So I have a cherry of a hi-power, thought about selling it, now having second thoughts. Since in CA, and I have owned since before the magazine ban, it is the only handgun I can legally own that holds more than 10. I know as of right now that was overturned, but in case the mag ban is reinstated..
Reading about it, some make the point it isn’t reliable with new hollow point ammo, some say they stick to the ball ammo, so I’m looking for input on that. For self defense what ammo would you use for reliability?

Thanks for any input.

Why not just grab a couple of boxes of JHP and see which one(s) your gun likes.

That would only make sense. But that negates the need for a lame post on a sleepy forum.

I have two, one was a plain fixed site gun made in 1980, the other is a 1970’s production beercan site gun. They both feed fine with Winchester Silvertips and Federal Hydrashocks. Not sure if either of those are still made but I have some I’ve been shooting up for a while.

I've had good luck with all vintages of Hi-Power, but the humped feed ramp of earlier models has been blamed for trouble with hollow points. The humped feed ramp was phased out during the '80's - the top barrel in the photo:



If your Hi-Power has the humped feed ramp and you figure that's a problem the barrel can be replaced. According to some the hump can be ground off, but I would never destroy the original barrel.

Well, let me help you out a$$hole. Why pay $45 for a couple boxes of ammo and range time if people here can tell me the history of this pistol is that it does not feed hollow points well?

Did that help you out?

Thank you for the replies, I’ll check out the feed ramp, thank you.

Yes the Hydroshock is still around, after I look at the feed ramp I’ll try those first, that is a good round.
Thank you

No, actually it just shows that you are truly a dumbshit, since you still have to buy ammo to test in your gun. Carry on.

And now I know to try hydrashocks first...see how easy that is a$$hole? GFY

Barkoff,

If you reload for it, you might try these:

http://www.shootersproshop.com/load...sporting-handgun-bullets-blem-100ct.html

They feed and group will in my 9mm's.

another explained it pretty well, easily corrected if it's a problem
hi power came about in 1935, thus called the model of 19335. not using jcp's in those days.
same thing on the german p6 sig sauer, where the early ones did not accept jcp's easily, later corrected by sig and the later ones would.
Either situation is a workable deal.
I have a 40's vintage but only have fired round nose in it.
i have several others that i have fired jcp's in, without issue.
but i don't remember manuf. date off the top of my head.
not firing jcp's is not a big deal in my opinion, given the lehigh bullets, as loaded by underwood.
they are just something to see.

Barkoff,

Another factor that converged with the humped feed ramp was that some of the hollowpoint designs sucked during the '80's - the 'flying ashtray' stuff developed before manufacturers learned how to get a bullet to expand without resorting to a near full diameter meplat. Lot's of pistols got a bad rap because they couldn't feed that stuff. Once the manufacturers got the hang of expansion and moved the ogive back to where it should be the pistols ran fine.

I still hear and read about '80's pistols that aren't reliable based on old reputations that magically run just fine on more modern ammo.

Thanks for the tips.
Due to the phugged up laws in CA, I will be starting to hand load for pistols where in the past I only loaded rifle rounds. I'll give both the Nosler and hydrashok a try.

It will run with something. They always used to run with Federal 9BP, and it is an accurate (but low tech) load. Selling a HiPower is always a mistake.

my love affair with the hi power started back in the 70's. friend had one, i got to shoot it, but could never buy it off of him.
it fit my hand really well and i could hit quite well with it.
that let to more of them through the years.
I would also agree it would be a mistake to sell one, i certainly wouldn't.
there are other pistola now that are good, such as the cz75 which reminds me a lot of a hi power.
but a hi power is a hipower.
that ramp business isn't a big deal to rectify if you feel you must. plenty of ammo will run in it.

I shoot nothing but powder coated cast HP's in mine & it's never burped once & I've fired a lot of rounds down the barrel. Don't sell that gun!

