Browning Hi Power hankering

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Batty, Congrats on your new Hi Power. The Hi Power is certainly not everybody's cup of tea, in any version, at any price. I admit to being a fan though, since the '60s, and have owned a succession of them. Enjoy your Hi Power.

BTW, What WVsig said about trigger return if mag safety is removed is absolutely correct, and something many Hi Power owners are apparently unaware of.
 
Took it apart and cleaned it pretty thoroughly. Get to know the piece. Disassembly so easy! Trigger is outstanding. Finish is pretty damn good all in all. Some wear of course for an almost 30-year old pistol.

Pix Sunday, when I might shoot it too.

Two issues. First, the original magazine that came with it does not lock back on empty. But two new Mecgars do just fine. I’m guessing that mag is worn out. Okay.

Other probably more serious. Releasing the slide with slide lock brings the hammer back toward home. Not all the way, like 1/4 cocked. I’ve read about that happening and something to look for and I missed. Too thrilled with the trigger and condition.

Could be a safety issue if it fires on an inserted magazine. I tend to doubt it could happen.

Not that I was going to carry it, but realistically, what do I (likelyba gun smith) need to do to rectify?
 
Batty67 said:
Other probably more serious. Releasing the slide with slide lock brings the hammer back toward home. Not all the way, like 1/4 cocked. I’ve read about that happening and something to look for and I missed. Too thrilled with the trigger and condition.
Click to expand...
Uh, oh, that sounds like a sear engagement issue, likely caused by the fellow who did the action job. Unless your pretty confident in your 'smithing abilities, I would recommend you have a pro fix that.
 
Look for "click test" here on The High Road and on the interwebs. Any type of hammer follow through is a problem, but not the end of the world. If I can install new sear/safety, hammer on a Hi-Power then pretty much anyone can.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
Uh, oh, that sounds like a sear engagement issue, likely caused by the fellow who did the action job. Unless your pretty confident in your 'smithing abilities, I would recommend you have a pro fix that.
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Not I. Plenty of good smiths locally and I was going to get sights and safety replaced anyhow. Will that change the already modified trigger, which is excellent? Any help on what part(s) I should get would be appreciated?

Thanks. Think I’m still going to really like my BHP.
 
Batty67 said:
Not I. Plenty of good smiths locally and I was going to get sights and safety replaced anyhow. Will that change the already modified trigger, which is excellent? Any help on what part(s) I should get would be appreciated?

Thanks. Think I’m still going to really like my BHP.
Click to expand...

You have hammer follow. The reason the trigger feels so good is that they sear and hammer engagement is too thin. It is a safety issue. IMHO. I would look to get a new sear and hammer. C&S is a good source for a good hammer and sear and safety kit. Any good smith who is familiar with BHP can install them. I would call someone like Novak and discuss options.

The locking back issue can be related to the sear and hammer engagement but it also could be a mag spring and recoil spring issue. If the mag spring is weak the follower will not fully engage. If the recoil spring is too weak the excess speed of the slide under recoil will overcome the mag spring. If the sear and hammer engagement is really bad the gun will return to battery overcoming the mag spring.
 
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WVsig said:
You have hammer follow. The reason the trigger feels so good is that they sear and hammer engagement is too thin. It is a safety issue. IMHO. I would look to get a new sear and hammer. C&S is a good source for a good hammer and sear and safety kit. Any good smith who is familiar with BHP can install them. I would call someone like Novak and discuss options.

The locking back issue can be related to the sear and hammer engagement but it also could be a mag spring and recoil spring issue. If the mag spring is weak the follower will not fully engage. If the recoil spring is too weak the excess speed of the slide under recoil will overcome the mag spring. If the sear and hammer engagement is really bad the gun will return to battery overcoming the mag spring.
Click to expand...

Thanks WVsig. Really appreciate the help. I just tried the "click" test for a BHP, repeatedly, and as far as I can tell, there is absolutely no click. I cannot see any changes either. Perhaps I'm not doing it right...

Definitely hammer follow, with an empty magazine or without. But the hammer stops before it hits the firing pin, like a quarter-click away. One thing I noticed on re-assembly is that the recoil spring seems really stout. As in, I had trouble only with that part of the reassembly and videos of reassembly made that part like a piece of cake.

Pbbbt. I did not think I overpaid for the BHP, but by the time I get this rectified I will have. Still, the ergonomics just feel right to me.
 
Batty67 said:
Thanks WVsig. Really appreciate the help. I just tried the "click" test for a BHP, repeatedly, and as far as I can tell, there is absolutely no click. I cannot see any changes either. Perhaps I'm not doing it right...

