{ "apiVersion": 1, "kind": "work-order", "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.", "firearm": { "slug": "browning-hi-power", "name": "Browning Hi-Power", "manufacturer": { "id": "fn-herstal", "name": "FN Herstal" }, "category": "pistol", "action": "hammer-fired-short-recoil", "calibers": [ "9x19mm Parabellum", ".40 S&W" ], "alsoKnownAs": [ "FN GP35", "P-35", "Grand Puissance", "Browning HP" ], "coversAlso": [ "FN GP35", "Browning Hi-Power Mark III", "Inglis Hi-Power", "FEG and other Hi-Power pattern clones" ], "page": "firearms/browning-hi-power.html", "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/browning-hi-power.json", "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29" }, "notices": [ "FN Herstal limits owner disassembly: Field strip only: slide stop, slide, recoil spring and guide, and barrel.", "This work order is written for the Browning Hi-Power. It is reported to cover FN GP35; Browning Hi-Power Mark III; Inglis Hi-Power; FEG and other Hi-Power pattern clones — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.", "No torque values are recorded for this firearm. Get them from the manufacturer or a gunsmith; do not estimate." ], "disclaimer": { "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.", "points": [ "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.", "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.", "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.", "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.", "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.", "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.", "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.", "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material." ], "page": "disclaimer.html", "legal": { "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.", "page": "legal.html", "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md" } }, "sourcing": { "confidence": "high", "verification": "manufacturer-manual-verified" }, "manufacturerDisassembly": { "status": "limited", "limit": "Field strip only: slide stop, slide, recoil spring and guide, and barrel.", "statement": "Browning recommends no disassembly beyond the field strip; any further disassembly should only be done by its Arnold, Missouri service facility or an authorized Browning service center.", "source": { "title": "Browning Hi Power Pistol Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Browning", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.browning.com/support/owners-manuals/hi-power-pistol.html", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "No further disassembly is recommended as the pistol is now stripped adequately for normal maintenance and cleaning. IF FURTHER DISASSEMBLY SHOULD EVER BECOME NECESSARY IT SHOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED BY OUR SERVICE FACILITY IN ARNOLD, MISSOURI, OR AN AUTHORIZED BROWNING SERVICE CENTER." } }, "recalls": [], "shopTier": { "tier": 3, "group": "pistol", "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's", "reason": "No parts count found. The frame strip has to be done with the hammer held cocked while the sear, sear spring, ejector and spring-loaded thumb-safety detent come out, the trigger pin is press-fit and needs special punches, the trigger and magazine-safety plunger come out as a unit, and on later guns the firing pin flies when the sear lever is pressed; a dedicated 'third hand' tool exists for it. Harder than a 1911.", "confidence": "medium", "partCount": null, "painPoints": [ { "issue": "Much of the frame strip must be done with the hammer held back by hand (or a dedicated 'Third Hand' tool) while other spring-loaded parts are removed and replaced.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "Browning Hi Power Custom Build Part 4", "publisher": "Shooting Illustrated (NRA)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://shootingillustrated.com/content/browning-hi-power-custom-build-part-4", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "a large portion of the process requires the hammer to be held in the rearward (or cocked) position while removing other frame components, which can be quite cumbersome, frustrating and tedious." } }, { "issue": "The trigger pin is a factory press fit and takes force, care and special punches to move without marring the frame.", "during": "disassembly", "source": { "title": "Browning Hi Power Custom Build Part 4", "publisher": "Shooting Illustrated (NRA)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://shootingillustrated.com/content/browning-hi-power-custom-build-part-4", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "it cannot be understated just how challenging removing the trigger pin is. That's because the trigger pin is press-fit into the frame at the factory" } }, { "issue": "On later Mk II and Mk III guns the sear lever is also the firing-pin block, so pressing it launches the firing pin and spring once the retainer is out.", "during": "disassembly", "source": { "title": "Browning Hi Power Custom Build Part 4", "publisher": "Shooting Illustrated (NRA)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://shootingillustrated.com/content/browning-hi-power-custom-build-part-4", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "once the firing-pin stop is removed the firing pin and its spring are will still be under tension at this point and depressing the firing-pin safety/sear lever will send them flying." } }, { "issue": "The thumb safety only comes out when it lines up with the rotated ejector, and its detent and spring are compressed and under tension.