Welcome to

Stephen A. Camp’s

Hi Powers and Handguns

  • S&W J-Frame Airweights: Do They Last?

    As a proponent of the Airweight J-Frame for daily carry and regular practice, I am frequently asked, “Do they last?  Will they hold up to lots of shooting?” Some have suggested that lightweight handguns are but “to be shot little and carried lots”.  I partially agree with that. It remains my position that regular practice is essential with any handgun intended for serious use. That our…

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  • Are Glock Pistols Unsafe?

    “Perfection” is a term Glock uses with respect to its extensive line of popular “safe action” autoloading handguns, but “unsafe” is a descriptor used by some detractors of the design. Is either correct or are both wrong or might the truth lie somewhere in between? Glock pistols are striker-fired designs in which pressing the trigger fully retracts and…

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  • Why Do Some Hi Powers Have Serial Numbers in Multiple Places?

    As most know, Fabrique Nationale manufactures the Hi Power pistol.  Commonly known in the United States as the “Browning Hi Power”, it is imported by Browning and while it bears the their logo, it is manufactured by FN. FN is a large manufacturer of firearms from handguns to heavy machineguns and has customers worldwide. There is…

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  • Why No 45-Caliber Hi Power?

    “Why are there no Hi Powers in .45 ACP?” This question pops up in both printed media as well as Internet firearm forums.  I can come up with a couple of reasons.  One is simply that the .45 ACP’s physical dimensions are too large for the relatively petite Hi Power.  Early prototypes of the Hi…

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  • Which is Best: Glock 17 or 19?

    That Glock 9mm handguns are both popular and used worldwide is not even a question but firearm forums frequently field queries on which is the better choice between the G17 and 19.  Folks faithful to one or the other usually respond by singing the praises of their particular favorite. The G17 is described by the…

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  • What is a “Hungarian Makarov”?

    The answer is, “A misnomer for a pistol that never existed.”  No actual Makarov-pattern pistol was made in Hungary (or Czechoslovakia) though other makes of compact semiautos chambered for the 9x18mm Makarov certainly were.  True Makarov pistols have been made in Russia, China, East Germany, Germany (after being reunited) and Bulgaria. Makarovs are usually seen in 9x18mm though some can be…

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