BHSpringSolutions LLC
HI POWER
ULTIMATE CARRY OPTIMIZATION
(35 Carry Upgrades for the Hi Power at Less Than $9 per Upgrade)
by Mark Allen
Here’s the benefits that our customers have found in the following Hi Power Upgrades:
BHSpringSolutions LLC Ultimate Carry Hi Power Springs (SFS Version)
SFS – Safety Fast Shooting Optimization System (RDIH)
Wide/Combat Trigger (C&S)
BHSpringSolutions Ultimate Optimization Hi Power Springs Benefits:
(Top 14 Benefits Reported By Our Customers)
⦁ Many customers and gunsmiths have reported 2 – 2 ½ lb Trigger Break Reduction readings when fully installing BHSpringSolutions LLC Optimizing Hi Power Springs.
⦁ Better Extraction, More Reliable Function
⦁ Smoother Trigger Pull Take-up, even with Magazine Disconnect remaining installed
⦁ Two Trigger Return Springs in every BHSpringSolutions LLC Hi Power Spring Kit gives me choice of “Tactical” or “Target” Trigger Return Springs. More authoritative Trigger Reset.
⦁ Less influence of the Magazine Disconnect.
⦁ Less negative influence on trigger because of the Optimized Sear Lever Spring on Drop Safety (Mark III) Hi Powers
⦁ More Controlled Recoil
⦁ “My shooting performance is better and my confidence with my Hi Power has never been higher.
⦁ Better Accuracy
⦁ More Reliable Magazine Lock-up
⦁ Better/More Reliable Manual Safety Function
⦁ “Love the Principle of Slide Velocity Synchronization……I have an all-around superior functioning Hi Power and I can quickly adapt to any ammunition from Light Reloads to +P.
⦁ “When removed, the old springs in my Hi Power were obviously in bad shape compared to the springs from BHSpringSolutions LLC. I was experiencing Failures-to-Eject, Failures-to-Feed, and Failures-to-Fire. All function problems seem to have resolved.”
⦁ BHSpringSolutions Optimized SFS Springs made the unique SFS Hammer and Safety Functions more crisp/decisive.
Note: BHSpringSolutions LLC Optimization Hi Power Springs are intended for installation by GunSmiths and persons proficient in Detail Stripping the Hi Power design.
The 17 Additional Benefits of the SFS (Safety Fast Shooting) System
In addition to the spring benefits of BHSpringSolutions LLC Ultimate Carry Optimization Springs (SFS Version) – The SFS System adds the following benefits:
⦁ SFS System allows the Hi Power to be carried Condition 1, but in a Hammer Forward state. When the Manual Safety (termed the “Cocking Lever” with the SFS system) is swiped off, the hammer simultaneously springs to the cocked/ready to fire position by work of a Spring.
⦁ Because of the almost flat hammer profile and hammer-forward “carry” position of the hammer, the Hi Power can be carried Condition 1 and eliminate common “snagging” in clothing of a cocked Hi Power hammer.
⦁ Most comfortable hammer for Carry (doesn’t dig into your side-fat when carried IWB on the hip) Makes the Hi Power feel more like a Striker-Fired Concealed Carry handgun, except better because of the Hi Powers thin profile.
⦁ Best Solution for More Sure and Fast One Handed Deployment of the Hi Power.
⦁ Enables “Hammer Forward Carry”, (like a DA/SA handgun), with the superior benefit of every shot being the same Single Action Trigger Pull.
⦁ Adds an Extended Slide Stop/Slide Release…Making all the Hi Powers Controls easily within reach of the thumb of the shooting hand, without releasing or adjusting grip on the Hi Power.
⦁ Adds Ambidextrous Safety to older Hi Powers with one-sided safety.
⦁ Better / Lighter Trigger Pull – Many SFS users have reported a Trigger Break Reduction of ½ – 1 ¼ lbs after installing SFS. This is attributable to two things. The SFS Main Spring is 30 lb, and dimensionally shorter than the FN/Browning OEM 32 lb Main Spring. Less pressure on the Sear/Hammer Tooth Relationship will typically create a reduction in trigger pull weight.
