Is a high power better for plinking than a 1911?

[McLovin]

I don't like 1911's for a few reasons. 1st because their heavy and 2nd because they have too much recoil for me to handel continiously. My question is does the high power excell at these two features compared to the 1911? Also is the grip on the browning high power more comfortable than the 1911? thanks

Mclovin

[olbagger]

With all do respects to the forum, nothing fits the hand better than a 1911. The Hi-Power is a close 2nd. Recoil is easier with the 9mm and its certainly cheaper to shoot the 9. My 1911 hasn't been out of the safe for 6 months and probably won't be unless I get out to the garage and reload of the ammo comes down in price.

[McLovin]

ya i did not mean that i was making fun of the forum or that i am completly agenst 1911s. thanks for your reply

[norton850]

if your just doing informal target shooting a browning is nicer to shoot than a 45acp. But if I had the choice I would rather shoot a 1911 chambered in 9mm

[MSgt Dotson]

for basic plinking, the .45 ACP can be handloaded downward substantially, where the recoil is much lighter than standard...

A 200 gr (or 230) gr bullet at 730 fps is quite manageable, and with a proper two handed grip, gives pretty much zero muzzle flip....

[mer]

A quick poking around shows that a HiPower just about splits the difference between a Commander sized 1911 (4.25 inch barrel) and a Government model (5 inch barrel). Looks like it's about 6 ounces or so lighter than Government sized, about the same weight as a Commander (taken from manufacturers websites, weights probably don't include ammunition). A full load of 9mm vs a full load of 45ACP, what's the weight difference? I'm guessing that in the end, there's not that big of a weight difference so the HiPower would be "just as heavy" as a 1911.

Grip comfort boils down to maybe it is, maybe it isn't. Common knowledge says that if you can't be comfortable with either a 1911 or a HiPower, you have weird hands.

Recoil is something that a person has to deal with. Maybe changing grips or grip safeties helps, but downloading or using lighter bullets always helps. If you don't reload there are factory available lighter bullets in 45.

I realize this doesn't help you much if any, but just pointing out a few things that come to my mind.

[mitrod3]

My ideal weapon these days is a 1911 chambered in 9mm. I now have four of them that are all superb handling and accurate guns. 2nd favorite weapon is one very nice BHP (well worked over) that is one nasty accurate gun in hand.

The fit of the 1911 in hand is just better feeling to me but right after that comes the BHP.

Arm and elbow damage has moved me toward almost all 9mm these days.

Good luck and good shooting.

[jaysouth]

If one considers the defination of 'plinking' the issue is a moot one. Plinking infers casual shooting at tin cans, pine cones(on the ground, of course), and whatever else presents itself as a target with no time limits or rigid rules.

Some folks shoot a plain jane 1911 with hardball ammo as well as they shoot a J.C. Higgins .22 auto.

[M203Sniper]

Nothign better than a .22 for plinking.

Try hunting for a Diamondback .22 4" barrel.

[chudo]

Grip feel is subjective but in MHO, a 1911 is more muzzle heavy while the Browning has the weight "in the hand." That said, my better half (who is recoil sensitive) enjoys shooting the Browning and shoots it very well. The grip of the .45 feels too big to her and it kicks too much (her words not mine).

I enjoy shooting them both, but shoot the 9mm more due to cost of 9mm vs. .45's.

[ken_mays]

It's certainly cheaper, ammo-wise. The High Power trigger does get tiresome, though, and this is a bigger issue to me than weight or recoil.

[1961MJS]

Hi

My gunsmith said that if I wanted a high power, I should just pick one with a good trigger. Apparently, they aren't that easy to do trigger jobs on. Don't know why.

Later

[Che]

I like the BHP for casual shooting. I usually shoot lead reloads and I figured today's cost is $4.65 for a box of 50.

Actually the 9mm was the first caliber I ever reloaded for. I had so much surplus .45 it was a few years before I ever bother with it.

I like the trigger on the BHP but that might be related to removing the mag safety.

[1saxman]

The HP has a rather thick grip frame. I use thin grips on mine, which makes them better for me. If you have larger/longer hands, you might like the Beretta 92, which I find to be the smoothest and most accurate 9mm. Still, the grip is even thicker on the 92 than the HP, so I no longer have one of those. There are many 9mms I'd take for plinking before either one of those, like a Taurus 24/7 for example.

[automan]

I shoot my HP alot more than my 45 autos because of ammo price. HP is smaller than a 1911 except in the grip, but, I've no problem gripping it. The grip is as comfortable, if not more so than the 1911s. It points more naturally for me, more like an extension of my arm if you will. I carry it CCW in the warmer weather using 147, 124+p, or 127+P+ HPs. I even have night sights on it. The only draw back to the HP is its not 45 auto.

