Reading and hearing from you about the French interwar handgun trials shows that the French army likely never heard of the phrase “don’t let Perfect be the enemy of Good”
The french army like to keep their magazines for decades. In my time in the french army, i had a FAMAS F1 that was working like a charm, but all the mags were the early "disposable" mags, 1 in 3 of those mags are very very prone to firearm malfunctions. Some mags could go no problem through the 25 rounds, others would make malfunction every 3 rounds.
That’s something I noticed too. European militaries (especially the French) don’t really think of magazines as disposable and consumable items, which really wrecks the reliably of many of their firearms. Europeans will go so far as to serialize their magazines so they can keep track of them and the mag stays with the gun. Americans, on the other hand, always have a constant supply of new magazines for their weapons. We don’t bother to serialize magazines either. If a mag shows any signs of malfunctions, even after a few uses, we get rid of it.
Early 80's US Army in Europe - the M-16 magazines were garbage (30 round ones were useless though you could usually find decent 20 rounders), and the M-3 grease gun mags were worse. The ones for the 1911A1 usually had bent feed lips that, with patience, could be bent back into proper shape. The weapons themselves were worn out trash. The only ones to trust if war had come were the M-2HBs. To this day I don't trust the M-16 platform and consider the maximum effective range of the M1911A1 & the M3 to be "as far as you can throw it".
One of the favorite pistols that I own is a Browning Hi-Power that I obtained in VN during my tour with USSF there. I brought it back as a "war souvenir" which I could do because it was not made in the US. A curious rule, but that is the way it was. I still enjoy shooting it. I had another one that I had purchased before I went to VN which was very close in serial # to the one I brought back. I eventually sold the one I had bought earlier, as I had a friend who wanted it and I did not need two examples that were the same design. I sometimes carried the Hi-Power in VN in lieu of my issued 1911A1.
The greatest historical tragedy is that JMB could not use the stirrup trigger in the Browning HP because the patent ran for another 2 years and the French could not wait. Just imagine if we could have had that ! We know it would have worked because of the Para Ordnance P 14 and other double stack 1911's. A 1911 trigger in this beautiful 9mm! What a dream gun that would have been!
@@BeastHunterSam I know it can be smithed quite well I have had 3 of them but it is not possible to achieve that mega fast reset of a 911 trigger due to the indirect linkage between trigger and sear and the 'rocker' etc. Too much free play in the mechanism. The 1911 stirrup is direct onto the sear, that is why it is still the best trigger in the world.
Yeah, double stack 1911s are basically just Hi-Powers with the nice trigger. I am actually curious why more modern designs don’t incorporate the 1911 trigger, given the patents have long expired by now. Granted, I suppose that’s because the 1911 itself is still perfectly viable today, especially with a double stack frame and rails for accessories, so people who want the 1911 trigger just simply buys a modernized 1911 instead.
The one pistol on my surplus wish list right now. I have several friends who own HP's or clones who tell me endlessly about how much they love having theirs.
FN/Brownings are nice, but FM (Fabricaciones Militares) of Argentina made a very good licensed copy of the HP that is worth owning. The frame casting is not quite as clean as the FN forgings, but perfectly serviceable. I recommend giving it the BH Spring Solutions treatment, especially the Safety Fast System (which I started using when it was made in Belgium).
As ever, Ian, a brilliant presentation of facts about my favourite pistol. Thank you. Must buy myself a copy of the new expanded 3rd Edition of the FN Browning Pistols.
I remember at a Los Angeles gunshow in the 1970s seeing one of these pistols. The workmanship was impeccable. I was able to look at it and it would have been great to have this model rather than the later version. The Los Angeles gunshows had all kinds of rare firearms back then.
So much variety at the shows came from the LA community having so many firearms and be willing to sell, back then. Things have changed, oc. Especially seeing larger businesses take up the most spaces in recent years.
My Dad had one too, the guy he bought it from found it Wrapped in an oily rag in the forest where the battle of the bulge took place. It had Waa stamps with eagle & swastika all over it.
Thanks for the upload and info. I (sort of) accidentally bought a BHP in 2014. I was doing construction on a street across from a gun shop and would visit during lunch. I didn't own a gun at the time and fell in love with the Shield 9mm during one visit so I laid it away. I went in another time to pay on it and there was the BHP. Out of curiosity I asked about it and the salesman and another customer gave me the details on how great it was so I laid it away also still with little knowledge of it. I paid 600.00 for it and very happy with the purchase. It looked brand new but my researching dated it 1995. I was selfishly happy when it was discontinued and sad on its return into production. Oh well... I hope the value continues upwards.
What an amazing gun. I own an Argentinian Clone (previously licensed) FM M95 (Fabricaciones Militares Modelo 95) and is an absolute delight to shoot with. A design 100 years old that still holds strong.
Has anyone ever made a mag release where a soft press allows the mag to be partially ejected from the gun so as to protect it from hitting the ground and where a hard press forcefully ejects the mag for an emergency reload?
It's been a while since I watched Ians video on it, but I think the Korth might have had something similar? If not the Korth I'm certain I've seen a video on another sidearm that allows for either option
In a round about way the Webely Self Loader had a two stage magazine that could maybe be used in that manner. I suggest C&Rsenal's video on the gun if you want to learn more.
