FN High Power
| FN Hi-Power | |
|---|---|
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Belgium United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | |
| Manufacturer | FN Herstal |
| Produced | 2022–present |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 9×19mm Parabellum |
| Action | Short recoil operated tilting barrel |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Effective firing range | 50 m (54.7 yd) |
| Feed system | Detachable box magazine |
The FN High Power is the modernised version of the Browning Hi-Power semi-automatic pistol offered by FNH America.
History
[edit]The Hi-Power is one of the most widely used military pistols in history,[1] having been used by the armed forces of over 50 countries.[2]
Although most pistols were built in Belgium by FN Herstal, licensed and unlicensed copies were built around the world, in countries such as Argentina, Hungary, India, Bulgaria, and Israel.
After 82 years of continuous production, FN Herstal announced that the production of the Hi-Power would end, and it was discontinued in early 2018 by Browning Arms.[3]
From 2019 to 2022, with new Belgian Hi-Powers no longer being built, new clones were designed by various firearm companies to fill the void, including GİRSAN, TİSAŞ, and Springfield Armory, Inc.
These new Hi-Power clones began competing with each other by offering new finishes, enhanced sights, redesigned hammers, bevelled magazine wells, improved trigger, and increased magazine capacity.[4][5]
On 18 January 2022, after a four-year hiatus, FN announced they would resume production of the Browning Hi-Power, albeit with a number of upgraded features.[6] The new FN High Powers will be made at FN's Columbia, South Carolina factory in the United States.[7][8][9]
Design
[edit]FN incorporated a number of changes that would make the classic Hi-Power design more modern and ergonomic[10].
In contrast to popular belief, the new FN High Power might resemble a modern Hi-Power, but it is, in fact, a different design. One of the noticeable details is the lack of Browning-style locking lugs.[11]
The most significant changes included opening up the top of the slide to increase the size of the ejection port to ensure reliable feeding and ejection, incorporating an ambidextrous slide lock and reversible magazine release, a completely different takedown that is faster and simpler, and redesigning the barrel and recoil spring.
Other changes FN made include removing the magazine disconnect safety, adding an extended beavertail and redesigned hammer to eliminate the issue of hammer bite, several sets of redesigned grips, new sights compatible with the FN 509 dovetail pattern, wider slide serrations, different colored PVD or stainless steel finish offerings and 17-round magazines.
References
[edit]- ^ Arnold, David W. (24 September 2010). "Classic Handguns of the 20th Century: The Browning HI-Power". Handguns Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
- ^ Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN 1-84065-245-4.
- ^ "Browning Ends Hi-Power Production -". 6 February 2018. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- ^ "Tisas BR9 Vs. Browning's Hi-Power". Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "Springfield Armory SA-35 Review". 27 December 2021.
- ^ "Highpower".
- ^ "[SHOT 2022] the FN Hi-Power is Reborn -". 18 January 2022.
- ^ "An Official Journal of the NRA | New for 2022: FN High Power".
- ^ "Highpower".
- ^ "Highpower".
- ^ "Highpower".