Thinking Of Getting A Hi Power

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Mr.Blue

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I'm thinking of picking up a Browning Hi Power. Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to shoot one. I'll be buying it on reputation only.

I love 1911's and CZ 75B's so I'm assuming that I would love the Hi Power. From what I've read, the ergonomics are fairly similar to both platforms. I know that the grip is smaller on the Hi Power. My only concern is hammer bite. Is hammer bite common for most shooters?

For those of you with CZ 75s and Hi Powers, do you think that it even makes sense to buy a Hi Power? I've read that the 75B is an improvement on the Hi Power. That said, it came almost 50 years later so I respect the Hi Power's staying power.

BTW, I want the gun in Digital Green Camo. I know it is a very polarizing color, but I dig it for some reason.

Thanks.
 
I don't know where "Limbo" is but if you lived near me I would let you try one. Not to sound negative but prior to handling them I had my sights set on a CZ75B, didn't really know the Hi Power existed. I had shot a 1911 and didn't think it was the gun for me hence the CZ. However when I did find one it just didn't feel right but there was something similar in the case next to it, sure enough a Hi Power and that felt perfect! If you want one I say go for it. If you want a "shooter" I would recommend a MKIII based on what I have learned. Hi Powers & Handguns is an excellent resource if you don't already know about it. I personally have never had an issue with hammer bite but I have long & somewhat skinny hands, think piano player with no skills! The spur style hammer on a MKIII is easy enough to dock if it is an issue for you though.
 
I've got a 75 and love love love the ergonomics. 1911's, not so much, but they're not terrible either. Hi-power was pretty good for me. The grip is a little on the small side (I wear a med/lg glove, skinny fingers) hammer bite was not an issue in my somewhat limited experience. They can have super triggers with some work, but out of the box they're pretty bad. Better with the mag disconnect removed, but still need work. I was all set to love and buy the ones I handled and fired, but went away pretty underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong, they're nice, I really dig the lines etc, but it wasn't enough to get me to pony up the (in my opinion) too high price they command.
 
I think the CZ 75 is very close to the BHP in terms of ergonomics, except for the hammer shapes.
I've never had a BHP bite me, but my hands aren't real meaty, so the web of my hand doesn't swell around the beavertail enough to get bitten.

I almost went with a BHP, but the lower price and the DA trigger option on the CZ swayed me in that direction.

The two guns are very similar.
 
I don't know where "Limbo" is but if you lived near me I would let you try one.
Click to expand...

Haha. Limbo is Wisconsin, but moving to VA/MD next month. Thanks for the offer.
 
I have both.
I love both.
I find the ergos of the BHP to be impeccable. The CZ's ergos are very close, but not quite as nice.
Both have been very reliable.
The CZ get's used more just because I'm not afraid to get a little scratch or blemish on it. I should shoot the BHP more often, but it's just so dang nice, I hate to get it dirty.
It comes down to having a DA/SA or a SA only.
 
The HP is, IMHO, the best pistol ever designed around the 9mm cartridge. It fits my hand better than another other pistol, with a Sig P225 being a close runner up.
A HPs trigger will never be as nice as a 1911 trigger, but removing the stupid Mag Disconnect Safety improves it a lot.
Never got into the CZs, but people really seem to like them.
 
I like the Hi Power, but I'd have a hard time paying the going rate for a new one. I'd look for a good used one, maybe a Hungarian or Israeli or Argentine clone. I have an Inglis myself, but those tend to be expensive too - I just got lucky when I found mine.
 
I have a Hi-Power Practical with the ring trigger. It's a well built good shooting gun and hammer bite isn't an issue with a ring trigger. The Mark III Hi-Powers (which the Practical is) have a cast steel frame and are very strong. I don't think you can go wrong. I also have some FN HP-DAs which aren't techniclly Hi-Powers (though made by FN Herstal as are all Hi-Powers) but they are also good solid guns. Though no longer made, you can find them on the gun sale sites.

Best regards,
Bill in Cleveland
 
genstab I have a Hi-Power Practical with the ring trigger. It's a well built good shooting gun and hammer bite isn't an issue with a ring trigger...
Click to expand...
Hammer bite is almost never caused by a trigger.;)
 
I consider the Hi Power to be one of the classic "must own" handguns along with the 1911. Try to find a T series and you will be very happy for years to come.
 
My Hi-power experience is limited; however, had a Mk III 'Pracical' with the ring hammer. I grip high on most handguns and the ring hammer bit me enough that it wasn't fun to shoot it. A Cylinder and Slide "no bite" hammer cured that. Got a bad case of "wantitis" and sold the Mk III.

