Are they still making the Browning Hi Power?
Luckily, there are still makers of Browning's Hi Power, but those that are not Liege-made will be rougher, and you may have to do some persuading to find a pistolsmith to tame them. My advice? Get a Liege-made one now, while you still can. The Browning Hi Power, there’s nothing like it. This article is an excerpt from Gun Digest 2019, 73rd Edition.
Is the Browning Mark III still in production?
In 2000, Browning put the line to rest but that didn’t last long, with the company adding Mark III, Practical and Standard models back to their catalog in 2002. The Practical was put to pasture in 2006 but the Mark III and Standard remained in production until recently.
When was the Browning Hi Power pistol made?
Development. By 1934, the Hi-Power design was complete and ready to be produced. It was first adopted by Belgium for military service in 1935 as the Browning P-35. Ultimately, France decided not to adopt the pistol, instead selecting the conceptually similar but lower-capacity Modèle 1935 pistol .
When did the Mk3 Hi-Power come out?
Unfortunately, FNH froze development of the Hi Power with the introduction of the Mk3 version in 1988, and there's a strong case to be made that nothing of great significance happened to the design from 1982 onward.
Why was Browning Hi-Power discontinued?
In 2018, FN announced they would end production of the Mark III Hi-Power, which was expensive to produce and had been assembled in Portugal to cut costs. Early in that year, Browning officially ceased production of the Belgian Hi-Power for the first time since 1935.
When did Browning discontinue the Hi-Power?
In February 2018, Browning announced its Hi-Power pistols are no longer in production. “Current dealer inventories will be the last available from Browning for the foreseeable future,” the website explains.
What makes the Browning Hi-Power so good?
For most of its production life, the Browning Hi-Power was made with a forged frame. And while forging sounded good at the surface, the Browning Hi-Power is one gun that's more durable when produced with a cast frame. FN started producing a cast frame when they began making the gun in 40 Smith and Wesson.
Is the Browning Hi-Power better than a 1911?
The BHP is reliable, accurate, and has outstanding ergonomics. The Hi-Power retains a lot of 1911 DNA, with a hammer-fired single-action operation (actually Saive's idea; Browning started with a striker-fired design) and a frame-mounted manual safety that only engages when the hammer is cocked.
Does anyone still make Browning Hi-Power?
No longer in production. The Hi-Power is one of John Moses Browning's finest designs. And although it is possible to still find Hi-Power pistols at dealers across the U.S., the Hi-Power is technically out of production.
What is the best Browning pistol?
The 1911 is certainly Browning's most famous gun. The 1911 and its . 45 ACP cartridges are both designed by John Browning. The 1911 uses Browning's short recoil principle and is a single action, single stack design.
How accurate is the Browning Hi-Power?
The test gun ran with 100% reliability, even when mixing different types of ammo in the same magazine. Their results showed that the current Hi Power would, at 50 feet, put three rounds into groups measuring from . 8 inches to 1.7 inches, with most of the test groups hovering under 1.2 inches.
Are Browning guns still made in Belgium?
Made in Belgium Today, a significant level of design work is still done by the Browning R&D team in Herstal, in the Liege region of Belgium. But only a few Browning firearms are considered "Made in Belgium." This includes some custom guns (above) and the Browning BAR centerfire rifle.
Was the Browning Hi-Power used in Vietnam War?
Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized. The Hi-Power is one of the most widely used military pistols of all time, having been used by the armed forces of over 50 countries....Browning Hi-PowerWarsWorld War IIProduction historyDesignerJohn Browning, Dieudonné SaiveDesigned1914–193521 more rows
Is the Browning Hi-Power a good concealed carry gun?
It was the first double-stack pistol, which almost all modern pistols are. The barrel design is still being used by almost every modern handgun. It's one of the most proven handguns for any use, including competition and combat, and it absolutely is a good concealed carry gun even today.
What is the Browning Hi Power?
The Browning Hi-Power: Gun History. It’s an iconic 9mm combat pistol designed by America’s most famous gunmaker. It’s considered one of the best combat pistols ever designed. But it never caught on like the 1911.
Who designed the Hi Power pistol?
I doubt John Browning would recognize today’s Hi-Power as his last pistol design. In the 1920s, Browning was done with Winchester and crossed the Atlantic to design shotguns, machine guns, and pistols for Fabrique Nationale (FN) of Herstal, Belgium.
What is the best combat pistol?