Your channel must be the best and more knowledgeable gun channel in internet. I had never heard about this gun, let alone saw it. You deserve my most sincere complements. Greetings from Brazil!
Thanks, Ian! BHSpringSolutions channel has a Hi Power University playlist that begins with the development history, I think it's a must see if you want to delve deeper. Browning's original design had a very low parts count and the bolt and striker were easily removed. I was very much reminded of the Savage entry for the 1911 trials.
I saw this gun in the Rock Island catalog for a recent auction and was hoping Ian might do something about it. BH Spring Solutions also has some good videos on the GR/HP evolution.
Excellent stuff, my friend...in another week I'll be giving a presentation to our collectors club in Lake Worth(less) on St John of Browning..I've ordered one of Vanderlinden's books from that large Brazilian river and another on the history of FN...The big book of his is beyond my means...
FYI, Vanderlindens two volume third edition of FN Browning pistols is available for pre-order now at a discount. It's supposed to ship in late September or early October.
The high power is one of my favorate handguns, last time I shot one the mag would drop free but it was not parkerized. The UK only changed from post war high powers made in Canada to Glocks with awkward safety catches a few years ago. The French one is so nice.
I never understood why countries kept with the 13rd magazine when it easily holds 15rds... just remove the dimples reducing it to 13rds. Except Argentina, which I have 13, 15 & 17rd mags.
I suspect it was mostly a matter of over-awing. Mind that most people had grown up with six, seven, or eight rounds in their military pistols, with revolvers still widely used in many places, so an automatic with thirteen seemed a huge leap forward. So happy were people to have thirteen that it didn't really register that they could have even more, and it would take another generation or so for people to appreciate that.
It was all about the spring steel. In 1935 metallurgy was such that the springs would weaken quickly, so you didn't want to compress them too much. Modern spring steel will handle much more compression (and much more compression and decompression) so it's no longer a problem. Stupidly, FN stayed with the 13 round mags long after Mec-Gar was making 15 rounders for the after-market world.
@@BigLisaFan Ian is gun jesus. Fireplace guy is the owner of this and many other guns featured on this channel. There is actually an interview with him on Ian's channel not too long ago.
Holy moley that Fig. 262-1 version looks STUNNING. I always thought the HP was very "meh" looks wise, but that early Grand Rendement is one of the best proportioned and nice looking pistols I've seen.
You forgot to mention the fact that JMB passed away in 1926, and FN passed all the GR work to Dieudonne Saive to complete. As DS was a "protegee" of JMB, he understood Le Maitre's thought patterns...and continued his work. A good explanation of the process to the final production, GP35 ( HP35). To be mentioned, FN's connection with Poland ( Radom &Warsaw) months FN BAR, ( M27) and the BMG M1917 in 7,9mm, that Radom developed its own M1935 version of the GP35. So good were they Both, that in 1939 and 1940, Germany adopted both Guns as Fremdewaffe ( Booty arms) and issued them to Waffen SS, and specialist Wehrmacht units. DocAV
Never knew Fn had such an input....The HP i carried over seven operational deployments by the grace of god never used the pointy end in anger...No other weapon have I seen more people try and clear with a live mag..lot of units used to put an empty mag on a lanyard at the clearing bay for this reason ..old sweats used to put the pinky finger into the.mag well to uncock it from there after clearing..
Exactly the same "issue" with the SIG 210 used by the Danish Army - you had to half-insert a magazine to be able to release the slide. Very fine concept on the range where you have finished your series of five shots against a paper target but a lot less ideal when coming back to base from operations and having to clear your weapons.
@MGTOW SOLDIER Pointy end? You had one of the very few with the bayonet attachment - great care required when holstering. And *not* conducive to appendix (or, for that matter, sob) carry.
...both those drills - using an empty magazine or middle finger - are 'fads' which took hold in the British forces, so we all thought they were correct. They weren't. The unload drill for the L9A1 pistol is to fit a magazine in the pistol after the slide is in the forward position, and then operate the trigger. The magazine could be loaded: it made no difference to the safety of the drill.
Thank you so much for this wonderful data point in the development of the Hi Power. Wait - Browning’s original design was striker fired? I want to see that! Especially the innards.
It's funny, that on the advent of every gun maker and his cousin is now producing a variant of the P35, I found an original hard chrome for less than NIB. The P35 was the first handgun I ever shot and have wanted one forever. And they suddenly went from unobtainium to everywhere.
Welcome to the world of Guns, wait to the day you find the one of you dreams , only to find out they quit making it 2 years ago . Or more for us old timers , should get one of those ( old gun , fairly cheap ) years pass and have heart attack over current prices .. and not so common to find anymore..
The price of FNH Browning Hi Powers at the end of their production run was ridiculous for the pistol you got, especially the trigger. That being said, I still would have bought one had I known production was ending.
The Hi-Power is my favorite pistol ever, so it's awesome to see this developmental step on it. Despite it being my favorite, there's a lot I don't know about it, having never owned or fired one (I know; sorry), so this video was certainly enlightening!
