Removing MDS?

[bandito]

Tried to remove the safety from this Hi-Power. Didn't work. It is plastic and wouldn't come out. I removed the mag and slide, pressed out the pin from the trigger, and flipped back the arm on the trigger. It didn't want to go to the side at all. It was stiff as it is basically new. It says on the gun, made in Belgium, assembled in Portugal. I don't think it was fired until I got it from an old friend's estate. The trigger arm, hand, would go back by pulling on it with a punch but didn't go toward the inside of the gun , to the left, without lots of force and by clearing it from the frame. The magazine safety should just pull out with the tip of a punch or a long needle nose plier. It won't come out and I pulled a notch out of the "shoe" at the top. I don't know if it will hurt to put the pin back into the trigger and take it to a friend, a graduate of the Trinidad gunsmithing school. I have a creepy feeling when any of my handguns are out of order. Even with multiple carry guns.  I think I would like to try a metal mag safety with the "foot" polished. But what a pain for a seemingly simple alteration of the gun. Am I missing an important part of the process??? You tube was used and watched multiple times. The HP vids have been something I watch often. I'm trying to learn more about the gun. I guess I am. Any ideas from you more experienced guys? HELP. Thanks and Be Well, Bandito

[tnorris]

What year/series is your High Power?

I recall that with newer models, you need to remove the trigger assembly from the pistol, even if you are able to remove the pin that holds the MDS in place. I opt to replace the triggers rather than push that tiny pin out. Good job!

I looked at three MDS plungers - 1960, 1982 and 2001. All are metal pieces. The 2001 was ceracoated, same as the pistol. The 1960 shows the most wear... interesting to be able to see where polishing could be of value.

With proper tools, you could probably manage to polish the MDS foot while it is in the pistol.

I have sent two of my High Powers to BHSS for service which included more than MDS. Because they were both going in for additional work, it made sense to have guys that really know what they're doing take care of it all. I am very pleased with the results on both pistols.

[CXM]

On some HPs (usually newer ones) the trigger has to be removed to get the magazine interlock out.

On some newish HPs the trigger pivot pin can be difficult to remove, but it can be done with a heavy hammer, but to do that you will need to heavily tape the area where the pin sticks out of the right side of the frame (pin is removed right to left.) A cup punch is really need to do it with gaughing the HP finish up to a greater or lesser extent.

FWIW

CHuck

[bandito]

This will be one to remove the trigger. I have done a bit of mechanical work over the years, had machinist training, and could be called a gun plumber. But a gunsmith I am not. I could not feel any give to the plastic foot. Being a gun plumber I got out the needle nose pliers on the Gerber multitool and gave a jerk with no give evident. Only the piece of plastic that broke off. I really don't want to send the gun off but probably should get it off to BHSS. I could have my wishes of a well polished shoe, MDS, and a wide target trigger. The SFS and spring kit are in the shop here at home. But they could install one. I will use these parts on another Hi-Power. By the time it's done I will just need to put a thousand rounds through it. Be Well, Bandito.

[tnorris]

Bandito -

Here's my Alloy Detective. She just arrived home from BHSS late last week. This was her second trip. They only recently added sights and refinishing to their portfolio of services, otherwise, I'd have had all the work performed at the same time.

She has been 100% reliable before the refinish. I hope to test her out with a few hundred rounds in the next week to be certain she still is.

Trip #2:
-Dovetail cuts for Meprolight Sights
-Refinish slide and frame in BHPerformance Black

Trip #1:
-SFS
-C&S Trigger
-Complete spring replacement
-Optimize for carry

*this also included shortening the trigger lever for reliable reset and adjusting the SFS slide stop. Some internal slide dimensions are different in the FM Detective slide vs an FN slide.

[ibmikey]

The spring loaded shoe that presses against the mag is made of steel not plastic ( at least I have never seen such an animal). The best and safest way to remove the trigger pin is with an inexpensive kit by BHSS, you will not have a dinged up frame using those tools. Once the trigger is removed as well as the small pin o the trigger the disconnect parts will be released......be sure to replace the pin to fill the hole. The trigger is removed and reinstalled through the opening in the trigger guard and can sometimes be a bit trying on the nerves but hang in there eventually everything will fall into place.

[bandito]

Say what you want. This MDS is BLACK PLASTIC. NOT metal of any kind. I would like to try a metal one. But plastic can be quite slick. Those qualities didn't endear the MDS to me. It still restricts a magazine drop. I know I have to get help with this and probably will include a trip to the BHSS boys. The gun seems to be the last iteration before Browning USA quit importing. AS I said it says made in Belgium, Assembled in Portugal on the slide. The other side has the logo and such of Browning USA and CA. Thanks and Be Well, Bandito.

[eng208]

Apparently, there are two different designs of the triggers. One trigger allows the trigger bar to lean enough to allow the magazine disconnect spring to pull out.

the trigger with the complete loop has to be removed completely. 

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[tnorris]

Nov 23, 2019 11:01:55 GMT -5 bandito said:

Say what you want. This MDS is BLACK PLASTIC. NOT metal of any kind. I would like to try a metal one. But plastic can be quite slick. Those qualities didn't endear the MDS to me. It still restricts a magazine drop. I know I have to get help with this and probably will include a trip to the BHSS boys. The gun seems to be the last iteration before Browning USA quit importing. AS I said it says made in Belgium, Assembled in Portugal on the slide. The other side has the logo and such of Browning USA and CA. Thanks and Be Well, Bandito.

Bandito -

What production year is your HP? The two letter code in the serial number will inform you. My latest production HP was made in 2004 and is serial number  513MW50XXX.

513 = product code (.40 caliber High Power)

MX = two digit year code (04)

50XXX = the production number of this gun for this year.

M=0, Z=1, Y=2, X=3, W=4, V=5, T=6, R=7, P=8, N=9

It would be interesting to find out more about the plastic piece in yours. My 2004 already had the the trigger replaced when I bought it last summer. It is the latest production HP I have ever seen...

Thanks!

[ibmikey]

Here are a few of the little buggers I have taken out of some of my HP’s and the round thing is a magnet.   

For some reason I cannot get the photo of eight of the magazine disconnects to download,  I guarantee mine ( I have eighteen Hi Powers) are made of steel.

[Bob Reed]

Nov 24, 2019 20:21:46 GMT -5 ibmikey said:

Here are a few of the little buggers I have taken out of some of my HP’s and the round thing is a magnet.   

For some reason I cannot get the photo of eight of the magazine disconnects to download,  I guarantee mine ( I have eighteen Hi Powers) are made of steel.

Hello,

FN did, in fact, go to a plastic disconnect towards the end of production - I don't know if it was the last year or not, but they did, start using a plastic part.

[ibmikey]

Wow plastic grips were bad enough but plastic internals? Maybe it was in fact time to put the grand lady to rest before any more degradation occurred.

[jonnyc]

Hmmm........my latest are mid-90s Israeli surplus.......no plastic in those.

[bandito]

As I think I said I would like to get a steel MDS to try. I will polish it like glass mirror and install it. But it sounds like I need a different trigger. After the SFS I will see about that. Be Well, Bandito.

[tnorris]

Bandito,

I don't think there is an aftermarket trigger that can accommodate the MDS.