The Browning Hi-Power pistol, first produced in 1935, is one of the best combat pistols ever designed. Lightweight, accurate, with a comfortable grip angle and chambered in 9mm with a 13-round capacity magazine, the Hi-Power is still being used or has just recently replaced by military forces in over 50 countries worldwide.
Where is the RFI 9mm made?
RFI manufactures the Hi-Power in India and calls it the Pistol Auto 9mm 1A. In the U.S., the pistol is known as the Hi-Power, a distinction made by the Browning firearms company when importing the pistols from Belgium.
Does Browning have a 40 HP?
Since reading the book, I’ve handled and shot a few HPs. During the rise in popularity of the .40 S&W caliber, Browning offered an HP in that caliber, and recently a pal let me run his .40 HP. I liked it but it has since dropped from their catalogue.
Who designed the 1911?
Since it was the last pistol designed by John Browning (sort of, but I’ll get into that, too) who also designed the 1911 and which is held in the highest esteem by Americans, we want to like the Hi-Power…but many of us don’t.
Who was the mercenary that ran the failure drill?
The technique originated with Mike Rousseau, a Rhodesian mercenary engaged in the Mozambican War of Independence from 1964 to 1974. During a battle, Rousseau encountered a guerrilla about 10 steps away. Rousseau fired his Browning HP35 and hit the guerrilla in the chest with both shots, but the guerrilla continued to advance. A final, accurate shot to the head stopped the threat.
What type of pistol is a Browning Hi Power?
Browning Hi Power Specs. Type: Locked-action, self-loading pistol.
How many rounds does a BHP have?
A BHP, along with a spare magazine, gives you 27 to 31 rounds of 9mm problem-solving solutions. Old-school got the job done then; it’ll get the job done now.
How many rounds does a Mec Gar magazine hold?
Mec-Gar makes two modern magazines for the Hi Power that hold either 13 or 15 rounds and fit flush to the frame. Every pistol is different, and your hold, ammo and who-knows-what could change things. So, test and know.
How many MOA targets are there?
62 Printable MOA Targets with DOT Drills - Rifle Range in YARDS This impressive target pack from our friends at Storm Tactical contains 62 printable targets for rifle and handgun range use. Target grids and bullseye sizes are in MOA. Ideal for long-range shooting! Get Free Targets
What did the FBI agent have?
What the FBI agent did have was a Browning Hi Power (this was before the FBI Hostage Rescue Teams had adopted it).
When was the P35 made?
Third, the factory-equipped safety is as small as the sights. The P35 dates from (you guessed it) 1935 , and back then, militaries were in the habit of packing pistols with the hammer down on an empty chamber. A thumb safety was almost superfluous to them.
Does Wayne make Hi Powers?
Wayne still makes Hi Powers to this spec, if you want one; and if you do, the one to have built is the MKIII—not the earlier ones. (Wayne offers a package for the MKIIIs he has on hand.)
How much does a Browning Hi Power Mk III cost?
Final MSRP $1,109.99. ( Photo: Browning)
What was John Browning's final handgun?
Browning has announced that John Browning’s final handgun design, a pistol that at one time armed most of the militaries in the Free World, has been discontinued.
What was Browning's engraving called?
One of the higher grades of engraving offered by Browning on handguns was called Renaissance. ( Photo: National Firearms Museum)
How many countries have the Hi Power?
After the war was over and commercial production restarted, the Hi-Power was one of the most popular military handguns in the West, serving at one time or another with 68 countries, and carved out a stake of the civilian market as well.
Who invented the 9mm?
Famous American firearms inventor John Browning began work on the double-stack, single-action 9mm for Fabrique Nationale of Herstal, Belgium as an evolution of his venerable turn of the century handguns and, by 1923, filed a patent on his work. Though Browning died before the Hi-Power was fully realized, Dieudonne Saive completed the design and by 1935 the revolutionary 13+1 shot combat handgun was ready for production.
Where was the Hi Power made?
Though FN entered into several small military contracts for the Hi-Power before 1940, World War II saw the Germans occupy their factory and divert production to Berlin. The gun went on to be manufactured in Canada by Inglis with Saive supervising and in a twist of fate was used by both the Allies and the Germans in the conflict.
Is Browning Hi Power discontinued?
Iconic Browning Hi-Power ends production after more than 80 years (PHOTOS) Detail of an early FN-made Hi-Power. The pistols have been discontinued from production ( Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com) Browning has announced that John Browning’s final handgun design, a pistol that at one time armed most of the militaries in the Free World, ...
What was the Browning Hi Power made of?
