Classic Handguns of the 20th Century: The Browning HI-Power

Handguns Magazine ^ | 2003 | David W. Arnold

[45Auto]

The Browning Hi-Power is a notable handgun of the last century for a number of reasons. It was John M. Browning's final pistol design. It introduced the concept of the high-capacity double-column magazine. It is considered by many to be an improvement of the famous Colt Government Model of 1911.

Finally, it is one of the most-used military service pistols of all time. In fact, during World War II the Hi-Power, also known as the P-35, saw service not only with a number of the allied forces but was also used by the German military.

The fact that the Hi-Power remains in production today without major changes speaks volumes on the soundness of its basic design.

FN AND JOHN M. BROWNING Although the P-35 is often called the Browning Hi-Power after the legendary American gun designer, its country of origin is in fact Belgium. It is a product of that country's huge arms company Fabrique Nationale, often referred to as FN.

FN was created in 1889 by a consortium of Belgian financiers to manufacture Mauser rifles under license for the military of that country. Ironically, Ludwig Lowe of Germany helped the Belgians set up the machinery and factory. Lowe is best known for his involvement in the development of the Luger pistol.

The Mauser rifle production did not provide the profit margin anticipated by FN's backers so the company began to look for other products to manufacture to increase profits. FN began producing sporting rifles, shotguns and bicycles.

These did not take full advantage of the company's production capacity. During the late 1890s FN came in contact with John M. Browning. At the time, Browning was working with Winchester but was dissatisfied with that company over the manufacture of one of his shotgun designs.

FN showed great interest in the shotgun and also a pocket pistol that Browning had designed. The company began production of the latter, completing the first pistol in 1899. The pistol was a success, and it began an association that was to last until Browning's death in 1926.

Belgium became Browning's second home, where he and FN collaborated in developing a number of successful firearm designs. Some four years before he died, Browning was working on a 9mm semiautomatic project that proved to be his final pistol design. Browning made several prototypes, but the design was incomplete before he died. The project was completed by his protégé, Dieudonne Saive, and the final design became known as the Modele 1935 pistolet autamatique Grand Puissance, or, in English-speaking countries, the Model 1935 High Power pistol. This designation was later changed to "Hi-Power."

DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS Many 1911 adherents view the Hi-Power as Browning's ultimate design, one that simplified the Colt .45 Government Model and corrected what few faults it has. It is certainly true that the Hi-Power does share many of the 1911's characteristics and has a similar appearance.

Like the 1911, the Hi-Power is a locked-breech semiautomatic pistol that has a single-action trigger. Instead of the 1911's swinging-link barrel-locking system, a simpler cam-operated action is employed to unlock the action immediately after firing.

While the Hi-Power has an exposed hammer and the same slide stop, magazine catch and thumb safety as the 1911, the grip safety is absent. Instead the pistol has a magazine disconnect that disables the action when the magazine is removed.

The stirrup type of trigger used on the 1911 is replaced by a connecting bar contained in the slide. The latter is a lever that releases the hammer when activated by the trigger.

Perhaps the pistol's most unique feature is its 13-round, double-column magazine. It was Browning's intention to retain a single-column magazine because he was concerned about the reliability of the double-column type. It was Saive who decided to use the double-stack magazine. The amount that the higher-capacity magazine adds to the width of the grip is surprisingly small and does not detract from the pistol's handling characteristics.

While the Hi-Power is a simpler design than the 1911, its trigger cannot be custom tuned to the same extent. In addition, the thumb safety of the original models is small and stiff to operate. This has been improved on the current models.

MILITARY USE The Model P-35 is one of the most widely used military pistols of all time. When it first appeared, it was immediately adopted by the Belgium military. Later, sales were made to Estonia, Lithuania, China, Peru and Romania. World War II interrupted further foreign sales.

When the Germans invaded Belgium, FN management refused to work for them. The factory was confiscated, and German management was installed to run it. Over 300,000 Hi-Powers were made for the German military. These pistols were designated as the Pistole 640(b).

The British, Canadian, Chinese and Greek forces used Hi-Powers made by the John Inglis Co. of Ontario, Canada. Hi-Powers were generally issued to Special Forces such as airborne and commando units.

After the War, FN resumed production of the Model 35. Postwar military pistols are designated as the Model 1946, while the civilian models are called simply the Hi-Power. The British Army adopted the P-35 as its official pistol to replace the Webley and Enfield .38 revolvers. Other countries also adopted the pistol for their military forces, including Argentina (where it was made under license), Denmark, Holland and Rhodesia.

