Double Action Hi-Power

Guns Magazine, Dec, 2001 by Charles E. Petty

FABRIQUE NATIONALE'S NEW HP-DA BRINGS THE CLASSIC BROWNING HI-POWER INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

Inarguably, the Browning Hi-Power, or P-35, is one of the most successful pistols in the world. As double-action auto pistols increased in popularity among U.S. shooters in the '70s, speculation ran rampant that a double-action variant of the Hi-Power would be introduced. There were many stories of their imminent arrival, but despite the occasional photograph of some factory prototype, they remained elusive. A few conversions Ire done by domestic gunsmiths; the late Louis Seecamp built two by adapting the system he used to convert Colt Government Models. But an affordable, commercial DA

P35 failed to become a reality.

At long last, they are here. But the Browning name nowhere to be seen on them. Marked as the FN HP-DA the name will require some explanation. Americans ten to think of Browning as a giant company with facilities all over the world. That's not quite how it is Browning better known to us as Fabrique Nationale de Armes de Guerre. Browning U.S.A. is alive and well but won't be selling the HP-DA.

Some years ago, FN opened a plant in Columbia, S.C., to manufacture M-16 rifles and M-240/M-249 machineguns under government contract. This company is known as FN Manufacturing Inc. FNMI also has a law enforcement division, which offers the unique P-90 sub-machinegun and other firearms to law enforcement.

Since management primarily views the HP-DA as a law enforcement product, it will be sold through FNMI's law enforcement distributors. Not to worry, there are no limitations on who can buy it. The HP-DA is only available in 9mm. And there are no present plans to make it in .40 S&W. This may change if demand is sufficiently strong.

Straight From Belgium To You

We've grown accustomed to seeing "Made in Belgium -- Assembled in Portugal" stamped on Browning Hi-Power pistols. Parts are manufactured at FN's modern plant in Herstal and shipped to its Portuguese subsidiary in Viana do Corto, where they are assembled, finished and tested.

The new HP-DA is simply marked "Made in Belgium," and the Browning name is nowhere to be found. Also notable at first glance is the finish, which is a matte synthetic coating that is baked for toughness. While not the brilliant, highly polished blue we associate with older P-35 pistols, it is an eminently practical finish.

At first glance, the Hi-Power and the HP-DA look quite similar, but they are two very different guns. It is obvious that a great deal of effort was made to preserve the sleek appearance of the P-35 in the new design. A cursory look might lead you to think that the slides are the same. One significant external difference is seen in the extractor, which is considerably more robust than that of the Hi-Power.

The frame is obviously different. But, once again, the general appearance is retained. In fact, the effect works so well that it became a source of some embarrassment. When the HP-DA first arrived, I grabbed a couple of old magazines and took off for the range. That's how I learned that the magazines of the new gun are not interchangeable with the Hi-Power.

The HP-DA magazine that is available in Europe and to law enforcement holds 15 rounds -- up from the normal 13 of the Hi-Power. Guns destined for the U.S. civilian market will be delivered with 10-round magazines. Barrel length of the two guns is identical. The HP-DA is .9-ounce lighter than its predecessor.

A Look Inside

Further examination revealed that, other than the look, there is little in common between the two designs. Oh, there are a few parts common to both, but nothing major. Even things that you think would be the same aren't. For example, the double-action pistol has a simplified recoil-spring guide that won't fit the older barrel, and vice-versa.

Recent production Hi-Power pistols incorporate a firing-pin safety. But the one on the HP-DA is sure to catch the eye. Most of these gadgets are inside the frame and slide. And the shooter neither sees nor feels their action. On the HP-DA, it's a cleverly different part.

The FN design utilizes a firing-pin stop, which also functions as a positive firing-pin block. When you pull the trigger, you can see the firing-pin stop rise up just a bit. This frees the firing pin to move forward. Instead of complex linkages and levers, this one keys right on the trigger bar and a small protrusion pushes the firing--pin stop up. It has no harmful effect to the feel of the trigger pull. And for a factory trigger, this one is rather nice. The double-action pull is a little under 10 pounds and pleasantly smooth. There is a little stacking right before the shot breaks, but this improved after initial break-in. The single-action pull breaks crisply at 5.5 pounds. A DAO version of the HP-DA is available.

What appears to be the safety on the HP-DA is actually a decocking lever that functions much better than most. Many decockers require some un-natural motion to operate, or are so poorly placed that the pistol must be shifted in the hand to gain access to it. The ambidextrous decocker on the HP-DA is right under your thumb, and the motion is exactly the same as disengaging the safety of a 1911 or older Hi-Power. Operation is positive, easy and natural.