⦁ Cleaner/Crisper Trigger Break – The SFS System is a group of parts and springs that replace certain parts of the Traditional Operating System. Two parts replaced are the Sear and Hammer. Typical feedback from gunsmiths: “The SFS Hammer and Sear are extremely well made, and typically superior to the FN/Browning OEM Sear/Hammer. It is not uncommon for a non-modified Browning trigger pull to go like this: “Take up…….wall……you think you’re at the “break” of the trigger……then you pull a little more into a “zone” that allows the trigger to pull a little more and yet still the trigger doesn’t break…..so with more pressure……..FINALLY!……..the hammer falls!” The SFS Sear/Hammer set typically eliminates THAT! (Note: All results do vary slightly)
⦁ Adds a “Drop Safety” to the Hi Power (that doesn’t degrade trigger pull!) When in the “On Safe” position, both Slide and Hammer are locked.
⦁ Persons who miss-out on the benefits of Hi Power Carry because they don’t like “Cocked and Locked” Carry, for any reason, can usually embrace Condition 1 SFS Hammer Forward Carry.
⦁ “SFS Critics” who mention that the SFS System “adds a spring”. Fact-Check: The SFS System Replaces Three Springs in a Hi Power: Hammer (Main) Spring, Safety Lever Spring, the flat metal Sear Spring, and adds a new “Return Spring” that is the cause of the Hammer’s Cocking Action when the Safety is swiped off. The Springs associated with the SFS system are more resilient and reliable than the Hi Power’s Extractor Spring. And, like every other function of the Hi Power, the function of the SFS System is dependent on the health of the springs involved with it’s action. BHSpringSolutions LLC manufactures Optimized SFS Main Spring, Cocking Lever Spring, and Return Spring. In the opinion of BHSpringSolutions LLC, the design of SFS springs is appropriate for the jobs these springs perform and none of these springs could be considered “over-worked” because of the job performed.
⦁ Seeing the Hammer Forward provides visual confirmation that the Hi Power is “on safe”. Eliminates all “THAT HAMMER IS COCKED!” concerns.
⦁ Transition to SFS is seamless for Cocked and Locked carriers of the Hi Power.
⦁ Safe Condition 1 Carry, easily embraced by Hi Power owners currently using a “Condition 2 or Condition 3 Carry. (Also safer because of the “no-snag” hammer.)
⦁ MAY buy you a few extra seconds to access your Back-Up Weapon if an attempted Gun Grab is successful and your Hi Power ends up in a bad-guys hand. The SFS System is different and may cause momentary confusion for an attacker who gains control or your Hi Power. In the SFS Carry Condition 1, the Hammer is Locked and cannot be manually cocked. The Slide is Locked and cannot be racked. When the Safety is disengaged, it causes the hammer to spring rearward – again, different, and may cause momentary confusion for an attacker in a Gun Grab. At a minimum, in a “Gun Grab” situation, your Hi Power might be more difficult for an attacker to deploy than any “non-manual-safety” semi-auto pistol. SFS has Tactical Safety Advantages over ANY other operating system on any handgun.
⦁ Fastest Hi Power Field Strip procedure. User no longer needs to lock back the slide, to remove the Slide Stop/Slide Release. Simply push out Slide Stop wh while applying slight upward pressure on the Slide Stop.
⦁ If shooter tends to “ride the manual safety” with shooting thumb during shooting, nothing changes. But, since the SFS Manual Safety cannot be “cammed up” with the thumb (only by manually pushing forward the hammer), SFS eliminates the chance of the thumb riding up under the safety and inadvertently engaging the safety.
Note: The SFS System is intended for installation by GunSmiths and persons proficient in Detail Stripping the Hi Power design.
