John Browning Design -Reliability

[BHPFan]

A .45 High-power would have to be somewhat larger than the current handgun is, just to accommodate the larger rounds. One of the best parts of the HP is the thin profile of the slide, which would not survive in a .45 model. It would also lose enough capacity that it wouldn't offer much of an advantage over the 1911.

You are quite right. a .45 HP would stop being a BHP and they would have to change the specs of the original design in order to fit and shoot the .45aCP caliber.

I really like my HP, the only thing it needs is a LOT better trigger pull. They're pretty grim on a lot of HP models.

True. Out of the factory, the trigger is pretty gritty due to that mag disconnect safety (placed in there as a requirement), just take out that mag safety and the trigger will be smoother, but it will never be as smooth as a tricked out 1911 trigger.

If I were in the market for one now, a .40 HP would be on my "to get" list.

JUst as I mentioned about changing the specs of the original design to shoot the .45 ACP, FN did that for the .40SW:
heavier and beefier slide; changed the metallurgy of the frame from forged to investment cast; three locking lugs in the barrel and in the slide in comparison to two for the 9mm; thicker ejector on the frame.

[Dragon]

How so?

Just because the parts of the pistol are assembled in another country doesn't mean that the parts are made in that country assembled.

Besides, do you have a problem with Portuguese assembled Hi-Powers?

I've owned quite a few and they have been extremely reliable even sturdier than the earlier ones made totally in Belgium (won't feed HP and not sturdy enough to shoot +P or .40 SW).

LOL.relax dont get ur panties in a bunch.

Well My HP feeds hp+p just fine !

[Falstaff]

LOL.relax dont get ur panties in a bunch.

Well My HP feeds hp+p just fine !

Brand loyalty... lol, I'm surprised the Ford fan boys havent jumped outta their skin about the Fords blowing trannies "off the lot" comment above...

[Dragon]

Brand loyalty... lol, I'm surprised the Ford fan boys havent jumped outta their skin about the Fords blowing trannies "off the lot" comment above...

LOl,and Im a Ford fan.

[bczrx]

Hmmm.

A .45 hi-power.

Sounds like a 1911.

Actually, the CZ design is not the same as a Hi-Power, but certainly similar. CZ makes a Model 97 in .45.

Tangfolio makes a .45 that is imported as the EAA Witness.

Baby Eagle was a model by Magnum Research. I know they had .40 and 9, but I think they came out with .45 also.

However, Browning only sells the 9 and .40 hi power.

You do realize Brownings' last design for a 9mm was a single stack striker-fired pistol that he agreed to change, but that Saive actually reconfigured into the hammer-fired 13 rounder it became? My understanding is flawed, but I think more of the design is actually Saive's design, and he and FN used the name Browning for marketing, more than real domination of design process.

Just sayin....

[phamkl]

Yes but Browning's latest design was largely a result of having to work around Colt's patents. Once those patents expired, many of the features came back but found themselves on a camming action rather than a pivoting link. I believe that's the biggest improvement, aside from the lightweight slide and hi-cap (but those are also a result of using 9mm.) The HP unfortunately was also designed with the magazine safety which I don't think Browning wanted.

It's sad, though, that Browning also didn't necessarily want the grip safety but has become one of the symbols of the 1911.

I think John Moses Browning's ultimate last gun would lie somewhere between a BHP and a Glock, to be honest.

[sigfan91]

But...Hi Power wasn't completed by John Browning...

[BHPFan]

But...Hi Power wasn't completed by John Browning...

True.

JMB died before completing the design and I would not be surprised if the design that he had in mind was different from the release version completed by Dieudonne Saive.

[Andy Taylor]

I have found my 1976 production Hi-Power to be one of the most reliable semi-autos I have ever used. I find it slightly more reliable than my Springfield Mil-Spec 1911. The Springfield has had ONE FTF in 5,000 rounds. The HP has had NO failures of any kind in 10,000.
1911s have nicer triggers, but a HP trigger can be improved by simply removing the stupid mag safety. Will it be as nice as a 1911? No, but it will be much better than a Glock or a Sig.
I don't know that the 1911 is more popular than the HP. Certainly in the US it is, but worldwide I think the HP has it beat.

IMHO a HP in any caliber other than 9mm is not a HP.