It’s John Moses Browning’s last design. A classic. And suprisingly, a firearm TTAG has not reviewed yet. It’s about time, I thought. The Browning Hi Power was actually designed during the Roaring 20’s as a contender to replace a large number of service pistols the French military had used in WWI, all of them chambered in 7.65mm (.32 ACP), and none with a magazine larger than nine rounds. Browning began work on the design not long after Armistice Day and filed for a patent in 1923. Like his then-recent FN M1922 and the original M1910 (the pistol used to kill Archduke Ferdinand to spark WWI) the Hi-Power prototype was striker fired, but featured a revolutionary double-stack magazine invented by Diedonne Saive, one of Fabrique Nationale Herstal’s lead Belgian designers . . .
Alas, Browning passed away in 1926 before his patent was even accepted in the US. The French, downsizing like every European army in the 1920’s, lost interest in the new Hi-Power prototype and bought a few FN 1922’s for their navy. They would later adopt the Mle 1935 in 7.65mm Longue.
But Diedonne Saive continued to tinker with the Hi-Power design while also working on the “Baby” Browning 6.35mm (.25 ACP) pocket pistol, another hugely successful design which is still made today. In 1928, Colt’s exclusive rights to the M1911 pistol expired, allowing Saive to mine Browning’s earlier design for ideas.
He ended up adding the single-action exposed hammer setup to the Hi-Power, although strangely, not the 1911’s trigger. By the early 1930’s, Saive’s rework was nearly in its final form. He settled on a magazine of 13 rounds and crucially did not use the barrel bushing of the 1911. The so-called Browning linkless cam system was perfected, a system that has been used on the vast majority of modern pistols including the CZ-75 and GLOCK. A plunger-style magazine safety, different from the M1922’s, was included in the hopes of still filling the French contract.
With the Depression easing for a time and Facism beginning to menace Europe, the Hi-Power was rolled out in 1935. It was immediately adopted by Belgium (for officers and tank crewmen), Lithuania, Latvia, and Nationalist China, but only about 35,000 were made before the outbreak of war. Despite the Belgians having more men under arms than all English-speaking countries combined in 1939, Belgium and FN Herstal were overrun by the Nazis in 1940.
The Nazis would commandeer FN and force production of Hi-Powers with basic combat sights, mostly for use by the Waffen SS. Fortunately, Diedonne Saive escaped to Canada where he oversaw production (by John Inglis Co.) of tangent-sighted Hi-Powers for Chiang Kai-shek and later a model exclusively for Canadian and British troops with better sights than the non-tangent Hi-Powers. Speaking of, we really need to start our comparisons.
Comparison of slide/sight combinations: Original combat sights, internal extractor from 1961 (“pre-T series” – top); Tangent sighted, with later external extractor (“C Series”); 1980’s Mk. II with parkerized finish; current production Mk. III with matte black finish, both sights dovetailed (bottom).
The “original” Hi-Power was made from 1935 until the early 1980’s with Browning occasionly selling guns with “original” features until 1990 or so. The P35 had either a tangent (rifle-type, think Mauser or AK) or combat sights. The tangent is adjustable out to 500 meters (presumably for volley fire) and the combat includes a simple dovetailed real sight and a “half moon” front sight, a pinned half circle essentially.
Early P35’s had internal extractors like the M1911, but in 1963 or so a more durable external version was made standard. Most original and all Mk.II Hi-Powers have forged steel frames…not ideal for +P ammo, but certainly serviceable. The Mk.II would introduce slightly improved combat sights, an ambi-safety, plastic grips and a matte finish. However, the Mk.II’s front sight would still not be dovetailed.
This changed with the introduction of the Mk.III in 1989, and by 1994 all Hi-Powers were being made with cast steel frames (better for +P and tougher in general). At the same time, the .40 S&W version was introduced featuring a extra-durable slide and ten-round magazines as standard for that chambering.
In 1954, the British military adopted the Hi-Power as it’s first standard semi-automatic pistol and that opened the floodgates for 50+ armies to adopt the pistol. Hi-Powers are common in the Middle East (my Mk. II is ex-Israeli) in South America (my 1961 Hi-Power is a ex-Buenos Aires Police pistol, a common CAI import in the 90’s) and Europe (my Mk.III is a former Austrian police sidearm).
