Stephen Camps Favorite Handgun
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Why the 9mm Hi Power Remains a Favorite of Mine by Master Gun Writer Stephen Camp www.hipowersandhandguns.com
It is a safe bet that the choices in 9mm pistols has never been greater than today. They can be had from diminutive little things about the size of the traditional .380 ACP (and smaller) to the 1911 platform in standard 5" guns to 6" long slides.
And the choice is there in action types, too! We can still find purely single-action autos from a number of makers including FN, CZ, and a number of 1911 makers who chamber it in 9mm. Traditional DA/SA automatics can be found from S&W, HK, SIG-Sauer, CZ, and more. Want a "plastic pistol"? You can sure find in from Glock, SA with their XD9, S&W, and others. Some such as CZ and HK offer selective single-action, meaning that their DA/SA pistols can be carried cocked-and-locked.
Despite more modern designs offering higher capacity and lighter weight, the Hi Power remains my personal favorite general-purpose sidearm. It handles most perceived handgunning needs pretty well in my experience.
For me, the Hi Power continues to remain my favorite overall.
Part of this is admittedly subjective but some good arguments for the "mature" Hi Power design can be made. So let's take a gander at why this classic design continues to be popular with folks interested in something to take to the range to those most assured that they will go in harm's way.
Simplicity & Reliability: The Hi Power consists of very few internal parts compared to many of today's handguns, but it is not alone. Others include the aging Makarov, the 1911, and the considerably younger Glock. All of these pistols share a common trait and one that is frequently espoused by their devotees: reliability. Each of these guns has proven itself capable of functioning under adverse conditions. The ultra-fine sand of Iraq may affect one more than another, but that pistol may do better in arctic climates. The Hi Power has been doing this decade after bloodletting decade. I am not saying that more internally complex handguns are doomed to be unreliable; I am saying that the potential is there.
With older classic Hi Powers pre-dating the Mk II which arrived in the '80's, the Hi Power's legendary reliability was primarily with FMJ or ball ammunition. It is very true that many of these guns simply would not run reliably with other than jacketed round nose ammunition. Their humped feed ramps worked great with military-style ammunition but could be very selective about which JHP ammo they would feed. With some work on the feed ramp this could be changed and I've done that very thing with a couple of my older Hi Powers. They handle any JHP I've put in them since. With the Mk II and it progeny, the Mk III, there is no such problem. FN finally went with a feed ramp capable of slickly feeding about any JHP.
Today it seems that reliability complaints with the Mk II or Mk III pistols is not feeding, but extraction. With enough ammunition fired, it is possible for crud to build up under the extractor to the point that the claw does not move inward enough to get a complete "bite" on the cartridge rim. A failure to extract can be the result. Simply removing the extractor and cleaning out the mess usually solves the problem and it is not chronic; it occurs after many rounds have been fired, assuming that parts are in spec…and they usually are.
The other "problem" with the Hi Power is that the extractor spring must be a strong one. Pushing inward at the rear of the extractor should require pretty good effort to move the extractor. If it doesn't, the spring needs to be replaced. (I've had really good luck with Wolff extra strength extractor springs.)
That's about it. Clean under the extractor every case or two of ammunition and you should be good to go and check the extractor spring. If you unexpectedly begin experiencing failures to extract and the extractor claw is in good shape; I'll bet the problems either crud under the extractor or a weak spring.
The Mk III 9mm shown has been very lightly modified and many people have guns set up about the same way: Novak fixed sights, C&S hammer & sear, and aftermarket stocks. The pistol lends itself to custom touches. This one needed no "work" to enhance either accuracy or reliability.
Reliability is desirable at the range. It is essential for self-defense whether fending off felonious assault as a private citizen, shooting it out with a criminal as a peace officer, or dishing out defeat to the nation's enemies in war.
The Hi Power will reliably pop any primer I've tried. This includes the very hard-primed Greek ammunition sold in droves here a year or two ago. Glock 9mm's simply did not get 100% detonation. Neither did S&W 9mm pistols. The reason is that the Hi Power has a hell for stout mainspring. I am not aware of another handgun mainspring rated at 32-lbs. The striker on the Glock and the S&W with it's lighter mainspring simply couldn't overcome each and every single one of the hard Greek primers.
A few months after its debut, ads for the Greek surplus stated, "Not For Use in Glock Pistols". At this point I should mention that this stuff was probably excessively hard primed, possibly for use in open bolt submachine guns. (Glocks and most other quality 9mm automatics have reliably fired most every other military round I've tried or seen shot.
