Took the new Hi-Power to the range for the first time today, and, boy, I love it!
Ran 200 rounds of ammunition through it - 100 rounds of Federal 115-gr FMJ, and 100 rounds of ZQ 123-gr FMJ NATO-standard stuff.
The only automatics I've owned before this are Glock, so, obviously this is different than a Glock! I tell ya, it is really nice to shoot. I have the walnut stocks, so the grip is wide. That provides a large surface area for the recoil to be distributed against. And I really like the feel of the recoil impulse through this gun... One of my Glocks is the Model 20 10mm. If you've shot a 10mm, you know recoil with them is robust...what I'd describe as "sharp." The Model 36, a single-stack .45 compact, doesn't have a "sharp" recoil. It definitely kicks, but it's more of a "blunt shove" than the "slap" of the 10mm.
The HP, of course, is a 9mm. I've never owned a 9, and I can only recall shooting one maybe one time, so it's unfamiliar...I wish I'd had a Glock 19 that I could have shot, back to back with the HP, for comparison.
But, the pistol is really pleasant to shoot. If you've owned one or watched reviews, you know that most people really like the grip, and how the pistol points, and I also found that to be the case. I have large, but not "thick" hands.
I did not experience any hammer bite.
The gun seems to hit where you point it... I was at an indoor range (50-ft Max), so I didn't get to stretch it out much. I'd love to have the opportunity to shoot outside with it - plink a little on some steel, bottles and cans, etc. at longer ranges.
I haven't shot that much over the past few years, so I definitely need some practice. I'm sure some of you are really good shots.
Here are a couple of my groups. Again, nothing special I'm sure... I plan on doing much better after some practice.
I had so much fun when I went to the range this afternoon, I decided to go back again tonight! This time I bought 50 rounds of their range ammo, and that's what i shot in the photos above.
For my first session, I took my S&W Model 686+ .357, mainly for trigger pull comparison, with the Smith being the "standard." So, compared with the Smith (which almost fires telepathically), the HP does have a heavier trigger. I don't know what the weight on the S&W trigger is (I'm estimating 2-3 lbs), but the HP trigger is about twice as heavy - probably about 6 lbs. And there's at least 1/4" of take up. Once you get into the trigger pull, it is crisp, with a sharp release. I can definitely see how it might be improved by lightening a bit.
Overall, very happy with it! It is exactly what I was looking for - 9mm, so ammo is reasonable (for the times we live in, lol). It is a joy to shoot, it looks really good, and is quite a conversation piece - tons of history behind it. Everyone I talk to who is a "gun person" seems to have a Browning Hi-Power story! Plus, it's really easy to field strip and clean...though it does seem to get more powder residue in it from shooting than my Glocks do.
No malfunctions in the 250 rounds I put through it today. Next, I'll probably try some steel and aluminum-case ammo in it, and, eventually research some hollowpoints to keep loaded in it when it's sitting on the nightstand or whatever (man, such a variety to choose from!). And, of course I'll want to run a couple of boxes through it to be sure it functions well with it.
Thanks to everybody for all the input and info...keep it coming! Thanks for reading!