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Browning HP

The FN Browning HP (HP-35, Browning Hi-power) was the last handgun designed by John M. Browning and contained all features he had developed in his earlier work. The design was acquired by Belgian state owned company FN Herstal, and improved by FN designer D. Saive.

The Browning Hi-Power handgun is named for its 13-round magazine capacity, which was about twice that of modern designs such as the Luger or Mauser 1910. The Browning handgun had the first functional double-column magazine of 9 mm Parabellum rounds, and was able of holding 13 cartridges, with a 14th loaded in the chamber.

The Browning Hi-Power firearm has undergone continuous refinement by FN since its introduction. The handguns were originally made in two models: an "Ordinary Model" with fixed sights and an "Adjustable Rear Sight Model" with a tangent-type rear sight and a slotted grip for attaching a made of wood shoulder stock.

The barrel is locked into the slide of the Browning firearm by ribs on the top of barrel engaging slots in the slide. When the slide moves to the rear the barrel engaging a can in the frame. This kind technology allows the Browning HP to be simple and rough in design. Also there is normally a safety magazine in the Browning Hi power that prevents the hammer from being released by the sear if the magazine is not fully putted in the weapon. The double column system of the FN Browning HP magazine allows the weapon to have a large number of rounds available while still being manageable in size. This weapon is most popular gun among counter-terrorist agencies.

More that 45 countries (see below) either produce or issue the Browning handgun to their forces; this Browning firearm has also widespread commercial sales in USA and other countries. The upgraded 20 round magazines give the Browning HiPower perfect firepower but makes hard to conceal. The safety magazine is also unconsidered but it can be easy removed.

Countries witch produce or issue the Browning HP gun (in alphabetical order): Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Cameron, Canada, Chile, Denmark, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Panam, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.