HiPower (8)
FN HiPower 40 to 9 Conversion (for +P+) finally complete!
Written by reg mathuszI am very excited that my HiPower 40 to 9mm conversion is now complete! I am also very pleased to say that it runs all 9mm ammo without a hiccup and without changing a thing! That took some work.
It will now run the weakest of off-the-shelf cheap ammo (which I can't say the same for my Glock 19c) all the way up to +P+!! Shooting 9BPLE out of it is like shooting 380!
It is interesting to note that when I started the project 9BPLE was about $10/box. It shot up to $20 and $30 when it disappeared. It, however, can be had again for as low as $14.95. A bargain I think!
I will detail what was involved getting it to run and redo the whole project in a later post (it's sporadically spread throughout the blog now) but for now, here is the pic of the final pistol which I spent about 10 years to actually complete.
I also want to thank and say RIP Stephen Camp whose advice and help on the project was indispensable -- who also, continued to ask me "But, why?" the whole time LOL.
Here is an obligatory pic. I think it turned out nice!
Got some Meprolight night sights for my HiPower project
Written by reg mathuszI have decided to continue building out what I consider to be my ultimate CCW HiPower. I am only a few parts away from completion.
One of them is a set of night sights which I got from DVOR.com.
The last piece (C&S wide trigger) should be here later this week, and my little HP can go for install. Due to the pistol's NP3 plating things have required more than average fitting.
HiPower with Cylinder & Slide (C&S) Ring Hammer and Sear and a new set of Navidrex grips
Written by reg mathuszI recently got my FN HiPower in 40S&W back from my local gunsmith. I had swapped my (Robar) NP3'd spur hammer and matched sear for a new C&S chrome ring hammer and sear. For those wondering neither sear is plated, just the hammer.
I don't know if it was because my pistol is entirely NP3'd but the hammer needed to be seriously fit. I put the C&S hammer and sear in, which by the way is a PITA, and the hammer just sat in the cocked position. You had to force it physically to the down position. A little fitting allowed the hammer to fall if nudged forward. Well, that was more than I wanted to mess with and I brought it to my local smith. Same gunsmith that did my front strap and back strap stippling.
He said that it was oversized and required a significant amount of fitting. He also said that the pairing made the trigger terrible. In fact, he went ahead and did a trigger job knowing that I would not be happy with it otherwise. It is really nice now!
The only problem is that the hammer's chrome finish doesn't match the NP3 nickel color. Duh. This is purely cosmetic, but I am going to order a C&S chrome wide trigger. This will do a number of things:
- match the color to the hammer and make it look like I did it on purpose
- give me a wide trigger
- eliminate the mag safety disconnect hole
You may have read that I had a problem with VZ Grips fitting on my pistol. I finally ended getting a set of the thin Navidrex. These fit almost perfectly on the pistol. And they are THIN! I really like the grip texture - it almost perfectly compliments my pistols stippling. It feels great.
For those that don't like the feel of the newer cast frames because they aren't as narrow or rounded the Navidrex makes the differences in comparison to a classic forged frame negligible.
Anyway, I am very pleased. Here are some pics (click on the pic for the full size version):
What about Hogue Extreme grips for your HiPower?
Written by reg mathuszGood question! I am hesitant because I don't know how thick they are and I am have not held a pair of aluminum grips. I emailed them and got this back:
Thank you for your interest in Hogue Grips! We appreciate
you taking the time to contact us. We do make grips for your Browning Hi Power. The Hi Power has been made since 1935 and stayed very consistent through out the years in frame size. The exception would be a BDA or BDM model, these won't fit at all. There is the occasional frame that has a
small safety lever that can make it difficult to install the grip. But
if you relieve that area on the grip, you will be just fine.
Interesting, because we know that there is a difference between the forged and cast frames. However, I am encouraged that they say that the grips CAN be relieved.
They look nice though (pic from the Hogue website - click pic to enlarge):
UPDATE 12/16/2011
I got another email from Hogue which said:
I've heard from past customers before that some of our competitors don't fit quite as well as ours. However, since you have had the issue before you may want to try the rubber grips first to see if there is anything that needs to be done. It's not a large investment financially and then you would know for sure as to whether there could be a fit issue regarding those. The G10 isn't as customizable as other materials.
Interesting (!) and good advice too.
The firearms community will truly miss one of its experts that was always willing to help. His knowledge of the HiPower is unmatched.
"06:43 AM CDT on Monday, May 30, 2011
Stephen Allen Camp, 59, of Krum passed away on Friday, May 27, 2011.Steve was born on June 18, 1951, in Fort Worth, TX to Cecil and Taloma Camp. He married Sandy Bailey on August 26, 1999.As a young man Steve became a believer in Jesus Christ at Birdville Baptist Church in Haltom City, Texas.
Steve retired in 1998 from the Denton Police Department after 25 years of loyal and very dedicated service. He left a special legacy at the PD, and many of the people there remember him with love and respect. He left a piece of himself at the Police Department that will remain forever in the hearts of all who knew him. He definitely touched their lives in a very special way.
He had a passion for guns that was legendary. Target practice was a part of his daily life, and he was known as the premier expert on the Browning Hi Power. Many people sought his advice and he was always willing to give of himself to explain anything asked of him, answering emails from perfect strangers on a daily basis. Steve was an accomplished writer who could always express himself very eloquently on paper. After he retired, he started writing manuals about his beloved firearms. He was a self-published author who wrote four gun-related books that were very well received in the gun community. He even wrote one novel that impresses everyone who reads it. He was a very talented man.
Steve lived his life by a strict moral code and expected others to do the same. He could be rigid and uncompromising at times, but he was the most giving, loving, decent man who ever lived. You always knew where you stood with Steve because he would tell you. Everyone who knew him loved him and wanted to be his friend, because Steve was true-blue and always there for those he cared about.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy Camp; mother, Taloma Camp; mother-in-law, Florence Boehnemann; sister, Jan Clifton and husband Tommy; sister-in-law Kathie Boehnemann; niece, Kim Bolton and husband J J; nephew, Clint Jarrett and wife Jinelle; nephew, Stephen Boehnemann and wife Eve; niece, Lauren Hadley and husband Josh; and many other aunts, uncles, cousins and loyal friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Cecil Camp; father-in-law, Delphine Boehnemann; and brother-in-law, Larry Boehnemann.
Visitation will be in Denton at DeBerry Funeral Directors, 2025 W University, on Tuesday, May 31, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Services will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, June 1, at the First United Methodist Church of Denton located at 201 S Locust.
Memorials: Denton Police Officers Association, PO Box 5103, Denton, TX, 76205."
Cylinder & Slide HiPower (C&S HP) sear lever modifications
Written by reg mathuszSo, does a C&S hammer and sear lever replacement require modification of your HP?
From Cylinder & Slide:
"It is very wise in the BHP, that if you are going to change the hammer that you always change the sear,this way you will have a match set made of the very best materials,and will last a life time.
What you are also talking about is the improved sear lever. This has to have a different hole drilled in the slide to make it work like it should. This new sear lever changes the geometry of the angle, and will result in a better trigger pull weight. This hole has to be made on a milling machine as it has to be in the right place."
Here are a few pics of my Browning HiPower T-series (made in 1968, purchased in 1969 by my father).
It is all original (even with mag safety disconnect).
The pistol has one of the BEST triggers of all my pistols (even comparing to my much newer HiPower without mag disconnect safety) . I don't know what the difference is but a great trigger is definitely possible with a HiPower.
It's a shooter, not a safe queen. At the range:
