Browning Hi-Power conversion

ammo.crafter · December 17, 2018, 07:53 PM

It is possible (and safe) to convert a Hi-Power in 9mm to a 357 Sig?

zxcvbob · December 17, 2018, 10:18 PM

I love my BHP, but it probably didn't love the hot-loaded ammo I've fed thru it. (135 grain hard cast bullets with an embarrassing amount of Bullseye that I won't publish. It would probably be a great load for an Uzi) I probably just got lucky because I only shot a hundred or so of those. The chamber can handle it; I'm not so sure about the rest of the action.

I think you'll prematurely wear out the locking lugs or something with anything hotter than normal 9mm and occasional +P 9mm. .40S&W Hi-Powers don't have a great reputation.

Now we'll see what the experts say

Sharkbite · December 17, 2018, 10:21 PM

Find a Hi-power in 40s&w for that conversion. Simple barrel swap, if you can find one.

burrhead · December 18, 2018, 12:39 AM

357 Sig = 40K psi vs 40 S&W = 35k. Guess I don't see the point.

bamaranger · December 18, 2018, 02:47 AM

I'm not completely sure of this, but I think BHP"s from advent of those chambered in .40 forward, had slightly beefier frames to accommodate the pressures generated by the .40 S&W v. the milder 9mm

Seems like I have read BHP fans bemoaning the change as it spoiled the feel of the classic BHP. I don't know if an additional 5000 units of pressure generaated by the .357SIG (if indeed those numbers are right , would threaten the "new" BHP frame or not.

It is pretty common to see various pistols with barrel swaps between that family of cartridges.........I dunno

std7mag · December 18, 2018, 05:25 AM

The failure i've seen has been the barrel, not the frame.
+P 9mm resulted in the "recoil lug" on the bottom of the barrel to crack and cause a stoppage.
Resulting in new barrel and no more +P ammo.

T. O'Heir · December 18, 2018, 11:02 AM

These guys make barrels. 6 to 8 weeks wait. (Rumour has it Barsto quit making 'em due to a lot of lugs being sheared off. Doesn't make sense to me as nobody would make 'em if it didn't work.). Requires fitting, but so does any barrel. Probably needs a different spring too.
https://kkmprecision.com/product-category/hi-power/

December 17, 2018, 07:53 PM	#1
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 1,970	Browning Hi-Power conversion It is possible (and safe) to convert a Hi-Power in 9mm to a 357 Sig? __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

December 17, 2018, 10:18 PM	#2
zxcvbob Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2007 Location: S.E. Minnesota Posts: 4,720	I love my BHP, but it probably didn't love the hot-loaded ammo I've fed thru it. (135 grain hard cast bullets with an embarrassing amount of Bullseye that I won't publish. It would probably be a great load for an Uzi) I probably just got lucky because I only shot a hundred or so of those. The chamber can handle it; I'm not so sure about the rest of the action. I think you'll prematurely wear out the locking lugs or something with anything hotter than normal 9mm and occasional +P 9mm. .40S&W Hi-Powers don't have a great reputation. Now we'll see what the experts say __________________ "Everything they do is so dramatic and flamboyant. It just makes me want to set myself on fire!" —Lucille Bluth

December 18, 2018, 12:39 AM	#4
burrhead Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Chihuahuan desert, Texas Posts: 1,148	357 Sig = 40K psi vs 40 S&W = 35k. Guess I don't see the point. __________________ Join the GOA, SAF and the TSRA I'm offended by people that are easily offended.

December 18, 2018, 02:47 AM	#5
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	.40 HP's I'm not completely sure of this, but I think BHP"s from advent of those chambered in .40 forward, had slightly beefier frames to accommodate the pressures generated by the .40 S&W v. the milder 9mm Seems like I have read BHP fans bemoaning the change as it spoiled the feel of the classic BHP. I don't know if an additional 5000 units of pressure generaated by the .357SIG (if indeed those numbers are right , would threaten the "new" BHP frame or not. It is pretty common to see various pistols with barrel swaps between that family of cartridges.........I dunno

December 18, 2018, 05:25 AM	#6
std7mag Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2013 Location: Central Taxylvania.. Posts: 3,609	The failure i've seen has been the barrel, not the frame. +P 9mm resulted in the "recoil lug" on the bottom of the barrel to crack and cause a stoppage. Resulting in new barrel and no more +P ammo. __________________ When our own government declares itself as "tyrannical", where does that leave us??!! "Januarary 6th insurrection". Funny, I didn't see a single piece of rope...

December 17, 2018, 10:21 PM	#3
Sharkbite Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2013 Location: Western slope of Colorado Posts: 3,679	Find a Hi-power in 40s&w for that conversion. Simple barrel swap, if you can find one.

December 18, 2018, 11:02 AM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	These guys make barrels. 6 to 8 weeks wait. (Rumour has it Barsto quit making 'em due to a lot of lugs being sheared off. Doesn't make sense to me as nobody would make 'em if it didn't work.). Requires fitting, but so does any barrel. Probably needs a different spring too. https://kkmprecision.com/product-category/hi-power/ __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

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