fired FN High Power that I bought through CDNN. I have about 4,000 rounds through my BHP and have shot it at several local "stock" matches. Yes, it fits my hand well and, yes, I can shoot decently with it; however, in handling my buddy's new Glock 19 and S&W M&P in .40, I was immediately taken by the lighter weight. I used to carry off-duty when I worked the juvenile detention side of the probation department and the lighter weight of the G19 woulda been better. I also like the fact that one can mount a light on the Glock and S&W, as I'm big on white lights.
With the above in mind, I'm seriously contemplating selling my never fired FN HP and getting a Glock 19 or M&P. I'll keep my lightly worked over BHP, though. So, gents, have you guys considered moving on to another platform? Or do you feel that the BHP will still serve you better than newer, more modern designs? |
| I would not feel poorly armed with the H.P. The newer designs such as the Glock or the M&P are able the eat +P 9mm without beating up the gun and weigh less. I would keep that Browning that Don built for you. It's a Beaute. And buy a Glock 19 load it with +P 9mm and use it for carry use. |
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Yeah, that's what I'm thinking, not necessarily because of the +P aspect, but just because it's lighter and able to utilize a white light. I have a SF G2Z light, but having the light mounted directly on the pistol for HD seems a lot better; however a hand held light also offers its advantages.
The S&W also seems to be a viable alternative, as the grip is better than the Glock, but even if the Glock is "blocky" feeling it's nothing that one can not get used to via training. But, yeah, the BHP is the one that "feels" the best in my hand. |
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If primarily for home defense, the marginal weight difference between a BHP and G19 (when both are loaded) is insignificant.
If primarily for concealed carry, the ability to utilize a weapon mounted light is insignicant, in my opinion. My Surefire X200 changes the size/shape/bulk of my Glocks signicantly, to the detriment of "concealed". With a weapon mounted light, whatever you've got your light shining on, is also having a (presumably loaded) weapon pointed at it (or in it's general vicinity). I'm just sayin'................. |
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If primarily for home defense, the marginal weight difference between a BHP and G19 (when both are loaded) is insignificant. If primarily for concealed carry, the ability to utilize a weapon mounted light is insignicant, in my opinion. My Surefire X200 changes the size/shape/bulk of my Glocks signicantly, to the detriment of "concealed". With a weapon mounted light, whatever you've got your light shining on, is also having a (presumably loaded) weapon pointed at it (or in it's general vicinity). I'm just sayin'................. True. I guess I'm primarily talking about carrying concealed and the benefit of having a lighter pistol. I'm also not saying that I would have a light attached to the gun when carrying, but, rather, having the capacity to mount a white light when at home for HD. Does that make sense? And as for pointing a loaded weapon at something wouldn't that be mitigated by making sure you ID your target before pulling the trigger? |
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Personal preference. I'd rather have the HP but that doesn't mean everyone else should. Me too. Unless you really need that lighter weapon for carry, I'd stand pat. If you're bored and just need a new pistol to try out, buy a Glock if you must or better still the S&W. But hang onto the BHP. I think otherwise you'll regret it later on and you can always sell it later if the plastic pistol turns out to be some kind of revelation for you. |
I have a BHP 9 & 40. I also have a Glock 23. I'm not a LEO so don't carry every day. I have rural property and carry when I'm out there which is about four times a week. I switch out between the two, I like both. I like the Glock trigger and the 9mm BHP I've had since 1976, the trigger has been worked over by a local smith (its sweet) and it has OEM sites on it. Personal preference. But pure looks, feel, and class goes hands down to John Moses Browning! IMHO 
GM15 |
| I am a leo in NJ. I have 2 hi powers. If I was allowed per my department policy I would carry one as my primary off duty gun. I can conceal my hi power easily, I love the grip angle and the mag capacity. I have never been a glock fan, although I ve shot quite a few. My department rules say that your off duty has to be dao or traditional da. I keep hoping that someone will come out with a double action hi power with a light rail sometime in the future like para has done with the 1911! |
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"I'm a leo in NJ" sounds like the start of a personal ad. LEO needs to be capitalized!