My first pistol was a Hi-Power. Love seeing this developmental version Honestly, with a little trigger work and maybe an optic, if that's your preference, the Hi-Power still holds up fine today. I guess that's why FN sort of brought it back recently.
Thanks for the head's up on the new edition of Vanderlinden's book. I've been waiting since I heard a 3rd edition was coming, as the first two are nearly unobtanium. Just ore-ordered my own copy.
I love my GP-35 but have always hated the mag disconnector and the tiny standard safety and as such removed the disconnector and replaced the safety lever in my own... great info as usual!
I have a love/hate relationship with the Hi Power: love the general ergonomics but hate the stock trigger (magazine disconnect), the fire-control mechanics, and above all the price. I want to get Springfield Armory’s SA-35 but demand outstrips supply at MSRP: hopefully the extraction issue has been fixed. FNH’s new “Hi Power” isn’t even a Hi Power; I could overlook that if it wasn’t priced like a target pistol.
I don’t like the Hi Power. Sure it’s a classic design. I’ll give it that. But it’s dated and the ergos suck. I always get hammer bite so the web of my hand gets chewed up. No one has ever made one with a light rail and I kinda need that. I absolutely hate that hammer! Why hasn’t anyone redesigned the hammer or added an extended beavertail?
I bought a Belgian Hi-Power out of a pawn shop 10 years ago. I hated the trigger as well, so I just removed the magazine disconnect. It was easy after watching a YT video. I'm no gunsmith. It REALLY improved the trigger. Mine is a range toy, and I live in a free area of Florida anyways, so I'm not worried about some lefty prosecutor using my "reckless" deactivation of a safety interlock against me following a self-defense shooting, but that might be something you should consider.
I always loved the GP35 but seeing the beast is just woaw ! Awesome video, it puts some perspective on how gun development is way deeper than we can think
It was around the 9:30 mark when watching this that I had an epiphany and realised myself, and everyone else watching, are just gun nerds. Good job Ian.
I was issued a Browning HiPower, I'm not a fan of 9mm, but thankfully didn't need to use it, that was in the 1980's, as a Weapons Engineer, I did appreciate the design.
I have a 1960 Browning (not baby) .25auto. It has the same 'dancing guy PV*|' logo; but is followed by an stylized sideways Z rather than what appears to be an H, here. It is identical, and absolutely vertically placed, on the barrel, slide and frame. However, it is upside down, and only on the starboard side.
"We want a magazine release requirement that does not fully release." (FN engineers: but why? We can put a lanyard loop on the magazines if you want... not good enough? SIGH.)
I JUST CANNOT ABIDE A MAGAZINE DISCONNECT. 1) you are in a gunfight, down to your last one in the tube want to change out the mag. You drop the mag, and the threat escalates? You are scrod. You can't shoot the round in the chamber because somebody thinks they are smarter than you are? 2) Knowing there is a mag disconnect can make people sloppy? There's a round in the tube, and you don't remember that, or you don't check, because you know this pistol has a mag disconnect. You put it away. Months go by. You take the empty mag out. You put an empty mag back in, drop the slide and pull the trigger. KA-BOOM! Mag interlocks make people sloppy. There you have it. Every weapon should always be treated as though it has a round in the chamber. I truly believe that mag disconnects make people forget about that. I have defeated the mag interlock on every Ruger 22 LR I own, and I make people know it isn't there, AS IT SHOULD NOT BE THERE. IT IS A GUN SAFETY ABOMINATION. I'll never own a High Power because of this. --->>> Mag interlocks are dangerous to rely upon.
Really good review of the gun. I owned a Browning Hi Power (Belgium) in the early 90s and traded that gun. It was a big mistake trading it since in today’s market it’s worth some money. I’m in the market to purchase a new one but can’t decide which one since there are several clones. I like to stay with the original version as much as possible like the features the Girsan MCP 35 offers but I do like the updates Springfield SA35 offers. As far as the new FN offering, I think it’s a far departure and doesn’t resemble Hi Power. Thanks for posting.
Regarding the Hi Power magazine and whether it drops free or not. This is an artifact of the magazine disconnect, specifically the spring loaded plunger that contacts the top front surface of the magazine and activates the trigger lever on the trigger assembly when no magazine is present. When a magazine is inserted, the "shoe" of the magazine disconnect plunger drags on the front of the magazine during the trigger pull, producing the Hi Power's miserable trigger pull, but there is no more interference of the trigger lever, which performs the normal disconnector function, so at least the pistol fires. I own three Hi Powers: First is an early forged frame MKIII which I purchased new, and it has the magazine disconnect still in place. Magazines, either loaded or empty, do not drop free. It has the typical gritty vague trigger. Second, I have a Classic Hi Power that I purchased from Israeli military surplus. The Israelis apparently removed the magazine disconnect on it - anyway, it was gone by the time I received the pistol from the importer. The magazines, either loaded or empty, drop free 100% of the time. Trigger is pretty nice on it, but as characteristic of all Hi Powers it has a long trigger reset. No gritty trigger pull due to the magazine disconnect though. Third, I have another Classis Hi Power also from Israeli surplus which was refinished by the Israelis using their dark gray almost black Parkerizing process. (My second Hi Power above saw a lot of holster carry as nearly all of the finish was worn off of it to the point that it almost looks nickel plated, and I wanted one for carry that had more finish on it.) This one did have the magazine disconnect in place when I received it, but it didn't work consistently, so I took it apart to troubleshoot it. The magazine disconnect plunger spring came out in several pieces, along with some fine sand, presumably from the Negev or Sinai Desert. Reassembling it without the magazine disconnect parts, I found the the trigger was now very good, and the magazines drop free 100%, which they formerly did not. This one alternates as my EDC with a 1999-A1 .45.
