BHSpringSolutions ADVANCED TRIGGER SUB-ASSEMBLY FOR HI-POWER

[Slav]

BHSpringSolutions ADVANCED TRIGGER SUB-ASSEMBLY FOR HI-POWERS


















In 2018, Leon Hubert (35 Year Former Designer at FN) and the Co-Founders of BHSpringSolutions LLC initiated cooperative efforts to re-design the Hi-Powers’ Trigger Sub-Assembly. 21 months of continuous refinement and testing produced the Advanced Trigger Sub-Assembly for Hi-Powers, that produces the following functional benefits:





Refined geometry repositions the trigger “shoe” in the Hi-Powers’ trigger guard and affords a more straight-back trigger pull and reset motion more characteristic of John Browning’s trigger designs

Wider Triggers that engages with more surface area of the trigger finger.

Elimination of the Magazine Disconnect

Re-design and refinement of the geometry of the Hi-Powers’ Trigger Pawl (lever) minimizes metal-to-metal resistance of the Trigger Pawl’s relationship with the Hi-Powers’ grip frame and optimizes the engagement point with the Hi-Powers’ Sear Connecting Lever (Sear Lever).

Because the parts of the Advanced Trigger Sub-Assembly work together more cooperatively than in the original P35 Trigger Sub-Assembly, the Advanced Trigger Sub-Assembly functions on a broader range of Trigger Return Spring strengths……..benefitting the Hi-Power owner because it makes tuning the Hi-Power Trigger within a range of 1 ½ – 2 lbs + or -, as easy as changing the Trigger Return Spring.



Eliminates conflict of the Trigger Return Spring with the Trigger Pin (found in all original design Hi-Power triggers)

Minor, and required, fitting of the Advanced Trigger Sub-Assembly makes possible Optimal Trigger Functionality in all Hi-Power models regardless of manufacturer or generation

A New Invention of a Magazine-Eject-Assist-Spring can be used with the Advanced Trigger Sub-Assembly for Hi-Powers, that does not degrade the trigger pull. Use of this spring is optional in the design.

In Dieudonne Saive’s re-design of John Browning’s Trigger/Trigger Pawl/Trigger-Return-Spring design, certain design attributes were compromised. To the extent possible, the BHSpringSolutions Advanced Trigger Sub-Assembly for Hi-Power pistols restores John Brownings’ design fundamentals found in the 1927 Grand Rendement.



HISTORY OF THE HI-POWER’S TRIGGER SUB-ASEEMBLY:



JOHN M. BROWNING:



In 1922, John M. Browning designed the last firearm for which he would receive a Patent, most commonly referred to as the 1927 Grand Rendement – denoting the year the Patent was issued. From many of the design elements of the 1927 Grand Rendement, along with many design elements of the 1911, Dieudonne Saive configured the handgun initially known as the “P35”, later most commonly known as the “Hi-Power”.



It was John Browning, in the 1927 Grand Rendement who first designed a handgun Trigger Sub-Assembly that included the Trigger, a Trigger Pawl (later renamed the Trigger Lever), and a Trigger Return Spring, that form a unit. Today we call it the Hi-Power’s Trigger-Sub-Assembly.



DIEUDONNE SAIVE:



By 1935, Dieudonne Saive had made numerous design changes to John Browning’s original Trigger-Sub-Assembly, some good, some not, and the end result was a P35 (Hi-Powers’) Trigger Sub-Assembly with numerous non-John Browning-like trigger performance characteristics. John Browning’s original design contained NO Magazine Disconnect, Dieudonne Saive’s end product did. And as negative as Saive’s Magazine Disconnect was for the integrity of the Hi-Power Triggers’ “Take-Up” and “Break”, the Magazine Disconnect also played a positive role in the P35’s Trigger Reset. The final Dieudonne Saive version of John Browning’s Trigger/Trigger Pawl/Trigger Return Spring design also was weak because the design creates a “down and back” trigger pull motion, instead of the “straight back” pull characteristic always found in John Browning’s designs. And, the Dieudonne Saive design produces a conflict between the Trigger Return Spring and the Trigger Pin for which a “groove” in the HP’s Trigger Pin was necessitated to attempt to eliminate the resistance on the trigger that this design inevitably creates.



AFTER-MARKET AND THIRD-PARTY EFFORTS TO CORRECT THE P35 TRIGGERS’ DEFICIENCIES:



Over the years, multiple third-party companies have produced alternative triggers for the P35, all of which retain many of the original Dieudonne Saive design weaknesses which cannot be eliminated short of a complete re-design of the entire HP Trigger Sub-Assembly.











