Browning Hi-Power vs. Colt Defender

M

m_calingo

Joined
Oct 13, 2003
Messages
1,968
Anyone ever owned/fired both of the Browning Hi-Power and the Colt Defender? I'm curious about feedback from anyone who has regarding impressions at the range, ease of maintenance, problems with jamming, etc.

Comparisons in the past about these two pistols came down to greater capacity, smaller bullet, and less recoil (the Browning), vs. bigger bullet and more stopping power (the Colt 1911). This distinction has blurred somewhat as the Hi-Power is now offerred in .40 and Colt is now fielding the Defender in 9mm, as well as .40 and .45 ACP.

If you had to choose between the two in the same caliber, whether 9mm or .40, which would you go with?
 
Both are nice firearms but fall into different applications. The HP is a nice handling classic auto in 9mm. Mags are easy to obtain and somewht inexpensive. The .40 HPs are a little bigger and some say a clunkier than the 9mm version. Mags are a little harder to find and expensive. The HP is not currently being manufactured by any manufacturer but there are used and surplus pistols available. The Colt is a compact concealed carry pistol. I have'nt shot one of the real little 1911s but did have a Colt Officer's ACP in the late 80's and had problems with reliability, recoil, and well, just could'nt hit with it. Switched to a Glock 19 in 1990 and never looked back. The Colt would make a better carry gun with a better availability for mags, sights, holsters, and assessories. Less so for the High Power. I have owned 2 HPs and probably will not own another.
 
Hi-Power's still in production, it's just manufactured in cycles & not always plentiful in gunshops.

Denis
 
i have a defender in .45.

i changed a few parts (beavertail, safety) since i was really getting bit by the slide and had problems disengaging the tiny factory thumb safety. i also sanded the safety notch on the slide, it was sharper than some of my knives.

out of the box, i had some minor feed problems. but this may have been because the slide was chewing up my hands and the action was impaired.

since the parts change, reliability has been excellent.

i also removed the hogue rubber grips, put on slim wood panels, and had it guncoated black.
 
High power in .40 hands down.

I've already got a CZ75 in 9, and a Hicap 1911 in .45 so I figure I need to round out the set...
 
Not really an apples to apples match up here. BHP is close on the size of a Govt. 1911 (even the cross section is pretty close and can use the same holsters) It is a superb shooting 9mm. Triggers, in stock trim, can vary from fairly good to.....not so much. A lot of the gritty feeling can be resolved by removing the magazine safety. Earlier HPs (early 80s and earlier) can have issues feeding some hollow point ammo. Or any HP ammo for that matter due to the feed ramp profile. Some debate that the same era of pistols (WWII up to the last of the forged frame models) are prone to breaking with a steady diet of +p or +P+ ammo. On the flip side, I've seen them digest THOUSANDS of rounds of NATO spec ammo (pretty hot stepping stuff) with no hicups. If looking at a HiPower, I would suggest a Mk3, and the Practical model in particular. Ambi safety, pretty good sights, cast frame (stronger than the originals) and pretty plentiful. The Practical has a hard chrome frame and a bake on finish to the slide. Pretty sharp looking. I have never found a pistol that "points" better for me than the BHP. Many others agree. Easy recoiling, high capacity and after market support is pretty good. As for the debate of 9mm vs .40 S&W- it's over-played and over-hyped. Each will have their fanbase. I look at the .40 as an answer to a question that was never asked. It does nothing that a good 9mm or .45 ACP can't. It's effective, no doubt about it. It's also harder (generaly) recoiling and a bit spendier as well compared to 9mm. Mk3 + MecGar mags + quality +p or +P+ 9mm ammo and call it a day.
 
The .40 Hi-Power's recoil spring is strong enough to impair quick manipulations in handling & malfunction clearances.
For that reason alone I let mine go. Still have two 9s.
Denis
 
I just saw a HP in 40 at a gun shop. I'm a great fan of the 40 since it first came out. I'd take that over the 9mm. The newer HPs are improved , stronger ,will take 9mm +P without problems , and feed better. For me a 1911 is for 45 only. Can't comment on triggers as I tune the triggers of every gun I have. I used to have a HP 9mm but today I'd take the BH in 40 !!
 