For all the history behind it, the BHP is not a dependable modern day carry because it was designed without any thought to using hollow point ammunition. The BHP is very reliable with FMJ munitions. but I have never ever been able to fire off all 13 rounds with hollow points. This was not a problem for military use because of the limitation imposed by The Hague convention which prohibit expanding bullets for use in warfare.
Excellent video. I was unaware of this version or iteration of the GP-35. Are the magazines, beyond their extraction difference, interchangeable? Greetings from Patagonia Argentina
Years ago I shot a deer with one of these, There were 4 dear about 50 yds. I fired a whole mag shot one deer through the heart. It was and still is a beautiful pistol.. Thank you Ian.
So you just mag dumped on a bunch of dear from 50 yards? How about get a rifle and do proper hunting instead of spraying and praying at the risk of maiming the animal? Sound extremely unethical and frankly plain stupid.
I really enjoy it when we get a true Forgotten Weapon, one only a handful of people have ever seen or held. Thanks again for great content
Thanks also to the collectors who let Ian get hands on and share the history with us.
Reading and hearing from you about the French interwar handgun trials shows that the French army likely never heard of the phrase “don’t let Perfect be the enemy of Good”
I had always heard it stated as: "Better is the enemy of good enough"
Not saying mine is the right way, just that that's how I heard it.
The french army like to keep their magazines for decades.
In my time in the french army, i had a FAMAS F1 that was working like a charm, but all the mags were the early "disposable" mags, 1 in 3 of those mags are very very prone to firearm malfunctions.
Some mags could go no problem through the 25 rounds, others would make malfunction every 3 rounds.
That’s something I noticed too. European militaries (especially the French) don’t really think of magazines as disposable and consumable items, which really wrecks the reliably of many of their firearms. Europeans will go so far as to serialize their magazines so they can keep track of them and the mag stays with the gun. Americans, on the other hand, always have a constant supply of new magazines for their weapons. We don’t bother to serialize magazines either. If a mag shows any signs of malfunctions, even after a few uses, we get rid of it.
The governments look for any opportunity to steal/graft/divert cash.
a friend of mine would "accidentally" drive over dodgy magazines to issued get new ones.
Early 80's US Army in Europe - the M-16 magazines were garbage (30 round ones were useless though you could usually find decent 20 rounders), and the M-3 grease gun mags were worse. The ones for the 1911A1 usually had bent feed lips that, with patience, could be bent back into proper shape.
The weapons themselves were worn out trash. The only ones to trust if war had come were the M-2HBs. To this day I don't trust the M-16 platform and consider the maximum effective range of the M1911A1 & the M3 to be "as far as you can throw it".
@@wlewisiii What kind of malfunctions were you having with your M16? Were they mag induced? Were you using A1s or A2s? Just curious.
One of the favorite pistols that I own is a Browning Hi-Power that I obtained in VN during my tour with USSF there. I brought it back as a "war souvenir" which I could do because it was not made in the US. A curious rule, but that is the way it was. I still enjoy shooting it. I had another one that I had purchased before I went to VN which was very close in serial # to the one I brought back. I eventually sold the one I had bought earlier, as I had a friend who wanted it and I did not need two examples that were the same design. I sometimes carried the Hi-Power in VN in lieu of my issued 1911A1.
There's no problem with the 1911A1, but it IS nice to have all of those "extra" rounds in the mag! (Particularly in a war!)I love both pistols.
The greatest historical tragedy is that JMB could not use the stirrup trigger in the Browning HP because the patent ran for another 2 years and the French could not wait. Just imagine if we could have had that ! We know it would have worked because of the Para Ordnance P 14 and other double stack 1911's. A 1911 trigger in this beautiful 9mm! What a dream gun that would have been!
the BHP's trigger is just as crisp with the Magazine disconnect removed! Love mine!
@@BeastHunterSam I know it can be smithed quite well I have had 3 of them but it is not possible to achieve that mega fast reset of a 911 trigger due to the indirect linkage between trigger and sear and the 'rocker' etc. Too much free play in the mechanism. The 1911 stirrup is direct onto the sear, that is why it is still the best trigger in the world.
Yeah, double stack 1911s are basically just Hi-Powers with the nice trigger.
I am actually curious why more modern designs don’t incorporate the 1911 trigger, given the patents have long expired by now. Granted, I suppose that’s because the 1911 itself is still perfectly viable today, especially with a double stack frame and rails for accessories, so people who want the 1911 trigger just simply buys a modernized 1911 instead.
The one pistol on my surplus wish list right now. I have several friends who own HP's or clones who tell me endlessly about how much they love having theirs.