While the British have recently began to adopt the GLOCK 17, Australia still uses the Mk.III, and Canada still uses plenty of WW2 production Inglis guns that were put into long-term storage and gradually brought into service. They are THAT good. India makes its own version of the Inglis for use by its military and FM in Argentina does the same with the standard Hi-Power. Hi-Powers were also built by FEG of Hungary for export and are a good entry level Hi-Power available for $200-$350.
While there are plenty of ideas around about how to truly bring the Hi-Power into the 21st century, the Hi-Power design has not been updated since 1994. FN unfortunately is showing no plans to do so and Browning USA is simply billed as a hunting arms importer that also sells cute deer stickers. Personally, this shooter thinks it could be done rather simply.
Ratings (out of 5 stars):
Accuracy: * * * *
Great with any model…one star deducted for magazine safety limitations. Remove it and generally you’re good with an Original or Mk. II. You may need to get a new trigger spring to improve reset with the Mk. III. Still, even with the mag safety, trigger pull is better than any stock pistol with it’s main safety contained in the trigger.
Ergonomics: * * * *
Another strong suit; many argue that only the CZ-75’s angle of grip can touch the Hi-Power’s. Easy to manage ambi-safety and essentially the 1911’s slide stop. Extremely simple to field strip. Minus one star for hammerbite issues.
Reliability: * * * *
On a surplus gun, at least replace the recoil and firing pin springs to insure reliability. NIB, they’re great.
Customize This: * * * * *
Tons of grip options, after-market magazines (MecGar is the best), custom parts (Cylinder & Slide does impressive work), sights (I have Meprolights on my Mk.III). I would dock the Original and Mk.II to four stars for limited sight options.
Fun Factor: * * * * *
Used by both sides in WWII, and by 50+ armies post-war. No handgun ever made can touch that. Gimme some tears, James Yeager.
Overall: * * * * *
Historical yet still relevant, classy yet practical, the Hi-Power is a must own.
…Dedicated to the late Stephen A. Camp, Hi-Power and pistol expert.
perfectly safe until its back in battery
And as expected….. posts with a dissenting point of view tend to disappear.
Not all of them because that would be noticed, just enough to keep the spin going their way.
I’d rather run a marathon in sandpaper underwear than shop at a mall.
Exorbitant prices, swirling masses of humanity during the high shopping season, parking that’s either too far away or non-existent, thugs hanging around at night figuring out reasons for me to shoot them — yes, the holiday spirit abounds at the mall. Forget it.
Carry or no carry, malls suck.
He’s an attempted rapist and a liar, which makes him just like most other politicians except that they get the rape part done time after time.
That broad makes me want to keep the Second Amendment and repeal the 19th.
There is SO MUCH MORE to this story than what you are reporting here:
http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/11/idaho-lawmaker-mark-patterson-smeared-rapist-standing-federal-gun-grab/
He took on gun confiscation by federal agents in his state and pushed for a bill to prevent cooperation by local law enforcement and guess what happened…this surfaced. Read the article above.
He ended up being proven innocent of this charge after two years on probation which technically nullified this charge…so in that case should he still have had to report it? What if you were convicted of murder and did time but then years later DNA proved your innocence? Should you have to list that previous conviction which was proven false and thrown out?
This guy was actually trying to do a solid by the gun community and became a target of lawfare as a result.
I know you guys out there in Idaho want to wrap this guy in an American flag and serve him with apple pie, but the fact remains he was twice accused of rape.
These sorts of situations “don’t just happen”, and even a vindictive sheriff is really just airing previously unknown information about Mr. Patterson.
At what point would you become uncomfortable with Mr. Patterson? would it take an additional rape accusation? Perhaps some pedophilia charges?
I’m sure many of us have managed to go our whole lives without being accused of crimes like this once. Mr. Patterson managed to do it twice in 5 years.
Texas A&M bought Texas Wesleyan University School of Law because they wanted to upgrade their status to UT-Austin level, and buying was cheaper than building new. That said, it isn’t surprising that a liberal bombthrower holdover, at a newly elevated law school, at the most conservative public university, in one of the most conservative states, would strain for a headline and possibly fish for a job offer.
Her analysis, legal and historical, is laughable, untenable and more suitable for some high school hack’s Youtube channel than a serious academic forum. Nevertheless, watch in the coming weeks/months as she starts complaining of “institutional harrassment” and how she’s fleeing A&M for a more academically free environment. She’ll get a new gig with a side of street cred. You heard it here first.
Even the profs are not that bright in aggieland………..
