Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Oh schit to Hell yeah!

A week or two back, I got a message from Kevin Gibson that was "oh schit..." and then a weblink.

Well, obviously I had to check it out. Glad I did. The link was to an importer in Yankeeland that had just received a small batch of alloy frame FN HiPowers, and for a very good price. A quick call (and good thing it was quick because I get one of the last two), and it was on my way to my FFL.

It arrived holster worn, but in good condition otherwise. The two mags with it were numbered to the gun. No, not from the factory, but to the unit and officer designation from the Belgian PD that had traded these in. HP made in 1980, assigned to GV unit B, officer 550. Mags are stamped "B 550".

Several new grips were ordered to try them out. My Spegels that ride on the other HP didn't fit; the alloy frame is has slightly wider rails on the front of the grip by about 1/16", and I wasn't trimming down the Spegels. The Navidrex grips from Brownells were decent; better than the originals, but not to my liking. The are simply thin and flat with a "slick" checkering. The Mil-Tac grips are very nice and look fantastic, but again don't quite fit for the same reason as the Spegels. They are almost identical in profile and measurements to Spegels, and since Craig isn't making Delrins any more, and the Mil-Tacs are a VERY good G10 laminate with good, aggressive, but not uncomfortable grip they are a great alternative. I might keep these anyway, just in case. The VZ 320s are superb. Thinner than Spegels or Mil-Tacs, or originals, and with a flat-wedge taper and very good grip, they fit like they were made to and changed the feel of the HP from "good" to "THEY'RRRRRRRRRR GREAT!"

With that done, it was time for a range session. I pulled out the 9x19 stockpile, added some more to it, and headed to the range. Sixteen (yes, 16) different JSP or JHP rounds were tried, from the old stock Remington 95 grain JSP to 147 grain subsonics and LOTS in between (Hydra-Shoks, PDX, Critical Defense, EFMJ, StarFires, GoldDots, GoldenSabres, etc.) The HP fired all of these without a failure of any sort or any hiccups in addition to several hundred rounds of 115 FMJs (Remington and Speer). Everything worked, and worked well. Surprisingly, the 115s and 124s shot high (not bad, just a bit high) while the 147s were dead on and the 105 EFMJs (rebranded Federal "Guard Dogs") were also dead on. The 105s are the carry load for now, backed up by the Browning (Winchester) BPX 147s as they were the most accurate.

All up, with 31+1, the FN alloy frame HP weighs in at 31.7 oz. That's Glock 17/19 weight range with better than normal BHP handling.

Oh, and a nice surprise - whomever did the triggers on these in Europe did them quite nicely. With the mag disconnect still intact and functional, the trigger breaks very clean and crisp at about 5.5#. That'll do, Donkey... that'll do.

You lucky dog. I wish I had buddy's like that. Mine just want to borrow my stuff.

For any curious as to the ammo tested:

95 grain Rem/UMC JSP 9x19 (OLD stuff)
105 Federal "Guard Dog" EFMJ
115 Speer Blazer FMJ
115 Remington FMJ
115 Speer GoldDot
115 Remington JHP
115 Federal Personal Defense JHP
124 Federal Hydra-Shok
124 Federal HST
124 Speer GoldDot
124 Remington Golden Sabre
124 Remington Golden Sabre +P
124 SIG V-Star
124 PMC StarFire
147 Browning (Winchester) BPX
147 Federal Hydra-Shok
147 Winchester PDX
147 Remington SubSonic JHP

Want to get rid of any of your spare Hi-Power grips?

The Navidrex already went back to Brownells. The VZs are on the alloy. I doubt you want the issued grips from either I have (cheap plastic and wood). Thus, I suspect you're inquiring about either the Spegels or the Mil-Tacs, correct?

Sweet, congrats on the new perforator 4.

I refer to LW Hi Powers as unobtanium; and now I finally have one too. I have a few projects ahead of this Hi Power, but it will be done up right.

I have a very clean mk2 bhp that I can't bring myself to modify but about 2 years ago I scored a very holster worn mk2 for $350. It went to a local pistolsmith for a trigger polishing, bobbed the factory hammer, added xs tritiums and a set of vz slim pro g10's. Only other addition was it got sent out for the black T coating.

It's superbly accurate and reliable and is a favorite in my carry rotation.

The Mil Tacs,. depending on which pattern..interest me.

Sweet Sean, glad ya got it.

I've always been surprised the Hi-Power isn't more popular, especially for 1911 owners who want more mag capacity, and are going to the 9mm instead of .45. Similar manual of arms, but still a very usable grip.

You Suck

Browning doesn't put a whole lot of effort into marketing it. One of the big issues with the BHP is lack of further development of the product, because it's one of the least profitable pistols that FN makes and they're desperately trying to discontinue it's production. But foreign orders for replacement parts are just too lucrative so when you're making that many parts, including replacement frames and slides, you might as well just make the damn pistol. But believe me, just as soon as FN thinks they can dump the Hi Power it will be GONE.

It's really too bad because a well updated Hi Power would be absolutely wonderful. Imagine a standard production aluminum frame Hi Power with a standard beavertail, magazine safety moved from the trigger to the frame like the GP Target Hi Power, nice trigger out of the box, updated sights, and grips that don't try their best to ruin the amazing ergonomics of the Hi Power! I'd buy that pistol.