I am a leo in NJ. I have 2 hi powers. If I was allowed per my department policy I would carry one as my primary off duty gun. I can conceal my hi power easily, I love the grip angle and the mag capacity. I have never been a glock fan, although I ve shot quite a few. My department rules say that your off duty has to be dao or traditional da. I keep hoping that someone will come out with a double action hi power with a light rail sometime in the future like para has done with the 1911!
DA/DAO policies tend to be driven by the perception of what can go wrong with a single action in condition one with the hammer getting hit, shearing the sear and quarter cock on the hammer. Very unlikley, but reason does not come into play here. The other factor is the visual image of a single action in condition one with the hammer back in the first place. The SFS system on the hi power works well to address both issues. Once cocked, you push the hammer nearly all the way forward against a hammer block while the hammer spring and sear remain cocked and ready to go and this operation activates the safety. In that condition, even if the sear fails and the energy in the spring is released and strikes the hammer, there is no hammer movement and no energy transferred to the firing pin. The same thing is true if the hammer is impacted if the pistol is dropped, etd. To get the pistol in operation with the hammer forward, all you have to do is release the safety as you would nomrally do in condition one. That pops the hammer back into the firing position. The hammer down appearance of the pistol also resolves the public perception issues. It might be worth talking to the Dept armorer to see if it meets the intent of the dept policy and if a Hi Power with the SFS system can be added to the approved list of off duty weapons. |
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I certainly prefer the operation and quality of a BHP over any plastic gun currently on the market but I did get a S&W M&P9c for a IWB CCW. (6 acronyms in one sentence. Who talks like this?) Weight is an issue in CCW and the 9c addresses it with the downside of a poor trigger (the BHP can fixed, not convinced the 9c can be) and diminished ergonomics. On the other hand, a Glock 19 with a light weighs 5 ounces less than a BHP so you're not saving a lot of weight but gaining a light if you like that sort of thing. The G19 with a light is not going to balance anything like a BHP either.
I see lots of folks analyze this to death. If you have a CCW and you're on your feet 8 hours a day, then half a pound in weight can make a big difference. If you're mostly in a car or you're out shopping or the weapon is on your nightstand, it's really doesn't matter. |
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The GP 35 / Hi Power was the world's first 9mm to combine great handling and reliable operation with a 13 round double column magazine and a grip that was suitably thin and did not feel like a 2x4. And this was in an era dominated by pistols with 7 or 8 round single column magazines.
I love my Glock 17. That said, what is 'out of date' with the BHP? You pull the trigger, and it shoots. When I was a teenager, everyone was raving about various "wondernines" (S&W 39, 59, CZ 75, Barretta 92, etc) but none of them offerred much advantage over the Hi Power other than perhaps double action operation - and the benefits of that are doubtful for a properly trained shooter. The same is still true today. |
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As long as 9mm cartridges are used to put holes into objects, the BHP will be a viable design.
It is a well-built, reliable sidearm that almost anyone can easily shoot accurately with. There are more modern pistols, but they give up a few of the BHP's features. Namely the SA trigger, the excellent ergonomics, and the 50 year old production of parts and accessories that are out there. 13 rounds is a few rounds low for a gun of this size, but only misses the competition by 2 or 3 rounds. Plenty of european and asian police and military agencies continue to use it even though there are 5 or 6 gigantic arms manufactuers out there that would love to sell them new "modern" pistols. They will decline as they already have somewhat, but they will remain viable. Hell, a P38 is still somewhat viable if it is not your main gun. 
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I own a Glock, 3 1911's. Love both platforms. Forgetting about calibers for the sake of the argument, The Hi Power has the best feel and handling characteristics of any gun ever made !!
Bold statement, I know. Why did I sell my beautiful Factory Chrome Hi-Power so many years ago?? I can't answer that. I just wish I had it back !! The Hi-power does need a good set of sights and an improved thunb safety. Other than that it is as viable as any gun. Dr. |
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I have one Hi Power 9mm, 3 colt 1911 .45s, 2 glock .40s and then I have revolvers.
