The release of SA, Inc's clone compelled me to pull out my 1990 High Power. Nice old pistol, very reliable, but it still has the magazine disconnect. I think I'm gonna get that thing out of the pistol.

I checked youtube for the method to do this and found two different ways of going about the task. One video shows removing the trigger assembly.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqlTZoNgBHM

Most other videos show what appears to be a simpler method of drifting out the mag disconnect pin from the trigger. Here's one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdApLdz8EGA

My question is, which method would you choose? It seems the second method is the way to go, but there's no harm in asking first. Thanks

I've shot with 2 different guys who had the High Powers and both did door #2 below, removing the magazine disconnect pin.

I've shot both and the triggers are definitely better.

If it were me, that's the way I'd go. If it's not enough for you, then try step #1.

A lot of those pins are VERY tight and I would not want to hit them hard enough with the trigger still in the gun. If the pin doesn't move with the first rap, best to go to the trouble to get the trigger out and on a bench block. But then the trigger pins can be very tight, too.

I did it twice and I used the second method. And I felt a noticeable improvement in the trigger pull on both of them. If the High Power in question has the epoxy finish make sure the drift fits the pin very well and be sure to protect the finish around the pin, no matter what the finish is, just in case.

I used method #2 on three Hi Powers. Actually I let a gunsmith do the second and third ones. The first was a 1960s blued Hi Power and the mag safety pin came out easily. The second was a Mk III with epoxy finish. I could not budge the pin and marred the finish trying. I took that gun and another Mk III to a gunsmith and watched him do it. He put the frame on a lead block, used a precise-fitting cupped pin punch, and struck it a shockingly heavy blow with a hammer. On the gun I had not yet marred, he knocked the pin out cleanly. I would never have had the nerve to use that kind of force behind the hammer if I hadn’t seen him do it. He looked like a blacksmith striking a horseshoe. I agree that the key is a perfectly fitting drift punch.

I actually put the magazine disconnect back into one of my HPs because apparently these things are starting to become more collectible and keeping them original is more desirable. At the very least don't throw out the parts, put them in a bag and hang onto them.

I used method #1 when customizing my FN MKIII as I also swapped out the stock trigger for a Cylinder & Slide CS037 wide combat trigger (which also doesn't have the pin/hole for the magazine disconnect).

As above, the key is having the correct tools to do the job without damaging the finish in the process. I have had the mag disconnect removed from two of my BHP, and I had a gunsmith with tons of experience do them......and do a trigger job also at the same time. What an improvement!! I used Don Williams of The Action Works in Az.

quote:

Originally posted by darkest2000:
I actually put the magazine disconnect back into one of my HPs because apparently these things are starting to become more collectible and keeping them original is more desirable. At the very least don't throw out the parts, put them in a bag and hang onto them.

I wouldn't discard the parts but I can see the collectability angle. This pistol is nothing would every carry. I think it's been about 17 years since I last fired it, so I may just leave it alone.

It's been handled and fired enough so that the grip straps are patina'd. I was thinking at one time of having the frame HC'd.

I have a fairly well used 1960's T series. The front of the magazine where the disconnect rubs was polished almost glass smooth, so was the face of the magazine disconnect where it bears against the magazine. I think at some point in the pistol's history, someone had done this.

I at one point took the magazine disconnect out and there was not as much of an improvement as I expected so after a few months I put it back in.

If I did this, it wouldn't be to change the trigger pull. It would be be nice to have magazines drop free and it would be nice to be able to lower the hammer without a magazine in the pistol.

I did the #2 method on my Israeli HP. It had some kind of epoxy on it and the pin was a mother to get out. I think a 500 pound Jewish gorilla put a 1/17” pin in a 1/16” hole!

Another gun I wish I had not sold. But we live and learn. My dad has my BHP I sold him when I got divorced and needed money fast. Beautiful blued made in Belgium HP. I hope it’s 30+ years until I inherit it.

I would leave it alone. Years ago, I bought a 9mm BHP practical(still have it). The previous owner had removed the mag safety. I sent the pistol to Browning and had them reinstall the safety.
Novak's can do a decent trigger job on your pistol, and still retain the mag safety.

Note that the Browning Competition with the ugly muzzle weight and cheap looking sheet metal adjustable rear sight has a magazine disconnect pivoted to the receiver behind the trigger that does not affect the trigger pull.

I wish I had never clicked on this thread! Pin came out easy, bar moved forward with a little effort. The fucking mag safety will not budge! Gonna put the POS back together and stuff it back in the safe. Damn thing draws blood every time I shoot it anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
If I did this, it wouldn't be to change the trigger pull. It would be be nice to have magazines drop free and it would be nice to be able to lower the hammer without a magazine in the pistol.

Just buy one or two of the latest 'mousetrap' mags. IIRC, they also hold 15rds, and the little spring on the bottom will have them ROCKETING out of your pistol when you press the button.

What you gain in a nicer trigger pull, you will lose with a slower reset of the trigger. With your finger so used to Glocks' triggers, I bet you'll be cursing the feel of the BHP if you do this mod.

Just sayin....LOL.

I picked up this MkIII a couple of years ago and the the Mag disconnect was already removed by the previous owner but he did include it with the box, etc. I don’t know what method he used but he told me he was a gunsmith.

BTW I’ve read a lot of criticisms about how crappy these BHP triggers are but mine couldn’t be smoother. I don’t know whether he did additional work besides removing the connector.

I tried #2 on mine but it wouldn't work. I ended up having to take the trigger pin/assembly out, and that took a vise and a hardened spacer to crack that pin loose (It was firmly in place due to the Israeli epoxy/paint finish). It made a noise like the frame broke when it finally popped loose but it was fine. Trigger is much better since the disconnector is out, but as with all HPs, the reset is pretty vague. Still a very shootable pistol.

I took the disconnect out of my FEG and FM clones. I used method #1 and removed the trigger. I didn't do it for a better trigger pull. I did it to make the mags drop free.
I left the disconnect in my Browning MK III as it is now a collectible and I didn't want to mess with it. However, I did polish the face of the disconnect. Now magazines drop out with just a little shake.

The late Stephan A. Camp wrote a High Power disassembly guide. I believe his wife still offers the guide as well as his other books for sale here:

https://hipowersandhandguns.com/Products5.html