FN/Brownings are nice, but FM (Fabricaciones Militares) of Argentina made a very good licensed copy of the HP that is worth owning. The frame casting is not quite as clean as the FN forgings, but perfectly serviceable. I recommend giving it the BH Spring Solutions treatment, especially the Safety Fast System (which I started using when it was made in Belgium).
I have a FEG HP clone and is a smooth shooter, but it is heavier than my Glock 19 so it has become my house gun.
As ever, Ian, a brilliant presentation of facts about my favourite pistol. Thank you. Must buy myself a copy of the new expanded 3rd Edition of the FN Browning Pistols.
So early John Browning is still working for Winchester
So early Papa Browning was still playing his harmonica.
"Let's go back to the beginning of the story..." My favorite thing for Ian to say.
I remember at a Los Angeles gunshow in the 1970s seeing one of these pistols. The workmanship was impeccable. I was able to look at it and it would have been great to have this model rather than the later version. The Los Angeles gunshows had all kinds of rare firearms back then.
So much variety at the shows came from the LA community having so many firearms and be willing to sell, back then. Things have changed, oc. Especially seeing larger businesses take up the most spaces in recent years.
My dad has Belgian Browning High Power. Great classic gun.
My Dad had one too, the guy he bought it from found it Wrapped in an oily rag in the forest where the battle of the bulge took place. It had Waa stamps with eagle & swastika all over it.
@@akatripclaymore.9679 That sounds like a made up story. I don't want to be a party pooper but all these stories are usually totally false.
Browning HP is one of the coolest guns ever.
When i see the fireplace behind Ian i know it's going to be a very special weapon.
Thanks for the upload and info. I (sort of) accidentally bought a BHP in 2014. I was doing construction on a street across from a gun shop and would visit during lunch. I didn't own a gun at the time and fell in love with the Shield 9mm during one visit so I laid it away. I went in another time to pay on it and there was the BHP. Out of curiosity I asked about it and the salesman and another customer gave me the details on how great it was so I laid it away also still with little knowledge of it. I paid 600.00 for it and very happy with the purchase. It looked brand new but my researching dated it 1995. I was selfishly happy when it was discontinued and sad on its return into production. Oh well... I hope the value continues upwards.
What an amazing gun. I own an Argentinian Clone (previously licensed) FM M95 (Fabricaciones Militares Modelo 95) and is an absolute delight to shoot with.
A design 100 years old that still holds strong.
Has anyone ever made a mag release where a soft press allows the mag to be partially ejected from the gun so as to protect it from hitting the ground and where a hard press forcefully ejects the mag for an emergency reload?
That sort of two-stage magazine release could be a cool concept!
It's been a while since I watched Ians video on it, but I think the Korth might have had something similar?
If not the Korth I'm certain I've seen a video on another sidearm that allows for either option
cool idea, but what would be the application?
It's the Bren 10 Ian has a video on it (edit you do have to turn a screw about a quarter to change it)
In a round about way the Webely Self Loader had a two stage magazine that could maybe be used in that manner. I suggest C&Rsenal's video on the gun if you want to learn more.
Serial number 205 !
That is a jewel of gold.
Your channel must be the best and more knowledgeable gun channel in internet. I had never heard about this gun, let alone saw it. You deserve my most sincere complements. Greetings from Brazil!
Very educational. I did not know how little Browning had a hand in designing it. Thank you for the video!
Thanks, Ian!
BHSpringSolutions channel has a Hi Power University playlist that begins with the development history, I think it's a must see if you want to delve deeper. Browning's original design had a very low parts count and the bolt and striker were easily removed. I was very much reminded of the Savage entry for the 1911 trials.
This way to the playlist in question: playlist?list=PLl3nqk1h7btJWKE5q-iSMQXJz5Un4Xl5A
I saw this gun in the Rock Island catalog for a recent auction and was hoping Ian might do something about it. BH Spring Solutions also has some good videos on the GR/HP evolution.
This way to the playlist in question: playlist?list=PLl3nqk1h7btJWKE5q-iSMQXJz5Un4Xl5A
Excellent stuff, my friend...in another week I'll be giving a presentation to our collectors club in Lake Worth(less) on St John of Browning..I've ordered one of Vanderlinden's books from that large Brazilian river and another on the history of FN...The big book of his is beyond my means...
FYI, Vanderlindens two volume third edition of FN Browning pistols is available for pre-order now at a discount. It's supposed to ship in late September or early October.
The high power is one of my favorate handguns, last time I shot one the mag would drop free but it was not parkerized.
The UK only changed from post war high powers made in Canada to Glocks with awkward safety catches a few years ago.
The French one is so nice.
Thank you, Ian, for the heads-up for Mr. Anthony Vanderlinden's upcoming 3rd edtion 'FN Browning Pistols'. I've been looking forward to this one. :)
Do you want to buy my 2nd edition? 🤪
Amazing how much influence french milltary trials have had on G3, high power.
Handguns of the World by Ezel has some good progress images of the GP-35 / Hi-Power as well, it's a must have book.
Thanks Ian and if not his whoever made this gorgeous rarity available! Really interesting. A "weird French rabbit hole" sounds exciting as well.