3 Primary Benefits of the C&S Wide/Combat Style Trigger
(It’s All about Communication and Control!)
(Where you heard that before?)
⦁ Trigger Control: With a wider surface of trigger contacting a wider surface of your finger, that “feel thing” involved with the trigger, feels more in control – because it is.
⦁ Communication: That small patch of skin of the trigger finger is the trigger’s channel of communication to your brain and reflexes. A wider trigger is a better communicator, for better or worse. If your trigger take-up is “scratchy” because your springs haven’t been BHSS Optimized, a wide trigger will help you feel that scratchiness even better! When the benefits are derived from the installation of BHSpringSolutions LLC Optimized Hi Power Springs and/or SFS, the Wide Trigger will also help you feel an excellent trigger pull, even more excellent. There is a better feel of the Take Up, The Break, The Over-Travel, and The Reset – for better or worse.
⦁ Because the finger has somewhat more leverage on the trigger, ALL Stages of the Trigger Pull “feel” lighter. Some Gunsmiths insist that a Wide Trigger does not reduce Trigger Pull Weight. Changing to a Trigger with a wider surface area for the trigger finger, involves replacing the entire trigger. Construction and fit of other parts of the Trigger also have some influence. Our Trigger Scale seems to prefer Wide Triggers, for whatever the reason(s) is/are, and we’re seeing ¼- ½ lb reduction in Trigger Break.
Note: The Cylinder and Slide (C&S) Wide/Combat Trigger is intended for installation by GunSmiths and persons proficient in Detail Stripping the Hi Power design. Some Hi Powers require additional qualified fitting and tuning of this part.
Note: Results of benefits on Trigger Pull and Measured Trigger Break can vary greatly. On many new manufactured FN/Browning Hi Powers, we’re seeing Measured Trigger Break weight in the 8-9.5 lb range. When implemented, the BHSpringSolutions LLC Ultimate Carry Optimization Springs, combined with the SFS System and Wide/Combat Trigger, we’re most commonly seeing Measured Trigger Break in the 5.5 – 5.9 lb range on Mark III Hi Powers, and 5.25 – 5.75 on Hi Powers that do not contain a Sear Lever Spring (Firing Pin Block/Drop Safety). Important! An infinite number of manufacturing variables can impact a Hi Power’s Trigger Pull and end user does understand that these modifications may not achieve comparable results.
ASK BH…..
QUESTION: “Is it possible for a Hi Power Trigger to be too light?”
BHSS: Yes. We have encountered Customer’s Hi Powers with Trigger Pulls as low as 3.5 lbs. This seems to be a “line” that should not be crossed. A Hi Power with a Trigger Break Weight of lower than 3.5 lbs is a risk of a variety of malfunctions including a “Full-Auto Function Risk”. It is the opinion of BHSpringSolutions LLC that no Hi Power with a Trigger Break Weight of less than 4.5 lbs is suitable for a defensive role where adrenalin may be present. The modifications of the BHSpringSolutions LLC Ultimate Carry Hi Power Optimization including SFS and Wide/Combat Trigger, does not typically produce a Trigger Pull Weight of less than 5 lbs to an otherwise non-modified Hi Power.
QUESTION: “Is there an ideal Trigger Pull Weight for a Carry Hi Power?”
BHSS: When the Take-Up is “clean”, and the Trigger Break is “crisp/clean”, Trigger Break weights in the 5-6.25 Range can “feel” much lighter than this measured weight. When the Take-Up and Break are clean and crisp, some Hi Power shooters may find that the BHSpringSolutions Tactical (Heavy) Trigger Return Spring becomes a preference. In other words, the shooter finds that adding back some “clean” and smooth resistance to the Take Up (which also makes the Trigger’s Reset more authoritative, to be a preference. Some shooters find that during rapid deholstering and rapid shooting drills, a Lighter Trigger Return Spring combined with all the other betterments on influences of the Hi Power’s Trigger Pull, necessitates adding back the Take-Up resistance to avoid “popping off shots” before the shooter intends to shoot. This is really the “test” of a shooter’s Hi Power set-up……..how does the shooter perform with a specific set-up, when deholstering in a hurry……when there’s a degree of stress. If any shots are firing prematurely, the heavier Tactical Trigger Return Spring from BHSpringSolutions LLC is usually the best solution.
