cleaning a Browning HiPower in 40 S&W

772 Views 5 Replies 6 Participants Last post by mbott, 5 mo ago

george

Discussion Starter · 9 mo ago

As I get older I do not have the grip strength to put the recoil spring back in after cleaning, even with the plastic sleeve to help. I don't want to stop shooting it. I have heard about soaking firearms in brake cleaning solution. Could I soak the upper assembly in brake cleaner and let it drain, perhaps blow it dry with compressed air? I don't really want to stop shooting it, it is an heirloom. There is not a gunsmith near where I live who would do it for a fee. I don't want to leave it at the range after each visit for a cleaning,

Any thoughts or suggestions?

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TNorris

· #2 · 9 mo ago

george said:
As I get older I do not have the grip strength to put the recoil spring back in after cleaning...

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Take a look at this link for a progressive recoil spring from BHSS.
I imagine if the slide is easier to rack, the spring may be easier to install. You might call BHSS and ask them these questions. I imagine they are interested in these accessibility issues... to keep us all shooting!

A customer testimonial:

“from Neil:
I just received and installed my new 18# progressive spring into my Hi Power…let me say before installing I was having the blasphemous thoughts of having my slide cut with front serrations to help my old arthritic hands. Well friend, NOT NOW! after installing it is much easier to rack and I have banished those thoughts. “

Cheers,

Tim

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nuclear

· #3 · 9 mo ago

Having some arthritis in my hands myself, here is what I do on my 40S&W BHP. I install the spring in the slide first, slide the barrel in next, and use the bottom of the barrel to push the spring the rest of the way into the slide and then push the barrel up into engagement with slide, if that makes sense.

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hi_power

· #4 · 9 mo ago

nuclear,

I had to read your note twice to realize what you were saying ..... Great Idea !!!!

I'm lucky enough to own a BHP 40, and that is a great idea for reassembly.

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OpsO106

· #5 · 9 mo ago

hi_power said:
nuclear,

I had to read your note twice to realize what you were saying ..... Great Idea !!!!

I'm lucky enough to own a BHP 40, and that is a great idea for reassembly.

Add another shooter with a BHP 40 with the problem. While it hasn't bested me yet, I never look forward to cleaning that BHP. In fact I'm ready to get rid of it as I really prefer the 9mm HPs. If anyone is looking for a near mint boxed 40 with 3 mags, send them to me. Ed

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mbott

· #6 · 5 mo ago

nuclear said:
Having some arthritis in my hands myself, here is what I do on my 40S&W BHP. I install the spring in the slide first, slide the barrel in next, and use the bottom of the barrel to push the spring the rest of the way into the slide and then push the barrel up into engagement with slide, if that makes sense.

Brilliant!

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