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Browning High Power 9 mm

jlgray70
I'm presently shopping for my first handgun and have been told by my local gun dealer that the Browning High Power 9 mm is a great handgun.
I also looked at the Sig 232 I believe 9 mm. Can someone give me an opinion on these 2 handguns.

Thanks,

jg
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • p3skyking
    They are both fine weapons, but it is comparing apples to oranges. The P.35 was designed prior to lawyers lottery, it is not an idiot proof design and requires some knowledge and skill to use, especially when lowering the hammer on a loaded chamber. The Sig has incorporated all the bells and whistles needed by a mediorce gunslinger. This is not a slam on anyone, just simple fact.
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  • mark christian
    The SIG/Sauer P232 is actually a .380acp (or .32) double action pistol designed for cancealed carry by both civilians and police. It is my personal choice for that purpose and I believe that within its range of available calibers it is the best pistol available in its class. I prefer the decocker to a traditional safety. The Browning is a different animal enitirely. It is a 9mm (or .40) high capacity, single action pistol developed for both military and police use as a standard sidearm.

    I agree with skyking in that the Browning lacks some of the newer bells and whisles now pretty much standard on other 9mm automatics. Of course the Browning has stood the course of time for nearly 70 years and many still feel that it is still a fine pistol. I own 5 myself and am quite fond of them. The High Power is one of the few high capacity pistols that fit my small hands comfortably. Out of the box the sights are pretty poor and the trigger can use some work. The magazine safety is also a problem, although that can be deactivated if you wish to do so (although I am NOT suggesting that you do that). Give us a better idea of what purpose you have in mind for this pistol and we can give you better answers.

    Mark T. Christian
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  • greeker375
    I agree with Mark on the Brownings. I have 3, 2-9mm's and 1-40 cal. I carried one of my 9's concealed for 25 years in business and notwithstanding the extra knowledge one needs for these older pieces, I wouldn't carry any other gun.
    Relaible, great shooting, digests all types of ammo and it never complains. If you can get the hi-cap mag's, it'll be all you'll ever need or want.
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  • JudgeColt
    You local gun dealer must have a High Power in stock that he wants to move! While the HP is a great design, it is not a beginner's pistol, as SkyKing and Mr. Christian have stated. These days, such single-action pistols are not the first choice of many. (All you M1911-style advocates are the exception, so no need to jump on me for that GENERAL statement!) These days, double action pistols, like the Beretta M92, Smith & Wesson and SIG, and short action, no safety pistols, like the Glock and Sigma, are the big sellers in the market. (I prefer a pistol, especially for beginners, with a traditional safety. A magazine safety, such as found on a Smith & Wesson [and a High Power] is a big plus for new shooters, and some older ones as well, who forget that removing the magazine does not remove the cartridge from the chamber, and that pistols without a magazine safety will still fire the chambered round with the magazine out.)

    I hate to disagree with the most knowledgeable Mr. Christian, but I do not care for the SIG P232 as much as he does. It is a large pistol for its low power and limited magazine capacity. It is very heavy in all steel, but better with an alloy frame. For less size and weight and much less cost, you can get a Kel-Tec P11 that holds 11 rounds of the much more powerful 9x19 (another name for 9mm Luger, 9mm Parabellum, etc., the cartridge for which the High Power was first chambered). The P232 is pure blowback and will kick as much or more with its weaker cartridge than the P11 with its locked breech and more powerful cartridge.

    Quite frankly, unless you are an otherwise experienced shooter just new to handguns, I think a .22 rimfire pistol or revolver would be a good place to start. Because many .22 pistols are in the same category as the High Power for manual of arms of operation (but most do not have a magazine safety), I think a quality .22 revolver would be a good place to start. In new guns currently in production, I prefer the Smith & Wessons in either medium frame or small frame, but others may have alternate suggestions. I would suggest a Smith & Wesson Model 617 in a barrel length of your choosing (I like the 8 3/8-inch, but a 4- and 6-inch are also available), which is a stainless 10-shot revolver (in a medium-frame size) of very high quality that will last several lifetimes.

