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If the 13+1 capacity 9mm single-action Browning Hi-Power III locked-breech semi-automatic pistol evokes an M1911, it’s because Browning positions it as the 1911’s little brother. Both the 1911 and the Hi-Power (aka Browning HP) were designed by none other than John Browning. Note: in the past, Browning has also made 10+1 capacity 40 S&W Hi-Power pistols.

The Hi-Power’s impressive 13+1 capacity was thanks to its double-stack architecture that roughly doubled capacity of other 9mm Lugers. Browning died before the design was finalized, and production finally started circa 1935. The result was one of the first, if not the first, commercially available removable double-stack magazine semi-automatics.

Manufacturing finally ceased (at least for now) in 2017, heralding the end of an 80+ year production run. While these guns are associated with Belgian manufacturer Fabrique Nationale Herstal (or FN for short), the later models were made in Portugal.

Across the years, the gun earned a well-deserved reputation for durability, reliability and more. These notes apply to the final production models. If you pick one up, you’ll marvel at the all-matte black design. The steel slide and the machined steel frame have a rugged matte black epoxy finish.

At the system’s center is the matte 4 5/8” steel barrel. Atop the slide you’ll find fixed position, high-profile, white dot sights. (Past models have also included drift-adjustable rear sights and fully adjustable rear sights.) In between the white dot sights is an expansive 6 5/16” sight radius.

The strong slide has a nice tight pattern of barely forward leaning rear slide grips. The gun’s total length is 7 3/4" and weight comes in at a neat 32 ounces (2 pounds).

The HP has plenty of nice texturing such as on the hammer, magazine release, slide stop and the ambidextrous manual safety lever.

At bottom on later models, you’ll find diamond-checkered matte black composite grips. The Browning Hi-Power III semi-automatic ships standard with two 13-round magazines and a tough ABS molded thermoplastic case.

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