The Browning Hi-Power pistol, first produced in 1935, is one of the best combat pistols ever designed. Lightweight, accurate, with a comfortable grip angle and chambered in 9mm with a 13-round capacity magazine, the Hi-Power is still being used or has just recently replaced by military forces in over 50 countries worldwide.
Every shooter has their preferences for what they want in a pistol, and there is a myriad of designs and options available today. But every shooter’s choice comes down to these three virtues: a pistol that functions flawlessly, is comfortable to shoot, and will meet the specific needs of the shooter. Once you clear away the hype and focus on answering these needs, the classics always re-emerge--proving it is difficult to improve on perfection.
The Browning Hi Power is one of the most prolific fighting pistols of all time. I've owned several, but for a variety of reasons could never hold on to one very long. Like John Browning's other, more famous, pistol—the 1911—the Hi Power needs a bit of tweaking from its original configuration to be optimal for modern self-defense. With a stable full of modern 1911s, I've just never managed to take the time or money to get the work done.