THE SHOOTER'S GUIDE TO THE BROWNING HI POWER
CONTENTS
Introduction........................................................................................................................... 1
Brief History of the Hi Power........................................................................................... 3
General Specifications........................................................................................................ 5
Today’s Hi Powers vs Yesterday’s..................................................................................... 7
The "Classic" Hi Power........................................................................................................ 8
The Mk II Hi Power............................................................................................................ 9
The Mk III Hi Power......................................................................................................... 12
Other Models Based on the Mk III................................................................................ 15 Standard................................................................................................................... 15
Practical.................................................................................................................... 15
Capitan...................................................................................................................... 15
FN Competition Model....................................................................................................... 17
Ammunition Observations and the Browning Hi Power................................................ 19
General Purpose 9mm Ammunition................................................................................... 21
Winchester 115-gr "USA" FMJ......................................................................... 25
Fiocchi 115-gr FMJ............................................................................................... 25
PMP 115-gr FMJ.................................................................................................... 25
High Performance 9mm Ammunition................................................................................ 27
Standard Pressure 9mm JHPs......................................................................................... 32
Federal 115-gr JHP (9 BP).................................................................................. 32
Federal 124-gr Nyclad HP.................................................................................. 33
Remington 147-gr Golden Saber........................................................................ 35
+P and +P+ 9mm JHPs........................................................................................................ 37
Winchester 127-gr +P+ JHP (RA9TA)............................................................. 37
Corbon 115-gr +P JHP.......................................................................................... 38
Remington 115-gr +P JHP.................................................................................... 40
.40 S&W Ammunition........................................................................................................ 42
Final Thoughts on Defensive Ammo for the Hi Power................................................ 43
9mm Hi Power Chronography........................................................................................... 44
Forged vs Cast Frames..................................................................................................... 46
The Custom Hi Power........................................................................................................ 49
What Do We NEED?....................................................................................................... 50
Reliability.............................................................................................................. 50
Accuracy................................................................................................................ 50
Good Trigger Pull................................................................................................. 50
Sights...................................................................................................................... 51
Comfort.................................................................................................................. 51
Thumb Safety....................................................................................................... 51
Getting What We Need.................................................................................................. 52
What Do We WANT?..................................................................................................... 61
Custom Touches We Don't Need................................................................................... 64
Bevel Magazine Well.......................................................................................... 64
Checkering............................................................................................................ 64
Checkering the Front of the Trigger Guard.................................................. 64
Variable Recoil Springs..................................................................................... 64
Reduced-Power Mainsprings............................................................................. 65
Recommended Spare Parts............................................................................................. 66
Firing Pin Retaining Plates................................................................................ 66
Firing Pins............................................................................................................ 66
Extractors and Springs..................................................................................... 66
Recoil Spring Guide........................................................................................... 66
Frequently Asked Questions........................................................................................ 67
Cleaning............................................................................................................................. 84
Holsters I Know that Work with the Browning Hi Power....................................... 92
Milt Sparks Summer Special........................................................................... 92
Kramer Duane Thomas Perfectionist.............................................................. 92
Milt Sparks Mirage.......................................................................................... 92
Alessi CQC-I...................................................................................................... 92
Kenneth L Null UNS.......................................................................................... 92
Kenneth L Null VHH.......................................................................................... 92
Comparing the Hi Power to Other Pistols................................................................. 97
Squaring Off with the 1911............................................................................. 97
Face to Face with the Glock........................................................................... 116
Hi Power vs CZ-75........................................................................................... 121
Final Thoughts on Compared Pistols.............................................................. 128
Getting Good with It.................................................................................................... 130
Conclusion....................................................................................................................... 136
FIGURES
Figure 1. Duty Mk III................................................................................................. 2
Figure 2. Hi Power and FAL........................................................................................ 4
Figure 3. Mk III Hi Power......................................................................................... 6
Figure 4. Custom Hi Power.......................................................................................... 7
Figure 5. Mk II Hi Power.......................................................................................... 11
Figure 6. Top View Mk II Hi Power........................................................................ 11
Figure 7. Cast Frame Mk III................................................................................... 13
