Browning Hi Power GP Competition recoil spring

[MGSchindel]

I have a few of these 1987-1989 era green-parkerized Browning FN GP Competition 9mm pistols, with the extended 6" barrel, clamp-on barrel weight with sight, adjustable rear sight, lightened trigger pull, etc.

I want to replace the recoil springs on my FN GP Comp guns with fresh recoil springs. I have purchased the guns used at various times. They all have fairly light recoil springs, noticeably lighter than a stock Hi Power, but their power ratings seem all over the board, probably from prior owners changing them for various homegrown loads. The varous pistols seem to have 10, 12, 13 and 14 lb springs in them, respectively, but I'm guessing.

Does anyone out there know what the correct and original power rating is for the Hi Power GP Comp's standard recoil spring, as it came from the factory? What are other folks using, even if you don't know what the original spring's power was, but own and shoot the gun? What is the correct spring power to reliably and safely cycle, say, typical white box Winchester 115gr 9mm fmj ammo?

I've tried higher power springs and I can tell you that with even a standard 17lb HP recoil spring, they make great single shooters LOL!

Please advise, thanks!!!

 

[velocette]

I own several Hi-Powers & find that the standard 17 lb spring works with standard loading. Your (very nice) pistols will be quite different. Wolff offers reduced power springs and variable rate springs for the HP.
http://www.gunsprings.com/Semi-Auto Pistols/BROWNING/1935 (HI POWER)/cID1/mID3/dID5
They offer what they call a "calibration pack" which has a series of springs in successively lighter (or heavier if you choose) that you can use to tune the spring to your pistol and your load.
Remember that the pistols were made for competition and the factory would assume that the owner could and would tune his pistol to his particular loads.
You know that the standard 17# is too strong, therefore, using the calibration pack, go to successively lighter springs until you get reliable function and last round lockback.

In my standard BHP 9mm, a 14 # spring works fine with reduced power target loads.
You will probably find that a 12 ~ 14 lb spring will work pretty well in your pistols.

Enjoy those pistols

Roger

 

[MGSchindel]

Thanks Roger, I was already going this route, and already have the Wolfe variable 17, 16, 15 and 14lb springs on the way (they don't have conventinal springs in less than 17 lbs so I'm stuck with variable, good or bad). I have a 13 lb variabe Wolfe BHP spring here, but didn't want to risk damaging the pistols, having no specific knowledge of what ammo and spring they were designed for/with. I've tuned the recoil rates to different loads for several of my 1911, CZ and standard BHP platforms in various calibers, so this will be more fun than a chore.

Still wonder what type and rating recoil spring the FN GP originally shipped with. No one seems to know, not even Browning, Wolfe, Brownells, Wilsons, on and on.

These are fantastic target pistols (if not really ideal for any specific competition shooting) and are easily my favorite BHPs to shoot. They can outshoot my Trojan 9mm STI, hang with my S&W 952 longslide, and are competitive with my Les Baers. I remember many years ago people would tell me the 9mm was an inherently less accurate round than the 45acp, and my first FN GP 9mm whipped the pants off my 60's Colt National Matches, accuracy-wise LOL! The bulky pachmayr factory grips actually make the gun point so naturally in the hand, and the muzzle flip is so minimal from the barrel counter-weight, it's scary good, and effortless for fast follow-up shots. They're soft shooters, too.

What some people overlook about this pistol is that the front sight post is an integral part of the barrel weight, which is clamped on the end of the 6" barrel. Hence, some of the mechanical factors that make other guns less accurate, such as a slightly sloppy barrel bushing fitment, have been eliminated. Minor slide slop is even slightly less mechanically relevant. I'm surprised more automatics don't have designs with the front sight integral to the business end of the barrel, in one manner or another.

Thank you for your well-written and considerate post!

Cheers!

 

[peterpin]

Hi there.
I purchased a FN Hi Power Competition 1 month ago, I 've been chasing one for years now. They are not that common here in Sweden.
After I got it I bought some new recoil springs from Wolf and there are some hickups.
I'm using the "standard" 17 lbs spring (it stated so on Wolfs homepage) and maybe 2-3 shoot of 100 the hammer is not cocked but it reloads a new bullet.
I was wondering that maybe the spring is to strong. I'm using 124 gr FMJ S&B ammo.

/Peter

 

[velocette]

peterpin;
Assuming all else in your pistol is proper, (hammer / sear have not been improperly modified) your recoil spring is too strong for the ammo you are using. As noted in my post above, get yourself the Wolff calibration spring pack & reduce your recoil spring until you get reliable function and last round lockback.
You may also be interested in replacing your mainspring (hammer spring) with a reduced power spring. That would help both trigger pull weight and function of the pistol. Again Wolff is your source.
A suggested course of action could be starting with a 28# main spring and a 15# recoil spring. This should put you pretty close to spot on with your ammo.

Roger

 

[MGSchindel]

Just fyi the mainspring in the FN GP Competition is already much lighter than a stock Hi Power, and the trigger already breaks at a pretty light 3.5 to 4 lbs.

Peterpin, try a 16 lb recoil spring and if necessary, then a 15 lb recoil spring, in your fn gp comp to see which it cycles more reliably with. The 17 lb spring is too heavy, due to the counter-weighted 6" barrel, which absorbs more energy from the bullet's detonation, using more energy to unlock the barrel, and causing the slide recoil more softly and slowly.

My fn gp guns cycle reliably with 14 lb and 15 lb progressive wolfe reduced power recoil springs. I will test the 16 lb spring as well, when I get it in. I'll post the results, and what ammo was used, when I receive the rest of my springs and test them all out.