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Posted: 3/4/2024 10:16:20 PM EDT
So I've pretty much owned and shot nothing but polymer striker-fired guns, however lately I've had an itch for a BHP. In part because I grew up shooting a MkIII that belonged to a relative, and partly because, visually/historically, they're my favorite handgun - peak aesthetics IMO. Anyway, when the SA-35 came out a couple of years ago I got excited, until they immediately started having issues. I've heard they're supposedly better now, but I don't know if this is 100% confirmed. I've recently been looking at the Girsan (standard model, as I find the updated ones with the beavertail, rail, etc. ruin the look) and have been impressed with what I've read, especially at the price point, however I would immediately ditch the mag disconnect safety, and would want to replace the atrocious sights. This would be something of a range toy, however I would also want it to be solid and reliable if ever I should have a mind to carry it - I don't have the surplus funds to buy guns that are exclusively toys or safe queens. Then today I saw the announcement for the new Inglis HPs coming out. I'm not concerned about the historical inaccuracies some have complained about regarding whether or not Inglis made a certain version/model etc. I think these things look great and their claim that there are no MIM parts or anything is also impressive at the price point. This is obviously not a proven option however as they are brand new.
Anyway, does anyone have any input on what I should lean towards in the event I decide to jump into the BHP game? What needs upgrading out of the box on any of them for practical range/carry usage? I don't need some $300 competition trigger or $400 match barrel or the like, just something that is reliable and has acceptable accuracy. |
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The first thing to improve trigger pull is to remove the magazine disconnect if there is one. A alternative is to polish the back of the magazine where the disconnect contacts the magazine. Watch YouTube videos to do the removal correctly. And look for a model that has target sights factory installed.
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Just buy one and shoot it and then you'll see where you need to go with it (if anywhere).
If you want max authenticity shoot for an FN or Browning Mk III model, they're out there, they made a lot of 'em. I've owned both and they were solid. Some of the older ones (C Series/T Series) don't have throated feed ramps so they don't feed hollow points as well so know that. Had a Charles Daly HP, wasn't as fond of it, frame was slightly different. My only complaints of the HP is the triggers are never what I would consider excellent, and the frame safeties are not detented like a 1911 so they're kinda mushy. |
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https://bhspringsolutions.com/index.php/hi-power-university/
Lots of good information - I have a FEG, FN, FMP, and Browning. All have differences in trigger pull. I have swapped springs, polished magazine disconnector, and installed the EGW sear. Same advice I'd give a new 1911 owner, buy it, shoot it 500 rounds, and then decide if you want to change anything. HTH |
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Tennessee Squire - F&AM - PBA
LE Armorer - Montgomery NRA Grad |
Take it out and shoot it. I know a lot of people advocate taking out the magazine disconnect. I did on my MK111 HP, the trigger pull was not improved and the reset went to shit.
I made a promise to myself to send it the Cylinder and Slide and have them do a trigger job on it, but life got in the way, hopefully I'll get that done this year. |
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America is at that awkward stage, it’s too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards....Claire Wolfe
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Originally Posted By 50-140: Take it out and shoot it. I know a lot of people advocate taking out the magazine disconnect. I did on my MK111 HP, the trigger pull was not improved and the reset went to shit. View Quote If you decide to take out the magazine safety, you should/have to change the trigger spring to the two coil version to get the correct reset. Do it at the same time, so you don't have to remove the trigger pin again (lift the trigger spring out of the pin notch before attempting to drive it out). My MkIII definitely benefited from its removal. |
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It takes away some of the visual impact when you can't see it.
