The BHP originates from 1935. It was John Browning's last design, developed further by an FN wizard before its release after his death. Its features have been much copied, as it takes much from Browning's 1911. It's 9mm, and it is in many ways refined from the 1911.

A BHP was my second medium-caliber shooting pistol; I bought it new from a local dealer. I had been shopping for something that would be accurate and take a load off my only other 9-at-that-time, a Walther P99. Something that would feel good and shoot well for me. I handled a lot of different makes, and was lucky to be able to shoot some of them. Although I never got to test a High Power, they're -- iconic. And absolutely beautiful in blue, particularly in high-polish blue. There are models with quality adjustable sights, and there are some aftermarket accessories available. FN built them for Browning until a couple decades ago. I believe that all current Browning High Powers' parts are still made in the same FN armory in Belgium, but like mine, are assembled in Portugal. The Portugese do a fine job of it.

The BHP, in my hand, feels great: it just points. It's neither huge nor petite; it's a 13-round double-stack, a slimmish full-size gun. For me, the balance is fab, and out of the box, it is an excellent shooter. Mine is very accurate, with a fine lockup and tight slide fit. It shot flawlessly from the start. At four years and 6-8K rounds of commercial ball, it's not had a single hiccough apart from my 2 rounds from a single box of WWB that wouldn't chamber in the BHP or three other guns, and my own early reloads.

Fine balance and feel, tough, elegant aesthetic design, accurate and reputedly durable. It's been in continuous production and refinement since its release over 60 years ago. There's a Wikipedia article that will tell of its history. It's been made in other factories around the world, and has been much copied in others. The Browning original is the best.

I've fired CZ 75 and 85 at the range, and dry fired the newer P series. They, too are excellent guns, and in today's world a very popular police and military sidearm. CZ has been refining this design for over thirty years. They're finely made, tight, very accurate, and may have a slightly better trigger than the High Power. But the HP's is still very fine: crisp with an indiscernible break, moderate travel, and smooth, despite a little friction from the (yeah) magazine safety. Fairly, the CZs have moved into the market that the HP dominated until the 1980s.

My own now has a JP red dot sight, nice grippy Hogues, and a Barsto match barrel, and it's been a joy, a favorite. Any person looking for a 9mm with a more modern ergonomics than a 1911 but still retains the feel elegance, should hold one of these.

There are quite a few sources for barrels, triggers, sears, springs, grips, and even some for sights and optical sight adapters. (My optical sight uses a slim adapter that fits the slot where the stock fixed sight was.) Standard magazine in most states is 10-shots, but 13-shots were the original and still most widely used. Meg-Gar and perhaps others make a 15-round magazine, and there are 20- and 32-round mags out there. I don't think I'd like that balance so well, though.

It is also available in .40, a recent development. The .40 has a redesigned heavier frame to support it.

the Sig P226 or P6(P225) are a couple of my favs

Originally Posted by JTEX53

I've been wanting another handgun that has a high capacity variable size mags. available. I really like the Stoeger Cougar 8000 but I also want a pistol whose magazines are reasonably priced. Looks to be Glock mags every where at a reasonable prices. What ever I purchase I want to eventually have at the minimum of 5 magazines. I just don't want to have to pay $25-$30 for magazines, if at all possible.

I have a Norinco Tokerev and mags are pretty pricey for 8 rounders. The Tok is a rugged and dependable pistol if you keep it clean and lubed. I purchased it for $110 NIB in mid 90's. Wish I would have bought another!

The Stoeger Cougar ships with two factory Beretta 15 round mags. You can get additional Beretta factory 15 rd mag's at cdnn for 19.99 each.

Beretta 8000 Cougar/Stoeger 9mm 15rd Blue LE Mag New Factory

+1 CDNN. I have bought several magazines from them, a good Texas Company.

Originally Posted by clockworkjon

Even though I'm leaning heavily towards purchasing the CZ85c, I'm still waiting for my bonus to arrive, so technically I'm still in the research phase. I'm wondering why I shouldn't just go with a Beretta 92fs and make life simple. Parts and accessories are unlimited, price is almost the same, features are almost the same. What's really the difference between the two? Anyone own both who can comment?

About 8 months ago I purchased at the same time NIB a Beretta 92FS & a CZ 75B. Out of the box I shot the Beretta better. I liked the Beretta's trigger over the CZ's. After about 1000 rds the CZ's trigger did improve. Both have been fired over 2500 times FLAWLESSLY. I recently sold the CZ in favor of the Beretta. For ME the Beretta was the better of the two. Both are outstanding handguns, both are very accurate, easy to maintain & flawless in their operation. Recoil is about the same. If I come across an outstanding deal on another CZ75B, I would not hesitate buying it.

Originally Posted by Jason248

the Sig P226 or P6(P225) are a couple of my favs

Yes.

Browning HP (P-35) even the wartime models. And speaking of, it's not hi-capacity but a Walther P-38 fits my hand very, very well.

No doubt that my favorite metal framed 9mm is my Sig P228 - it does everything well. It took me some time to find one as they are getting scarce and folks tend to hold on to them...



I also have lots of fun with my beater Taurus 92. Didn't pay much for it, it shoots great, and I prefer the frame mounted safety to the Beretta's slide mount. Yes, this is a factory two-tone...

Originally Posted by clockworkjon

Second gun, first "real" gun. Just picked up a Browning Buckmark a month ago. As to the CZ75BD, aren't de-cockers a good thing? The only other way I know to de-cock a hammer-fired gun is to squeeze the trigger and slowly let the hammer down. Maybe I'm just a noob, but that just doesn't seem safe. I'm pretty sure Beretta 92s come standard with a de-cocker. Education please!

I'm not familiar with CZs, but instead of "de-cocking", can't you just drop the mag and rack the slide to eject the cartridge? Then you don't have to mess with the hammer. Is that right?

On a budget: CZ
Got plenty $: H & K

Get a 4" Kimber or Springer 1911 in 9mm.

Kimbers and Springers are outside the budget, but would be nice. Here's the deal. I handled another CZ this week, and what I didn't notice before was how far forward the slide release was. I can't just stick my thumb out to reach it, I actually had to adjust my grip, which isn't good. So now I'm leaning back towards the Beretta, or even the Cougar because they are selling for $200 less than the 92fs. But I just can't seem to find basics like holsters or extra mags for the Cougar. Just got my bonus approved, I have a week or so before payout. Hardcore research time!

For my money, I'd just as soon have my Taurus PT92 as any of them.

I put my flame suit on before typing this. I went to the range this past weekend and decided to try out a M&P 9mm, and it was good. It was comfortable, perfect size, easy to shoot, and had low recoil, and its very affordable (see cheap). So I'm on a few waiting lists for the Carry and Range Kit with all the goodies. I'm not done with metal-frames though, a 1911 is on the wish list for the future (thinkin' R1), but for now I think I'm a soon-to-be plastic gun owner. Hard to admit, but true.

For a metal framed 9mm, I like SIG P226/229, Browning Hi-Power and the CZ-75 line.

Originally Posted by texgunner

For a metal framed 9mm, I like SIG P226/229, Browning Hi-Power and the CZ-75 line.

I've also been looking for a metal frame 9mm and these are the same guns that keep surfacing in recommendations and shooting experience at the range.

I've decided on the CZ (I'll probably get the 85 cause I'm a lefty). I shot them equally well. I like the slightly larger grip, 15rd mag capacity, and the price point of the CZ.