The frame was made from forged steel, with the magazine well, slide rails, and other openings machined from the forging. The barrel used the John Browning tilt-down method.
What is the John Browning tilt down method?
The barrel used the John Browning tilt-down method. The slide and frame were locked together for a short distance until a cammed face on the bottom lug of the barrel struck the cross-lug in the frame. This caused the barrel to cam down out of the path of the slide, as the slide continued rearward.
Why Did the Hi Power Remain in Service for So Long?
The size and shape, to start. The pistol held a useful amount of ammunition, 12 or 13 rounds of 9mm in the magazine. The grip, depending on the panels installed, ranges from comfortable to alluring.
Why was the M9 so bad?
The M9 had issues in part because the idea of 9mm ammunition was new to the army. To the FBI, not at all. And despite using only standard pressure (not +P) ammunition, the FBI found, as the rest of us had, that the Hi Power couldn’t take the volume of shooting IPSC required.
How many rounds does a Browning 9mm pistol hold?
Browning’s creation was chambered in 9mm, held 17 rounds, and the slide portion of the firing mechanism could be removed as a complete assembly. It was, in that regard, just like the Savage pistols. Potentially, you could change the same pistol from a duty trigger to a target trigger and back again in a few seconds.
What cartridge did Jeff Cooper use?
When Jeff Cooper and others were experimenting with a cartridge that was called the .40 G&A, they used a Browning Hi Power as their base pistol.
What is a 308 Winchester?
Once the U.S. Army had forced our allies to adopt a “new” rifle cartridge — the .308 Winchester — new rifles were needed for it. The .308, aka the 7.62 NATO, is essentially a .30-06 with a shorter case and ball powder, which takes up less volume for the same energy. The difference between them is essentially naught.
What is a Browning Hi Power?
The Browning Hi-Power is a creation of the famous firearm designer John Browning, along with the legendary 1911 pistol. This handgun was designed in the 1920s and although less popular than the 1911 (at least in the USA) it has been continuously manufactured from 1935 until now and served as a standard service pistol in the armies of more than 50 nations. The Hi Power’s latest model,the Mark III, features an ergonomic grip, cast frame,forged slide, epoxy coating as well as a firing pin safety.
When did the Hi Power Mark III come out?
The Hi Power Mark III is an update of the previous Mark II model that came out in 1988. For several years it has been going through a fine tuning process with features added and removed. The model III I reviewed had the following:
What was the requirement for a pistol in the 1920s?
The requirements were as follows: it should be compact, have a magazine capacity of at least 10 rounds, have an external hammer, external safety, be simple to fieldstrip and fire a caliber of 9mm or larger.
Does the Hi Power Mark III have a bigger sight?
The Hi-Power Mark III comes with slightly larger sights compared to previous models. They do allow a fairly quick sight picture acquisition, but nothing out of ordinary. It would be fair to say they do their job adequately.
Is a metal magazine good for moving?
It’s an interesting feature but, in my opinion, isn’t very practical. In normal circumstances the weight of the metal magazine is usually enough to get it moving. In the case of a malfunction the spring is not strong enough to eject the magazine and it will require manual handling as with any other gun.
Is the trigger too heavy for a single action?
[-] The trigger is way too heavy for a single action. From what I read it is by design, due to the magazine safety feature (which I personally do not like in a first place). The trigger pull can be greatly improved by having a gunsmith remove the mag safety.
When did the Germans use the Browning Hi Power?
The Browning Hi-Power saw action on both sides during World War II. The Germans used it when they captured Belgium, and therefore the FN plant, in 1940. The gun was designated the Pistole 640 (b) when it was being produced under Nazi control.
Who designed the Browning Hi Power?
When Browning died, legendary FN designer Dieudonné Saive continued to tweak the design of the gun and is credited with shepherding the project to completion. By 1934, work on the Browning Hi-Power was finished.
How many countries use the Hi Power?
After the war, the Hi-Power was adopted as a sidearm by over 50 armies and 93 countries around the world, Popular Mechanics says. Eventually, the gun—which served faithfully during virtually every major conflict in the 20th century—was introduced to the civilian market.
Where was the Browning Hi Power made?
A worn Browning Hi-Power, made in Argentina in the mid-’70s. Canadian soldiers inspect a Hi-Power pistol during a training exercise in April 2009. A worn Browning Hi-Power, made in Argentina in the mid-’70s. Canadian soldiers inspect a Hi-Power pistol during a training exercise in April 2009.
Who invented the striker fired rifle?