QUESTION: “What are the different stages of the Hi Power’s Trigger Function?”
BHSS: There are 4.
⦁ Take-Up. The trigger travel from the Trigger’s fully forward position to the point where the trigger stops (the wall) and before the hammer falls. We speak about “Take-Up” in terms of Quality and Quantity.
⦁ Trigger Break. After the Trigger Take-Up, the trigger finger feels “the wall”. When the trigger is pulled slowly rearward, the trigger finger stops at the wall, and more pressure on the trigger is required to “Break” the hammer away from the Sear. We speak about Trigger Break in terms of “Quantity” (Measured Trigger Pull Weight) and “Quality”, being the “crispness” of the Break…..preferring no gritty “creap” or hesitation involved in the Sear/Hammer relationship.
⦁ Over-Travel. This is the distance of the trigger travel past the “break”. Normally evaluated in terms of “Quantity”.
⦁ Reset. This is the most over-looked part of the Trigger Function when people are “feeling” the Trigger function of a handgun. Often, the “Take-Up” is “felt”, and evaluated. The “Break” is almost always a focus. And many people notice and appreciate the nominal amount of Over-Travel characteristic of the Hi Power design. At this point, many persons let go of the trigger and never notice the authority of the Trigger Reset. The Trigger Reset is that pressure of the Trigger wanting to go back to the fully forward position. When a shooter is focusing on accurate/rapid shooting, follow-up shots become heavily influenced by the “Authority of Reset” provided by the Trigger Return Spring. Trigger Reset is evaluated in Terms of Quantity and Quality.
QUESTION: Does the Hi Power have any parts that are prone to breakage and need periodic replacement?
BHSS: No – the design of the Hi Power has no structural design flaws. Unlike some popular semi-autos like the CZ 75 which is notorious for breaking Slide Stops, Trigger Return Springs, and Firing Pin Retaining Pins, the Hi Power has no such design flaws. Hi Power Owners should have a spare set of BHSpringSolutions LLC Optimizing Hi Power springs, in the tool box. However, following the BHSpringSolutions LLC recommendation of Spring Replacement every 5 Years or 5,000 Rounds, it is highly unlikely that the Hi Power Owner will ever be running to this tool box except to possibly change out a Recoil Spring for higher or lower powered ammunition. Among the parts a Hi Power Owner may consider keeping on hand: Firing Pin Retaining Plate, Extractor, and Recoil Spring Guide Rod. We hear of these parts being replaced from time to time.
One NOTE: The Extractor Spring is the Achilles Heel of the Hi Power and should be periodically changed – and changing the Extractor Spring every 5 Years or 5,000 Rounds is NOT EXCESSIVE!
QUESTION: What about the Magazine Disconnect?
BHSS: The Magazine Disconnect, sometimes called a “Safety” (specifically by FN/Browning), is a point of endless controversy by Hi Power owners. The Magazine Disconnect disables Trigger Function when the Magazine is removed from the Hi Power because the Trigger Lever cannot contact the Sear Lever with Magazine Removed. When the Magazine Disconnect is removed, the Hi Power will fire with or without the Magazine installed if there is a round in the chamber.
Officially, BHSpringSolutions LLC regards the Magazine Disconnect as a “Trigger Disabling Device” that is activated upon magazine removal. We do not use the term “Safety”. Few current production semi-autos include a Magazine Disconnect, 1911s don’t have a Magazine Disconnect, and some manufacturers (Ruger is one) who do not utilize a Magazine Disconnect promote the lack of this device as a “Safety Feature”…..because it allows a new shooter to be trained starting with one round in the chamber and magazine out of the pistol, eliminating the possibility of a shooter in training firing more than one round , further adding to the confusion and debate – is this device a “Safety”, or not?
