{"id":69527,"date":"2017-02-02T14:25:18","date_gmt":"2017-02-02T19:25:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=69527"},"modified":"2017-02-02T14:25:18","modified_gmt":"2023-08-20T17:35:38","slug":"perfecting-mr-brownings-pistol-full-review-nighthawk-hi-power-9mm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/perfecting-mr-brownings-pistol-full-review-nighthawk-hi-power-9mm\/","title":{"rendered":"Perfecting Mr. Browning\u2019s \u201cOther\u201d Pistol? Full Review of the Nighthawk Hi Power 9mm."},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Perfecting<\/a>

The Nighthawk Custom Hi Power 9mm is a new take on John Moses Browning’s classic combat pistol. Images courtesy of manufacturer.<\/p><\/div>\n

For information on the Nighthawk Custom Hi Power, visit https:\/\/www.nighthawkcustom.com\/browning-hi-power<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To purchase a Nighthawk Custom pistol on GunsAmerica.com, click this link: https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=Nighthawk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

John Moses Browning is arguably the most well-known and influential firearms designer the world has ever known. His designs are legendary and have been a central part of every major conflict from World War I to the current day.\u00a0 Purists, and I identify myself as one, insist that the 1911 Government Model is the greatest handgun ever invented!\u00a0 Even those who disagree must admit that no other pistol has been in service for well over 100 years, which proves its strengths.\u00a0 It seems that the popularity of the 1911 does not have a limit. The 1911 is a workhorse and has been described as the F-150 of pistols, paying homage to Ford\u2019s tough pickup truck.\u00a0 However, Browning\u2019s \u201cother\u201d pistol, the P-35 (or \u201cHigh Power\u201d, and popularly known as the \u201cHi Power\u201d), is also a marvel of engineering and design. If the 1911 is a workhorse, the Hi Power is a thoroughbred.<\/p>\n

\"Perfecting<\/a>

The High Power as designed by John Moses Browning revolutionized the concept of a high-capacity combat pistol. Image courtesy of NRA.<\/p><\/div>\n

The P-35 was designed by Browning but did not enter into production until after his death in 1926.\u00a0 While the 1911 is an American icon, the Hi Power was an international success and was adopted by over 50 countries. The Hi Power was originally designed for the French military with the requirements for a magazine capacity of ten or more rounds and a magazine disconnector. Being a European country, the gun was to be chambered the \u201cpowerful\u201d 9mm cartridge. Like the 1911, the Hi Power\u2019s design and operation has remained unchanged.<\/p>\n

The Hi Power was an engineering marvel. In order to accommodate a fat, high-capacity magazine, Browning utilized a completely different fire control system than on the 1911. Instead of having a trigger bar that ran through the grip and interfaced with the sear\/hammer, as with the 1911, Browning came up with a novel approach. On the Hi Power, the trigger bar moves upward and engages a lever mounted in the slide. The lever toggles on a pin and depresses the sear that is located in the rear of the frame.\u00a0 This design allowed Browning to keep the diameter of the frame to a minimum while incorporating a 13-round magazine. A magazine disconnect prevented the pistol from being fired without a magazine.<\/p>\n

The Browning grip design and ergonomics, when combined with the all-steel construction and 9mm cartridge, made the Hi Power the choice for military and other agencies for many years. The pistol\u2019s international popularity and availability also made it the choice of the Central Intelligence Agency.\u00a0 Lou Alessi, who founded Alessi Leather, had a standing order from the Agency for Talon IWB holsters to fit the Hi Power.\u00a0 The venerable Hi Power also found favor in elite counter-terrorist units such as the British SAS.<\/p>\n

Although no longer the first choice for frontline military and law enforcement units, the Hi Power has continued to have a loyal following. However, the basic Hi Power suffered some deficiencies that were quickly realized by pistoleros of the sixties and seventies. Custom shops stepped in to meet the needs of the discerning customer. The standard Hi Power was equipped with very small, military grade fixed sights that were not suited for rapid engagements. In addition, the standard thumb safety was small and stiff to manipulate. Other creature comforts that many users requested included texturing the front- and backstrap for a positive purchase and an improved trigger.\u00a0 The demand led to gunsmiths, like the late Austin Behlert, becoming the go-to shops for High Power work. The problem is finding Hi Powers to send to these shops!<\/p>\n

\"Perfecting<\/a>

The Nighthawk Custom Hi Power takes the classic High Power design and adds in a lot of custom enhancements and features.<\/p><\/div>\n

Browning has never made enough Hi Powers to meet the demand.\u00a0 One seldom sees an abundance of Hi Powers in the local gun shops and they never collect any dust. In 2016, Nighthawk Custom Nighthawk Custom surprised the industry by announcing that the company would be offering custom Hi Powers<\/a>. To quote the company\u2019s website, \u201cNighthawk decided in early 2015 not to try to re-invent the perfect double stack, but to improve upon the Browning Hi Power.\u201d Nighthawk entered into an agreement with Browning to purchase a specified number of new Hi Powers on a monthly basis.\u00a0 Introduced at the 2016 NRA Show, the Nighthawk Custom Hi Power quickly became a hit with demand quickly outpacing supply.<\/p>\n

\"Perfecting<\/a>

Finely done bark-like stippling enhances the gripping characteristics of the Nighthawk Hi Power. Note the Cocobolo grips.<\/p><\/div>\n

Specs<\/h2>\n