CHOOSING THE OPTIMAL TRIGGER RETURN SPRING FOR YOU



The BHSpringSolutions Advanced Trigger Sub-Assembly System contains multiple Trigger Return Springs giving each Hi-Power owner the power to customize the triggers’ performance by simply choosing and installing the best Trigger Return Spring for the application and the shooters’ preference.



Note: Each of these springs is made from a different diameter of spring wire. Should your Trigger Return Springs ever get mixed up, measure the diameter of the spring wire with a caliper. Actual spring diameter may be + or – 0.01mm.



Trigger Return Spring #1: (0.80mm Spring Wire)



Tactical Trigger Return Spring. This is the strongest, most rigid, spring option. Good choice for shooters wanting Maximum Reset Authority in trigger performance.



Trigger Return Spring #2: (0.75mm Spring Wire)



Good General Purpose Trigger Return Spring. Good Spring to test first, in Hi-Powers with a “Type 1” Sear Lever (non-drop-safety sear lever used on in early FN / Browning Hi-Powers and most Hi-Power Clones).



Trigger Return Spring #3: (0.70mm Spring Wire)



Good General Purpose Trigger Return Spring. Good Spring to test first, in Hi-Powers with a “Type 2” Sear Lever (Drop-safety sear lever design used in Browning Mark III Hi-Powers and FM95 Series Hi-Powers.)



Trigger Return Spring #4: (0.65mm Spring Wire)



Primarily a “Target Trigger Return Spring”. Lightest trigger pull and maintains acceptable Reset Performance in most Hi Powers. May be too light for Hi-Powers used in defensive roles.







EXAMPLE OF VARIANCE IN HI-POWER TRIGGER BREAK WEIGHTS BY SPRING



(EXAMPLE SHOWN WAS ACTUAL TRIGGER BREAK WEIGHT AS MEASURED IN AN FN/BROWNING MARK III, EQUIPPED WITH THE HI-POWER FAST SAFETY SYSTEM (SFS), and BHSpringSolutions Optimized Hi-Power Springs.)



Many components in the Hi-Power design impact actual trigger pull break weights in the Hi-Power design. The example below is intended to show the approximate increase or decrease in trigger break weights typically obtained with the different Trigger Return Spring options.



TRIGGER RETURN SPRING AVG. TRIGGER BREAK WEIGHT



Trigger Return Spring #1: (0.80mm Spring Wire) 6.0 – 6.25 lbs.



Trigger Return Spring #2: (0.75mm Spring Wire) 5.5 – 5.75 lbs.



Trigger Return Spring #3: (0.70mm Spring Wire) 5.0 – 5.25 lbs.



Trigger Return Spring #4: (0.65mm Spring Wire) 4.5 – 4.75 lbs.

[ToddSig]

Just ordered one of the new BHSS triggers. Looking forward to trying it out. With shipping, I get a few days to decide which Hi Power to install the new trigger system on  and which spring to use. After installation I will post on the process.

[tnorris]

Todd,

I know I want to install the new trigger in ALL of my High Powers... except maybe the 1943 Occupation pistol.

I had been figuring out how to make meaningful measurements on my one Advance Trigger Assembly vs my other High Powers, and some non-FN pistols (with professionally done trigger jobs, CZs at Cajun Gun Works). Bottom line for me is I really like the new BHSS trigger. It's buttery smooth or smooth as silk, and reliably consistent. Magazines pop out like magic!

My new trigger went into my hybrid FN Alloy/FM Detective with SFS/optimized sear spring. It is the target version trigger, the serrated face, which I think I will prefer. I really like the feel of it on my finger and the flat face is much nicer than the slightly convex feel of the stock or C&S triggers. As far as I can tell, the tactical (smooth) version will be the first to ship.

Mark installed my trigger as I watched. It took him only a few minutes, with fitting only to properly bend the magazine ejection spring to it's proper position, and to remove a small amount of material from the top of the trigger pawl. This "pawl fitting" was required for the standard trigger on this hybrid pistol combination. The FM slide does not have the same dimensions as an original FN slide. After watching Mark install two different triggers at the beginning of November, I am certain I can do this. Due to Covid and all, I was not able to get to the range or a tesuntil last week.. she performed perfectly through 17 full magazines!

I measured three different pistols multiple times to calculate a ten pull average weight, with three different scales. My preferred scale is the Lyman digital scale. I also have a Wheeler spring scale and a Wheeler digital scale. The Wheeler digital tends to record a higher pull weight because it keeps climbing after the pull is finished, perhaps it is too sensitive. I was using the Wheeler preferred technique with my finger pushing on the measuring pad on the trigger. The Wheeler spring scale records pulls at about the same weight as the Lyman but is more difficult to read accurately. The three guns I measured were the 1982 Alloy Detective Hybrid w/new BHSS trigger, my 1981 SilverChrome w/stock gold trigger and a 2002 MKlll with a C&S Wide Combat Trigger. All three are fitted with SFS using the optimized sear spring. The latter two pistols have very similar trigger characteristics and measurements so I will report only the SilverChrome measurements. It will be the next pistol to receive the new trigger. On the Detective Hybrid, the #2 trigger return spring was used.

