Seen on the street in Kyiv.

Words of Advice:

"If Something Seems To Be Too Good To Be True, It's Best To Shoot It, Just In Case." -- Fiona Glenanne

“The Mob takes the Fifth. If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?” -- The TOFF *

"Foreign Relations Boil Down to Two Things: Talking With People or Killing Them." -- Unknown

“Speed is a poor substitute for accuracy.” -- Real, no-shit, fortune from a fortune cookie

"If you believe that you are talking to G-d, you can justify anything.” — my Dad

"Colt .45s; putting bad guys in the ground since 1873." -- Unknown

"Stay Strapped or Get Clapped." -- probably not Mr. Rogers

"The Dildo of Karma rarely comes lubed." -- Unknown

"Eck!" -- George the Cat

* "TOFF" = Treasonous Orange Fat Fuck, A/K/A Dolt-45,
A/K/A Commandante (or Cadet) Bone Spurs,
A/K/A El Caudillo de Mar-a-Lago, A/K/A the Asset., A/K/A P01135809

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Talk Me Down From Buying a Browning High Power

I don't need a Browning High Power. Hell, I don't even shoot semi automatics all that well. I very much prefer revolvers. But I have always liked the looks of one, and it is, pretty much, John M Browning's last masterpiece.

So please, Gentle Readers, give me some reasons why I shouldn't buy one.

14 comments:

Old 1811 said...

The thumb safety is way too small to be usable and they may have trouble feeding hollowpoints.
That's the best I can do. I had one 30 years ago, sold it back to the guy I bought it from, and I'm still kicking myself.

Murphy's Law said...

Coolest 9mm ever. The European equivalent of the 1911. 14 shots. Love mine and always looking for another one at a decent price. Do it!

Oh, sorry...not what you wanted to hear?

Buy it. You'll be glad that you did later.

Comrade Misfit said...

Murph, what's a good price for a used Mk. III?

Marc said...

Pick a gun you use regularly and decide if you want to replace it with this one. If the answer is 'yes' then do it, but then sell the other one to someone who will use it. I have only one gun. If I get wandering eyes, I do the above thought process, and have yet to change. Good luck on your decision!

Z@X said...

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com


Stephen Camp is no longer with us, but he left a legacy of knowledge at his website; it could help talk you into or out of getting that pistol.



Murphy's Law said...

Buying new of used? Gotta say that I haven't gotten a feel for prices on newer MKIII guns. I look for and shoot the original models and MKII versions, typically military surplus guns. But there's nothing wrong with the III, and you'll be happy to know that the feed problems Old1811 mentioned disappeared when Browning began to throat the MKII pistols to take hollowpoints.

I guess if you find one at a price you're comfortable with, pull the trigger. Ten years down the road, no matter what you paid for it, it'll still have increased in value.

Old NFO said...

http://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2013/3/20/whats-wrong-with-the-hi-power/

But I still have and shoot one... ;-)

Sport Pilot said...

Sorry my friend I can't do it because I love the BHP. Is it perfect? No. But ergonomically its the best feeling pistol I've ever used extensively.

Comrade Misfit said...

OK, dammit! I'll buy one.

Ole Phat Stu said...

You don't need yet another gun; for that amount of money you could go flying for a few hours, which would be MUCH more satisfying :-)

Anonymous said...

The only thing wrong with a Browning Hi-Power (particularly the later ones with ambi-safety) is that a Glock is better. The only thing wrong with a Glock is that is has no soul.

The BHP is my favorite 9mm pistol (and I have owned and shot many). But the Glock is better. Ugly, cheap-feeling, but ultimately reliable. I own and love a BHP. But I carry a Glock.

Like comparing an AR to an AK. You just gotta go with the one "just keeps on going and going and going."

So If you don't have a Glock, it makes no sense to buy a BHP. If you have a Glock you don't need a BHP.

That's the best reason not to buy I can come up with.

Anonymous said...


Greetings Potential Cult Member

For me, the BHP is the Art Deco Euro Roadster that one buys and then tweaks over time and increasing familiarity. Eliminating the magazine-disconnect safety is the biggest step toward a decent trigger and several smiths can complete the transformation. Beyond that, see what your hands tell you before any other work. I bought mine new in the mid 1990's finally finished the tweaks over the next ten years as budget allowed. As a final rude gesture to the "let's ban something" crowd, there are quality 20 round magazines still to be found.
My J frame and Glocks are the daily "beaters", but the BHP is the showpiece.

Comrade Misfit said...

Spring kit's already on order (I always replace the recoil springs of used pistols). As to the rest, we'll see. Mag disconnect will likely go away in short orer.

Tod Germanica said...

Get the Hungarian FEG version. Parts compatible with Belgium and Portugal versions and cheaper. Best ergonomics ever, sits low in the hand. An improved model 1911 firing a better round that can penetrate better than the .45 ACP. Even the FBI is going back to the 9mm. Go get one.