I know they've been reliable with any and all US-manufactured ammo I've tried.) Still, this speaks well of the Hi Power. The change to the heavier mainspring took place in the '70's with the "C-series" Hi Powers. I was told at the time that this was not necessarily to increase reliable primer detonation but to help the pistols withstand some hot-loaded SMG ammunition being used in the unending unpleasantness in the Middle East.
The heavier mainspring works similar to a heavier recoil spring in delaying the slide's rearward movement and slows slide velocity to avoid rounding locking lugs on the barrel. Still, it is a good thing to know that the pistol is capable of reliably firing most any 9mm cartridge made in the world. (The only primers I've seen fail to fire in the Hi Power 9mm and .45 1911 have been in factory Sellier & Bellot ammunition.
In these cases I believe that the primers were defective. Both pistols had full-strength mainsprings and the same rounds failed in other pistols as well. I have not seen this repeated in several years but still have a hard time trusting S&B for anything other than the range.)
Accuracy: This is a relative term. To a formal match pistol shooter, the Hi Power is an inaccurate handgun. To the less than stellar shot, that the gun will keep its shots on a piece of typing paper at 10 yards might mean that it is very accurate in his estimation. To me the Hi Power is a very accurate handgun considering that its original intent was not to wallow out a single hole at 25 meters. Having shot lots of Hi Powers over the decades, I submit that most will put 10 shots inside about 2 to 2 1/2" with ammunition that groups in that gun.
I've seen it consistently group better than what some gun scribes euphemistically call "acceptable combat accuracy." A Hi Power capable of but 3" @ 25 yards would be dropping any shot no farther than 1 1/2" from the POA, assuming zero error on the shooter's part…which is rare.
For those wanting greater intrinsic accuracy in their Hi Power, a fitted BarSto barrel will usually reduce group size by 15 to 20% with most jacketed rounds and more with cast bullet loads. The 1:10" twist of the factory barrel works with some cast loads, but the 1:16" does better in my experience and with a wider variety of cast/plated bullets. The majority of my Hi Powers use their standard factory barrel, as they're plenty accurate enough for my purposes.
For a general-purpose sidearm, if I can hit a target the size of an orange at about 25 yards that's all I require. This does not mean that the Hi Power platform is incapable of better accuracy. The target version of the gun, the FN Competition, is capable of very small groups, but the gun is no longer produced; no demand. It appears that fans of the Hi Power find it accurate enough in standard trim for their intended needs.
As can be seen in the targets above, the Hi Power is capable of relatively tight groups in slow-fire and handles well in the rapid-fire controlled pair target on the left as well as on the right target.
The thing that really contributes to the Hi Power's accuracy for me is its practical accuracy. In other words, I find it extremely easy to shoot well in both slow and rapid-fire. This is akin to how "good" a gun feels and is subjective but it would appear that from the gun's long service history and relative popularity among 9mm shooters, a great many folks feel the same way.
It has been reported that some 9mm pistols suffer reliability problems when using 147-gr. JHP ammunition. While I admit not being a user of this weight bullet in 9mm, I have had no problems with the limited amounts that I've tried in a couple of Mk III pistols. Ammunition used was Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Sabers, Winchester Silvertip, and Winchester Ranger.
These loads ran smoothly and w/o malfunction using either the standard factory 17-lb. recoil spring or the Wolff 18.5-lb. All of this ammunition grouped well with ejection being positive. People considering the Hi Power but preferring the "heavy bullet" approach should have no reliability problems based on what I've seen. (This does not mean that the ammo to be used shouldn't be tested in the individual pistol.)
Winchester Ranger 147-gr. 9mm JHP fed reliably and grouped well at 15 yards from this Mk III pistol using the factory barrel. So has 9mm ammo in this bullet weight from other ammunition manufacturers. The only ammunition that sometimes fails to eject in my Hi Powers is some of the ultra-light bullet loads such as the RBCD and Aguila. This was due to the 18.5-lb. recoil spring. Dropping down to the factory standard would have solved that "problem". I opted not to, as I do not use the really light 50 and 60-odd grain ammunition. The Hi Powers I've shot have worked reliably as sin with any bullet from 88 to 158 grains.
Spare & Aftermarket Parts: Parts remain plentiful for the Hi Power from the manufacturer as well as from Cylinder & Slide and a few other places. There will probably never be as many aftermarket parts and choices as exist for the Hi Power and Glock pistols, but spare parts are available and should be for years to come even if FN does eventually cease production of the Hi Power.
