This post will focus on a way to use a Hi-Power style pistol for EDC.

I just acquired this pristine Browning Hi-Power made about 2015 (a short time before FN/Browning announced the end of the run of these beautiful guns). I have mentioned before that I was actually issued a confiscated BHP in 1974 when I was assigned to an undercover detective team. If I remember correctly, we simply carried them stuck in our belt with no holster. Fast forward to this BHP, and there is no way I would want to mark up this gun carrying it like that,



Thanks to Girsan, they have recently brought to us an almost perfect sample of what an edc BHP should be in the form of their compact “PI” model. I have had this for several months and it just keeps getting better and better, really smoothing out.





This photo shows my favorite carry magazine with the “mouse trap” eject system. This original Browning 13 round magazine is also coated which really smoothes out the trigger pull (I am leaving in the mag disconnect system). The back up mag is the 15 round MecGar mag that came with the gun.



The Girsan grips that came with the gun were replaced with wood Hogue grips as shown above. The really nice stock Girsan grips now reside on my FEG recently purchased. They feel great and are a big help in dealing with the non-stock safety lever a prior owner installed.





The compact Girsan High Power™ MC P35 PI, to me, is the solution for actually using a dependable Hi-Power for every day carry.

Any thoughts or comments will be appreciated.

Trooper Joe

Nice looking pistols but I'm having a bit of a problem with either being considered 'compact' or ideal for carry by today's standards.

I may have to pick up a Browning High-power one day... have coveted one since reading the book Serpico back in about 1974.....

Finally! A worthy successor to the FM M90 Detective.

Thread about my self customized 1994 vintage Detective: https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...935/m/5560037964/p/1



Stock from the factory.

Thanks for the review. I’ve long wanted a Hi-Power but don’t want to pay the asking price for them. I was excited about the new Springfield and FN offerings but after learning more, and seeing their prices, I’m not as interested.

The Girsan looks promising and I’ve read really great reviews. I was initially hesitant to buy anything from them but it looks like there are a couple Turkish companies that are churning out great guns at a great value. After reading many reviews, including some on SigForum, I recently purchased a Tisas 1911 and am picking it up Tuesday. One of these Girsan Hi-Powers is probably next.

Out of all of them, after I get done paying for my recent splurging, getting a PI sent off to Mk3 Firearms for their Single Stage Trigger Job and some faceting on the front/back straps is an idea I've got.

Very nice Trooper Joe! Any hammer bite with that hammer?

How much shorter is the barrel compared to a full size High Power barrel?

quote:

Originally posted by kaschi:
How much shorter is the barrel compared to a full size High Power barrel?

Here is what I found on the net:

Girsan PI [CAL: 9mm
CAP: 15+1
BBL: 3.88″
OAL: 6.25″
WT: 1.6 lbs]

Girsan MCP 35 [CAL: 9MM
CAP: 15+1
BBL: 4.87″
OAL: 7.75″
WT: 1.8 lbs]

Browning HP Standard [Caliber: 9x19mm; Magazine capacity: 13; Barrel length: 4-5/8"; Overall length: 7-3/4";
Weight: 2 pounds]

I just measured my Girsan PI and Browning Standard. The Standard barrel was 4.782” and the Girsan PI barrel was 3.997” (1.215” shorter)

Trooper Joe

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Trooper Joe,

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.9mm:
Very nice Trooper Joe! Any hammer bite with that hammer?

This hammer is great. Of course, I have never had “hammer bite” even with my Walther PPK.

Trooper Joe

quote:

Originally posted by Blume9mm:
Nice looking pistols but I'm having a bit of a problem with either being considered 'compact' or ideal for carry by today's standards.

I may have to pick up a Browning High-power one day... have coveted one since reading the book Serpico back in about 1974.....

I don’t really care for “today’s standard” plastic guns. If you like a Colt Commander style EDC, you will probably like this reduced size (1” shorter) Hi-Power type gun.

Trooper Joe

I like the look of that!

What does one do holster-wise for a “shortened Hi Power” like this - just go with standard BHP gunleather or go custom, I assume?

(Not that it really matters - I just tend to be OCD when it comes to holsters haha…)

I might want to hold off on buying one right now. At the Great American Outdoors Show, EAA mentioned that Girsan is working on a PI with an alloy frame. They'll also be doing an Match version like the full size with the beavertail, extra undercut, and no mag safety. No time table, but it's worth knowing it's coming.

I also wanted to show off a Mk3 Firearms trigger job. Nest time I buy a Hi Power, I'm making sure I budget for this.

quote:

Originally posted by TheFrontRange:
I like the look of that!

What does one do holster-wise for a “shortened Hi Power” like this - just go with standard BHP gunleather or go custom, I assume?

(Not that it really matters - I just tend to be OCD when it comes to holsters haha…)

This was also asked in the thread of mine linked above... Any holster that works for a 1911 commander will work just fine for the chopped Hi-Powers.

My son just sent me a video of Mk3 40 BHP fully pimped out with 357sig barrel. Would really like that to add to my growing 357sig collection

Question does the girsan slide work on a FN or browning HP lower?

None of my local providers have come up with a PI model yet. Plenty of full size girsan available. Fit and finish seems tolerable.

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:

…”Question does the girsan slide work on a FN or browning HP lower?”…

.

I just tried to install the complete slide assembly (with barrel, recoil spring system and the Girsan slide lock) from my Girsan PI onto the frame of my Browning Hi-Power Standard. It fit perfectly and dry functioned very smoothly.

I also installed the Browning slide lock into the Girsan system and it also fit perfectly.





It should be noted that I previously swapped slides between my Girsan PI with my full size Girsan P35 and both guns functioned as if they were made that way.

Thanks for suggesting this EIToro.

Trooper Joe

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by TheFrontRange:

What does one do holster-wise for a “shortened Hi Power” like this - just go with standard BHP gunleather or go custom, I assume?

(Not that it really matters - I just tend to be OCD when it comes to holsters haha…)

This was also asked in the thread of mine linked above... Any holster that works for a 1911 commander will work just fine for the chopped Hi-Powers.

Just today, I tried a kydex (or similar) holster for a sig 365. My Girsan PI fit perfectly!! I was surprised. The only catch is that the holster can't have a closed or narrowed bottom as the slide sticks out about 1/4". One of my Sig holsters fit and the other didn't as the bottom was partially closed.

just another data point......ymmv

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mike28w,