Browning Hi-Power

[speedbump]

I shoot and love my browning Hi-Power but I ocasionally have problems with it locking back before the mag is empty. I have traced it to the slide lock. I believe I might be exerting pressure on the front end of the slidelock. Can anyone tell me what the purpose of the portion of the front of the slidelock is for and can I do without it . I've been thinking of buying a new part and removing the portion of the slidelock foward of the pin. I am a new member and any advice would be helpful. I am a graduate of The Colorado School of Trades and I cant find any info on this particular issue anywhere.

[Mick-Boy]

Can you adjust your grip to avoid exerting pressure on the front of the slide stop?

I've seen people do the same thing with Glock factory extended slide stops. Seems about half of them can fix the issue by correcting their grip, the other half have to go with a lower profile part (for the glock this would be the stock slide stop). I don't know what, if any, lower profile options would be out there for a HP.

All else fails you can contact Novak (they have my HP right now ) or Cylinder and Slide and see what they can tell you. I've heard they know a thing or two about HPs...

[BPTactical]

Can anyone tell me what the purpose of the portion of the front of the slidelock is for and can I do without it . I've been thinking of buying a new part and removing the portion of the slidelock foward of the pin. I am a graduate of The Colorado School of Trades and I cant find any info on this particular issue anywhere.

?????????

I am no expert on the HP platform but I believe it acts as a "shield" for the large slide cutout, as soon as I finish up in the shop and can get to a PC and some reference materials I will do some hunting for you. DO NOT cut it off, J Browning and FN knew a thing or two on firearms design and if it did not have a specific purpose it would not be there.
If they taught you at CST it's OK to arbitrarily cut off items on a firearm you need to go get your money back.
I would try the change in technique as noted above before you start changing things.



EDIT NOTE:
After doing some homework check the recoil spring guide and the internal spring and ball within it for function , debris and wear as well as the slide stop. The guide, internal spring and ball provide tension to the slide stop. If you are not getting the correct tension it makes sense that the slide stop is rotating under firing forces and locking the slide.

[speedbump]

CST does a good job of giving a student a firm grounding in basic safe gunsmithing practices. Obviously I don't grind anything off arbitrarily as evidenced by my research and asking for advice before proceeding with any alteration. I would prefer to use the same grip for all of my autos so I asked if there was a mechanical fix. If not I will just have to train harder with it.

[BPTactical]

Did you read my later response? Check your recoil spring guide assembly.

[speedbump]

Yes, I checked the recoil spring guide assembly and it is pushing/rotating the slide stop but I don't know if is enough. I will take it to the range and confirm if is my grip or not. I don't remember ever having this problem before with it and I have owned it fop years. If it continues I will look for a replacement.

[Brass]

Hello Speedbump, years ago, when I first got my HP, I had exactly the same problem. I adjusted my grip on the gun in such a way that my thumbs now are a little further from the slide lock lever and the the poblem disappeared immediately.

I just keep my thumbs pressed down instead of letting them "free float".

Perhaps you have the same issue that I did.

Good luck!

[Jamesonehr]

Might be completely to late for this but I will chime in. It is probably the ball baring being loose on the spring guide. Replace the spring guide and it shouldn't have any problems. If it doesn't have enough tension on the slide stop the stop will slop up and catch when the mag isnt empty. Had this issue currently with a dual recoil spring guide (dont recommend it doesn't reduce recoil and actually increases it).