Currently have a Hi-power in .40SW and just got one of the Israeli ex-security service Hi-powers in 9mm. Both have the spur type hammer and I have never had hammer bite with either. Both are 100% reliable and as accurate as I can shoot. Shoot enough and you get used to the 'not so great' trigger. Both my Hi-powers are here to stay, I will never be without one again. By the way, the Israeli was refinished with an OD dura-coat. Hope this helps. Keep shootin'
 
I have had a Hi-Power for many years and it is my wife's favorite pistol. My youngest son shot several makes of pistols and didn't do too well with any of them. I stuck a Hi-Power in his hand and it was like a miracle. He could finally hit what he was shooting at with a target smaller than a paper plate. My FIL bought a '72 model and had Claudio at Briley customize it for him. What a wonderful pistol. You will never go wrong buying a Hi-Power.
 
I don't own either but the gold standard in 9 mm semi-sutos is the High Power. They are in a class by themselfs. If I could afford one I would buy one.
Good luck,
 
A Hi-Power is simply a benchmark firearm. Along with a 1911, a S&W M&P revolver, a Mauser 98, a Winchester 94 or a Browning Auto-5 its must have for a rounded collection.

The HP is simply a joy to shoot. Having said that, I am not a fan of single action condition one carry. Unless an HP has the exaggerated safety its worse than a 1911 in that respect. I doubt you can find one today but the HP-DAO by FN is the ultimate HP.

As to price, both the Argentine FM and the Hungarian FEG (also encountered as Charles Daly, Mauser and Luger) are decent guns and near exact copies.
 
TwoAmigos.jpg

I own both. I went about this situation the opposite of you. I started with a BHP, then another, and thought, do I want a CZ 75B?

Well, I found a CZ 85B for a nice price and I bought it.

I love 1911's and CZ 75B's so I'm assuming that I would love the Hi Power. From what I've read, the ergonomics are fairly similar to both platforms. I know that the grip is smaller on the Hi Power. My only concern is hammer bite. Is hammer bite common for most shooters?
Click to expand...

I have not experienced any hammer bite.

For those of you with CZ 75s and Hi Powers, do you think that it even makes sense to buy a Hi Power?
Click to expand...

Yes. It always makes sense to buy a quality firearm when you can afford to do so.

BTW, I want the gun in Digital Green Camo. I know it is a very polarizing color, but I dig it for some reason.
Click to expand...

:what:

Okay if you do that then get the Mark III with the Black Epoxy finish! Don't do that to the beautiful bluing on a Hi-Power Standard!

Well, it will be yours, so do what ever you want!

I shoot my BHP slightly better than the CZ 85B. Slightly. I have more time on the BHP and that has to be considered.
The factory trigger on my two BHP's, both made in 2009 are crisp and clean and are great. No modification needed.
The CZ 85B was made in 2009 as well.

ThreeAmigos_1.jpg

Seriously... you would change the finish on a Hi-Power! :what: :)
 
sirgilligan
Quote:
BTW, I want the gun in Digital Green Camo. I know it is a very polarizing color, but I dig it for some reason.
Click to expand...

Okay if you do that then get the Mark III with the Black Epoxy finish! Don't do that to the beautiful bluing on a Hi-Power Standard!
Click to expand...
The Digital Green Camo was a factory finish available a couple of years ago.
 
My hands are fairly large to the point where a Glock 20 is a good fit. I've fired thousands of rounds through my 1968 vintage Hi-Power and never experienced hammer bite or any other kind of discomfort.
 
There are also other pistols similar to the hi power. I have a few Arcus pistols which are very similar, the 94 series being the closest to the hi power. The 98DA in the picture is just a tad bigger than a hi power and is DA/SA.


cz_arcus_bhp1.gif
 
I've owned a Browning Hi-Power, a FN Hi-Power in .40, a Charles Daly Hi-Power (FEG parts) and a FEG Hi-Power. I still have a Browning and a FEG.

I've owned a several CZs. 75bs and compacts. I sold them all. CZ triggers irritate the end of my trigger finger. Actually make it sore. I even tried the straighter 85B trigger on a P01. On the CZ forums I found out that I'm not the only one, that has problems with CZ triggers. Other than that, CZ75Bs are the cat's meow.

I do have an all steel Witness (CZ 75b copy, not an exact clone) that I think highly of. But, at heart, I'm a Hi-Power man.

As far as Hi-Power hammer bite: some shooters have problems, some don't. A fleshy hand web is more subject to get pinched. Ring hammers seem to be worse than spur hammers. Stephen
Camp, the world's foremost Hi-Power expert, even though he's passed away, removed part of the spur, to relieve hammer bite. Cylinder & Slide sells a "No Bite" hammer. It's a ring hammer. In my readings, it's suggested to get a matching sear, when replacing the hammer, with the Cylinder & Slide hammer.
 
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Don't do it. Give it to me instead :). I really like my hi-power, but once you go down this path it is hard to turn back. So I repeat give me the hi-power instead of keeping it for yourself.
 
For many of the same reasons that you love CZ75s and 1911s, you will also love the HP. For those of us who love classic steel pistols, those are the three must-haves. (If you broaden the definition to alloy, you will want to include the SIG P220 and perhaps the Beretta 92 someday.)

I have all three. If I could never own an additional pistol, I would live happily with that as my collection.
 
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