The Legendary Korriphila HSP-701
A Technical Deep Dive
A Love Letter to Craftsmanship, Precision, and the Obsession Behind One of the Finest Handguns Ever Made
Let’s be real — in a world full of cookie-cutter pistols and tactical gear that’s more about marketing than mastery, the Korriphila HSP-701 stands out like a bespoke suit at a swap meet. This isn’t just another gun. It’s something else entirely. A piece of mechanical poetry. A culmination of obsession, artistry, and engineering — all wrapped up in cold steel and warm wood.
Honestly, calling it a “handgun” almost feels too limiting. It’s more like holding the distilled essence of what firearm design could be, if only more makers dared to chase perfection instead of mass production. The HSP-701 doesn’t just shoot — it sings, and if you’ve ever had the chance to handle one, you know exactly what I mean.
Let’s dig into why this thing matters — not just to collectors or precision shooters, but to anyone who can appreciate a masterpiece that took a different road than the rest.
The Backstory: Where Obsession Meets Reality
Before diving into the guts and glory of the HSP-701, we’ve got to talk about where it came from — and more importantly, who made it. Because firearms like this don’t just pop out of thin air. They’re born from vision. From obsession. From a stubborn refusal to cut corners.
Enter Edgar Budischowsky. If that name rings a bell, you’ve probably got a thing for obscure, finely crafted pistols — and you’re in good company. Budischowsky wasn’t interested in pumping out firearms by the truckload. No, he was chasing something a little more elusive: perfection.
Before the HSP-701, Budischowsky made a name for himself with the TP70, a compact double-action pistol that already hinted at his obsession with precision and elegance. But the TP70 was just the beginning — the warm-up act, if you will.
In the late 1970s and early ’80s, Budischowsky set out to build something that would turn heads for generations. Not just a gun, but a legacy. The result? The Korriphila HSP-701, which first hit the scene in the early 1980s and immediately became the sort of firearm that made serious collectors sit up straight and take notice.
Under the Hood: The Technical Magic of the HSP-701
Alright, let’s talk nuts and bolts — because while the HSP-701 is stunning to look at, its beauty runs deep. It’s what’s inside that makes this gun tick (literally and metaphorically).
Caliber and Mechanism: Why .45 ACP Was the Move
First things first — this gun is chambered in .45 ACP. Not exactly a subtle choice, but then again, subtlety wasn’t the point. Budischowsky picked this caliber with intention. The .45 ACP gives you that satisfying thump — manageable recoil with solid stopping power — and somehow, in this gun, it feels… refined. Almost like the recoil’s been massaged rather than just mitigated.
Now, about that mechanism. Here’s where things get interesting. The HSP-701 is a double-action pistol — but it’s not just any double-action. It features one of the smoothest, most deliberate trigger pulls you’ll ever experience. And get this — it has a slide stop decocker, a feature so rare it practically demands a second look. Function meets finesse.
The internals are a masterclass in mechanical precision. Every part feels like it belongs — no slop, no vague take-up, just pure, controlled motion. You squeeze the trigger, and the gun does exactly what you asked it to. No drama. Just results.
Materials and Construction: Built Like a Vault
Ever picked up a gun and immediately thought, “This is going to outlast me”? That’s the HSP-701 in a nutshell. It’s overbuilt in the best possible way, with materials chosen not because they’re cheap or easy to work with, but because they should be used.
Think tool steel, hand-polished components, and grips that feel like they belong on a fine watch, not a service pistol. And yes, every single part is fitted by hand. No CNC shortcuts. No cost-saving compromises. Just pure craftsmanship.
And the finish? It’s the kind of thing you almost feel guilty shooting. Almost.
How It Feels: Aesthetics and Ergonomics
Let’s not pretend looks don’t matter. The HSP-701 isn’t just functional — it’s gorgeous. The lines are clean, the profile sleek. It looks like it was designed by someone who cared — someone who thought about how light would catch the slide, how the grip would look from every angle.
Some models even come engraved, turning an already beautiful machine into a piece of functional art. And unlike some over-the-top guns that feel gaudy or try-hard, the HSP-701 always manages to keep its cool. Understated. Elegant. Dangerous.
Ergonomics: Like It Was Made Just for You
You know that moment when you pick up a gun and it just clicks in your hand? That’s the HSP-701. The balance is spot-on. The grip angle? Feels natural, not forced. It’s like Budischowsky designed this thing for shooters, not just for show.
And controls? They’re where they should be. Nothing feels like a reach. The trigger pull is smooth in double-action, crisp in single-action — no surprises, just pure control.
It’s one of those guns that disappears in your hand — not because it’s small, but because it feels like an extension of you. That’s rare.
On the Range: Performance That Speaks for Itself
Now let’s talk performance. Because it doesn’t matter how pretty a gun is — if it can’t shoot, it’s just an expensive paperweight.
The HSP-701, though? It shoots like a dream.
Precision Without the Fuss
Every component in this gun is about consistency. The barrel lockup? Tight. The slide travels? Butter-smooth. The trigger reset? Short and positive.
You can stack rounds on top of each other at 25 yards without breaking a sweat — and with that recoil management system doing its job, follow-up shots are quicker than you’d expect from a .45 ACP.
It’s the kind of gun that makes you look like a better shooter than you actually are. No shame in that.
Who’s It For?
Not your average gun buyer, that’s for sure.
The HSP-701 is for collectors who know what they’re looking at — who can appreciate the hours of labor and decades of experience that went into each piece. It’s for shooting purists, the kind of folks who care about performance and aesthetics, and who don’t mind paying for quality.
It’s not a mass-market piece. Never was, never will be.
Stacking It Up: How the HSP-701 Compares
You’re probably wondering — how does it stack up against other high-end handguns?
Let’s compare.
Performance: Top of the Class
Against the likes of SIG’s Mastershop models, Korth’s semi-autos, or even custom 1911s, the HSP-701 holds its own — and then some. It’s more refined than most, and definitely more rare.
Accuracy? As good as it gets. Reliability? Built like a tank. Recoil? Tame, thanks to smart engineering, not gimmicks.
Durability: Built for the Long Haul
This gun isn’t fragile. It’s not a safe queen (unless you want it to be). It’s made to be shot, and it can take a beating — though, let’s be honest, most owners treat them like family heirlooms.
Price: Worth Every Penny?
Yep, it’s expensive. But you’re not just buying a gun — you’re buying craftsmanship, rarity, and history. That’s worth something.
Rare. Coveted. Collectible.
They didn’t make many, and they’re not making more. Each one is a one-in-a-few-hundred type of deal. When they pop up for sale? Serious buyers pounce.
Collectors love them not just for what they are, but for what they represent — a moment in time when someone said, “Let’s make something perfect, even if it costs us.”
More Than a Gun
Owning a Korriphila HSP-701 isn’t about having a .45 ACP in your safe. It’s about having one of the .45 ACPs — a piece of mechanical artistry that feels as fresh and relevant today as it did the day it was made.
It’s not nostalgia. It’s legacy.
Final Thoughts: The HSP-701 Is a Masterpiece. Period.
Some guns are famous. Others are respected. The Korriphila HSP-701? It’s revered.
It’s what happens when a designer ignores the noise, sidesteps trends, and just makes something truly great. No gimmicks. No marketing fluff. Just pure design, pure function, pure form.
If you ever get a chance to shoot one, don’t pass it up. And if you ever get the chance to own one? Well, let’s just say — you probably won’t need convincing.