given the choice between an early post war commercial with thumbprint slide...early 50's... or a late 60's T series in similar condition and price.. which do you choose?

My $600-in-2015 1967 T series...said to be best combination of style, accuracy, shootability, and grace...Hmmmmm! That said, nearly all Hi Powers are terrific. Mr. Browning and his FN crew were all right!

My re-furbished T-series (soon going up for sale....).

Never bought a HP until the Mk IIIs...... due to the earlier sights and small safety.

So..... I'd still wait..............................

already have a mkII.

but I don't know how I can get by with just one.

T Series, ring hammer......JMO

Wish I still had the one I sold over 20 years ago but the FN one I have now will do.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Oh yea.....You think like me. Twins in the safe. Report back as to how they shoot...

I'm seeing that internal extractors are scarce. but having said that I really don't anticipate one breaking.

I don't shoot the old stuff heavily.. I sample them in the woods like fine wine... while sweating profusely and being devoured by insects.

I personally would take the T series. Actually I would take both. LOL

The thumbprint gun is not as much of a shooter as the T series is IMHO. It will not hold up as well and parts like the extractor and barrel could become and issue in the future even with limited shooting.

I am looking at purchasing a hi power soon, what are your guys thoughts on the browning model vs the FN? The particular one I'm looking at has a ring hammer on it and is produced by FN. The difference in price is interesting almost 30% less for the FN, is it that much worse in quality?

browning is just the U.S. importer. all "brownings" are FNs.

Older one over newer one.
But that's true for just about every gun that I like!
And I do like Hi-Powers.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

I'm with my neighbor on this one.

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Now go make God proud...

I much prefer the lines on the older internal extractor Hi Powers. As much as I hear people saying that the extractors are prone to breaking I have only heard of two and one of those was someone dropping a round in the chamber and releasing the slide. 1911's do not like that either. I expect the Hi Power internal extractors are just as robust as the 1911's as long as you do not abuse them. It is just that they are so hard to find. I picked up two from a gent in Australia a couple years ago, so I am set.

Sadly, I don't know a T series from a C series. All I know is I wanted a BHP for years and years and when one showed up, made in Belgium/assembled in Portugal, I didn't ask such hard questions as T or C. I just happily bought it.

At this very moment I can't say T or C or anything else. It's a BHP. I'm happy.

I'd pick the T series because that was my first center fire handgun in 1968. Unfortunately it was sold to finance an engagement ring and now the gun and woman are both long gone! OK, I was young and stupid.

But for shooting and carry, I think I'll continue to use my Mark III 245 series.

I'm looking out for a nice t series , if you get one that's one less for me so......I advise going with the earlier version ( that almost sounds selfish )

Evverybuddy says T series are the best.....I like the Mk III myself.

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Even older, even crankier....

went with the old one. the T was nice... but not substantially different than the highly polished mkII that I already own.

I have to agree that the classic lines of the internal extractor models are very appealing.

I feel very fortunate to have both. I bought my T series (T2773XX) 17 years ago and it is at least 98%. I received my early commercial in trade (5405X) ten years ago and it is about 95%. Which would I sell first? Honestly,...I DON'T KNOW!

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I'm gonna grow fins.

can anybody date this one. "brownings" website of serial numbers appears to be rife with error in addition to being incomplete.

I'm guessin early 50's?

Yes, I would agree, very early 50s. Your serial number puts it into the pre import period (pre 1954). It seems serial numbers under 70,000 are pre 1954. Mine is 54051 and my records indicate circa 1950 but I don't know where I got that info.

And congratulations! Yours appears to be in really excellent original condition.

Maybe this is the wrong place to ask, but can anyone tell me when the backs of Hi-Power grips stopped being painted red? Thanks.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

T series for me, or Military with tangent sights. The HP has always be one of most accurate 9mms made. I don't turn any
away on trades but not interested in Portugese ***. Pistols.
Triggers kept getting worse and worse.

yes, this one is in quite good condition. the blueing is very deep and beautiful but yet lacks the shiny appearance of a T or C series.

The main advantage to the T is the one piece barrel. Even though I have never heard of the 2 piece one parting.

You done good, boy! That's a really nice looking BHP.

I have a fairly decent "T" Series that I really like. Here it is:








Your photos are much more elegant than mine too!

Curl

The 2 piece barrel went into production in 1962 with the other cost saving changes. The T series was introduced in 1963-1964. That does not mean that there are no T series guns with 1 piece barrels because FN was known for using whatever parts were available. Most T series BHPs have 2 piece barrels. IIRC

There is no advantage to the 1 piece barrel in a BHP. I have never heard of a 2 piece barrel failing.

I bought my first hi power this last weekend, I'll share pics when I pick it up, have to wait 10 days in this state. Previous owner had it cerakoted in battle worn finish. I prob would have left it blued but it did knock the price down a little to make it affordable for me especially in Cali where every gun is overpriced.

I prefer the 76C version with adjustable sights and Spegel custom grips.

I like those grips! Mine has hogue rosewood I think but I prefer the look of the full checkering.

I was wanting some spegal grips but he needs to join the 21st century. All that check writing and mail order mailing is too much trouble.

I checked recently after I remembered I had the thin uncle mikes spegal style grips I bought years ago.

Spegel grips are the way to go with Hi Powers IMO. The combination of looks and function is superb.

I like Spegels a lot but if you like slim grips you should check out Naviderex Micarta slims.

The one I have shot so many years was hand carried by Ken Hackathorn to Wayne Novak for me in 1990-91. He did the complete FBI HRT package for me and sent it back with a bill for $100 including shipping. "Hackathorn discount". I have never seen a T without a one piece barrel ..but all knowledge does not flow from this fountain.

I'm new to the HP scene. How are the two piece barrels pieced together?
I can't picture this.
I've just recently accepted the shrouded barrel as fact.

I have noticed that there are a number of Hi-Powers on gunbroker in .30 Luger. I know that they were common in Europe where firearms in military calibers were restricted. When did these .30 Luger Hi-Powers start coming in. I have thought about getting one just for fun, and now that I left the People Republic of California for Nevada, I can actually get one.

Jessie, they are easy to spot. Just look forward on the chamber itself. You will see an almost imperceptible join line. As I said in my first post, I have never seen a problem come from this "joining". It's something some P35 collectors prize and something that never occurs to some. P35s are grand. I put a Ciener 22 conversion on mine and enjoy the gun greatly. It has NOTHING to do with the cost of ammo, I just like it. I always thought that was why we all shot. I am lucky, I shoot everyday and for 60 years have never tired of it. Get you a BHP and shoot the snot out of it, that's what it's made for. My has been back to Novak
s twice for repair. Going out now to shoot...OOPS raining.

I had a two of the early internal extractor HP's,,very early 50's I'd guess. I could look up the ser#s.
They were the Austrian Police surplus pistols sold in the US in the 90's. I think I paid something like $300 each for them from old Sacramento Armory.. Orig Box, cleaning rod, extra mag, pistol in exc condition.
Beautiful pistols. I don't think those guys & gals ever took them out of the holsters much.
I had a Austrian Police holster rig too. A complicated drop holster w/belt and shoulder straps. 'Your Papers Please.. '

If I could somehow physically handle one again, I'd go with one of those for sure.

I had a pre-war HP w/ tangent site and slotted for shoulder stock,,was told it was a Chinese Contract gun. No finish left but it was a good shooter. Also a few WW2 German occupation made guns came and went over the years. Rough but servicable. Collectors pay more for them than it makes sense to keep them for shooters or carry.
So the early post war classic design HP for me,,if I could still pull the slide back!

Battleworn Cerakote