[Andy]

The P-35 frames will wear out in short order (relative to a 1911 - 20K rounds) if you run a lot of +P and +P+ ammo through it. The forged frames are more prone than the MKII & MKIII investment cast frames. Very few smiths are really qualified to work on them, too. The triggers are inferior to a 1911 trigger, and even tuning by a top P35 specialist gives lesser returns than the investment in a 1911 trigger job. I would suggest trying to find a 9x19mm S70 Colt (or a .38 Super Colt and having a 9mm bbl. & bushing fitted to it). HiPowers are kinda neat, although the only P35 I currently have is an Argy FM that has been through The Action Works in Paulden, AZ for Novaks, a trigger job, carry-bevel package, and a reliability job. Looks kind of like a 1911 wide-body and runs like a top. It hasn't seen daylight since I got my 9x19 Wilson CQB Elite, so it looks like it'll be gun show fodder.
Regards,
Andy

[natpro7420]

Originally Posted by McLovin

I don't like 1911's for a few reasons. 1st because their heavy and 2nd because they have too much recoil for me to handel continiously. My question is does the high power excell at these two features compared to the 1911? Also is the grip on the browning high power more comfortable than the 1911? thanks

Mclovin

Mclovin,

The main thing is 9mm is cheaper to shoot for most of us. The BHP is not going to give you much of a weight benefit when loaded with 15 shells. The grips can be changed out for various options to what you prefer, I like slim to get as close to the 1911 feel as possible but I have had 2 thumb surgeries and my hand doesn't approve of palm swells.

Another thought to consider, I bought a Browning Buckmark and when I shoot it 3:1 over my .45acp and 9mm to maintain a steady practice regiment and I get to look forward to the days I move to my larger calibers.

+1 to my fellow 9mm 1911 shooters I have a couple and they are fun.

[FreeAmerican]

Originally Posted by Andy

The P-35 frames will wear out in short order (relative to a 1911 - 20K rounds) if you run a lot of +P and +P+ ammo through it. The forged frames are more prone than the MKII & MKIII investment cast frames. Very few smiths are really qualified to work on them, too. The triggers are inferior to a 1911 trigger, and even tuning by a top P35 specialist gives lesser returns than the investment in a 1911 trigger job. I would suggest trying to find a 9x19mm S70 Colt (or a .38 Super Colt and having a 9mm bbl. & bushing fitted to it). HiPowers are kinda neat, although the only P35 I currently have is an Argy FM that has been through The Action Works in Paulden, AZ for Novaks, a trigger job, carry-bevel package, and a reliability job. Looks kind of like a 1911 wide-body and runs like a top. It hasn't seen daylight since I got my 9x19 Wilson CQB Elite, so it looks like it'll be gun show fodder.
Regards,
Andy

There is some truth to everything said here and not picking on Andy at all. True, if you run a lot of +P through a bone stock forged frame HP would end up cracking over time. The cast frame is rated for extended 40 S&W use and stands up to 9mm well. Also if you step up on the springs and or add a buffer you can also expect good service life from a forged gun.

The fact that the HP trigger pivots vs the straight back stirrup of the 1911 does make for a more a consistent trigger on the 1911. But for a plinking gun, esp when the mag safety is ditched, a HP will give a good service. My HP has a 26 lb main spring, 19 lb recoil spring and no mag safety and I have good 4lb trigger.

The HP is lighter than a full size 1911. Even though the grip is wider, not enough to hinder my shooting grip. And the curves help it hide well during carry.

Now I might be tagged as a snob but a FEG or Argy is almost not a HP. Browning and FN are the only two I would put my money on.

I am not a fan of 9mm 1911s. Way too many have feeding issues.

Aside from being a good plinking gun, I carry my HP a lot! Living with a HP is pretty easy. You can use a 1911 holster with no problems. And 13 rounds of 9mm is nothing to sneeze at.

For longer and stouter rounds like 10mm, 45 acp, 38 Super, to me the 1911 is King! But for a 9mm platform the HP is it.

[Che]

Originally Posted by FreeAmerican

But for a 9mm platform the HP is it.

I concur

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by MSgt Dotson

for basic plinking, the .45 ACP can be handloaded downward substantially, where the recoil is much lighter than standard...

A 200 gr (or 230) gr bullet at 730 fps is quite manageable, and with a proper two handed grip, gives pretty much zero muzzle flip....

Yep. Reload and tailor your target loads accordingly. For my 1911 .45 I use a 200 gr LSWC over 3.9 grains of Clays. Not too soft to be a training deterrent, but soft enough to not beat you up.

That being said, I enjoy shooting both by Hi Power and 1911 about equally and I also reload for 9MM.

[chudo]

[for a 9mm platform the HP is it.[/QUOTE]
Correct

[steel609]

I know I'm kinda fond of the Hi-Powers.


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