The Hi-Power has enjoyed good civilian sales worldwide thanks to its cartridge, reliability and high-capacity magazine. The latter feature was considered by many to rank the pistol high as a combat arm. In the United States the Hi-Power and other FN arms were distributed by the Browning Arms Company starting in 1954.

MODIFICATIONS The Hi-Power today remains little changed from the original pistols of 1935. Some of the first models manifested a tendency for the internal extractor to break. This was corrected by replacing it with a short, more rugged extractor.

The first Hi-Powers were made with either fixed or adjustable sights. The latter was a tangent-type rear assembly. Post-war civilian Hi-Powers included a sports model that featured a small, fully adjustable rear sight.

Early Hi-Powers all had a round-shaped hammer. This was replaced with a spur-type hammer in 1972 for pistols that were imported to the U.S. Many military models were made to accept a detachable stock that also contained a flap holster.

During the war, the Inglis Company experimented by machining scallops to the slide of the pistol to make it lighter, but it was never produced in quantity.

Hi-Power finishes vary from profusely engraved presentation models to drab, Parkerized military-issue guns. Civilian models usually have a bright, polished blue finish. Late German Hi-Powers often have a very rough, gray Parkerized finish with much evidence of machine marks. Allied wartime model 35s usually have a matte Parkerized finish, although some may also have a black paint-like coating on the slide.

All post-war U.S. Hi-Powers were at first made with checkered wooden grip panels. Starting in 1986, grips made of black-checkered plastic were offered.

FN continues to make the Hi-Power much as it was in 1935. Changes include a spur hammer, larger ambidextrous thumb safety, form-fitting black plastic grips with a built-in thumbrest and external extractor.

The Hi-Power remains in service with a number of armies even to this day and has been used by FN as a platform for double-action, fast-action and compact versions. Elsewhere in this issue is my review of the modern version currently imported by FN.

[LibKill]

I own one of these.

It is a sweet-shootin' gun.

The ergonomics (it fits your hand well) are outstanding.

The only drawbacks are the puny 9mm cartridge and the magazine disconnect (remove the magazine and it won't fire).

I understand that nowadays the Browning is also produced in .40 cal.

That is an improvement.

[LibKill]

Actually, I think the only real improvement on the venerable 1911 has come from ParaOrdnance, with it's plethora of models

Got one. The only thing better than an M1911 is an M1911 that fires 14 times between reloads.

However, Browning designed the HiPower to EuroSpecs, which meant 9mm.

I'll bet that if it was .45 it would be a lot more popular on our side of the atlantic ocean.

[MarkL]

For anyone who ever needs to have a Browning HP worked on, I doubt that there's a better place to send it than to Bill Laughridge at Cylinder and Slide, in Nebraska.

I got a chance to meet Bill many years ago at a USPSA match, and he's a great guy and a top-notch gunsmith. While I didn't have a HP for him to work on, he did tune up my Taurus PT-99 and a Smith & Wesson revolver that needed some work.

Mark

[PoorMuttly]

I am really grateful to you for your post. I have and carry 2 H.P.s, and have been concerned about durability when using Cor-Bon loads, my favorite. I won't do it anymore though, except when necessity dictates otherwise.

I am encouraged to learn that the newer models are much stronger. I favor powerful handguns, and +P+ or more places the 9mm where I want it. Is it as reliable with stiffer loads ? Is there any data on this ? I have switched to revolvers for all but the most discrete carry situations, having had automatics balk, jam, and cause me to lose confidence in them, as a class...unless used as a last-ditch backup for a rifle or shotgun, which I suppose was and is the Military rationale for them. I often carry handguns as my primary arm, not just a side-arm. I hate it when they "go click," or don't even do that as my Mustang Pocketlite once did, and can do without the stressful apprehension. My Brownings, however, have never had a bad moment in our lives together, and I have learned to rely upon that...except for concern about what my old friend, an ex-sniper, jump instructor, employer, and SOF editor called a "European policewoman's cartridge," as it is typically loaded.

Flame-on world. When it's MY butt on the line, I makes my own choices.

[TERMINATTOR]

You could get a .40 version and a 9mm (or .357 SIG) barrel. They have an extra locking lug, for a total of 3 on the slide and barrel. Probably overkill and not really necessary, unless you're going to be shooting lots of hot loads. .357 SIG is a .40 case with a 9mm bullet, kind of.

