Thinking about getting a hi power...

[Kodemonkey]

So my wife wants her own gun. She likes my friends 1911 in 45, but wants a softer shooter (and less expensive ammo) so we were considering a 1911 pistol in 9mm. She is going to take the 4 day defensive handgun course at front sight and also wants to shoot it in IDPA.

However, the gun has to be aesthetically pleasing to her as well as be something that she can handle well. We looked at a lot of 1911s and nothing we saw that was on the CA roster grabbed her attention. Until I showed her a Browning hi power mkIII on the browning site. She really liked the lines on it but we both have a few questions (We have never shot one):

1) She shoots a 357 mag and likes the SA pull on the revolver. Does the hi power have a similar trigger feel to an SA trigger pull or is there some take up slack in the trigger?

2) I don't see any of these in IDPA. Do they fit in the box? She is not out to compete heavily, but she likes the idea of going to IDPA with it to keep her skills up and it is a lot more fun then shooting at a traditional range.

3) She doesn't particularly care for the muzzle flip on my USP 9. I am thinking the heavier frame and slide length on the hi power will help control this. Is that a correct assumption?

I've done some cursory research at some other forums and it appears there are a lot of people out there that are die hard fans. But what are the downsides?

[redcliff]

I'm a Hi-Power fan and don't shoot IDPA so take this with that in mind...

A really good smith can give a Hi-Power a really good SA trigger pull while leaving the magazine disconnect safety intact. Most people don't bother and remove the magazine safety which cleans up the trigger pull quite a bit.

Unfortunately my understanding is that is a technical rule violation for IDPA because you can't disable a safety device and the mag disconnect safety is such a device.

Also, I understand it is a bit more problematic to show the pistol is clear and safe with the magazine disconnect in place. I think for these reasons not too many people shoot Hi-Powers in IDPA.

How does she feel about CZ-75's?

[Kodemonkey]

Thinking about getting a hi power...

Redcliff, thanks for the advice. She wouldn't be doing heavy competition with it so I am too concerned about the magazine disconnect. But we will probably send it away to a smith and put a bobbed hammer on it. I will show he some CZs... Thanks for the tip.

[Walking Fire]

I would highly recommend this person to rebuild a high power or 1911.

http://www.garthwaite.com/

[Kodemonkey]

I would highly recommend this person to rebuild a high power or 1911.
http://www.garthwaite.com/

I checked out his website. Nice credentials. I will probably give him a try if she likes the feel of the Hi Power. Thanks for the info.

[G-forceJunkie]

Try and have her shoot a HP first, it is impossable for me to shoot one with out drawing blood, every single shot. The web of my hand gets pinched BAD by the hammer.

[Sunwolf]

Look at the BHP as the improved version of the 1911.

[Pthfndr]

If you don't know someone who has a BHP, go to an indoor range and rent one and have her try it out before you buy.

People with large hands are more likely to get hammer bite than people with small hands. That shouldn't be a problem for your wife, and even if it was, there are "bobbed" hammers out there for them.

Are you in Socal or Norcal?

[Kodemonkey]

Thinking about getting a hi power...

SoCal, and I will definitely call around to ranges to see if they have a Hi Power. I showed her an M&P and she was "okay" with it, but I can tell she had a "reaction" to the Hi Power. I kind of know that "love at first sight" feeling and unless it really doesn't fit her hand I can see her wanting the Hi Power. It's been kind of a "lets find something different than a hi power" quest. She is already comparing everything to a hi power. Heh, 7 years ago she didn't want a gun in the house. How we change...

[redcliff]

SoCal, and I will definitely call around to ranges to see if they have a Hi Power. I showed her an M&P and she was "okay" with it, but I can tell she had a "reaction" to the Hi Power. I kind of know that "love at first sight" feeling and unless it really doesn't fit her hand I can see her wanting the Hi Power. It's been kind of a "lets find something different than a hi power" quest. She is already comparing everything to a hi power. Heh, 7 years ago she didn't want a gun in the house. How we change...

Buy her a Hi-Power then and get a trigger job done. If she has problems later shooting IDPA she could pick up a game gun. Don't douse her enthusiasm

If you're up in my neck of the woods anytime soon I'd be happy to meet you both at the range and she can shoot one of my three Hi-Powers to try it out.