Hi-Power HP-35
Summary
| Country | 🇧🇪 Belgium |
| Category | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Manufacturer | Browning Firearms |
Technical specifications
| Hi-Power HP-35 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 30 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 7.65 x 21 mm Parabellum or 9 x 19 mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 13 rounds |
| Length | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Weight | 1.06 kg (2.3 lb) |
| Range | 200 m (656 ft) |
Description
The Browning Hi-Power, designated HP-35, is a single-action, semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning and finalized by Dieudonné Saive at FN Herstal. Its name reflects its then high-capacity 13-round magazine. Developed from a French military requirement, it utilized Browning's short-recoil, locked-breech system combined with Saive's staggered column magazine. Adopted by the Belgian Army in 1935, FN produced it for 82 years until 2018. Production also occurred in Canada by Inglis for the Allies and at FN under German WWII occupation as the Pistole 640(b). In 2022, FN introduced a new "FN High Power" design incorporating modern features, distinct from the original in aspects like the locking mechanism.
The Hi-Power operates on the single-action principle using a short-recoil mechanism. The barrel and slide cycle together briefly until a cam system draws the barrel downward, unlocking it. The slide continues rearward for ejection and hammer cocking before the recoil spring returns it, chambering a new round and re-engaging the barrel. As a single-action pistol, it is typically carried cocked and locked. Early versions featured fixed or adjustable tangent sights and provision for attaching a shoulder stock. The internal extractor was replaced by a more durable external extractor in 1962. Design characteristics include potential "hammer bite" and stiff original safety levers, issues addressed in later versions. Models in .40 S&W and .357 SIG featured reinforced designs.
The Hi-Power series includes numerous FN variants, such as the P35, Mark I, Mark II (with upgrades like ambidextrous safeties and improved sights), and Mark III (adding a firing pin safety and updated finish). Specific Mark III models include the Capitan, Practical, and HP-SFS (Safe-Fast-Shooting). FN also produced double-action models like the BDA and BDAO. Licensed production and unlicensed clones have been extensive worldwide, by manufacturers like FM (Argentina), Inglis (Canada), FEG (Hungary), KSN (Israel), TİSAŞ (Turkey), GİRSAN (Turkey), and Springfield Armory (US).
The Hi-Power is one of the most widely used military pistols globally, having served with over 50 countries. Its operational history encompasses World War II, where it was utilized by both Axis forces (Pistole 640(b) from occupied FN) and Allied forces (Canadian Inglis production). Post-war, it became a standard issue pistol for numerous armies, prominently within NATO and the British Commonwealth, and was manufactured under license internationally. While some significant users like the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Canada have phased it out for newer handgun models, it remains in active service with various military and law enforcement agencies worldwide and has been deployed in numerous conflicts and roles.
The Browning Hi-Power has been adopted by military and police forces in numerous countries. Historical and current users include Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany (WWII), Canada, India, Indonesia, and Argentina, as well as throughout Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Licensed production in countries like Argentina, India, Israel, and Nigeria facilitated its widespread adoption. Despite some countries transitioning to more modern firearms, the Hi-Power maintains a long legacy of extensive international service.