    Let us know what you select.
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  • Rafter-S
    In my humble opinion, the Browning Highpower pistol is the finest 9mm handgun ever made. I've carried one for years. Points naturally, never a misfire, more accurate than I am, 100% reliable. If I had to carry a 9mm pistol to a gunfight, it would be a Highpower.

    Respectfully (and somewhat biased),
    Rafter-S

    "What is truth? No wonder jesting Pilate turned away. The truth, it has a thousand faces -- show only one of them, and the whole truth flies away! But how to show the whole? That is the question."
    --Thomas Wolfe, "You Can't Go Home Again" (1934)
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  • mballai
    I think the High Power is a very fine gun. If you want another 9mm for comparison, look at the SIG P226 and/or the Beretta 92FS. It is not true that one is better than other, or that other guns were designed for unskilled shooters. The High Power is a single action only firearm so it requires a bit more attention for safe handling.

    It's the wisest thing you can do to have someone give you some hands on training in the range as to the proper handling of your chosen firearm. And pick the gun that fits you and your hands the best. If possible, you might also consider renting a gun or a couple different ones before you spend the big bucks.

    Three Precious Metals: Gold, silver and lead
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  • Darrell
    While the HP is a great design, it is not a beginner's pistol
    >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
    MILLIONS of soldiers and civilians will be heart broken to find that out now. It's bone simple, works, and decades of good performance.
    But if you want to be trendy or make a fashion statement you might choose something else. Something that will be dashing with a buzzcut, gargoyles on a rope and a bottle of water.
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  • Shootist3006
    quote:While the HP is a great design, it is not a beginner's pistol Seldom do Judge Colt and I disagree but this is one of those times. The HP is a simple and straight forward design, a refinement of the proven 1911 and easy for the beginner to learn on and master. Easier than many of the 'new' designs with a half dozen levers for everything from decocking to coffee making.

    Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis
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  • rsnyder55
    First and foremost, with any firearm training and practice are a must. There is not a gun out there that is idiot-proof.

    A Browing Hi Power was my first semi auto and in spite of all my wonder nines and 40's, I always go to my Hi Power as my favorite carry. The main reason is that I don't have two different trigger pulls to deal with.

    However, for a first gun, I think it should be a revolver. My personal choice would be a 586 or 686 with a four inch barrel. It balances well for most, can use serious self defence ammo, and can use lighter 38 specials for practice.
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  • Rafter-S
    quote:Out of the box the sights are pretty poor and the trigger can use some work.

    I have to disagree with that as a categorical statement. I have found a few--very few--Highpowers that could have used a little trigger work, but it was optional, not necessary. And never found one that the sights were not adequate for that which the gun was intended. The percentage of Browning Highpowers needing work to make them suitable is no greater than any other pistol...and much smaller than most.

    Respectfully,
    Rafter-S

    "What is truth? No wonder jesting Pilate turned away. The truth, it has a thousand faces -- show only one of them, and the whole truth flies away! But how to show the whole? That is the question."
    --Thomas Wolfe, "You Can't Go Home Again" (1934)
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  • JudgeColt
    This debate is the purpose of these boards. Everyone has an opinion, which is the idea.

    The fact that most service pistols in the world in the last century were single action pistols is irrelevant. ((Most service pistols now are double action, such as the Beretta, Star, Daewoo, SIG, etc..) While the single action service pistols are simple designs that were put in the hands of "beginners," those beginners had training first. With the U.S. service pistol, that training required carrying the M1911-series with an empty chamber due to the danger of accidental discharges in the hands of "beginners." For a person with no handgun experience, who will probably have no training before putting the pistol into service, I think there are better choices than single action pistols. That is why I suggested a revolver, and I stand by that recommendation for the reasons stated.
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