A Gathering of Hi-Powers...

[Jason Burton]

By some small chance of luck the forces of nature aligned and I managed to gather a small group of Hi-Powers together long enough to take a few pictures. The Hi-Power continues to be a popular pistol at our shop and the “ammo crisis” of this last year seemed to give a boost to that popularity, at least from our perspective. Despite this popularity it’s not often that we can manage to get one Hi-Power to set still long enough for me to do photos, let alone four... somebody must have been looking out for me this day. :D

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20342127801.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

No matter what many folks might say, in my mind there is no doubt why the Browning Hi-Power remains a smart choice for those seeking a 9mm platform. The Hi-Power is very efficient at what it does and given the right modifications and proper tuning it will do just about everything the 1911 will do, save launching .45 caliber bullets down range.

The guns pictured here show that the Hi-Power platform offers a host of options that can provide for anyone’s preference whether it be a gun with sharkskin stippling and a properly trimmed hammer or one that features a weld-on beavertail and hand-cut checkering front and rear. A good set of sights and a thumb safety that’s actually useable make the package even better and when you add in our trigger travel reduction and a durable finish to either format and you’ve got yourself a fighting handgun that can meet any challenge over the long haul.

Whether it be a full-house gun or a more simplistic using piece the P35 remains a very concealable and shootable platform that can yield a very workable single action trigger and holds a bunch of bullets to boot! It’s like a friend of mine once said, “Yup 9mm, lots of 9mm!“ Enjoy the pictures!


http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20342127812.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20342127793.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20342127764.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20342127775.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20990585831.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20990585822.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20990585813.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20990585804.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20990586035.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

[Mark71]

Amazing pics! I am in love with that Blued gun. The Hi-Power is one of the few guns that I lust for. One of these days I am going to finally pick one up.

[tinman44]

Well i suppose its comforting to know that some high powers are reliable. Even if it required some work. Also you guys at HP are professionals and artists and I wish I could afford to sent my 1911 your way. One day I will, not today though :(

[TOrrock]

There are few pistols on this planet more elegant than a Browning Hi Power.

I love them, but they just tear my bear paws up too badly without serious work on the hammer/backstrap.

[John_Wayne777]

When I picked up a Hi-Power for the first time I was excited because I was finally going to handle a weapon that had been so revered by so many for so long. It was a stock Browning and the romance dried up pretty quick. After shooting it I distinctly remember thinking that it was pretty friggin' lame.

It wasn't until many years later when I got to shoot an expertly customized Hi-Power that I finally understood what all the fuss was about. When you get one that's expertly customized it's a dream to shoot, and it's generally pretty good looking to boot.

...now if only I was insanely wealthy. :D

[blackscot]

I'd give up a nut for this one.



http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20342127764.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

[Alex F]

I wish there was a factory Hi Power with that beavertail on it.

Beautiful work on those, thanks for sharing the pictures!

[msr]

I'd give up a nut for this one.

Ditto!

[Shane1]

Wow, awesome work as always Jason. The 1st pistol I ever fired when I was 8 yoa was a BHP. I have owned 3 so far, even carried one as a duty gun for a while. My current is a Practical Model. Something about the Hi Power just draws me to it. Own of my buds favorite comments is "The 1911, perfected in 1935" :)

[DacoRoman]

I am always stunned at how beautiful the Hi Power can be...amazing pistols.

[msr]

I wish there was a factory Hi Power with that beavertail on it.

Beautiful work on those, thanks for sharing the pictures!

So where does one get a beavertail for a Hi Power?

[M4arc]

SEXY!

[DrMark]

Yowza! Those are beautiful.

[SmokeJumper]

Those are SWEET!

[militarymoron]

wow, those are pretty! bet they shoot as nicely as they look.
what black synthetic grip panels are those?

[Hunter Rose]

They look like the VZ Diamondback grips.

[militarymoron]

They look like the VZ Diamondback grips.
thanks, that's what they are - i looked them up. they really look good on that particular gun.

[N.Y.45 ACP]

Very nice work !!

I have the Hi-Power in the safe...now if I only had a few $grand to spare....

[Combat_Diver]

Jason,

Beautiful work there. I like a good BHP and so did the Iraqis. There is allot of them floating around. I had 6 last year.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/FN_P35s.JPG

This one was found in one of Saddam's palaces in Baghdad, notice the initals on the lower right mother of pearl grip. Pistol is a factory FN engraved Grande Preisance. Was trying to get the paperwork for a muesum but when I came back 3 mos later it grow legs. This was in late 03' early 04'.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/BHP-SH-_2.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/BHP-SH-_1.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/BHP-SH-_3.jpg

This one was presented to Uday Hussan (transcrption in Arabic on slide)
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/BHP-SH-chopped_3.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/BHP-SH-chopped_1.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/BHP-SH-chopped_2.jpg

CD

[mattjmcd]

so saucy!!!

I love to look a nicely tricked BHP.

[Jason Burton]

Gents, as always we appreciate the kind words.


So where does one get a beavertail for a Hi Power?

You make it from scratch out of a block of steel.


What black synthetic grip panels are those?


They look like the VZ Diamondback grips.

Correct, the synthetic grips from John at VZ Grips are second to none.




This one was presented to Uday Hussan (transcrption in Arabic on slide)
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/BHP-SH-chopped_3.jpg

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/BHP-SH-chopped_2.jpg

Interesting to note that, in addition to apparently being shortened, the serial number on that gun has been moved on to the slide. Not sure what I think about that engraving either but at least it’s got gold plated bits and pieces. :eek:

[SWATcop556]

Jason I love looking at your work and I wish I could afford to own one or ten.

I'm still trying to save up to send you a Series 70 Colt I have that is begging for some of your artistry.

Your work on the BHP makes me want to own one. :cool:

[JonInWA]

Magnificent work, Jason-thanks for sharing. I've always personally preferred the Hi-Power in .40, but I certanly have nothing against them in 9mm. It's always a pleasure seeing how a genuine craftsman can embellish the P35, creating a eminently usable masterpiece.

Best, Jon

[ToeCutter]

Holy smokes Jason, those pistols are dead sexy! I have a .40 MkIII that I want to send you to work on some day when money allows. I love the look of that hard chrome.

[Longhorn]

http://www.louderthanwords.us/mediumfoto/picts/ulfls/09112009/20342127812.jpg (www.hp1911.com)

I dunno what it is about this one with the black grips but :eek:.

[ToeCutter]

They are sexy aren't they.