I get the point of the situation but at the end of the day, it’s moot. Anyone in his situation could get a permit from any other state and carry under that in Idaho. He could get a permit from Arizona where they mostly mirror federal prohibitions on obtaining a license.
Not to mention he could legally re apply for an Idaho license and he would get one (at least on appeal).
If they really want to stick it to this guy, they could let him know that his CCWless status doesn’t exempt him from the federal gun free schools act.
Most off the shelf firearms, even those made on the cheap, are more accurate than most shooters can use. It’s a mature product and industry.
I thought that conviction of violent felonies resulted in a lifetime ban on the possession of firearms under the Lautenberg Amendment. So whether or not local law allows him to carry, doesn’t federal law prevent him from having a gun in the first place?
As long as they didn’t make that stock with a laser printer. That would be FROWNED UPON in this ESTABLISHMENT!
This was neat to see. I just can’t seem get excited about stocks when it comes to the slow target shooting I do. Maybe if you where firing rapid strings it would matter.
-D
I agree. Lets have an amendment to repeal the 2nd amendment. I like this one
Amendment—The Second Amendment is hereby repealed. The federal government shall insure that no private individuals keep or possess nuclear, chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction. All other forms of weapons may be owned, borne and possessed by the citizens of the United States without restriction or registration. Such weapons may not be taxed
A State of Disobedience
Tom Kratman
Don’t tell Chuch Schumer.
I loves me my Hi-Power. It’s in old-world high polish blue with honest-to-Christ walnut grips and makes me weep at the beauty of it. But my CZ-75 is what happened when a Hi-Power and a SIG P210 had sex.
absolutely correct, nick.
lots of “we do it this way, because thats always the way it has been done.”
What a tragedy, however it occurred. Once again, the mental health system, decimated by the ACLU and liberal laws, has let the people down. When will they learn? This quote says it all:
“but was released because no psychiatric bed could be located across a wide area of western Virginia”
Given how hard it is to legally commit someone against their will, along with the fact that a physician made the decision to do so, there is no excuse for releasing the kid because a “bed could not be located”.
The flip side of this is that by sending nonviolent offenders to prison, we basically put them “in network” and make it more likely for them to come out as violent offenders.
Where do you buy those assault clips? I need something to organize my assaults.
The Walking Dead, duh.
“…the fact that the nuclear bomb’s threat of mutually assured destruction kept the world safe from nuclear war”. Either it’s opposites day here at TTAG or you need to get your damned head checked. During that whole cold war pissing contest, the world was repeatedly pushed to the brink of total annihilation by nukes. It’s nothing short of a miracle we survived.
I’ve never carried openly with the intent to influence other people’s actions. Maybe as a way to show that this friendly young man appreciates his second amendment rights. But I feel there’s a difference between the two.
My favorite gun.
Ive owned mine since 1995 and wish to be buried with it.
Also at the time my 1st big ticket pistol,
It is to me the Ultimate design with a 1911 a few inches behind it.
Now if only it was a 45acp instead of a 40 S&W.
It would be with me 24/7.
If someone asked me what perfection was.
Id have to say a Browning Hi-Power.
Nick, isn’t her last name Krueger?
Send that picture to Feinstein and Bloomberg and Watts ,maybe they will start getting it[although I doubt it,why should they care ,they’re armed]
I seriously didn’t even notice that the girl in the pic was holding an AR until about the third time I looked at it.
Our pal Shannon offers the following definition of “Assault Weapon”
–An assault weapon enables humans to shoot 10 rounds in one minute.–
https://twitter.com/shannonrwatts/status/396363030277414912
Thus my GP100 has become an assualt weapon, several times over.
Comrade! How much for dee fitted sheeyt and eggselent flippy flop collection?
Great article. Learned a lot more than I knew before!
Have had a 9mmBHP since the early 70’s, second handgun I ever bought(1st was Ruger Security Six 357). BHP is still one of my favorites to shoot, handle, or just look at. Absolutely an all around “right” gun.
Just used it this summer to teach handgun basics to my son in law, son, and grandson.
Thank again
I’d be interested in a clip-on version for my normal glasses that I can just swing down to use, up to get it out of the way. Maybe I should invest in clip-on shades and a sticker.
Hi THERE IS NO FINER GUN I EVER FIERD…………………………………………
GREATES…………………………………………………………………………………….
