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I'm lucky enough to own a beautiful Yost SRT Hi-Power. As an extra bonus, my gun is featured in an article written by Rob Garrett in Custom Combat Hundguns, which is on news stands now. The article featured the Hi-Powers of Ted Yost, Karl Sokol and Bill Laughridge. As I read (and re-read) the article, I decided that perhaps I should add something from Karl to my collection of Toys.

Now, Karl has quite a following in special forces circles, and a lot of guys who are never seen and never heard, depend on his work to keep them alive. The gun that Karl is most famous for, is the Browning P-35 or "Hi-Power". This weapon is used all over the world and thus makes an ideal sidearm for those who frequent dark places on our behalf.

A couple of telephone visits with Karl last summer laid out the project and I began a search for a suitable base gun. I found a nice Hi-Power, sweet-talked the wife, and the project began. Now, as I write this a few months later, I have a very nice, business Hi-Power laying here on the desk beside me.

The gun has been thoroughly dehorned, and feels truly wonderful in the hand. The pistol has all of the usual niceties that we've come to expect on a fine custom pistol... A nicely crowned barrel, a beveled magazine well, a complete reliability job with everything polished that should be, a hammer that has been lightly bobbed so as not to bite, and a nicely rounded and polished trigger. The frontstrap and backstrap have both been nicely stippled with a neat little border around the serial number.

I was going to have the slide top flattened and serrated, but realized that I don't have a gun with a "matted" slide top, so I asked Karl to do that, as well as matte the rear of the slide right up into the Novak rear sight. Karl had never matted the sight rear, but agreed to give it a try. I hope you'll agree that it turned out nicely.

The gun shoots wonderfully, with nice, tight, 1.25" offhand groups at 15 yards.. The trigger breaks cleanly at 4 1/4 pounds.

The gun is finished entirely in Karl's proprietary "Mountain Tuff II" finish. This nice, black finish has a ceramic component, and is supposed to be very wear resistant.

A couple of notes about the pictures... The finish is very even and smooth. I wiped the gun with an oily rag before taking the pictures, and it makes the finish look a little odd in places. It's not! The matting on the slide has a very handsome, almost artistic look to it. The enlarged views of it in some of the pictures tends to exaggerate the texture a bit.

Lastly, Karl knew I owned the Yost gun in the article, so he took the micarta grips off of his personal gun (which was the one featured in the article) and put them on my gun. A very nice gesture on his part, and one which serves to make the gun just that much more special.

Enjoy the pictures







Karl ends his backstrap stippling in an arrow pattern:


And continues it by ending the frontstrap stippling under the trigger guard:






A very effective gold dot front sight:

Nice Hi Power. The flash bangs are always a nice addition

Very nice BHP Mark. Could you tell me more about Karl and his history? I'm the second owner of a Springfield LW Compact that Carl worked over (stippling, tuning, Novak sights, etc.) and I'm impressed by the quality of his work. I've looked at his website and am curious about Karl and why he isn't more widely known.

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Ted

Thanks for the info. I've known of his work for a while, but seldom saw any details. Most just said it was "nice", or "good work" and left it at that. It's good to finally hear what is "nice" or "good".

The best way to learn a bit about Karl is to find a copy of the March 2006 S.W.A.T. Magazine. There is a very nice article on the Sokol Hi-Power in it.

This is my first Sokol gun, and what little I know about Karl's background comes from what I've read and a few telephone conversations with him. I can tell you that he is an absolute gentleman to deal with and his work is excellent![/i]

Greetings and Happy New Year :lol:Owning 2 pistols that Karl had built for me over 10 yrs ago,I can attest to the fact that he builds weapons that will not break no matter how hard you may try That is the first HP of his that I have seen.It looks like a true working pistol,one that you can depend on when the SHTF!Karl is a great guy to deal with and is very helpful when "rookies"like me decide to have a piece built.He will probably be getting a call from me for my 2007 project gun.Please post a range report when you can. Have a great time with that "shootin'iron" Regards to all! DAT85

One of the guys I used to shoot IDPA with fairly frequently is a pretty close friend of Karl's. He had a bunch of guns built by him and every last one of them was a shooter. If I had enough money and time he would be on my short list of smiths to send work to.

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"Domari Nolo"

Mark...very nice Grand Puissance!! That is a true "working" work of art! Just one question for you..what kind of neighborhood are you banking in, that flashbangs are necessary??? Must be kinda rough!

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"There is a true glory and a true honor, the glory of duty done, the honor of integrity and principle."--Gen. Robert Edward Lee

My in-laws live about a mile from Mr. Sokol in Vermont. I'm always very tempted to drop in and beg for gun work. His stuff is as nice as any. I'm very envious of your HP!

What kind of neighborhood? No. You've got it all wrong!

Ever hear of "Substantial penalty for early withdrawal?"

Fun can be had with flashbangs in any kind of enviroment. They're the party poppers of the new age.

Mark,

Congratulations on two fine Hi Powers. Now all you need to do is find a third gun and send it to Bill at C&S. I hope you have had a chance to see the Hi Power in this months American Handgunner.

Jason says that my SRT should be ready soon.

Regards,

Rob

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We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm. George Orwell

Thanks Rob! Haven't had a chance to get the AH yet this month, but I will. I do agree, a Laughridge Hi-Power would round out the trio. Soon, I should have a Don Williams Hi-Power in the stable also.

Don told me this Hi-Power thing could be addictive. Somebody help me! I can't stop!

Thanks Mark. I'm going online to get the March 06 SWAT mag back issue. Excuse my poor manners for forgetting but that's one very nice BHP

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Ted

This Hi-Power was made for carrying! Keep it out of the gun safe and on your side in a custom holster where it belongs. Very nicely and well done.