Dick

Barkoff, this is his typical dumbass schit. That's why I keep his dumbass on ignore.

Actually you're just too stupid to play. So you hide. Which is smart, for you.

Hide from some low life worm? Don't think so, moron.

^This.

There's always the PowerBall load, if nothing else.

I sold a HP once, a long time ago. That still hurts.

https://hipowersandhandguns.com/
I have found alot of HiPower answers there.

i casted a bunch of 124grain lead buletts for 9mm/re:hi power and others, and for .380. never had any issue either.

I have a customized Hi Power that was made in Belgium and assembled in Portugal. Had a beaver tail put on it, steepled the front and back strap of the grip, disconnected the magazine safety and a trigger job and Novak sights and the most beautiful cocobolo stocks Craig Spiegel ever made. Carried it on duty and it rests in the drawer of my night stand. I think I have had it over 25 years and fired the heck out of it. It eats every thing I feed it and shoots great.

There was a reason the Israeli special teams, British SAS, Navy Seals and FBI Hostage Rescue Team and many others used them. I think I would sell my 1911 before I sold my Hi Power and I am a 1911 guy. Cheerish that sweet pistol, nothing ever felt as good in my hands as the Hi Power grip. No striker fired pistol has the graceful feel and lines of a Hi Power.

Do a little search and you will find a big wealth of info and history on the HI Power and 9mm ammo.

The newer 9mm HP bullets typically feed with no problem in the humped barrel versions. Stay under 124grs. if you can.

If all else fails, get the Mec-Gar 13 round standard magazines. This usually will solve feed issues with the less forgiving bullets.

Also, check these people out.

https://bhspringsolutions.com/

I've never owned a Hi Power, but I must say IMO they are one of the prettiest pistols ever. Especially the old school deep blue with wood grips. Just dead sexy.

I should google this, but I'm feeling lazy. What is a "beer can sight", as was mentioned in an earlier post?
Posted by TheKid: I have two, one was a plain fixed site gun made in 1980, the other is a 1970’s production beercan site gun.

The "beercan" sight (I hadn't heard it called that, but it made sense when I thought about it) was a fully adjustable sight available on the guns of the early '70s thru the mid '80s. The rear "leaf" looked for all the world like a beer can with a side opened up, and as flimsy as it was, it worked to keep the rear sight picture in shadow (black). It was an interesting sight (my first HP had it) but it could be damaged easily, and was replaced by a Millett adjustable sight rear (an abomination by any name).

I like HPs too. I've had three Brownings and a FEG, which is a Hungarian copy, and a pretty good one, at that.

Browning does NOT recommend +P or +P+ in the High Power, and you probably shouldn't use any old subgun ammo in it, either. I have a friend who disregarded that, and then they wouldn't warrant the pistol when he sent it in. The only parts I ever broke were extractors, I had to replace a couple of them. I shot mine pretty hard.

^^^^^^^
Thanks for the answer! Now, you got me curious and I will have to google up some pics.

https://hipowersandhandguns.com/classic_hi_power%20sport%20model.htm

As the owner of a pair of them I well know that feeling. Very Dumb move on my part

This is neither here nor there but there's a green (believe it or not a verdigris color including the grips) High Power for sale on the local Armslist that looks like it has an eight inch barrel including some kind of compensator/barrel weight thing hung on the end. Just the kind of crazy looking thing that would have been irresistible to a younger me.

Is it a Competition HP from the 70’s or 80’s? They had a funky stamped sheet metal rear sight in a big cutout in the slide, no front sight on the slide but one mounted on a barrel weight out front. I don’t think they had any holes turning the weight into a comp. Strange looking things, but the two I’ve shot were outstanding. Would love to have one.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/hiRes/719014289_1.jpg

That looks like it, minus the color. I'll send you a PM with a link if I can find it again.

Edited for the record, upon further review, it's probably not green, it's just the shading in the picture and my eyesight LOL.