[PoorMuttly]

Woah...another True Muttly !

You have genuinely given me a new lease on life, my having harbored a deeply-covered funk, because I really like sticking with my military-proven equipment, which has never let me down...and if it did, I would forgive it !

This new option (does the 9mm and .357 barrel stuff REALLY fit right into the .40..? I am probably going to get a couple of new slide assemblies anyway...for a quick swap if need be, like finding new or running out of ammunition in a "pinch," which none of us really hopes ever happens again in this beautiful country) relieves me greatly, along with the return of COLT...which really disappointed be terribly.

Muttly gets his stuff back !

Santa...get ready.

[TERMINATTOR]

You'll have to get the barrel from one of the aftermarket barrel makers like Bar-sto or KKM. Make sure you get a 3 lug barrel for a .40 slide. You'll need to use .40 mags for .357 SIG. You might need a stronger recoil spring if you're using hot 9's or .357 SIG.
www.barsto.com
www.kkmprecision.com

[PoorMuttly]

Muttly like Bar-Sto. I will experiment...hoping the heavy spring also cycles standard rounds...but heavy loads do the trick for me, and that's most important. It also seems that the record of the great-sounding 147gr. is pretty miserable, so it's 124gr. TMJ, JSP, JHP and such, at scorching velocities, if they cycle well.

I had read that it is very difficult to reload reliable rounds in .357 Sig, so may avoid it entirely, relying on brutal 9mms, and whatever .40s are around. .38 is .38, I figure, so velocity is the key.

Apart from "social" situations, I intend to use these Brownings (Muttly always gets at least 2 of what works) for defense against cougars, black bears and wild boar (gulp) while he is conducting his feral experiments in the field, and wouldn't even think of it, were it not for the proven "reliability" (for an auto) of my 2 standard Hi Powers, their flat dimensions, ease of carry/concealment, instinctive Luger-like pointability...and 11 tries at it, then a reload...or my beloved New York Reload, which seems to work. Then there's always Beulah, my friendly .44, and constant hiking companion. All part of the fun.

BTW, even though our present H.P. magazines handle 13 rounds...SAS doctrine stipulates only 10, for functional reliability, and they enforce it...so I have always followed suit, having been "advised" by certain persons with certain formidable qualifications, early in my "career."

[mamelukesabre]

The browning high power isn't the same gun that john moses browning designed.

The pistol that browning designed had an internal hammer. The high power has an external hammer. FN lies when they call it the "browning" high power. It's really a FN pistol, browning had nothing to do with it.

[mamelukesabre]

That's in fremonte nebraska. I've been there.

fremont is an interesting town. It's small, but they have the best places to get firearms, ammo, and harley's in probably a 500 mile radius, or more.

[45Auto]

Ordnance Notes

-- by Bob Stoner GMCM(SW) Ret. .

At first glance, the P35 Browning looks very much like its predecessor, the Colt M1911-series .45 ACP pistol. It ought to, because it was the last design produced by the small arms genius John Moses Browning. Browning designed what became the P35 pistol as a follow-on to the M1911 and his first working prototype was almost finished shortly before his death in 1926. (Subsequent development of the P35 through its adoption for service was done by Dieudonne Saive of FN.) During his lifetime (1855 to 1926) Browning was granted 128 patents and is credited with over 50 million sporting and military weapons manufactured to his designs.

Browning had developed a very close working and marketing relationship with the Belgian firm of Fabrique Nationale. He was developing a double-column magazine pistol based on the M1911 that would be lighter, simpler, and have increased firepower (14 rounds as opposed to 8 rounds -- hence the "High Power" name). After Browning's death, Dieudonne Saive of FN continued development of the pistol and marketed the prototypes to the French Army as a replacement for their aging 8mm revolvers. The P35 was not adopted by the French as their service pistol, but it was adopted by the Belgians and the Danes. The Chinese were also impressed by the P35 and they had an FN-licensee, John Inglis, make them for the ROC Army in its fight against the Communists and Japanese invaders. Meanwhile, the British were very interested in the P35 for their own troops' use when Hitler invaded Poland in September of 1939. The FN factory was flooded with orders when the Germans seized Belgium in the spring of 1940. Fortunately, prints for production of the P35 as well as finished guns were spirited out of Belgium before the Germans arrived.