As if that isn’t enough to add to the confusion about the Magazine Disconnect, some after-market Triggers for the Hi Power do not have capability of re-installation of the Magazine Disconnect at all.
Among other facts about this controversial device – John Browning did not design the Hi Power’s Magazine Disconnect – it was an “after-thought” that happened because the French wanted this device in semi-autos that were competing for their new military sidearm…..and this was something like 80-90 years ago. The Magazine Disconnect was added and has stayed a part of the design by the many different manufacturers of the Hi Power design.
Another fact: Browning Arms Company really likes a Magazine Disconnect device and it is found on most or all Browning handguns. Apparently, this debate is more than a public debate because Browning’s parent company FNH/FNH USA is not nearly as committed to this device…… FN’s current production of polymer pistols do not include a Magazine Disconnect Device. Word is though that Browning’s 1911-22 was delayed coming to market a few years ago because it had to go back to the drawing board for the addition of a “Magazine Disconnect”. So, the controversy continues and even appears to exist within the FN and Browning relationship (Browning is now owned by FN)……..
BHSpringSolutions LLC does not recommend removal of the Trigger Disabling Device, primarily because FN/Browning does call it a “Safety”. Alternatively, BHSpringSolutions LLC refers to it as the “Magazine Disconnect” or “Magazine Disconnect Device”. We understand that many Hi Power owners have removed this device from their Hi Powers.
For those Hi Power owners wishing to retain the Magazine Disconnect Device in their Hi Power, BHSpringSolutions LLC provides Optimized Magazine Disconnect Spring, Optimized Sear Lever Spring, and Optimized Trigger Return Springs, which, when installed together, can dramatically reduce the influence of the Magazine Disconnect device on the Hi Power’s Trigger Pull.
One Co-Founder of BHSpringSolutions, whose Everyday Carry Hi Power is SFS equipped and Wide Trigger Equipped, has retained the Magazine Disconnect installed, for the following reasons: “With the BHSpringSolutions LLC Optimized Springs installation, SFS, and Wide/Combat Trigger, I’ve retained the Magazine Disconnect in place because the negative impact of the Magazine Disconnect has been eliminated. There is no appreciable impact on Take-Up or Trigger Break which consistently measures 5 ½ – 5 ¾ lbs. For my personal shooting, the best Mark III Hi Power Trigger Set-Up for me is the BHSpringSolutions LLC 3-Coil (Lighter) Trigger Return Spring, with the BHSpringSolutions Optimzed Sear Lever Spring and Optimized Magazine Disconnect Spring. These three springs, in combination, create the Take-Up Resistance – and for me, this combination in Timed/Rapid Fire Shooting Drills is optimal. On the other hand, when I switch over to a Hi Power that does not contain the Sear Lever Spring (Firing Pin Block Safety), and no Magazine Disconnect in place, the resistance on the Trigger Take-Up becomes too light for me, and I change to the BHSpringSolutions LLC 2-Coil Tactical Trigger Return Spring to “add-back” some clean resistance for the triggers Take-Up, otherwise, I find myself “popping off” first or follow-up shots before I’m intending to fire – the 2-Coil Trigger Return Spring corrects this for me. Every shooter is different and it’s important to find the “Set-Up” Combination that works best for each Hi Power owner – BHSpringSolutions LLC Optimized Hi Power Springs allow the Hi Power owner to make these choices and customize his trigger pull until personal-optimal is found. And it’s not that BHSpringSolutions LLC is a great fan of the Magazine Disconnect Device – we think it was an “after-thought” in the Hi Power design and, unmodified, it has a negative influence on trigger pull that nobody seems to like. As a company, we are proud that we’ve created a way for the Hi Power owner who wants to retain the device, to do so while eliminating most of the negative influence of the device on the trigger pull.”
