Sign in or 
Share this
Browning Hi-Power
Model: Browning Hi-Power Despite being designed by John Browning, the man himself did not live to see his pistol produced; he died in 1926, while the handgun based on his design was first produced in 1935. One of Browning's classics alongside the M1911, the Hi-Power is still in use today in the hands of civilians and militaries worldwide. It is currently one of the most-used military pistols worldwide. The Hi-Power (sometimes referred to as the GP, or Grande Puissance) was designed to fulfill the French Army's request for a new handgun, one that was compact, had a capacity of at least 10 rounds, a magazine disconnect device, an external hammer, a positive safety, was robust and simple to disassemble and re-assemble, and could kill a man at 50 meters, all while weighing no more than a kilogram. Browning's prototypes from 1923 both utilized a new staggered magazine design from Dieudonné Saive, and despite Browning's death, the pistol was still worked on based on his design until it was adopted by Belgium in 1935. Ironically, France decided not to adopt the pistol they commissioned.
The pistol operates on a short-recoil principle, though the exact working is somewhat different from the 1911. It's a single-action design with an unusually heavy trigger pull. Both the Allies and Axis in World War II used the pistol, and the pistol is still used today in over 50 countries, including Canada and Great Britain.
Where to find:
Over a million Hi-Powers have been produced, making the pistol extraordinarily common. It can be found in a great many civilian gun shops, though at $1000 or more it can be a bit expensive for most owners. It is also the handgun that has armed the Canadian Military since it's inception, with it still being used by the Regular Army
Complexity:
The Hi-Power was designed as a military pistol, so it is quite reliable and has a large magazine capacity. The two biggest problems are a heavy trigger pull for a single-action pistol and the tendency of the hammer to bite the webbing between the shooter's fingers when it goes back. Many owners have either replaced the hammer or learned to hold the pistol a different way to avoid injury.
Size and weight:
Weight 1 kg (2.19 lbs). Barrel length 118 mm (4.7 in.). Total length 197 mm (7.8 in.).
Action:
Short-recoil semi-automatic
Caliber(s):
9x19mm Parabellum
7.65x21mm Parabellum (.30 Luger)
.40 S&W
Magazine:
Detachable box magazine, 13 rounds (10 rounds in .40 S&W)
Trigger:
Single-action
Controls:
The safety is on the left side of the slide; up for SAFE, down for FIRE. The magazine release is on the left side of the pistol behind the trigger guard. The slide catch is on the left side of the frame below the slide.
Loading: How to load the firearm and make ready to fire.
Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Push the safety up to activate it.
3) Take a loaded magazine and push it into the magazine well in the butt until it clicks. Tug on it slightly to ensure that it is in place.
4) Pull the slide back all the way and let it snap forward on its own.
To fire, push the safety down.
Condition Two. Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
Cannot be safely done.
Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Take a loaded magazine and push it into the magazine well in the butt until it clicks. Tug on it slightly to ensure that it is in place.
To fire, rack the slide.
Unloading:
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Push the safety up to activate it.
3) Push the magazine release to release the magazine.
4) Pull the slide back and push the slide catch up to eject any rounds in the chamber and lock the slide open. Examine the chamber for any ammunition.
5) Push the slide catch down to release the slide.
6) Push the safety down to deactivate it.
7) Pull the trigger.
Field Stripping:
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Clear the gun as described in the unloading procedures.
3) Pull the slide back and use the slide catch to lock the slide.
4) Push the safety up into the disassembly recess on the slide.
5) Push the slide catch through from the right side and remove it.
6) While holding the slide, press the head of the recoil spring guide forward to release it from the barrel. Remove the recoil spring and guide.
7) Lift up on the barrel lug and slide the barrel out rearward.
Design Quirks:
Unique aspects of this gun.
Sharpie41 |
Latest page update: made by Sharpie41
, Mar 9 2011, 10:26 AM EST
(about this update
About This Update
Under "Where to Find"
- Sharpie41
23 words added view changes - complete history) |
|
Keyword tags:
autoloader
browning
Handgun
pistol
More Info: links to this page
|
| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| deep_sea_diver | Browning Hi power | 0 | Mar 14 2011, 9:29 AM EDT by deep_sea_diver | ||
|
Thread started: Mar 14 2011, 9:29 AM EDT
Watch
While not as trendy as some more modern DA autos, the high power is a solid performer with excellent firepower. For a time there were some Argentine imports on the market, that were a great value for the price. The rugged simplicity of the design also makes repairs much easier for the non gunsmith to achieve as well. The one upgrade to seriously consider is a set of adjustable tritium sights.
Another close cousin of the Hi Power is the CZ model 75. Both are fine handguns that will put you square on the playing field, with any other self defense handgun, with the proper ammo.
2
out of
3 found this valuable.
Do you?
Keyword tags:
autoloader
browning
Handgun
pistol
|
||||
Showing 1 of 1 threads for this page