TRIGGER PULL WEIGHT:

Alloy Detective Hybrid:
AVG - 4#s 5.2oz
HIGH - 4# 8.2oz
LOW - 4# 3.72oz

SilverChrome:
AVG - 5# 6.5oz
HIGH - 5# 11.7oz
LOW - 5# 3.8oz

*PULL LENGTH MEASUREMENTS:

Alloy Detective Hybrid:
4.08mm from start to hammer drop
4.35 mm from rear to reset/start
2.70 mm pre-travel
Appx weight of pre-travel pull: 1# 10oz for 2.7mm

SilverChrome:
6.16mm from rest to hammer drop
6.87 mm from rear to reset/start
2.52 mm pre-travel
Appx weight of pre-travel pull: 1# plus for 2.52mm


*All of these were difficult for me to measure using a digital caliper. Without question, the new trigger has a shorter pull length and resets exactly where the trigger pull started. And these may be flawed measurements. I will probably devise a way to make them more reliable using multiple layers of gaffer tape to keep the caliper in place.

With both pistols in front of me now:

-the new trigger has a shorter, lighter and more consistent pull. There is less rearward travel when checking for reset after re-cocking, and there is absolutely no forward travel past the reset point.

-the stock trigger is a bit heavier, a bit longer and has more rearward travel while when checking for reset after re-cocking, and there is just a bit of forward travel past the reset point, perhaps 1mm.

Since I am using the #2 spring, second from heaviest, I imagine I might trim half a pound off of the trigger by using the lightest spring. I will try this when I put one in the SilverChrome, which is my favorite range/target High Power. For daily carry, I think 4# 5oz and super smooth is pretty perfect!

A note on my target shooting accuracy, it improved noticeably with this pistol and the new trigger... I was also using the new Elite Barrel for the first time. Improvements may have been the result of both items.

I am now soooo anxious to read feedback from other new users!

Cheers,

Tim

[tnorris]

Trigger comparison:

BHSS Trigger installed in 1982 Alloy Detective

Stock Trigger installed in 1981 SilverChrome

These two photos were taken with my iPhone, handheld, so there is parallax and some other distortions. I wanted to illustrate the position of the new trigger vs the stock trigger. The ruler is positioned at the front edge of the opening on the frame for the trigger. I took some care to position each pistol in the same position... not perfect but close enough.

You can see the BHSS trigger is straighter (less curved) than the stock trigger, and positioned farther back in the trigger guard.

Cheers,

Tim

[ToddSig]

Thanks for posting Tim. Great information to know on the new trigger. Mine should arrive on Friday. I will get some images up then before I install, along with an OEM, and I think I might have a Garthwaite in my spares as well.

[Slav]

Feb 23, 2021 12:14:23 GMT -5 tnorris said:

Trigger comparison:

BHSS Trigger installed in 1982 Alloy Detective

Stock Trigger installed in 1981 SilverChrome

These two photos were taken with my iPhone, handheld, so there is parallax and some other distortions. I wanted to illustrate the position of the new trigger vs the stock trigger. The ruler is positioned at the front edge of the opening on the frame for the trigger. I took some care to position each pistol in the same position... not perfect but close enough.

You can see the BHSS trigger is straighter (less curved) than the stock trigger, and positioned farther back in the trigger guard.

View Attachment

View Attachment

Cheers,

Tim

Did you have the chance to measure the trigger break with the OEM and with our trigger? Which trigger return spring did you choose? How's the overal feeling?

[tnorris]

Slav,

I'll need to locate my old notes but my recollection is the break with the BHSS two coil trigger spring and a C&S Wide trigger (all else the same) was just above 5#s. The BHSS service report from 2018 indicates 6#s 6oz.

For the new trigger, Mark performed the installation and recommended we begin with spring #2. It seemed just about perfect for me so we did not experiment any further.

The overall feel is fabulous! The take-up/pre-travel is firm and consistent at 1# 10oz... the resistance to my finger never changes. It makes the standard trigger feel sloppy. After reset, there is no additional trigger movement at all. There are no defects or aberrations in the feel of any part of the trigger pull... it is 100% as smooth as silk, like a hot knife through butter.

The serrations on the trigger face feel like they interact with my fingerprints. The width seems to spread the trigger resistance evenly across my fingertip. If needed, I do believe I could position my finger on the trigger faster and I am confidant the width improves my accuracy. The trigger feel is as near to perfect as I have experienced. I'm at my desk right now alternating picking up those two pistols... your trigger kinda makes me dislike the stock trigger.