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Originally Posted By airman100: If you decide to take out the magazine safety, you should/have to change the trigger spring to the two coil version to get the correct reset. Do it at the same time, so you don't have to remove the trigger pin again (lift the trigger spring out of the pin notch before attempting to drive it out). My MkIII definitely benefited from its removal. View Quote Good advice. |
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I appreciate the responses guys. I was aware of the BHSS website and had planned to use them for any upgraded parts I may need. Regarding the Springfield and Girsan, is there any reason to go with one over the other as regards reliability? The SA is appealing due to the lack of mag disconnect, better sights, more positive safety, and supposedly decent trigger, but it's early issues give me pause, unless they've officially been resolved. The Girsan seems to be a more faithful repro of a MkIII, and at a better price point, although it has all of the HPs negatives (real or perceived) as well.
Any more info on the new Inglises that anyone knows about? I've found about all I could via Google but nothing showing when they might be available. |
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Originally Posted By airman100: If you decide to take out the magazine safety, you should/have to change the trigger spring to the two coil version to get the correct reset. Do it at the same time, so you don't have to remove the trigger pin again (lift the trigger spring out of the pin notch before attempting to drive it out). My MkIII definitely benefited from its removal. View Quote Thank you Springs ordered. |
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America is at that awkward stage, it’s too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards....Claire Wolfe
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Originally Posted By 50-140: Thank you Springs ordered. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By 50-140: Originally Posted By airman100: If you decide to take out the magazine safety, you should/have to change the trigger spring to the two coil version to get the correct reset. Do it at the same time, so you don't have to remove the trigger pin again (lift the trigger spring out of the pin notch before attempting to drive it out). My MkIII definitely benefited from its removal. Thank you Springs ordered. I should clarify my pin-moving comment, after re-familiarizing myself with my BHP- the trigger spring fits into a notch in the pin on the underside, keeping it in place. The spring should be pushed down towards the receiver (not lifted) to allow the pin to be driven out, right to left (as you hold the grip). The spring is rather stout, and trying to just brute force the pin out without relieving the holding pressure is likely not to be.. pretty. It's best to have a cupped punch that fits the rounded right side of the pin as well (BHSpringSolutions sells one), and wrapping the surrounding area with electrical tape is extra insurance against collecting punch skips/tracks along the side. |
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It takes away some of the visual impact when you can't see it.
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The Girsans are good, but notice how people are already telling you how to fix the gun, get new springs, etc. Screw that. I went with an SA-35 a few months ago and am very pleased with the purchase. Good to go. 100% reliable, nice finish, and I don't have to immediately start "fixing" it. Go with the SA-35.
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Originally Posted By astronwolf: The Girsans are good, but notice how people are already telling you how to fix the gun, get new springs, etc. Screw that. I went with an SA-35 a few months ago and am very pleased with the purchase. Good to go. 100% reliable, nice finish, and I don't have to immediately start "fixing" it. Go with the SA-35. View Quote Technically the person who raised the spring issue used his Browning Mk III as the example. That was also suggested if the OP opted to remove the magazine safety. Also note some models of the Girsan MC P35 pistols do not comes with a magazine safety in the first place. That’s the case with the P35 PI LW in my post above. |
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Originally Posted By astronwolf: The Girsans are good, but notice how people are already telling you how to fix the gun, get new springs, etc. Screw that. I went with an SA-35 a few months ago and am very pleased with the purchase. Good to go. 100% reliable, nice finish, and I don't have to immediately start "fixing" it. Go with the SA-35. View Quote Thanks for the reply. This is what I was hoping I might hear. If the SA is good to go, then I don't see a reason to not grab that, especially with the good sights and better trigger. If I take the BHP plunge this is probably the direction I will go. |
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If I didn’t already have a mk3 browning I’d spend the money on a springer SA35. They legitimately have excellent customer service in my experience. I’ve shot a cy of the sa35 and the trigger was ‘ok’. When I say ok, it’s comparable to my MK3 with a spring kit and deleted mag safety. Fwiw dropping the mag safety from my BHP took about 1/2 lb off the factory 10lb trigger. The spring kit (with stiffer return spring) has it down to maybe 7 lbs. interestingly enough, it’s a surprisingly shootable trigger and I’m comfortable with it as is.
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