The Glocks are my bread and butter, I can shoot them quite well, especially the G35, but I love my Hi Powers and 1911s so much more! They got character and class, and that is more important to me then a few ounces as they are all reliable guns with one consistent trigger pull. |
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As long as 9mm cartridges are used to put holes into objects, the BHP will be a viable design. It is a well-built, reliable sidearm that almost anyone can easily shoot accurately with. There are more modern pistols, but they give up a few of the BHP's features. Namely the SA trigger, the excellent ergonomics, and the 50 year old production of parts and accessories that are out there. 13 rounds is a few rounds low for a gun of this size, but only misses the competition by 2 or 3 rounds. Plenty of european and asian police and military agencies continue to use it even though there are 5 or 6 gigantic arms manufactuers out there that would love to sell them new "modern" pistols. They will decline as they already have somewhat, but they will remain viable. "Hell, a P38 is still somewhat viable if it is not your main gun". A cap and ball revolver is still viable if it is all you have. To say a P38 is somewhat viable is incorrect. How much different is a P-38 than a 1911A1 or a M9? Heck I'd be happy to carry a P-38 instead of a 6 shot .38 Spc. |
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As long as 9mm cartridges are used to put holes into objects, the BHP will be a viable design. It is a well-built, reliable sidearm that almost anyone can easily shoot accurately with. There are more modern pistols, but they give up a few of the BHP's features. Namely the SA trigger, the excellent ergonomics, and the 50 year old production of parts and accessories that are out there. 13 rounds is a few rounds low for a gun of this size, but only misses the competition by 2 or 3 rounds. Plenty of european and asian police and military agencies continue to use it even though there are 5 or 6 gigantic arms manufactuers out there that would love to sell them new "modern" pistols. They will decline as they already have somewhat, but they will remain viable. "Hell, a P38 is still somewhat viable if it is not your main gun". A cap and ball revolver is still viable if it is all you have. To say a P38 is somewhat viable is incorrect. How much different is a P-38 than a 1911A1 or a M9? Heck I'd be happy to carry a P-38 instead of a 6 shot .38 Spc. My dad (at 16yrs old) was drafted into the Wehrmacht and served on an AA battery from late 43 until the Russians entered Berlin. The P-38 was not sought after due to it's finicky nature unless well maintained. Luger's and Mausers were prized by NCOs with a choice. At the end, you rose through the ranks very quickly. |
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Cool story, thanks for sharing that.
My dad (at 16yrs old) was drafted into the Wehrmacht and served on an AA battery from late 43 until the Russians entered Berlin. The P-38 was not sought after due to it's finicky nature unless well maintained. Luger's and Mausers were prized by NCOs with a choice. At the end, you rose through the ranks very quickly. One thing to consider is when most P-08 Lugers were made versus some of the later P-38s. There are several well designed arms that sufferred from reduced quality due to rushed production from 1944 onwards. Post war, Germany adopted the P-1, basically a P-38 with minor changes, and I think that says something for the design itself. |
| Outdated no TIMELESS yes. It comes down to to the way it fits in my hand, I've never shot another pistol that seemed to be such a natural extension of my arm. I cut my shooting teeth om 1911's and polymer framed handguns just feel weird when I hold them. But if I was to carry concealed on a regular basis I suspect the lighter weight of the plastic would make a big difference. |
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Outdated no TIMELESS yes. It comes down to to the way it fits in my hand, I've never shot another pistol that seemed to be such a natural extension of my arm. I cut my shooting teeth om 1911's and polymer framed handguns just feel weird when I hold them. But if I was to carry concealed on a regular basis I suspect the lighter weight of the plastic would make a big difference. This.. I got a M&P 9c because it weighs 8-10 ounces less than a BHP and doesn't have a hammer that cuts into my side. I also got a S&W 442 revolver for a pocket gun. Neither replaces the High Power. |