It's Fireplace Guy by the looks of it. Serious pistol collector.
@@alun7006 Good call I should have known he was just on a recent video
An outstanding lesson on what became one of my very favorite pistols. Well done Sir!
I never understood why countries kept with the 13rd magazine when it easily holds 15rds... just remove the dimples reducing it to 13rds. Except Argentina, which I have 13, 15 & 17rd mags.
There's nothing wrong with 13 Rounds.
I suspect it was mostly a matter of over-awing. Mind that most people had grown up with six, seven, or eight rounds in their military pistols, with revolvers still widely used in many places, so an automatic with thirteen seemed a huge leap forward. So happy were people to have thirteen that it didn't really register that they could have even more, and it would take another generation or so for people to appreciate that.
It was all about the spring steel. In 1935 metallurgy was such that the springs would weaken quickly, so you didn't want to compress them too much. Modern spring steel will handle much more compression (and much more compression and decompression) so it's no longer a problem. Stupidly, FN stayed with the 13 round mags long after Mec-Gar was making 15 rounders for the after-market world.
My god, Fireplace guy has impeccable taste in firearms.
LOL, usually hear him being called Gun Jesus,
@@BigLisaFan the owner of the fireplace in the backyard has an extensive collection. The fireplace appears in many videos.
@@BigLisaFan Ian is gun jesus. Fireplace guy is the owner of this and many other guns featured on this channel. There is actually an interview with him on Ian's channel not too long ago.
@@Gadget293 Yes he does and so does it.
Thanks Ian, once again for showing us the evolution of this wonderful pistol.
One of the better examples of 'moving the goalposts'
Which led to a legendary pistol.
Thanks
Holy moley that Fig. 262-1 version looks STUNNING. I always thought the HP was very "meh" looks wise, but that early Grand Rendement is one of the best proportioned and nice looking pistols I've seen.
My Dad had a Browning High Power as his Duty pistol when he was a Police Officer and absolutely loved it.
I am very happy to hear you pronounce Dieudonné Saive's name perfectly. Thanks for the video, too!!
Hi Ian. The name "SAIVE" is pronounced "SA-VE" . (Like "safe", but with a V instead of an F") Greetings from Belgium.
...thanks for the correction...I was told by Dave Salvaggio (of DS Arms) back in the mid-late 90s that it was pronounced similarly...as 'sev'
You forgot to mention the fact that JMB passed away in 1926, and FN passed all the GR work to Dieudonne Saive to complete.
As DS was a "protegee" of JMB, he understood Le Maitre's thought patterns...and continued his work.
A good explanation of the process to the final production, GP35 ( HP35).
To be mentioned, FN's connection with Poland ( Radom &Warsaw) months FN BAR, ( M27) and the BMG M1917 in 7,9mm, that Radom developed its own M1935 version of the GP35.
So good were they Both, that in 1939 and 1940, Germany adopted both Guns as Fremdewaffe ( Booty arms) and issued them to Waffen SS, and specialist
Wehrmacht units.
DocAV
Great presentation as always. Thank you Sir Ian.
Never knew Fn had such an input....The HP i carried over seven operational deployments by the grace of god never used the pointy end in anger...No other weapon have I seen more people try and clear with a live mag..lot of units used to put an empty mag on a lanyard at the clearing bay for this reason ..old sweats used to put the pinky finger into the.mag well to uncock it from there after clearing..
Exactly the same "issue" with the SIG 210 used by the Danish Army - you had to half-insert a magazine to be able to release the slide. Very fine concept on the range where you have finished your series of five shots against a paper target but a lot less ideal when coming back to base from operations and having to clear your weapons.
@MGTOW SOLDIER Pointy end? You had one of the very few with the bayonet attachment - great care required when holstering. And *not* conducive to appendix (or, for that matter, sob) carry.
Hah! I'll bet that was a problem. I use the handle of a brass-bristled brush (which I keep in my cleaning kit).
...both those drills - using an empty magazine or middle finger - are 'fads' which took hold in the British forces, so we all thought they were correct. They weren't. The unload drill for the L9A1 pistol is to fit a magazine in the pistol after the slide is in the forward position, and then operate the trigger. The magazine could be loaded: it made no difference to the safety of the drill.
Thank you so much for this wonderful data point in the development of the Hi Power.
Wait - Browning’s original design was striker fired? I want to see that! Especially the innards.
US1618510 is the patent number. Very few pictures of the original on the Internet though
It's funny, that on the advent of every gun maker and his cousin is now producing a variant of the P35, I found an original hard chrome for less than NIB.
The P35 was the first handgun I ever shot and have wanted one forever. And they suddenly went from unobtainium to everywhere.
Welcome to the world of Guns, wait to the day you find the one of you dreams , only to find out they quit making it 2 years ago . Or more for us old timers , should get one of those ( old gun , fairly cheap ) years pass and have heart attack over current prices .. and not so common to find anymore..
Great video Ian. Very educational for any fan of the Hi Power.
I've been watching these vids for so long that whenever you mention a recurring name, like Dieudonné Saive, I always go "oh him?!"
