As you know, the Browning Hi-Power’s design originated within the brilliant mind of one John Moses Browning. As you likely also know, the very capable Dieudonné Saive of Fabrique Nationale completed the work on the gun following Mr. Browning’s death.

What appears to be much lesser-known is the informal atmosphere that Monsieur Saive maintained at the factory. Having been christened with such an unusual first name, Dieudonné reportedly encouraged his coworkers to simply refer to him as “The Dude.” He really came to prefer that in all settings and, in a fit of whimsy - I almost have to believe this particular exchange occurred on a Friday afternoon at the end of a long workweek at the gunsmithing bench for the whole crew - he further elaborated: “I’m The Dude - that’s what you call me. That, or, His Dudeness, or Duder, or El Duderino if you’re not into the whole brevity thing.”

So, the next time you heft your favorite BHP, let forth with a hearty bellow in celebration: “Duuuuuude!”







Having recently acquired a lovely BHP massaged by Novak’s, Inc., I’ve found myself awash in appreciation for the gun and penned something similar to the above on social media - knowing there’s a BHP fan-base here, just wanted to share a Monday grin.

“Normal” pics of the gun below. This is Novak’s “Night Ops” package on a MkIII with the added updates at the request of the original owner of a Garthwaite trigger, an FEG slide stop, and a blacked-out rear sight. I’ve logged just over 500 rounds through this one so far and it proverbially “shoots better than I do” (as do most guns for me, ha-ha). I predominately shoot 1911s, and I’m still getting the feel of the trigger and of the gun overall, really. It’s been very nicely-rendered and I’ve begun tracking down applicable gunleather. In fact, that’s, like, a Bianchi Askins Avenger, new-old-stock and sized for a Hi Power, dude.

What is the point of the serrations on the lower front slide "nose" where the recoil assembly lives?

Just curious.

Chris

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
What is the point of the serrations on the lower front slide "nose" where the recoil assembly lives?

For press checks, I imagine.

^^ That’s exactly it from what I’ve read, for press-checks. I won’t use them, though they are well-done haha.

That's kinda what I thought. Just a little too close to 'splody end for my fingers.

^^ Haha, I so agree!

Yeah, I don't do press checks, serrated, not serrated, whatever. I don't put my fingers that near the muzzle of a loaded pistol. If I need to check to see if a round is chambered. I'll do it the old-fashioned way.

Still, it looks nice on that High Power.

Did he wear a belted sweater?

I’m with you, Para. I admit, I had to give it a try with the empty gun but wouldn’t dare with it loaded. The serrations are nice and deep, but I’m still using the support-hand over the back of the slide if I’ve just gotta check that chamber.

quote:

Originally posted by photohause:
Did he wear a belted sweater?

If I was skilled enough to photoshop a BHP into a pic of The Dude in his Pendleton sweater, I’d so do it haha!

lovely pistol

^^ Thank you!

Beautiful Hi-Power, one of my favorite handguns

^^ Thank you! I’ve had a couple prior and, to my chagrin, let them go. It’s been nice getting reacquainted with one!

Beautiful pistol.

Could the front serrations be used for slide rack against a surface or does that surface go beyond the dust shield when fully retracted?

Frankly, it helps to push/hold slide back so the safety can be swiped into the take down notch.
That’s how I do it on my BP.


After clearing pistol, either thumb in trigger guard and forefinger, or other way around.

I never press check.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
What is the point of the serrations on the lower front slide "nose" where the recoil assembly lives?

For press checks, I imagine.

that is definitely a very nice hi-power.

Thanks, all!

And, while I have secured the Askins Avenger as well as a very sharp NOS Alessi holster (the latter from eBay), I also placed a call to my favorite holster-maker, Milt Sparks, and now the wait begins for both a Roadrunner OWB and a Summer Special (not the SS2) - looking at at least six to seven months or so.

That's a truly beautiful pistol, and it seems that most of the upgrades are quite practical...a classic that's meant to be shot. I really like that.

You know, I'm ashamed to admit that I've never shot a Hi-Power...honestly I don't know if I've ever even handled one. It seems like quite an iconic lapse in my shooting reportoire. Some day I need to correct that.