Figure 8. Forged Frame Mk III.............................................................................. 13
Figure 9. Cast vs Forged Frames............................................................................. 14
Figure 10. 9mm Practical........................................................................................... 15
Figure 11. FN GP Competition................................................................................... 18
Figure 12. STI 15-yd Group..................................................................................... 22
Figure 13. Composite 25-yd Hi Power Group........................................................ 22
Figure 14. Custom Hi Power...................................................................................... 23
Figure 15. 15-yd Fiocchi Group............................................................................... 24
Figure 16. Federal 115-gr JHP Expanded............................................................. 32
Figure 17. Federal 124-gr Nyclad HP.................................................................... 34
Figure 18. Federal 124-gr Nyclad HP Expanded................................................. 35
Figure 19. Remington 147-gr Golden Saber Expanded....................................... 36
Figure 20. Winchester 127-gr +P+......................................................................... 38
Figure 21. Winchester 127-gr RA9TA vs Federal 115-gr JHP........................ 38
Figure 22. Corbon 115-gr JHP +P........................................................................... 39
Figure 23. Remington 115-gr JHP +P...................................................................... 41
Figure 24. Federal 115-gr JHP vs Remington 115-gr JHP +P Expanded......... 41
Figure 25. Mk III Feed Ramp................................................................................ 52
Figure 26. Bomar Rear Sight on Hi Power............................................................ 56
Figure 27. Top View Bomar Rear Sight................................................................. 56
Figure 28. Novak LoMount Rear Sight and C&S Ring Hammer........................ 56
Figure 29. Novak Front Sight................................................................................. 57
Figure 30. Stock vs Bobbed Hammer.................................................................... 59
Figure 31. Mk III and Holster............................................................................... 63
Figure 32. Mk III 15-yd Groups........................................................................... 63
Figure 33. Retaining Plate........................................................................................ 67
Figure 34. Magazine Disconnect............................................................................. 69
Figure 35. Hi Power Barrel Seam........................................................................... 70
Figure 36. "Hooded" vs "Non-Hooded" Barrels.................................................. 71
Figure 37. Correct Spring Guide Rod Assembly................................................. 71
Figure 38. Incorrect Spring Guide Rod Assembly............................................. 72
Figure 39. Left Side Thumb Lever......................................................................... 74
Figure 40. Hi Power Internal Parts........................................................................ 74
Figure 41. Magazine Release Screw....................................................................... 75
Figure 42. Magazine Release................................................................................... 75
Figure 43. Retaining Plate Downward.................................................................... 76
Figure 44. Firing Pin Safety in Slide.................................................................... 77
Figure 45. Sear Lever Roll Pin............................................................................... 77
Figure 46. Firing Pin Safety Removed.................................................................. 77
Figure 47. Magazine Floor Plate Removed........................................................... 79
Figure 48. Magazine Disassembled........................................................................ 79
Figure 49. Hi Power Frame Top View.................................................................... 80
Figure 50. Cleaning Supplies................................................................................... 84
Figure 51. Hi Power Breech Face............................................................................ 85
Figure 52. Hi Power Ejector.................................................................................... 86
Figure 53. Hi Power Locking Lugs........................................................................... 88
Figure 54. Hi Power Barrel Wear........................................................................... 88
Figure 55. Magazine Cleaning.................................................................................. 89
Figure 56. Magazine Feed Lips............................................................................... 89
Figure 57. Mk III and Magazine........................................................................... 90
Figure 58. Mk III and Fobus Holster................................................................... 93
Figure 59. Bianchi "Askins Avenger" Holster...................................................... 93
Figure 60. Mk III Holster and Magazine Carrier............................................. 94
Figure 61. Mk III and Belt Slide Holster............................................................ 95
Figure 62. Revolver and Nylon Chest Holster..................................................... 96
Figure 63. Bar-Sto Match Barrel......................................................................... 100
Figure 64. SIG P-210.............................................................................................. 102
Figure 65. 1911 and Hi Power................................................................................. 103
Figure 66. Hi Power Magazine Hold Open........................................................... 105
Figure 67. 1911 Plunger Tube................................................................................. 106
Figure 68. Hi Power Barrel Support.................................................................... 107
Figure 69. STI Barrel Support and Feed Ramp................................................ 108
Figure 70. 1911 Feed Ramp..................................................................................... 108
Figure 71. 1911 Breech Face................................................................................... 109
Figure 72. Winchester Ranger T 9mm and .45 Expanded................................ 112
Figure 73. 1911 Muzzle with Ammo...................................................................... 115
Figure 74. Practical from Front............................................................................ 116
Figure 75. Glock Extractor.................................................................................... 118
Figure 76. Glock Barrel Support.......................................................................... 118
Figure 77. Glock Breech Face Cracked............................................................... 120
Figure 78. CZ-75 Feed Ramp................................................................................ 123
Figure 79. Hi Power vs CZ-75.............................................................................. 124
Figure 80. CZ-75 Target....................................................................................... 125
Figure 81. STI Trojan and Deer........................................................................... 130
Figure 82. Mk III and Ammo................................................................................ 134
Figure 83. Mk III Group....................................................................................... 135
Figure 84. Custom Classic Hi Power..................................................................... 135
Figure 85. Duty Hi Power and Plaque................................................................... 135
TABLES
Table 1. .40 S&W JHP Velocities......................................................................... 42
Table 2. 9mm Velocities.......................................................................................... 44
Table 3. 9mm 6” Velocities..................................................................................... 45
Table 4. Miscellaneous .40 Velocities.................................................................. 45