“They go down this weird French rabbit hole”
Thin ice Ian, thin ice.
I love the High Power.. I have an FEG PJK 9HP, as I couldn't afford a true Browning, and absolutely love that pistol.
I have an FM Hi Power. Decent gun for the price. Look q lot like a 1911 though.
israel surplus fn hp is about ~500
My first pistol was an FEG as well.
The price of FNH Browning Hi Powers at the end of their production run was ridiculous for the pistol you got, especially the trigger. That being said, I still would have bought one had I known production was ending.
@@bravo0105 $800 is not ridiculous.
Thank you , Ian .
🐺
The Hi-Power is my favorite pistol ever, so it's awesome to see this developmental step on it.
Despite it being my favorite, there's a lot I don't know about it, having never owned or fired one (I know; sorry), so this video was certainly enlightening!
My first pistol was a Hi-Power. Love seeing this developmental version
Honestly, with a little trigger work and maybe an optic, if that's your preference, the Hi-Power still holds up fine today. I guess that's why FN sort of brought it back recently.
Jealousy sucks, love you bro. Wish I had all them Shooters to play with. Stay safe.
Excellent video. I just picked up my Springfield Armory SA-35 and I will pick up my Girsan MC P 35. I’ll look for a Hi Power after 2022.
Thanks for the head's up on the new edition of Vanderlinden's book. I've been waiting since I heard a 3rd edition was coming, as the first two are nearly unobtanium. Just ore-ordered my own copy.
I love my GP-35 but have always hated the mag disconnector and the tiny standard safety and as such removed the disconnector and replaced the safety lever in my own... great info as usual!
Funny how this pattern design looks more modern than actual HP design
I have 3 completely different Hi-Power's & I love each one of them !! One is in .40 S&W.
Excellent video... thank you.
bravo... I truly enjoy the evolution videos
Love how well the HP fits my hand and its trigger feel after the gag safety was discontinued.
Outstanding, Sir.
Once again, a most excellent production!!
Ian, you're an awesome historian. Cool video.
Back to the fireplace
What a GORGEOUS pistol!!!!
I have a love/hate relationship with the Hi Power: love the general ergonomics but hate the stock trigger (magazine disconnect), the fire-control mechanics, and above all the price. I want to get Springfield Armory’s SA-35 but demand outstrips supply at MSRP: hopefully the extraction issue has been fixed. FNH’s new “Hi Power” isn’t even a Hi Power; I could overlook that if it wasn’t priced like a target pistol.
I don’t like the Hi Power. Sure it’s a classic design. I’ll give it that. But it’s dated and the ergos suck. I always get hammer bite so the web of my hand gets chewed up. No one has ever made one with a light rail and I kinda need that. I absolutely hate that hammer! Why hasn’t anyone redesigned the hammer or added an extended beavertail?
I bought a Belgian Hi-Power out of a pawn shop 10 years ago. I hated the trigger as well, so I just removed the magazine disconnect. It was easy after watching a YT video. I'm no gunsmith. It REALLY improved the trigger. Mine is a range toy, and I live in a free area of Florida anyways, so I'm not worried about some lefty prosecutor using my "reckless" deactivation of a safety interlock against me following a self-defense shooting, but that might be something you should consider.
@@leroyjenkins4811 th-cam.com/video/LyrssIq8nbI/w-d-xo.html
Want quality, you pay a quality price.
@@WALTERBROADDUS Not for the new Faux-Powers, apparently.
I always loved the GP35 but seeing the beast is just woaw ! Awesome video, it puts some perspective on how gun development is way deeper than we can think
This is why I love this channel. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
It was around the 9:30 mark when watching this that I had an epiphany and realised myself, and everyone else watching, are just gun nerds. Good job Ian.
I like how Ian.Addresses John Moses Browning as “The Master”!
That's what they called him at FN - Le Maître
I was issued a Browning HiPower, I'm not a fan of 9mm, but thankfully didn't need to use it, that was in the 1980's, as a Weapons Engineer, I did appreciate the design.
That mag release is the correct tactical way.
Gun Jesus might very well be the first guntuber that actually gives Dieudonne Saive the credit that he deserves.
I have a 1960 Browning (not baby) .25auto. It has the same 'dancing guy PV*|' logo; but is followed by an stylized sideways Z rather than what appears to be an H, here. It is identical, and absolutely vertically placed, on the barrel, slide and frame. However, it is upside down, and only on the starboard side.
"We want a magazine release requirement that does not fully release." (FN engineers: but why? We can put a lanyard loop on the magazines if you want... not good enough? SIGH.)
And the collection continues 👍.
Keep them coming
Whose collection?
@@samiam619 Fireplace Guy.
your use of the word "master" for mr browning just made me chuckle so hard, because it's true of course.
If it were me, I'd think it was an HP. Thanks for showing this! Please consider a full video tracing the development of the HP.
I still think it's a HP. I'm actually no closer to understanding how this isn't a baby browning scaled up and flemished all over.
Excellent explanation.
perhaps you could follow this up with a talk about the long barrel target model? I have seen a couple over the years and been intrigued.
I JUST CANNOT ABIDE A MAGAZINE DISCONNECT.