I should be receiving additional triggers... I will be certain to record careful readings before and after installation. The 1981 SilverChrome will be first, quickly followed by a 2002 MK lll.

Cheers,

Tim

[ToddSig]

I ordered the BHSS trigger this past Sunday, with discounts and postage, total came to $107.92.

After ordering on Sunday evening the package arrived on Wed. I will make several posts as I inspect, compare to other HP triggers and install the trigger.

The package contains

• The trigger
• Trigger Pawl/Lever
• Trigger Return Spring Pins
• Trigger Magazine Eject Spring
• Four Trigger Return Springs of different spring diameters
• Information sheets on features/Benefits and spring sizes and trigger pull weights
• Card with web address for video instructions
• Bonus Polishing cloth

No written installation instructions, so I need to watch the video and take notes. My preference would be to have written instructions, but not a big deal.

I will post more images and side by side images comparing triggers as I familiarize myself with the new BHSS trigger and installation instructions.

Image of the Trigger package contents.

[ToddSig]

Some more observations of the BHSS trigger. It is nicely finished, quality appears to be first rate. Smooth and consistent finish application, very impressive.

I have compared four triggers, including the new BHSS trigger, a stock Browning MKIII trigger (1993), Cylinder & Slide wide combat trigger, and a Garthwaite trigger.

In measuring the trigger width, near center height

• MKIII about 6mm wide at center height, trigger tapers from about 6.3mm to 5.7mm
• Cylinder & Slide 8.6mm
• BHSS 8.4mm
• Garthwaite 8mm

The Garthwaite is the straightest trigger, followed by the BHSS and the C&S and MKIII have about the same curvature. From a purely aesthetical view, I prefer the Garthaite trigger, but no longer available since Mr Garthwaite's passing.

Note the different shapes of the top areas of the trigger, the MKIII, C&S and Garthwaite are similar, the BHSS design is rather different and unique from the other three.

If anyone has any questions or wants me to compare/measure something, let me know and I will check.


A few comparison images.

[Slav]

Thank you for the feedback! Great pictures.

[ToddSig]

After reviewing my Hi Powers, I decided to install the new BHSS trigger in an FM 95 detective. I have had it for awhile, had Novak sights installed as well as having it refinished with Cerakote sniper gray frame and graphite black slide (in my opinion a great color combination). It still had the original trigger and mag safety, so I though since it was partially worked on, might as well install the new BHSS trigger. Before trigger pull on a Lyman digital was about 6.3 to 6.5 lbs.

The old trigger came out without issue. Watched the BHSS installation video, or at least the pertinent parts before installing. All parts pre fitted and moved freely. The new trigger installed rather easily, just some patience needed for getting the trigger pawl/lever installed and moving the assembly forward and then seating the trigger spring into the front well. It took a few attempts, but I got better the more I worked on it. Just tight spaces, fat fingers and proper alignment. Once installed, the trigger lever was slightly high and the slide would not slide on. Mark explains and shows the fix in his video. An easy file or Dremel job. First the slide went on but then would not slide off. A few taps with a rubber hammer and the slide was off, a little more filing, followed by a re-install and all seems to be working fine.

I used the lightest spring, and it dropped the trigger pull almost 2 lbs down from 6.3-6.5 to around 4.5-4.8 lbs. The trigger feels great, and I am very pleased with the almost easy install and the reduced weight and travel/feel of the pull. Fit and finish of the new trigger is impressive, smooth with  no marks or sharp edges, a quality product. I did not install the mag eject assist spring, as the mags dropped freely.

Not sure when I will get to the range to test, but so far dry firing it is a joy. I will be ordering more of the new triggers. Will probably next try the extra wide serrated face trigger.

A few image of the installed BHSS trigger.

[tnorris]

Thanks for the update Todd!

My next trigger, the 8.4mm smooth face, should arrive tomorrow. I'll post results as soon as I install it.

Cheers,

Tim

[ToddSig]

Feb 28, 2021 12:44:32 GMT -5 tnorris said:

Thanks for the update Todd!

My next trigger, the 8.4mm smooth face, should arrive tomorrow. I'll post results as soon as I install it.

Cheers,

Tim

Good luck with the install Tim. You should not have any problems as the process is not difficult, just be patient, take your time and refer back to Mark's video. He has good instructions and visuals. I found the hardest part of the install was after the trigger is in the frame was connecting the trigger lever. Small spaces, and Mark makes it look so easy. He recommends, and I do as well to attach the lever to the trigger several times before installing in the frame. After a few attempts I got the hang of it and was able to manipulate to its correct seated position.

Keep us posted.

[Slav]

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