Browning Highpower hammer drops

[kentucky_smith]

I've got a Mk III that's a tackdriving machine and my favorite pistol, but tonight it started acting up. Sometimes when I drop the slide on a round, the hammer drops, and sometimes while firing the hammer doesn't stay cocked when the slide returns to battery.

Is this a possible sear/hammer engagement problem? I know 1911's in and out (put one together from scratch) but am unfamiliar with the BHP's internal workings.

Advice or detail strip guide I can download?


Thanks.

 

[gb6491]

There are some disassembly instructions here: http://www.drivehq.com/file/df.aspx/publish/bungib/PublicFolder/guns/detailstrip.html

You might want to give this link a look as well: http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=146749

Regards,
Greg

 

[AZ_Rebel]

Most often, if the hammer and sear angles have not been messed with, increasing the pressure of the sear spring will cure this problem.

Just bend the upper portion of the leaf slightly. You will need to take the spring out to do this but you can find instructions for disassembly on line.

If the sear and/or hammer angles are bad best to take it to a smith.

 

[BBBBill]

+1 on what AZ Rebel said. HiPowers are very sensitive to inadequate sear spring tension. the other thing is how much wear is on the sear. HiPower sears are considered to be somewhat soft. A high use gun may show wear there and problems like you are seeing. If so, replace with a hard sear from EGW or C&S.

 

[Mizar]

Kentucky_smith, this link may be useful for you - http://midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/CTGY/browning-hi-power-field-service-manual
It is a field service manual for Hi Power. In this manual also are shown the acceptable angles for the sear and the hammer full cock notch. As the good guys on the forum suggested, check the sear spring tension first.

Best,
Boris

 

[kentucky_smith]

Thanks guys, as soon as I get a good punch to get the ambi safety off I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[chriske]

FN Hi Powers (in a wide variety of configurations) are very widespread over here (Belgium) & I never met any dissatisfied HP owner yet. (myself included).
Of the - and I stress this- VERY RARE failures I heard about and/or witnessed however, the one you describe (hammer falling to half-cock when the slide returns into battery) seems to crop up about as often as all the others combined.
In other words; in the VERY unlikely event a HP malfunctions, more often than not it will be due to sear-trouble.
Almost every time this is cured by installing a new sear.

Just my 2 cts.