My BHP Experience - Just Sharing

[trigger945]

I had been curious about BHP's, being a fan of 1911's and CZ's. Some people regard it as the 1911 in 9mm. Some people even regard it as JMB's perfection of the 1911.

Not too many ranges rent a BHP - I don't know of one. I felt that my "only" option was to get one to really get a good feel for it. So I did.

I landed one - an older Belgian BHP. Bluing is just fantastic. Wood grips are excellent. That famous hi-power cut, oh my! It is quite a beautiful gun. Best of all (and this is purely subjective), it turned out to be a birth year gun - my first among all the guns I own and owned.





I measured the trigger pull using a digital gauge: 10-pull average of 7 lbs. 10 oz. Not bad, though not great. Magazine does not drop freely. Oh well. Felt good in the hands. Yes, it felt heavenly. Adjustable rear sights - neat.

First range trip tonight and I was excited. Finally! 100 rounds later, I called it a night. What happened? Hammer bites!

I like having a high hold/grip on my guns. I do this on my 1911's, CZ's and clones, and revolvers. On my 1911's and CZ's, I also ride the safety and have a thumbs forward grip, where my left thumb rests just forward of the slide stop (can't do that with a revolver, lol). That grip allows me to get a good control on the gun. This grip preference is one reason Sig P's and Glocks don't work for me (but that's a different story).

I tried this exact same grip on this newly-acquired BHP. 50 rounds later and I felt a sting on the web of my right hand. And after 100 rounds, I was done. I went home with ammo still in my range bag - not very common for me.

Below are some photos of how I hold/grip the BHP. You can clearly see why I would get hammer bites.







So now what? Adjust my grip to compensate for the gun? Adjust my gun to compensate for my grip? Not sure yet, but the second option sounds more logical to me. Or shoot the gun just once year on my birthday and deal with the hammer bites? Or maybe sell the gun?

Thankfully, I don't need to make a decision soon. What I know at this point is that I will not be taking this gun to pistol classes. CZ's, 1911's and maybe some revolvers will continue to take that role.

Hope you found this helpful in one way or another.

Peace to all!


trigger945

[MajorSideburns]

you could swap the hammer for a rounded hammer without the spur. or just try to keep your hand skin under the little tail. how do you like the recoil impulse? compared to say a cz75?

[trigger945]

Recoil impulse is similar to a CZ in 9mm. Very mild and manageable. It is an all-metal gun after all. I actually like how it shot, except for the hammer bites.

There is simply no way I can keep that part of my hand under the tiny beavertail. I think that is the main issue I have. And that beavertail can't be replaced as it is part of the frame. Maybe if I change the way I grip the gun.

[MajorSideburns]

as i said above you could look into a simple hammer replacement. it is an easy swap, the hi power has rounded hammers available without the little cocking spike. probably better than messing around with your grip, unless it is strictly a range toy and not a defensive pistol

like this:



and yeah the single action trigger is not going to be as nice as a 1911, the BHP has the dreaded mag safety afterall...also why your mags wont drop free. i agree with you that they are very aesthetically beautiful guns, if it's one thing that could realllly improve them, it would be getting rid of the mag safety. still love them though

[trigger945]

Yep, noted. Thanks for the tip. I like that safety, too!

Strictly range toy or not, I like to keep my grip consistent.

[5ZS]

Keep it, and I would go leather glove.

[trigger945]

Leather gloves! Now that is a quick and easy change. I have some from my golfing days. I will cut off the tip for my trigger finger.

[tipoc]

Try a Commander style hammer. You can see that below...





Or hold the gun a bit differently...I don't get hammer bite.



Or simply file off a bit fo the hammer spur until it no longer bites. This will not effect functioning.

tipoc

[trigger945]

^^^Thanks. I believe the bite I experienced is more of a pinch between the top of the beavertail and the backside of the hammer. I can actually re-create it by cocking the hammer. Will a commander hammer solve that?

I get this pinch when shooting my GI 1911 as well.

[jyo]

I've had a Hi Power (or two) in my life for over 30 years---currently have three of various years. My hands are quite large, but not meaty---never been bit, but I never seen such a high hold on a pistol as yours! You could also install the SFS system which uses it's own unique hammer---much shorter. Good luck with this!

[BennyW]

Cylinder & Slide sells hammers at both extremes. Worst pinch I've experienced was with their Commander hammer. Best luck so far has been their No Bite hammer. Best to get their sear too while you're at it. The stock sear is softer and will wear fast, causing hammer follow. If that doesn't work a beavertail can be welded on to destroy the Belgian elegance and your wallet at the same time.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Leather gloves! Now that is a quick and easy change. I have some from my golfing days. I will cut off the tip for my trigger finger.

I would cut all the fingers (and thumb) off the gloves. Just above the second knuckle of the fingers and and about half way between the first and second knuckles of the thumb. I found it to be more comfortable and it felt like I had a better grip on the gun. Although I don't wear gloves anymore unless it's really, really cold.

JMHO

[Sabian722]

Interesting. Thanks for the review

[TeddyBallgame]

i just used to put a piece of tape on my hand where the hammer would strike, but, it seems like over time i adjusted my grip to the point where i don't get picked off anymore

anyway, congrats on your BHP

[Biigg50]

If you change the hammer to a no bite style like the Smith and Alexander you will be fine. Then loose the mag safety, it's a very simple thing to take out. Your trigger pull will instantly improve and mags will drop free.