They are great pistols. I have had a .40 since ’95, it is my favorite semi auto pistol. Also my first. I have thousands of rounds through it. Very accurate, super pistol. Just today I purchased a used MKIII, 9mm, blued, walnut grips, fixed sights, case, two magazines and all paperwork for $719.99 plus tax. Beautiful high polish. Sold as a used pistol, not a mark on it. Barely fired. Serial number dates it to 2012, as does the included fired case, collected in Nov. 2012. I may be calling Craig Spegel for some grips, this one is so pretty it deserves the best.
The last Browning I fired in the Canadian Forces was serial number 1CH5090. The purists reading this will wonder why there was not a T (for ‘Toronto’) on the John Inglis pistol. Reason is, when contracts shifted from Nat. China to Canadian Army, they just used the parts they had on hand. There was even a lot on the backstrap for a wooden butt. I have only ever seen filled slots on the pistols currently in service
Hello i have a browning high power with serie T2 external extractor and on the right of the slide there is a half moon cut is it normal for my gun.i need ur comment plz
Hello, I wrote this article…a T Series Hi Power with a external extractor and the cut on the slide in front of the ejector port is not OEM from FN. The slide cut (meant to aid disassembly) was phased out in 1960 or so to cut manufacturing costs, before the T Series was introduced, and even before the internal extractor was phased out. I suspect you may have a Hi Power given features to increase its value to someone simply following the bluebook or other basic book of gun values.
Great review. 5 stars are not enough. My minty Belgian example is slick as glass and groups like crazy. Easily one of my top 5 pistols.
I have an Argentine FN. bought it new in the late 1980s. I have fired thousand of commercial ammo through this BHP without a single issue. I did remove the Mag safety. This improved trigger action considerably. Also, recently I fitted checkered Rosewood slim grips from Hogue. This retrofit, for me; made the BHP go from its standard excellent ergonomics to Absolutely Outstanding, Best hand-to -gun interface on the planet.
My BHP with its new grips looks exactly like this one : .
http://www.hogueinc.com/data/store/products/212079448.800×800.jpg
In closing, I should state that this BHP is my long time primary handgun; regardless of the fact that I have had subsequent guns such as G19, Euro PPK/s, S&W 586, among others to choose from for that role.. The reason for this BHP pistol having held this role for the past 20+ years is that, for me and my applications, the BHP is PERFECT.
Regards,
Mike
I have a Hi Power that is marked F.N. Browning Made in Argentina. It also bears the Armscorp Silver Spring Md. printing. Anyone know anything about this gun.
How does the Browning BDM stack up against the Hi-Power in terms of handling and accuracy?
I realize there is significant mechanical/functional difference. Also, are there similar site customization options available for the BDM? Thanks!
Dave, I am sorry, but after having a so-so experience with a BDM (actually, BPM-D) I would politely suggest your money is better spent elsewhere. There are no parts available, no magazines. Browning built these in Utah in the 1990s, and long ago sold off their spares to three vendors, who don’t appear to have any but small springs left.
My example was not accurate at all, though it was reliable in function.
Anyone familiar with this picture will notice an eerie similarity.
https://img.4plebs.org/boards/pol/image/1402/10/1402108057459.jpg
http://truthaboutguns-zippykid.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ssbrowning.jpg
First gun I ever shot, when I was seven, more than 40 years ago. I held the gun, Dad held my hands, I got the hearing protection, he pressed an ear against my back. It was his then, mine now. Tiny sights, safety, internal extractor means it comes out to play a couple of times a year.
My nickel modern made high power is my “always with me gun” except on duty, ’cause my “progressive” agency doesn’t allow single action on or off duty. Got a state CCW to cover me. C&S no-bite, recoil buffer, gorgeous Brazilian spalted cherry grips. Custom belt holster (though the shoulder rig is a Bianchi for a 1911, fits perfectly, only way to access on a bike). Tried a heavier Wolff recoil spring, but had FTE malfunctions. Good to go with the buffer. My absolute favorite gun on the planet.
How does KG3 compare with most other industrial solvent / degreaser aerosols? I’ve used KG3 for a few years now & it’s good, but just wondered about cheaper alternatives. Here in the U.K. a can of this is around £13.00 ($18.00+)
I own one that was manufactured in 1987 FN, I am honored to have one in my collection, incredible work of art. It has been shot only a few times. Everyone should own one. Thank you for the article, I enjoyed reading it.
the author states the original was made with forged steel, not ideal for +p, and later versions were made with cast steel for greater durability.
this sounds exactly backwards to me.
maybe someone can clarify?