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "Browning Hi Power Custom Build Part 4", "publisher": "Shooting Illustrated (NRA)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://shootingillustrated.com/content/browning-hi-power-custom-build-part-4", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "the thumb safety (along with its detent and spring—which will be compressed and under tension—will come out" } }, { "issue": "The trigger comes out with its related parts as one unit and they must go back in together; the magazine catch is locked out with a quarter-turn of its spring guide.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "Exploded View: High Power Pistol", "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/9/15/exploded-view-high-power-pistol/", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "this will allow the removal of it and related parts (21), (34) and (35) as a unit (Fig. 4). They must be replaced as a unit when reassembling the gun." } } ], "minutes": { "strip": 40, "rebuild": 60, "basis": "estimated", "note": "Estimate for an experienced tech with the right tools, detail strip to coatable parts (slide internals, frame pins, trigger group, sights) and rebuild to a function-checked gun; scale used across pistols: Glock-pattern 15/20 min, other strikers 20-30/25-40, DA/SA hammer guns 30-35/45-50, Hi-Power, Colt 1903 and Mark 23 40-45/60-75.", "source": null }, "stripScope": [ { "assembly": "Slide", "removes": [ "firing pin stop, firing pin and spring", "sear lever, spring and roll pin", "extractor, roll pin and spring", "rear sight", "front sight" ], "tools": [ "3/32 in. roll-pin punch", "5/64 in. roll-pin punch" ] }, { "assembly": "Barrel", "removes": [ "barrel", "recoil spring and guide" ] }, { "assembly": "Frame", "removes": [ "grips", "magazine catch and spring guide", "ambidextrous safety right lever (if fitted)", "sear pin, sear and sear spring", "ejector", "thumb safety with detent and spring", "hammer, strut and mainspring", "trigger pin (press fit)", "trigger with magazine-safety plunger and spring" ], "tools": [ "1/8 in. screwdriver", "brass punch", "Third Hand Tool (optional)" ] } ], "hardware": null, "specialTools": [ { "tool": "BH Spring Solutions 'Third Hand Tool' (or a second pair of hands)", "usedFor": "Holding the hammer cocked during the frame strip" }, { "tool": "3/32 in. and 5/64 in. roll-pin punches; 1/16 in. punch for ambi safety pin", "usedFor": "Sear lever pin, extractor pin, ambi safety lever" }, { "tool": "Wide brass punch and specialty 3/32 in. nail/non-slip punches", "usedFor": "Press-fit trigger pin" }, { "tool": "1/8 in. wide screwdriver", "usedFor": "Quarter turn of the magazine catch spring guide" } ], "fitOnRebuild": [ { "check": "Trigger, trigger lever and magazine-safety plunger reinstalled as a unit", "why": "They come out together and must go back together", "source": { "title": "Exploded View: High Power Pistol", "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/9/15/exploded-view-high-power-pistol/", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "They must be replaced as a unit when reassembling the gun." } }, { "check": "Trigger pin re-seated without loosening", "why": "It is a factory press fit; a loose pin after removal may need replacement", "source": null }, { "check": "Sight position / re-zero", "why": "Drift or pressed sights moved for coating shift point of impact unless witness-marked and returned to the same spot", "source": null }, { "check": "Full function check (trigger reset, safeties, slide lock-back, drop of striker/hammer only on trigger)", "why": "Standard after any fire-control strip; confirms springs and sears went back correctly", "source": null } ], "assessed": "2026-10-29" }, "videos": [], "configurations": [], "tools": [], "phases": [ { "id": "clear", "title": "Clear and make safe", "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Press the magazine release and remove the magazine.", "tip": "With a magazine disconnect fitted, the trigger will feel dead with the magazine out. That is normal and is not a safety check.", "partsFreed": [ "Magazine" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Retract the slide fully to eject any chambered round, and lock it open with the slide stop." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Visually and physically verify the chamber is empty." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Remove all live ammunition from the work area." } ], "videos": [] }, { "id": "disassemble", "title": "Disassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "field-strip", "title": "Field Strip", "level": "field-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure. Remove the magazine and visually confirm no cartridge remains in the chamber. Put on eye protection.", "warning": "Wear eye protection. Springs and spring-tensioned parts are what come loose here." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Pull the slide back and lock it rearward by engaging the safety lever into the disassembly recess on the slide.", "tip": "The safety lever is the takedown catch on this pistol. There is no separate takedown lever." