BROWNING Hi-Power
Posted May 25, 2023
The Browning Hi-Power is one of the most iconic handguns ever produced. Often referred to as the “GP35” or the “Grand Puissance,” this semi-automatic pistol was designed by John Browning in the early 20th century and is currently manufactured by the Belgian company Fabrique Nationale (FN). The Hi-Power is best known for its high magazine capacity and excellent reliability. Many consider it one of the most historically significant pistols, and it is still widely used by law enforcement and militaries around the world.
At first glance, the Hi-Power appears to be a classic handgun. It has a steel frame with a Nitron finish, and the trigger and hammer have a blued finish. The grip is textured, which helps with ergonomics and shooting comfort. The Hi-Power is easily recognized by its distinctive shape, with its squared-off grip and rounded trigger guard. It also features a standard M1913 Picatinny rail on top of the frame, allowing you to mount optics or lasers.
The Hi-Power has a conventional locked-breech, short-recoil system that is similar to the famous M1911. The primary difference is that the Hi-Power uses a single action trigger mechanism. This means that the trigger must be pulled in order to fire each shot, and the hammer must be cocked every time the slide is pulled backward (or if the decocker is used). The trigger pull has an average weight of about 4.5 pounds and a relatively short travel distance of just over a quarter-inch.
The magazine capacity of the Hi-Power is currently 13 rounds (in most variants), which is quite impressive for this type of handgun. The magazine is double-stacked and made of steel for durability. The Hi-Power also comes with a detachable magazine, allowing you to quickly and easily switch magazines when necessary.
When it comes to accuracy, the Hi-Power is surprisingly precise. This is due to its incredible ergonomics and balance. With its long sight radius and excellent trigger, the Hi-Power can be easily used to hit targets at distances up to 50 yards. This accuracy is further enhanced by its 3-dot sights, which use tritium elements for better visibility in low-light situations.
Overall, the Browning Hi-Power is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable, accurate pistol for personal protection or shooting competitions. The Hi-Power has an iconic look, is incredibly reliable, and has excellent ergonomics and accuracy. It is an ideal weapon for home defense, target shooting, and law enforcement/military applications. It is also widely available and relatively affordable, making it one of the best handguns on the market today.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
-High Capacity: The Browning Hi-Power has a large capacity for a handgun, sporting a 13+1 round count in its magazine, and can accept even higher capacity extended magazines.
-Ergonomic: Many people find the Hi-Power to have a great ergonomic feel in their hands. This is likely due to the design of the grip and the lightweight frame.
-Accurate: The Browning Hi-Power has a reputation for being an extremely accurate pistol. It has a fixed barrel, a 3-dot sight system, ambidextrous thumb and grip safeties, as well as good trigger pull.
Cons:
-Expensive: Of course, like many other high quality firearms, the Browning Hi-Power comes with a price tag. As of 2019, the MSRP of the new Hi-Power starts slightly over $800.
-Complicated Maintenance: The Hi-Power is a complicated firearm and was built with design considerations that make it a little more difficult to maintain than many other auto-loading handguns. This will likely necessitate more frequent maintenance and cleaning.
-Limited Parts Availability: Thanks to the Hi-Power's long production run, some of the parts for the gun are getting harder to find, with 14 distinct generations of Hi-Power having been built since the start of production in 1935.
Who Should Buy
This gun is not recommended for inexperienced shooters since it requires some basic knowledge of firearms and gun safety to operate correctly. It is not a good choice for someone looking for a small, concealable handgun. The Hi-Power is typically intended for military, police, or competitive shooters who have the necessary experience and understanding of firearms. This gun is considered to be among the most accurate and reliable handguns available and is the perfect choice for those who have a need for superior performance.
Comparisons
| Brand | Model | Caliber | Mag Capacity | Price | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browning | Hi-Power | 9mm | 13 rounds | $899 | 33 oz |
| Sig Sauer | P226 | 9mm | 15 rounds | $949 | 34.4 oz |
| Beretta | 92FS | 9mm | 15 rounds | $630 | 33.3 oz |
| Glock | 17 | 9mm | 17 rounds | $549 | 21.16 oz |
| Smith & Wesson | M&P 9 | 9mm | 17 rounds | $569 | 24.25 oz |
Features / Specs
-Type: Semi-Automatic Pistol
-Caliber: 9mm Luger
-Barrel : 4.62 Inches
-Capacity: 13 or 10 Round Detachable Magazine
-Overall Length: 7.75 Inches
-Weight: 2.05 Pounds
-Sighting: Fixed 3-Dot Sight
-Muzzle Velocity: 1317 FPS
-Grips: Checkered Wooden or Polymer
Popular Accessories
pistols?
- Holsters
- Magazine Pouches
- Magazine Extension Base Pads
4.Hand Grips
- Magazine Disconnects
- Sights and Mounts
- Match Grade Barrels
- Recoil Springs
- Flashlights & Laser Accessories
- Trigger Pull Reduction Kits
Accuracy
The Browning Hi-Power is widely known for its accuracy and reliability. It is capable of grouping shots into approximately 3 inches at 25 meters using standard factory ammunition. With more expensive hand loaded match grade ammunition, groups may be even smaller. It is extremely popular among competitive and recreational shooters. Many shooters have praised the Hi-Power’s natural aiming capability. The pistol has a low bore axis which allows the shooter to keep the sight picture steady while shooting with minimal muzzle flip. Sights on the Hi-Power can be adjusted for both windage and elevation and are among the most user friendly of any military grade pistol.
