Browning Hi-Power
FN Herstal · Pistol · Discontinued · 1935
Also known as: FN GP35, Grande Puissance, P-35, L9A1, Pistol No. 2 Mk I, FM Hi-Power, Inglis Hi-Power
Overview
The Browning Hi-Power is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, produced by FN Herstal since 1935.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 880 g (31.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1043 g (36.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 200 mm (7.87") |
| Barrel Length | 118 mm (4.65") |
| Height | 127 mm (5.00") |
| Width | 36 mm (1.42") |
| Sight Radius | 157 mm (6.18") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Trigger Pull | 37 N (8.3 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 13 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 350 m/s (1148 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 456 J (336 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1800 m (1968 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
- .40 S&W — also known as 10mm Auto Short, .40 Smith & Wesson
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Thumb Safety, Magazine Disconnect Safety, Half Cock Notch
- Features: Staggered Column Magazine, Tilting Barrel Lock, Checkered Walnut Grips, Tangent Rear Sight, Ambidextrous Safety
Variants
- Browning Hi-Power Mk I — Original
- Browning Hi-Power Mk I* — Canadian Inglis
- Browning Hi-Power Mk II — Modernized
- Browning Hi-Power Mk III — Modernized
- L9A1 — British Military
- Inglis Hi-Power — Canadian Production
- FN HP-DA — Double Action
- FN High Power (2023) — Modernized
Service history
Operators
- Belgian Armed Forces · adopted 1935 · as Pistolet Browning Modèle 1935
- British Armed Forces · adopted 1954 · as L9A1
- Australian Defence Force · adopted 1964 · as Pistol 9mm Mk III
- Canadian Armed Forces · adopted 1944 · as Pistol No. 2 Mk I
- Indian Armed Forces
- Indonesian Armed Forces
- Irish Defence Forces
- Singapore Armed Forces
- Royal Netherlands Army
- Argentine Armed Forces · as FM Hi-Power
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
- Falklands War (1982)
- Gulf War (1990-1991)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
Production
Production years: 1935-2017
Produced by FN Herstal (1935-2017), John Inglis (1944-1963), and under license in multiple countries. FN reintroduced a modernized version as the 'FN High Power' in 2022.
Origin
Country of origin: Belgium
Designer: John Moses Browning
Discontinued: 2017
Notes
Production was carried out at FN Herstal in Belgium (1935-2017), John Inglis & Company in Canada during WWII (1944-1963 for military contracts), and under license in several other countries. Original FN production ended in 2017 after 82 years, but FN reintroduced a modernized version called the 'FN High Power' in 2022 with significant design changes including ambidextrous controls, simplified takedown, 17-round magazines, and optics-ready variants. The Australian Defence Force designated it as 'Pistol 9mm Mk III' and officially replaced it with the SIG P320 XCarry Pro under Project LAND 159 in 2022, making Australia one of the last major conventional militaries to retire the iconic pistol. The British L9A1 variant served UK forces from 1954 until replacement by the Glock 17 in 2013. The Canadian Armed Forces used Inglis-manufactured Hi-Powers from 1944 until 2024, representing one of the longest continuous service records for any military sidearm.
Background
The Hi-Power has the unique distinction of being used by both sides in World War II -- the Allies used Canadian Inglis-produced versions while Nazi Germany used captured Belgian FN-produced pistols after occupying Belgium. It was the first military pistol with a double-stack magazine, holding 13 rounds when competitors held 7-8.