After negotiations with FN officials, the British decided to produce the pistol in Canada under FN license. The Inglis-built P35s were for use by the Chinese Nationalists and Commonwealth Forces (that is, British, Canadian, and Australian). Production was to cease after hostilities to protect FN's market around the world. While Inglis churned out its version of the P35 in Canada, the Germans were building their own version at the occupied Liege, Belgium plant. (Like a few other guns, the P35 had the distinction of being used by both Allied and Axis powers during World War 2). During 1943 to liberation, the Germans produced P35's without the magazine disconnector. These guns are prefixed by "A" before the serial number.

The Browning P35 closely resembles the M1911 except that the physical size of the pistol is smaller. The P35 dispenses with the swinging barrel link system of the M1911 for a cam-locking system. The hammer of the P35 is reshaped (resembles the "ring" hammer of the Colt .45 "Commander") and the P35 eliminates the grip safety and disconnector safeties of the M1911. The thumb safety of the P35 is similar to the M1911 in that it locks the slide, hammer, and trigger when the hammer is cocked and the safety engaged. The P35 differs from the M1911 in that it has a pivoting trigger and trigger bar to actuate the s ear and hammer to fire the pistol. The P35 also differs from the M1911 in that it cannot fire with its magazine removed; the P35 incorporates a magazine disconnector.

The P35 pistol has been in production by FN and its licensees since the end of WW2. It has or is used by the armed forces of at least 50 countries around the world. It is still in first line service with the British Commonwealth countries, as well as police departments worldwide. P35 pistols have been produced with detachable shoulder stocks and rifle sights; double-action versions for today's users; fixed sight combat models and adjustable sight completion models; specialized target shooting versions; and factory modified plain clothes" police pistols or smaller, lighter versions of the P35. There are very few pistols that have earned the title of a "go to war" pistol. Among this select fraternity are the American M1911 Colt (and its clones), the Belgian Browning P35, and German Walther P38. These guns have a well-earned reputation for reliability and performance from arctic wastes, to desert sands, to the foulest tropical jungle. Navy SEALs used limited numbers of P35 High Powers in Viet Nam. The P35 was highly-prized by them. Specifications: Caliber: 9mm NATO (9x19mm) Length -- 7.75 inches. Height -- 5.0 inches. Barrel -- 4.75 inches. Weight (empty) -- 2.0 lbs.

[45Auto]

Sometime in 1910 or so, Browning was working on what was to become the Model of 1911 for Army ordnance tests. At the time he built two prototypes for Army inspection: one had the exposed hammer and the other had an internal hammer. (Pictures of these two prototypes were published in Dean Grennel's Book of the .45) The army chose the exposed hammer model and the rest is history. I don't know if the original Hi-power was also designed with an internal hammer. I need to do a little more reasearch. I have never thought of the Hi-power as anything different from the one shown above.

[45Auto]

Perhaps you were thinking of this one: the FN/Browning Model of 1900

[45Auto]

Here's a picture of the FN/Browning Model of 1910, chambered in .32 and .380 auto

[45Auto]

And here's the FN/Browning Model of 1903, also chambered in .32 and a round called the 9 x 20:

[45Auto]

Looks like you are both right and wrong. Here's a photo of Browning's first prototype of what was to become the Hi-power:

[45Auto]

Here's a link to a short history of the Hi power:

Browning FN Hi Power

Browning died in 1926 (in Belgium) and the FN did in fact redesign the original prototype that Browning had first made in Utah in the late 'teens or early 1920's. It was called the model of 1935. Because the original pistol design was Browning's, FN gave him full credit for the gun.

[mamelukesabre]

nope, that's a predecessor to the 1911 colt

[mamelukesabre]

That's also a predecessor to the 1911 colt.

[mamelukesabre]

THat sounds about right.

But I dissagree with the reason for FN giving full credit to browning. They didn't do it out of respect or admiration or honesty or anything like that. They did it for marketability and profit. "Browning" has name recognition and anything with "browning" on it will sell. FN knew this and so they called it the browning high power. It's like when someone very much loved dies and the public still wants more of them. Someone comes along and claims to have found "unfinished work" and then finishes it and sells it as the famous one's work.

Louis L'Amour, the famous writer is a good example. After he died, someone started writing books "in the style of" L'amour and claimed to have written the new books from actual notes that Lamour had written. In other words, they claimed to have finished work that he started before he died. I'm sure they are still very good books, but they are not really Louis L'amour books.

The FN highpower is the same. It is a very good pistol, but it is not really a browning firearm, no matter how much all of us want it to be.