As American Rifleman notes, Browning —having sold the M1911 patents to Colt—designed two striker-fired prototypes in his Ogden, Utah, shop; the first was a blowback, the second was a locked-breech design. The latter was chosen by the powers that be for testing, and Browning applied for a patent on June 28, 1923.
Who made the Hi Power pistol?
Fortunately for the good guys, plans for the Hi-Power were smuggled out of Belgium and wound up in the hands of Canadian gun manufacturer John Inglis and Company, which began producing Hi-Power pistols for British Airborne, the SAS, nationalist Chinese forces, the Canadian military and the OSS, which is the precursor to the CIA.
Is the Browning Hi Power pistol discontinued?
All good things must come to an end. A visit to Browning ‘s website reveals that, sadly, the legendary Browning Hi-Power pistol has been discontinued. Here’s the official announcement below:
What is the Browning Hi Power?
The Browning Hi Power: The Archetype Of Modern Handguns. Most modern handguns are descended from the Browning Hi Power. The ol' BHP, designed to be a workhorse pistol for police and military personnel before the second World War, is inarguably one of the most influential handgun designs in existence. The Hi Power was the first modern handgun in ...
Why was the Browning Hi Power invented?
The Browning Hi Power was invented to sell a bunch of pistols to the French.
Why do handguns have a short recoil system?
To keep pistols from being unnecess arily large, handguns are made to use a short recoil system, which decreases the distance the bolt/slide and barrel must travel. The previously dominant short-recoil system that didn't involved a fixed barrel (which, such as in the case of the Walther PPK, is literally pinned in place) was the tilting link ...
What is the barrel design on a 1911?
The channel you see cut in the barrel block is where the barrel link pin (part of the slide stop lever, just like a 1911) sits.
How many countries use Hi Power?
More than 50 countries would purchase the Hi Power as either their standard-issue gun or for limited use.
Who told Browning to get to work on the action?
FN told Browning to get to work on the action, and his counterpart and protege Dieudonne Saive got to work on the magazine.
Who makes Hi Power rifles?
Browning, the firearms company, never manufactured the Hi Power (or much of anything else, for that matter; most of their rifles and shotguns are made by Miroku in Japan) but the Hi Power was sold under the "Browning Arms" brand. They were made, of course, by FNH.
Is the MK III similar to the CZ75B?
Agreement with GrosVentreGeorge#N#The gloss of the MK III is very similar to a CZ75B Poly coat. Having said that why not go with a CZ75B? Better ergonomics, higher Magazine Capacity, competitive price. In some places considerably lower priced. CZ has superb Customer Service.
Is Mark III epoxy finish good?
My Mark III is more than 10 years old, and the epoxy finish still looks very good. It is not matte, but it isn't very glossy either. I would describe it as satin. In my experience, the finish is plenty tough.
An All-New Pistol
The Blitzkrieg and The Hi-Power
- In 1940, Germany’s preamble to World War II, the Blitzkrieg, had German troops occupying the FN factory. They decided to keep the factory and produce the new pistol, designating it Pistole 640(b). German Waffen-SS, among other troops, used the Hi-Power during the war. Blueprints for the pistol were smuggled out of occupied Belgium and brought to Ca...
An Endurable Design
- Pick up a Hi-Power and what immediately becomes apparent are the ergonomics. In hand, the pistol seems almost contemporary. It doesn’t feel like a combat pistol that first saw action nearly a century ago. That’s the attraction to the HP, and for some, it ends there. There have been many improvements and variants over the years. Early guns had an internal extractor similar to a 1911…
The Disconnect and Other Differences
- Here’s where the “buts” come in. The beaver tail is small. Shooters with large hands can experience hammer bite, and there is no simple fix. Modern polymer frame pistols have modular backstraps; the grip safety on a 1911 can easily be replaced. Doing so is not so easy on the HP. The next “but,” and probably the most disagreeable to shooters, is the magazine disconnect safe…
at The Range
- I first became acquainted with the HP when reading the book Serpico. Frank Serpico joined the NYPD in 1971 and uncovered massive corruption within the department. He armed himself with the 13+1 round capacity Hi-Power. In the movie, the gun salesman asks Serpico, played by Al Pacino, if he’s expecting an army. Serpico replies no, just a division, meaning the corrupt police d…
Specifications
- Browning Hi-Power
Caliber: 9mm Capacity: 13+1 Trigger Weight (as tested): 6 lb. 14 oz. Barrel Length: 4.62 in. Overall Length: 7.75 in. Weight: 32 oz. MSRP:$1120