Definitely hammer follow, with an empty magazine or without. But the hammer stops before it hits the firing pin, like a quarter-click away. One thing I noticed on re-assembly is that the recoil spring seems really stout. As in, I had trouble only with that part of the reassembly and videos of reassembly made that part like a piece of cake.

Pbbbt. I did not think I overpaid for the BHP, but by the time I get this rectified I will have. Still, the ergonomics just feel right to me.
Click to expand...

The click test is not an exact science. When I test a prospective pistol I am looking a feel more than an audible click. Hard to describe but if you have done it enough you know the difference.

I have BHPs that make clock sound but the hammer sear enagement is sound. Do you have a local smith you trust?
 
Yes. But he’s got really off hours and closed Saturday. I suppose he’ll have to look at I t first and then I order the part(s) I need.

I must have some 3-4 hours checking out websites and gun forums before I made purchase and heard zip about BHP click test and now they’re everywhere it seems.

And the “nice guy” who sold me the gun with the outstanding trigger likely knew it had hammer follow was probably pleased I did not notice. Feeling naive and aggravated...
 
Lots of people “improve” their triggers without realizing the end result is a improperly functioning pistol. Don’t assume the seller knew about the issue and was dumping his/her problem on you.
 
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WVsig said:
Lots of people “improve” their triggers without realizing the end result is a improperly functioning pistol. Don’t assume the seller knew about the issue and was dumping his/her problem on you.
Click to expand...

I did state "likely knew". I did not fully assume it, but it is a definite possibility. Either way, it is my problem to fix and pay for. I have heard/read that plenty of folks shoot their BHPs with hammer follow...but I won't be one of them. I hope it is a straight-forward fix for my local gunsmith and I'm reporting back in a few weeks about how pleased I am with my BHP. Again, thanks for your help.
 
Batty67 said:
Now with pictures:
View attachment 798235 View attachment 798236
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Looks like a MKIII with a non-stock hammer. The gun would have originally shipped with a spur hammer. I can guarantee whoever installed the hammer "improved" it too much. As I stated before a pretty easy fix but the trigger will change. Sight should be easy to replace. You can get night sights that fit the factory dovetails.

https://www.brownells.com/handgun-p...-sight-set-prod70597.aspx?avs|Make_3=Browning
 
I like the hammer (not a fan of spur hammers in general). I already spoke with the gunsmith, and he wants to take a look first and assess what was "done to the trigger" and what they recommend to fix it. Luckily, he's just a 10-minute drive away, and I'll bring it by on Thursday. So I'll have to wait on what he says before buying parts, but thanks to you, I'll know where to order what is needed. I'm in it for the long haul on the BHP.
 
The spur hammer was the very first thing I got rid of. Mag disconnect was next . Bought all Cyinder and Slide components. Novak night sights ( which did require one simple cut , but the sights came with excellent instructions). Got the trigger down to slightly under 4 lbs ,but it feels lighter . I love my Hi Power and wish I had bought a second one before they discontinued them . This forum has a large and very loyal Hi Power following . Great gun , I'm sure you will enjoy it. Cylinder and Slide has a very nice selection of goodies. I would recommend the extended slide release and some trigger work . 20180708_175935.jpg
 
a2x4bbl: Nice-looking BHP. I'm going to drop mine off to be assessed by my local gunsmith on what needs to be done for the hammer follow issue. Likely a new sear and springs (S). But I'm also looking at the night sights and new grips. I have to say, I like the look of the wood, but thinner. So many choices. I'm starting to get used to the thumb safety, so that looks to be down the road, probably same for the slide release. The trigger on mine is so nice, but that looks to be part of the problem (find out soon). I expect it is around 4 lbs, maybe a touch lighter. Honestly, this is as light as I'd want to go, and if it raises a bit as part of the fix, I expect that would be totally fine.
 
A8FBFC5A-AAD3-43A8-9E04-36A8290330DB.jpg

Got my first one from a THR member off the classifieds here a few months ago. 1991 MkIII with forged frame. Bone stock with not a mark on it. I think I’ll leave it that way, including the mag safety.

As mentioned before, there are millions of BHPs out there. I can’t imagine the current prices and lack of availability being the long term norm.
 
Shot my MKIII today for the first time in a while, forgot how smooth it is to shoot.

Sadly, even with the disco out the trigger is still heavy enough I REALLY gotta try hard to shoot it as well as I expect.

Still, I need to load some more 9mm and shoot it more, it sure is fun and only made me bleed a little.
 
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