9mm Cartridge: I like it and consider it the "perfect" cartridge for the sleek Hi Power. There are other articles on this site focusing on various standard velocity and +P rated 9mm loads for the Hi Power so I won't dwell deeply on it here other than to say that the choice is wide for people interested in high-performance loads in this caliber. With the advent of some of today's bullet designs I think the "gap" between standard velocity performance and that from some +P has considerably narrowed.
I do not consider the 9mm wanting in terms of performance when loaded with such ammunition as Winchester's 127-gr. +P+, Corbon DPX 115-gr. +P, Remington's 124-gr. Golden Sabers in either standard velocity or +P or Speer's 124-gr. Gold Dots in either pressure range. The old Federal 115-gr. JHP isn't bad, either! While I do believe that in its better loadings .45 ACP edges higher performance-wise than 9mm, I am not convinced that the difference is significant.
I am sure that it is not if the larger caliber cannot be shot as accurately as the 9mm. In short, I'm quite happy if armed with a 9mm Hi Power and what I consider good defensive ammunition.
The classic cocked-and-locked Hi Power has lost some ground and market sales to newer designs such as the Glock. Shown here is a Mk III Hi Power and Glock's compact 9mm, the 26. For most of us the Hi Power has more pleasing lines. Notice also that while considered a service size handgun, the Hi Power is not really all that much bigger than the Glock 26. Either pistol is a capable performer with the DPX 115-gr. ammunition shown, but I find the Hi Power easier to shoot well in either slow or rapid-fire.
Conclusion: The FN Hi Power, GP, P-35, or by whatever name it is known has served people going into dangerous situations very well for many decades. Though its popularity is declining in current times, the pistol remains a favorite of many handgun enthusiasts and will for decades to come. I think I might have written many of the reasons why. Born in a different era, some consider it a relic. Others simply see it as continuing to do what a pistol should: function reliably and allow the shooter to put the holes where he wants them. I see it as something a little different. To me it is a reliable design but one that is also a work of art, combining function with graceful lines and deadly beauty.
For those desiring to do so the Hi Power lends itself to custom touches and a number of famous gunsmiths specialize in Hi Power customization.
I have no quarrels with those opting for a different 9mm. Each of us must "work out our own salvation" so to speak, but for myself, no other 9mm satisfies so completely as the Hi Power.
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A Trio of Pocket .380 ACPs: Steer Clear of NAA’s GuardianInstead, depending on your needs, pick the slightly larger but fully functional Beretta Cheetah. Also, we loved aspects of S&W’s PPK, but it didn’t work during some parts of our test.
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TOP STORY
Osama's Pak-Afghan shuttleAl-Qaida leader alive, well, armed with nukes
Publishing Date: 20.04.06 11:19
Just over a month ago, on March 15, Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., informed the Philadelphia Inquirer that Osama bin Laden had died of natural causes in Iran. The source for Weldon's monumental announcement was an Iranian exile with the codename Ali. "Ali," he said, "told me that Osama bin Laden is dead. He died in Iran."
Journalist Mir with bin LadenWeldon has long insisted that bin Laden has found sanctuary in Iran. In June 2005, the Pennsylvania congressman exclaimed: "I'm confident that I know for sure that bin Laden has been in and out of Iran. Two years ago, he was in the southern town of Ladis, 10 kilometers inside the Pakistan border.
I also know that earlier this year he had a meeting with al-Zarqawi in Iran. If you look at the recent comments coming out of the CIA and some of our military generals, they're now acknowledging the same thing that I've been saying - - that, in fact, he's been in and out of Iran."
Weldon's comments made headlines throughout the country.
But, according to the internationally acclaimed Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir, the Republican congressman may have developed a case of Capital Hill foot-in-mouth disease. Bin Laden, Mir insists, is not only alive and well but in the process of preparing a video-taped appearance for al-Jazeera, the Qatari Arabian news network.
Mir, who conducted the only post 9/11 interviews with bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, says that he remains in sporadic indirect contact with the elusive emir and other al-Qaida officials.
During one of Mir's interviews, bin Laden announced that he had managed to acquire nuclear weapons for use in the great jihad against the United States. "It is not difficult [to obtain tactical nukes]," the al Qaeda chieftain said, "not if you have contacts in Russia with other militant groups. They are available for $10 million and $20 million."
Contrary to accounts by Weldon, Mir maintains that bin Laden found shelter in the frontier regions of Pakistan, not Iran, in the wake of the bombing of his mountain fortress at Tora Bora.