1) you are in a gunfight, down to your last one in the tube want to change out the mag. You drop the mag, and the threat escalates? You are scrod. You can't shoot the round in the chamber because somebody thinks they are smarter than you are?
2) Knowing there is a mag disconnect can make people sloppy?
There's a round in the tube, and you don't remember that, or you don't check, because you know this pistol has a mag disconnect. You put it away.
Months go by. You take the empty mag out. You put an empty mag back in, drop the slide and pull the trigger.
KA-BOOM!
Mag interlocks make people sloppy. There you have it. Every weapon should always be treated as though it has a round in the chamber. I truly believe that mag disconnects make people forget about that.
I have defeated the mag interlock on every Ruger 22 LR I own, and I make people know it isn't there, AS IT SHOULD NOT BE THERE. IT IS A GUN SAFETY ABOMINATION.
I'll never own a High Power because of this.
--->>> Mag interlocks are dangerous to rely upon.
Really good review of the gun. I owned a Browning Hi Power (Belgium) in the early 90s and traded that gun. It was a big mistake trading it since in today’s market it’s worth some money. I’m in the market to purchase a new one but can’t decide which one since there are several clones. I like to stay with the original version as much as possible like the features the Girsan MCP 35 offers but I do like the updates Springfield SA35 offers. As far as the new FN offering, I think it’s a far departure and doesn’t resemble Hi Power. Thanks for posting.
It would be nice to see the gun disassembled to see the internal bits! 🤠👍
Even where you least suspect it, two-tone Malone strikes with full force
Fun fact: If you take a shot every time Ian says Grand Rendement, you may suffer liver failure.
Really cool piece(s) of history!!
Regarding the Hi Power magazine and whether it drops free or not. This is an artifact of the magazine disconnect, specifically the spring loaded plunger that contacts the top front surface of the magazine and activates the trigger lever on the trigger assembly when no magazine is present. When a magazine is inserted, the "shoe" of the magazine disconnect plunger drags on the front of the magazine during the trigger pull, producing the Hi Power's miserable trigger pull, but there is no more interference of the trigger lever, which performs the normal disconnector function, so at least the pistol fires.
I own three Hi Powers:
First is an early forged frame MKIII which I purchased new, and it has the magazine disconnect still in place. Magazines, either loaded or empty, do not drop free. It has the typical gritty vague trigger.
Second, I have a Classic Hi Power that I purchased from Israeli military surplus. The Israelis apparently removed the magazine disconnect on it - anyway, it was gone by the time I received the pistol from the importer. The magazines, either loaded or empty, drop free 100% of the time. Trigger is pretty nice on it, but as characteristic of all Hi Powers it has a long trigger reset. No gritty trigger pull due to the magazine disconnect though.
Third, I have another Classis Hi Power also from Israeli surplus which was refinished by the Israelis using their dark gray almost black Parkerizing process. (My second Hi Power above saw a lot of holster carry as nearly all of the finish was worn off of it to the point that it almost looks nickel plated, and I wanted one for carry that had more finish on it.) This one did have the magazine disconnect in place when I received it, but it didn't work consistently, so I took it apart to troubleshoot it. The magazine disconnect plunger spring came out in several pieces, along with some fine sand, presumably from the Negev or Sinai Desert. Reassembling it without the magazine disconnect parts, I found the the trigger was now very good, and the magazines drop free 100%, which they formerly did not. This one alternates as my EDC with a 1999-A1 .45.
such an amazing channel, future scholars will be referring to Ian for generations
For all the history behind it, the BHP is not a dependable modern day carry because it was designed without any thought to using hollow point ammunition. The BHP is very reliable with FMJ munitions. but I have never ever been able to fire off all 13 rounds with hollow points. This was not a problem for military use because of the limitation imposed by The Hague convention which prohibit expanding bullets for use in warfare.
🙋🏽♂️FINALY!!! SAIVE earns proper credit. A long pet peeve of mine.....
I saw this title, and initially I thought it read "FN Grand Retirement" and I was really confused for a minute here.
Oh i loved using my HI Power, great pistol. I would have one again, given chance.
Excellent video. I was unaware of this version or iteration of the GP-35. Are the magazines, beyond their extraction difference, interchangeable?
Greetings from Patagonia Argentina
Would be nice to see the straight recoil design of the second Browning design - not the GP adopted one.
For all you new Vegas fans, the Browning Hi Power is the 9mm Pistol.
Great video. Those really are robust sights…
"Know what they call a High Power in Europe?"
Royale with cheese?
"Ha! No, they ca...Wait, what?"
Learn something new about the magazine well thanks 😃
Fireplace collector! Woo! Welcome back!
I love the Hi Power. Still on my bucket list.
Years ago I shot a deer with one of these, There were 4 dear about 50 yds. I fired a whole mag shot one deer through the heart.
It was and still is a beautiful pistol.. Thank you Ian.
So you just mag dumped on a bunch of dear from 50 yards? How about get a rifle and do proper hunting instead of spraying and praying at the risk of maiming the animal? Sound extremely unethical and frankly plain stupid.
Can we get a supercut of all the different ways Ian has pronounced Dieudonné Saive over the years?