Browning HP

The Fabrique Nationale Browning Hi-Power is a 9x19mm Parabellum Handgun designed by John Moses Browning. He designed the Hi-Power specifically to get around the 1911 design patents, as he had sold the 1911 design to Colt. It was the last weapon the firearms genius designed; Browning passing away before it was fully completed. Dieudonne Saive, the head developer of FN, completed the design and the finished sidearm became widely adopted in Europe. It's primary selling point was the innovation of a double-stack magazine, where the bullets are staggered for greater capacity.

The original design was of a single action, full steel handgun with a thirteen round capacity. There have been a multitude of modifications to the HP, ranging from slightly higher capacity magazines and improved sights, to double action conversions. The two most current variants are the Mk. III, intended for Military and Law Enforcement use, and the H-Power Standard, aimed at the commercial market.

In Resident Evil
Claire Redfield begins the game with the Browning Hi-Power Mk.III in Resident Evil 2. She finds it in the glovebox of Patrol Car 102. Ada Wong, the supporting character of Leon S. Kennedy, also carries this weapon but uses it slightly more effectively than Claire.

The Browning HP carries 13 9mm rounds and is slightly stronger in firepower compared to Leon's VP70. Claire's handgun is, like Leon's, most effective on lesser enemies like Zombies and Cerberus dogs, but unlike Leon's cannot be upgraded and thus becomes much less effective against larger B.O.W.s later in the game.

Ada appears to wield her gun differently from Claire's, holding the gun at a slight angle when she aims. She can also fire her pistol faster than Claire which allows her a slightly better chance to take out tougher enemies such as Web Spinners in the sewers.

Claire uses this weapon during the intro of Resident Evil Code Veronica. It is not usable ingame.

The Browning Hi-Power Standard appears in Resident Evil Outbreak: File 2 as the "Handgun HP".

Claire is also seen using the Browning HP in Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles.

Trivia
Although it is unconfirmed, it is possible that this gun was the official sidearm of the R.P.D. before the Beretta 92F/FS. This is demonstrated by there being a Browning HP in the glovebox of a Patrol Car, as well as several Browning HP's being available during the Desperate Times scenario of Outbreak File #2. This is also a theory in the Resident Evil Novel, City of the Dead.

Promotional pictures of Claire Redfield showed her Browning HP with a Ring Hammer. When the weapon is examined in-game, and also during the Code Veronica Intro, the weapon does not have a Ring Hammer.