That's a nice snag........congrats on a very cool, great gun.

MM

So now that I've had this LW Hi Power for a couple of weeks, some observations unique to this version of the Hi Power.

Slide final polish is rather crude, lots of tool marks on the lightening cuts on the front of the slide, and the serrations on the rear of the slide.

Barrel cam in the frame - The frame barrel cam is not oval like most Hi Powers, it's round and a bit smaller than a normal barrel cam. I can only assume this is to help with the issue of barrel cam set-back, but I'll be damned if I can figure out how it helps.

Locking cam on barrel - The LW Hi Power uses the pre-WW II style locking cam, the rounded one. Not sure why as this was found to contribute to cracked or sheared cam lugs when oodles of rounds had been fired. Just like the pre-WWII guns, a modern style barrel will drop right in. But I'm not sure if it's a good idea to use a modern barrel. Just don't understand the return to the old style on this particular gun.

Barrel feed ramp - I have now see 3 of these barrels, and all 3 have a heat discoloration on the barrel extension toward the bottom of the feed ramp. The only thing I can think of is this is a spot hardening and they just didn't polish off the discoloration.

Nice write up and story, Sean. Congrats on a nice score!

Someday I'll find one ........great score.

I got a nice one awhile back. Great carry gun.
Bob

The insecure web "bullies/tough guys" gave KG a hard time but I liked his posts.

Sounds like you boys lucked up!

Very nice. Congrats on the score.

You guys suck. I didn't get the memo. Where's the love?

Buds has used Interarms FEG Hi-Powers for $269.

Comes with one mag and a free pair of bellbottoms.




Dave

Corduroy?

Patchwork

L

I know about that. I have a HP. They're not that hard to find (nor the bellbottoms). It's the aluminum frame version I don't have.

Fine. Be that way.




Dave

Wow, I could use a pair of bell-bottoms.

Wish I wasn't tapped out from buying other guns recently, I'd love to grab one of those at that price. The FEG is a hell of a pistol on the cheap.

the question i have been debating forever on thos hipowers is should i take out the magazine disconnect?

The answer is yes and it's easy to do.. Glad you are back.

It's a big improvement on the trigger. Rarely have I had a Hi Power for more than 24 hours with a magazine disconnect installed. As for the legal side, yes it certainly can be an issue in court, but it won't change a "good" shooting into a "bad" shooting unless you and your attorney are completely incompetent.

Something to think about as an item to raise in court. When the FBI's HRT had custom Hi Powers built from Novak's, they had the magazine disconnect removed. So if they find it safe, then it's hard to make a case that you're some evil SOB for doing what the FBI does.

Of the several HPs I've owned, the only one that will keep the mag disconnect intact is this alloy framed one. Why? Well, the trigger is pretty damned nice with the disconnect in. Also, with little ones around the house, all I have to do when I get home is dump the magazine and the pistol is inert; slam the mag back in if something goes "bump" in the night, or when I leave the house, and it's ready to go again.

They have CZ 75's for about the same price.




Dave

I talked to Cylinder & Slide about BHP triggers. They will not disconnect the mag safety due to liability reasons, but even so they can get the trigger to about 5 lbs with it, in one of their trigger jobs.

see Sean, good things DO happen to good people. I am happy for you.
A tip of the hat to our old friend Kevin.

Yeah, bought one 6 weeks ago. Very nice pre-B model that will be returned to better than original condition very soon. (on the bench now)

Waiting for a new trigger spring, lighter one. Well that, and I launched the original into an alternate dimension when taking it apart.

See, I'm not COMPLETELY worthless...

Just MOSTLY worthless

I used to when it became fashionable, but I don't anymore. Fire the Hi-Power like a fighting pistol and the difference isn't noticeable. Fire it like a target pistol and there's not enough difference between a mediocre trigger and a slightly lighter mediocre trigger for me to worry about.

Many Hi-Powers are born with nice triggers, some need a new hammer and sear.

The 'safety' thing is a non-issue for me.

Here's another tasty option....

http://www.nighthawkcustom.com/pistols/browning-hi-power#slide-1

For $3k? Nope.

Some fine looking HP's there, but pretty tall claims. How do you improve reliability on a HiPower? I've never seen a modern HP choke. Ever. And why would you not go with the C&S safety levers, instead of the standard levers?

Still....very nice. No - I wouldn't spring for one.

Hi Powers are the most reliable pistols I've ever shot. You know I'm a big Hi Power guy, and I've owned dozens over the years, and I've put just chit-tons of ammo through Hi Powers and I honestly can't recall a FTF in all those years. If you buy a post-1980 Hi Power, that sucker is going to feed anything you try to cram down the pipe. I'll take the Pepsi challenge with a Hi Power vs. a Glock for reliability any day of the week. But I'll flat admit, the Glock will last 3-4x as long when shooting NATO pressure rounds; but I don't shoot NATO or +P in anything. Still, with all the rounds I've put in a Hi Power, I have changed some sear springs, but I've never broken a slide, or any other parts, so clearly they're tough enough for me.

A Glock is a fantastic machine, it's like a 4cyl Toyota truck. Will freaking run forever, wherever, and whenever; but it's not going to wow anyone whilst doing so. The Hi Power is just more sophisticated. It works like a Glock, but it looks like a super-model.