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Remove the slide stop: push the protrusion on the right side of the frame, lift slightly on the serrated portion of the slide stop to disengage it, and pull it out of the frame.", "partsFreed": [ "Slide stop" ] }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Grasp the slide firmly, pull it rearward slightly, and move the safety lever down. The slide will run forward under spring tension and off the frame.", "warning": "Keep hold of the slide. It is under spring tension and will leave the frame on its own if you let it.", "partsFreed": [ "Slide assembly" ] }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Holding the slide, press the head of the recoil spring guide forward to release it from the barrel, then remove the recoil spring and guide.", "partsFreed": [ "Recoil spring and guide" ] }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Lift the barrel lug and slide the barrel out of the slide toward the rear.", "tip": "Rearward, not out the front. The Hi Power barrel does not come out the muzzle end of the slide.", "partsFreed": [ "Barrel" ] }, { "n": 7, "instruction": "Stop here. Browning states this is sufficient for normal maintenance and that no further disassembly is recommended.", "warning": "If further disassembly ever becomes necessary it should only be done by Browning's service facility or an authorised service centre. Incorrect reassembly could render the pistol inoperative or unsafe." } ] } ] }, { "id": "refinish", "title": "Refinish", "components": [ { "name": "Slide stop", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 3 }, { "name": "Slide assembly", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Recoil spring and guide", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 5 }, { "name": "Barrel", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 6 } ], "manufacturerPartsList": null, "partsDiagrams": [], "materials": [], "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked." }, { "id": "reassemble", "title": "Reassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "reassembly", "title": "Reassembly", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Replace the barrel into the slide." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Replace the recoil spring and guide into the slide with the head of the guide positioned rearward. Compress the spring by pushing on the head of the guide until the head can be inserted in the concave recess of the barrel lug.", "tip": "The retainer tab on the recoil spring guide is offset. Check it is aligned in the barrel lug correctly before you go further." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Replace the slide on the frame, hold it fully rearward, and lock it there by moving the safety lever up into the recess in the slide." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Replace the slide stop in the frame." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Pull the slide slightly rearward, move the safety lever down, and let the slide run forward." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Insert a completely unloaded magazine and lower the hammer to the dropped position, then perform the function check.", "warning": "Confirm the magazine is empty before this step." } ], "instruction": null } ] }, { "id": "torque", "title": "Torque", "coverage": "none-recorded", "manufacturer": [], "reported": [], "notes": null }, { "id": "function-check", "title": "Function check", "checks": [ "Verify the pistol is unloaded before each check.", "With a magazine inserted (required if the magazine disconnect is fitted), cock the hammer and engage the safety. Press the trigger — the hammer must not fall.", "Disengage the safety and press the trigger. The hammer should fall.", "Remove the magazine and press the trigger. With a magazine disconnect fitted, the hammer should not fall.", "Hold the trigger back, rack the slide, release slowly for the reset, and press again.", "Confirm the slide locks open on an empty magazine." ], "videos": [] } ], "troubleshooting": [], "sources": [ { "n": 1, "id": "browning-stance-06f38f", "title": "Browning Hi Power Pistol Owner's Manual", "publisher": "Browning", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://www.browning.com/support/owners-manuals/hi-power-pistol.html", "accessed": "2026-09-14" }, { "n": 2, "id": "pat-shooting-illustrated-nra-article-by-fb7dfd", "title": "The Classics: The Browning Hi Power in WWII", "publisher": "Shooting Illustrated (NRA), article by Philip Schreier, Director, NRA Museums, March 17, 2025", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/the-classics-the-browning-hi-power-in-wwii", "accessed": "2026-10-13" }, { "n": 3, "id": "tier-a1f88191", "title": "Browning Hi Power Custom Build Part 4", "publisher": "Shooting Illustrated (NRA)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://shootingillustrated.com/content/browning-hi-power-custom-build-part-4", "accessed": "2026-10-29" }, { "n": 4, "id": "tier-8a0d294a", "title": "Exploded View: High Power Pistol", "publisher": "American Rifleman (NRA)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/9/15/exploded-view-high-power-pistol/", "accessed": "2026-10-29" } ] }