Browning HP in .40?

[loudernhel]

When I pop open my pistol safe, I'm pleased with the utilitarian aspects of the drab, functional plastic guns I have inside but lately I've been wanting something that is nice to OWN,not just nice to use. You know, something all steel, with a blued finish, that I can gussy up with some wood grips.

Any body own or shoot a .40 Hi-Power? Problems? Concerns? Likes? DIslikes?



It's a classic that I've always wanted. I'm leaning towards .40 as that is what my other handguns are and I like to keep things simple. My understanding is that Browning took their time converting the gun over from 9mm and it doesn't have some of the issues that other guns have had.


Anybody know what a good street price on either all blued version or the two-toned practical is? They don't move that much on Gunbroker or Auction Arms. Tommy the Gun Pimp, my FFL, is looking for one for me but he's not having much luck.

 

[gpo1956]

I have a blued .40 HP and love it. It is the most consistantly accurate HP I own. It functions flawlessly(like most HPs do) out of the box. Recoil is not a problem at all. Due to the heavy recoil spring it is harder to work the slide and to strip, but not a major problem. I like mine so well I've sent the slide in to Don Williams to have Heinie sights installed. After the holidays I'll send in the frame and have some work done and it will probably become my CCW.

 

[pwrtool45]

I was very pleased with my blued MkIII. The mags are definitely free fallers. You can invert the pistol, button out and toss a mag halfway across the room. Not sure if that's still the case, but I thought it was quite entertaining.

 

[22/22mag]

My BHP .40 shoots every time feels solid looks great and recoil is mild.

 

[Brian D.]

Another fan here!

Have had my BHP .40 only a few weeks, and it's rapidly working its way up my personal "hit parade". Wish I'd realized sooner how soft they shoot with that heavier slide and recoil spring. Makes my model 22 Glock seem almost brutish by comparison. Have also realized that the mags, all being ten rounders, are economically priced, if you look around. Grabbed some Mec-gars (no mousetrap spring in the back, but otherwise the same as "factory" for $15 or so each lately. C-o-o-l!

 

[cratz2]

Hrmm... well... if I had some plastic guns that did their intended job but I was wanting to add something more substantial such as something all metal and blued with wood grips, I'd consider a 9mm BHP. Lots of advantages to the 9mm over the 40 even if you reload for the 40.

But having said that, a friend of a friend has an earlier BHP in all stainless. Shoots very nicely and recoil is a bit tamer than I expected (though I didn't really expect it to knock my socks off). He bought it used about three years ago and I believe it was from one of the first two years the 40 BHP was out.

Only one I remeber seeing lately (used) was on commission and the guy was wanting about $800 for the gun in original box with manual and about 8 full cap magazines and the two 10 rounders. And I can't think of the last time I saw a brand new 40 BHP on a shelf.

 

[Brian D.]

Forgot to mention...

One store here has had the BHPs trickle in from time to time. I think the plain-jane goes for $605, the all blued adjustable sight model about $650, the Practical $670 or so. That's for either caliber. Definitely keep your eye peeled for a used one, too. My .40, plain finish with fixed sights, box, two orig. mags, set me back $430 after some haggling. (Private sale at a Gun Collector's Assoc. show., two months or so back.) Pretty wide variance there, huh? As C.R. Sam (where IS he, anyhow?) always says: "Have patience, carry green."

 

[Shake]

I've fired a friends .40 Hi Power. I liked it a lot. Manageable recoil, accurate, reliable with the ammo I used. Did note (as mentioned previously) that the recoil spring is stout. I couldn't speak to it's long-term durability, but if you like .40 I don't see any reason not to get one.

Were it me, I'd prefer to have it in 9mm.

Shake

 

[loudernhel]

Hmmm....

I'm liking what I'm hearing.

The prices are definitely in the ouchie range though.

Maybe Tommy the Gun Pimp will work his magic and find me a deal...