Among the Pashtun tribes, bin Laden remained protected by the Islamic code of milmastia which demands protection for fellow Muslims who seek shelter in their country -- even if such shelter means risking their lives.
From 2002 to 2004, bin Laden spent most of his time in the valley of Dir, about fifty miles from the Afghan border on the Kunar Province. Dir remains within the Malakand Pass, the site of some of the fiercest skirmishes under the British Raj. A Pakistani fort still stands where the young Winston Churchill shot down rebels and received a citation for heroism.
The fort is presently occupied by Maulvi Sufi Mohamad, an old and revered Muslim scholar, who maintains a Taliban-style rule of the area with public executions of adulterers, homosexuals, apostates, and Christian infidels. It was an area in which bin Laden felt quite at home.
Despite the $25 million bounty that the U.S. government placed on his head -- a bounty that is proclaimed by thousands of Pashtu-language leaflets that are dropped by US aircraft on a regular basis, bin Laden felt secure enough to travel to other parts of Pakistan, including periodic trips to Peshawar and the smuggler-infested bazaar town of Rabate J'ali, north of Zahedan, within the center of "the Devil's Triangle," the conjunction of the borders of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.
In 2004, according to Mir, bin Laden resettled in the Kunar province of eastern Afghanistan, only to return to the tribal regions of Pakistan in 2005.
Mir maintains that bin Laden now regularly moves from both locations with little fear of capture. The Pakistani journalist says that his beliefs in this regard have been confirmed by General Richard Myers and other leading American military officials.
From Mir's perspective, bin Laden is the beneficiary of the failed military tactics of the Bush administration. He says: "Now that Americans have reduced their troops in Afghanistan, they are busy in Iraq. They got Saddam Hussein with 150,000 troops in Iraq. How can they get Osama in Afghanistan with only 16,000 American troops?"
Bin Laden, according to Mir, has recently met with Mullah Omar in Afghanistan and will appear on al-Jazeera, the Arab news network, with "a very important message" for the American people within the immediate future.
Mir's account of the present whereabouts of the elusive emir confirms a story published by WorldNetDaily Aug. 6, 2005.
Concerning the present hiding place of the world's most wanted fugitive, Retired Vice Admiral John Scott Redd, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, said: "To say the obvious, if you want to hide somewhere in a very difficult area of the world where you have some friends and some support, you can do a pretty good job if you don't communicate and if you stay out of the limelight."
-- G2B contributors Paul L. Williams, Ph.D., and David Dastych
Restrictive Gun Laws Pushing People Out Of Big Cities, Three States, Says SAF
4/20/2006 5:22:00 PM
To: National Desk, Legal Reporter
Contact: Alan Gottlieb of Second Amendment Foundation, 425-454-7012; Web:
BELLEVUE, Wash., April 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Census Bureau has reported what amounts to a "domestic migration" from three large cities in three key states, and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) blames much of this population flight on repressive gun laws.
The Associated Press reported Thursday that, according to the Census Bureau, states losing the most people are New York, California and Illinois.
"This is no mystery," said SAF founder Alan Gottlieb. "Those states are infamous for their anti-gun attitudes. Countless times have we heard from people who have moved from those states because they wanted to escape the Draconian gun laws.
"The Census Bureau reports that New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles lost the most residents between 2000 and 2004," Gottlieb continued. "Anti-gun politicians and their restrictive gun laws have made it virtually impossible for average law-abiding citizens to get a concealed pistol license in Los Angeles or New York City. In Chicago, you can't own an unregistered handgun, and they no longer register handguns.
"Americans prefer to live where they can enjoy freedom and liberty, rather than depend upon an oppressive, disinterested municipal bureaucracy for their safety," he said
"It's not enough just to have a job anymore," Gottlieb noted.
"Americans are choosing to live where their families are secure and where sensible gun laws allow them to protect themselves and what's theirs. They're tired of being treated like criminals for exercising their civil right to own a gun. They're tired of taking the rap for crimes they didn't commit because gun-hating politicians are powerless against predatory thugs, or have sold out to political correctness, and refuse to crack down.
"They're tired of being scapegoats for governments that do more harm than good," he concluded. "They want to live where owning guns is respected rather than reviled, and where criminals think twice about attacking someone who may be ready and willing to fight back."
The Second Amendment Foundation (
http://www.usnewswire.com/
posted by Teddy Jacobson at 3:50 PM
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