LaZouche Custom airsoft WE Browning HP 9mm review.

Описание: My review of the WE-Tech airsoft FN Browning Hi-power 9mm automatic pistol.

Potted history:
The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. It is based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale (FN) of Herstal, Belgium. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized.
The Hi-Power is one of the most widely used military pistols of all time, having been used by the armed forces of over 50 countries.
The Hi-Power name alluded to the 13-round magazine capacity; almost twice that of contemporary designs such as the Luger or Mauser 1910. The pistol is often referred to as an HP (for "Hi-Power" or "High-Power") or as a GP (for the French term, "Grande Puissance"). The term P-35 is also used, based on the introduction of the pistol in 1935. It is most often called the "Hi-Power", even in Belgium. It is also known as the BAP (Browning Automatic Pistol), particularly in Irish service.
Browning Hi-Power pistols were used during World War II by both Allied and Axis forces. After occupying Belgium in 1940, German forces took over the FN plant. German troops subsequently used the Hi-Power, having assigned it the designation Pistole 640(b) ("b" for belgisch, "Belgian"). Examples produced by FN in Belgium under German occupation bear German inspection and acceptance marks, or Waffenamts, such as WaA613. In German service, it was used mainly by Waffen-SS and Fallschirmjäger personnel.
Hi-Power pistols were also produced in Canada for Allied use, by John Inglis and Company in Toronto. The plans were sent from the FN factory to Britain when it became clear the Belgian plant would fall into German hands, enabling the Inglis factory to be tooled up for Hi-Power production for Allied use. Inglis produced two versions of the Hi-Power, one with a fixed rear sight and one with an adjustable rear sight and detachable shoulder stock (primarily for a Nationalist Chinese contract). The pistol was popular with the British airborne forces as well as covert operations and commando groups such as the Special Operations Executive (SOE), the U.S. Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the nascent British Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment. Inglis Hi-Powers made for Commonwealth forces have the British designation 'Mk 1', or 'Mk 1*' and the manufacturer's details on the left of the slide. They were known in British and Commonwealth service as the 'Pistol No 2 Mk 1', or 'Pistol No 2 Mk 1*' where applicable. Serial numbers were 6 characters, the second being the letter 'T', e.g. 1T2345.

The airsoft pistol:
WE have really done well in their representation of this iconic pistol. Two versions are available, one with markings and one without, both are full metal. The look and 'feel' of the pistol is very good indeed and operation of all furniture and controls are good with the correct thumb safety/ slide lock combination (very handy when stripping it down) if a little tricky with the slide lock lever (tapping the barrel upon re-assembly to fit etc) and the hammer not releasing from cocked until a magazine is inserted (true to the real steel pistol though but annoying). There is no grip safety on this pistol only a thumb safety/slide lock.
With a nice weight to the gun when held this helps to tame the kick and cycling action which are crisp and hard. Accuracy and range are very good indeed and can be compared favourably with TM types. There is a hop up but it requires an Allen key to adjust it, a-la Western Arms, pity they chose this design instead of TMs simple wheel but atleast it has one. The outer barrel is metal and has a threaded muzzle for a silencer.
Sights are good but small. A fully adjustable leaf sight is to the rear with a simple post type at the forend. The foresight was in need of gluing with the review sample I had borrowed.
Grip is similar to a Glock but with a much more pleasing curve to the backstrap thus giving a better hold. The plastic 'faux wood' stocks, though good in looks, can be swapped out for real wood ones if you wish, though some modification maywell be required for a good fit.
There is no lanyard loop, a saddeningly missed item as the military version does have one on the left side of the grip base. The rear of the grip however does have a slot for a carbine stock to be fitted. This will need modifing slightly to get a RS one to fit properly though.

Conclusion:
A good representation of an historic pistol with good weight and a nice action. With a large magazine for BBs aswell as gas. Good range and accuracy to rival TM.
Bad points are its fiddly hop up adjustment and troublesome re-assembly proceedure, plus whether the paint will last and lack of a lanyard loop but these are small problems overall. If your a skirmisher or collector this is one to have. Recommended.

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Stay sharp but stay safe ;-)