I have owned many 1911A1s, Colt, WW2 production and others. I have owned one BHP in 9MM. Based on past ownership I would take the BHP everytime.

I also recommend http://www.cylinder-slide.com/ if any modifications on either model is needed.
 
I'm quite fond of my .40 BHP.

bhpandhogues005sp0.jpg


Is it as nice as the 9mm version? IMO no, the .40 is not as svelte or as pleasant to shoot as the 9mm. Nevertheless the BHP is my favorite .40.
 
I'd go with the High-power in 9mm. It was designed around that caliber, and from my experience it is more reliable. The only down side to the Hi-power are the magazine safety which gives it a gritty trigger gull and leaves the gun inoperable without the magazine.
 
with a bhp made in belgian & correct ammo, i prefer the carry & the feel in hand. trigger is terrible but that can be fixed. in the 80s & 90s i must have burned 30000 rds thru 2 of these & never had a jam. one was so accurate i could hit beer cans at 100yds from sand bags. of course i was burning about 500 rds a week since my brother was part owner of a large gun & ammo wholesaler.we had a range on his ranch.
 
I find the slide of the 40S&W BHP to be heavy, making the pistol top heavy. The firing sequence is off too because of the stiff spring and heavy slide.

It all really comes down to WHAT you WANT. I like the 45ACP Government model 1911 and the 9mm Hi-Power. Either will work fine if YOU can put the bullets where you want them.
 
i second the opinion the .40 BHP's feel top heavy, while the 9MM version is close to perfect in feel & balance, for me.

for me, the one con to BHP's is if ya are gonna carry something that big i'd sooner pack a .45 1911, if i want a double stack 9MM i would go with a glock 19.

i've always had a fondness for BHP's though, i got one in the late '70s and everbody was "wow it holds how many rounds?" lol (i never did get that pistol to shoot hollowpoint ammo though, not the HP ammo around back then, nowadays it might be a different story with the new design ammo, but back then, it was ball only, i once got a box of super vel 95gr HP ammo and it REALLY didnt like that ammo, it was IIRC shorter than most others and simply would not feed, not at all, sivertips it sometimes would go thru a whole mag and work, never went thru 2 mags like that though).
 
M1marty nailed it. I have a MK III Hi Power in 9MM and that's what I would recommend. Nothing wrong with the 9MM for SD with modern, hollow point ammo.
 
I have a Belgian (FN) Mk3 Hi-Power in 9mm. Its one of the goofy runs with the SFS (Safe Fast Shooting system). I’ll second removing the mag safety to smooth out the trigger pull. Yeah Cylinder & Slide are the go to guys for the BHP. I carry my 1911 more but that’s because it has a better trigger dimensionally both guns may as well be identical and are within 2oz fully loaded in weight plus the manual of arms is the same.
 
I think it all depends on your familiarity with the gun. If you are already wedded to the 9mm, then the .40 just doesn't compare. But if you haven't decided either way then the BHP does provide an excellent platform for the .40 round and the increased weight and altered balance shouldn't bother you.
 
I used to run a HP back in the day when handguns were legal here. I ran it hard in practical pistol, pin shooting and police pistol, all popular here at the time. It is a classic pistol, feels good, points well but, it's an old design and takes a lot of tlc to keep it ticking. In the end I switched to a Glock 17, you wouldn't believe the stick I got for that choice, 'a plastic gun!' they gasped, as everyone 'knew' that even aluminium frames were no good. Anyway, hard to beat a Glock for a real hard use weapon and I think it would be better for both extensive training use and self-defence if that is your intention.
For a range/fun gun, a HP in 9mm would be a proper treat.
You might like to check out M4carbineforums handgun section for lots of expert opinions.
Just wish I could get back into handgun shooting but zero chance of that if I stay here in Britain. Good luck with your choice!
 
Thanks for the feedback. The question was really more for academic purposes. I if were to choose now, I'd probably go with the Defender.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top