[flagaman]

???

I had the chance to go through a shooting session with a national caliber competition shooter and he made some some comments that I need some opinions on.

Specifically, he said that I was better off using my Glock G17 for shooting in our local USPSA shoots than my Browning MK III. He said that he's seen the Hi Powers not do well if put through extensive use.

I shoot the Hi Power measurably better than the Glock, but do not want to damage my Browning.

I do have the 18.5 Wolff spring, but do not use a buffer. "Don't like the way it feels in recoil." What do y'all think?

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Shooting standard pressure with the spring you're using should be fine for loads and loads of shooting. The only HP's I've seen ruined (rounded locking lugs, usually) have been fired extensively with hotter loads but with weak recoil springs, usually the one that came with the gun originally and never changed. The newer Hi Powers with their often-cursed cast frames seem to be tougher than the older guns. I've shot thousands of standard pressure and hotter loads through my Mk III Hi Powers with the conventional Wolff 18.5-lb recoil spring and buffer with no ill results nor loss of accuracy.

Best.

 

[abninftr]

Flagaman,

I've gotten into the habit of asking people to elaborate when they make a statement like that. Too often I've found their comments to be based on hearsay, or one incident, and not well supported by fact.

As Stephen said above, there really isn't any reason you shouldn't use your BHP in competition. Conversely, there is one reason you should use it instead of the Glock. That is that you shoot the Hi Power better.

 

[flagaman]

Would like to thank you gentlemen for the input. His only elaboration was to say that the Glock would hold up better and the Hi Power would be better saved as a very nice heirloom. I do want to shoot the Hi Power and will use only factory loads or their equivalent. I have an Ultra Carry Kimber or a 686 Smith if I feel the need to be more "heavily armed".

I will continue to shoot my Hi Power and just watch my recoil springs life cycle. Will also assume a buffer is not necessary as long as I watch the loads and spring. Many thanks again gentlemen.

 

[Guest]

Flagman,

I couldn't disagree more strongly. The Hi Power is a very stout pistol and is made to take a lot of abuse. There are those who say that a steady diet of +P will ruin a HP and they could be right, I really dont know. I have yet to see any real sign that +P is any better than standard pressure 9mm, so I use the standard pressure stuff.

For competetion or just about anything else, I just dont see that there is a better pistol than the Hi Power, but that's just me.

GunGeek

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, flagaman. If you've not seen it already, this link might be of some use:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/BHPandHighPressureAmmo.htm

Best.

 

[will]

It is quite simple-you shoot the High Power better,you like the High better-use the HighPower.If you are trying to save the HighPower from wear and tear,then don't shoot it at all,it will last forever.My firearms are for use.Will

 

[jimhigginbotham]

Well, I am sure there is probably some reasoning behind that opinion.

I know one fellow who had a Browning self destruct (the locking lug in the frame and the lug off of the barrel). He shot a LOT! And that is one fellow out of several dozen I know who also shoot a good bit.

I don't shoot a Browning as much as I do a 1911 but I know my son puts almost 500 rounds a week through my Isareli contract FN when he is home and I have shot it probably 10K myself...no wear yet.

I have had Brownings converted to .41 AE (the slide really zings on that number) and .356 TSW. Havent broken one of those either...but who knows, maybe tomorrow ???

At the same time Glocks last a long time. Cor-Bon just retired one with 400,000 rounds thorugh it. I know several that have been shot in excess of 100K. They will stand up pretty well (except for the 26,27, 30 and the short .357 Sig whatever that is).

Still I have seen Glock with cracked slides, wallowed out frames where the locking block sits, broken small parts etc.

Everything can break. Glocks are fine guns...so are Brownings.

Perhaps the Glock will outlast the Browning...but then there is something to be said for class

Onward,
Jim

PS, I carry a Glock more often than I carry a Browning for a backup gun so there is no prejudice here...no class either :-[

 

[pff]

Jim,

The Grock is an excellent tool ; the Browning is art.


Regards,

Pat

 

[Guest]

I've decided it's a bit silly to worry about me ever wearing out a gun. Since I'm not in the military or an LEO, I shoot mainly for fun. I shoot a lot but doubt I'll wear out a gun.

Even if I did, worn parts or whole guns, for that matter, generally ain't all that expensive to replace.

I'd go with what I shot best if I were you.

 

[Guest]

flagaman, lets start with there is no handgun I shoot faster and more accurately than a 9mm BHP. I shoot most handguns reasonably well but the BHP followed by the 1911 are the ones I do my best with. After saying this, I would continue to use the handgun I do my best with and that I have the most confidence in. Regards, Richard

 

[mikehp]

flagaman - I have shot my BHP for IDPA twice a month, plus practice, for the last three years. Average about 500-700 rds a month. My previous HP died of a cracked slide, gun was purchased used, was made in 1981(?) and had been fed a lot of +p ammo by previous owner. Slide cracked after about 7 months of my shooting it. The bought new practical model I use for IDPA has been flawless thru about 10 -12,000 rds of WWB from Wallyworld or Academy.

Mikehp