I know we have some very knowledgeable Browning Hi Power guys on here, so I thought I'd share a lengthy post/dilema. I've run into an opportunity to buy a BHP here locally. Have had my eye out for a BHP for a few years, but have not pulled the trigger, yet, so I was excited to find a gentleman with a couple that he's looking to sell.

One is a pretty nice T Series, with pouch, manual, cloth and extra mag; nice package... The gun is in nice condition overall, with just some light swirly marks on the front grip strap. But, wait-for-it, someone electro penciled their SS# on the underside of the trigger guard. . Being on the bottom of the trigger guard, it really is not noticeable, unless you're looking for it. Plus, it is very lightly engraved, again, not very noticeable, but, definitely there.

Other than that, the gun is nice, definitely been shot/used, but nice bluing, etc. A couple of very small discoloration spots in the bluing, that type of thing... The grip panels (stocks) are in good condition, and are a lighter/blond wood. It also has the ring hammer!

Overall, very nice, but not excellent condition T series gun. It has a six digit serial number, starting with "258." I think he said it was a 1967, or 68 gun. Seller is asking $1,050.

The other Hi Power available is a newer, made in Belgium gun. Not sure of the series and didn't get a serial number, but it comes in the gray plastic clam shell case with manual, etc. I've read some about HPs, but am far from an expert... Anyway, this gun is LNIB, does not look fired. Beautiful high polish blackish blue, dark walnut grip panels, spur hammer and it has adjustable sights.

Very nice, like-new condition gun. Again, I neglected to get the serial number on the gun, kind of looked like a 90s gun, but not sure (maybe earlier?). Didn't notice that it was marked "Assembled in Portugal," but I could have just missed it as I didn't have a lot of time examining this one... The owner claimed it was a Belgium gun, meaning not assembled in Portugal. I thought I read somewhere that later model BHPs were all Portugal assembled, until they stared assembling them back in Belgium in the early/mid 2000s? Maybe it's an early 2000s gun...? I could call him to clarify. Seller values this gun at $1,100.

Now, I know enough to know that the T Series is a more desirable/collectible gun. But, is the engraved SS# a deal killer? How do you think it's priced ($1,050) considering condition and engraving under the trigger guard? Is the later model gun priced right ($1,100) or do you need more information to say? Are the adjustable sights a negative? Which would you choose, and why?

I'm tempted to get the T Series, as I've always wanted one, and found a nice one locally. But, not sure how much the engraved trigger guard would bother me... I'm kind of picky, but it is a nice gun. On the other hand, the newer gun is beautiful, as well. I'd probably be reluctant to shoot it, as it is in like-new condition, where I would shoot the T Series.

For about the same money, what is the best deal, and long term value? I generally just go with getting the best condition gun available, so I'm leaning toward the newer model with the target sights. You do you think?

Thank you for your input!

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NRA Life Member

I've seen several T and C series BHP's for sale recently on different sites for under $1000 in excellent condition. I think the engraved SSN would be a deal breaker for me and would make it about a $800 max shooter for me. I also think a late 90's, early 2000's BHP is a little over priced at his asking price. I've seen quite a few of those in the low to mid $800's. Just my personal opinion, but I think you should be able to do better than the deal he is offering you.

I recently bought a "T" series (1966 vintage). It had some bluing loss on the top of the slide and the magazine disconnect had been removed. The overall condition was quite good. I paid $575.00 with shipping, which I thought was a great price. The T's are reputed to be among the best ones made, and although I am far from an expert, mine is a terrific gun. I also own a 1982 model with target sights for which I paid about $950 for a year earlier. It was in pristine, unfired condition. If the stocks are original to the "T" series gun, the underside of them should be red. From your description and the current market, I would offer $800 and try to make a deal if you think the seller would negotiate and would not be offended by your offer and walk away. No way I would pay his asking price with the etching on the gun. They are not rare guns, but they are desirable. The newer one seems a little high as well. Check out the pricing on the various auction and sale sights to get a feel for the market. Good luck.

Yeah a bit steep for T series with that engraving. I would not even pay more than 700-750 for it unless you think it can be polished out since it is not in an awful spot. Both are over priced I think. I own a T-series I picked up for 600 in very nice condition and a earlier version thumb print slide I picked up for 550 in pretty good condition.

If you are any kind of "picky" that engraved trigger guard is going to haunt you untill you have it refinished.
I'm not that picky , but have learned over the years that "learning to like something " usually doesn't work out at all.
You either like it or you you don't like it. Like eating liver....which I like.
I would advise not to get the "I'll learn to like it" continue the search , the " Yes...I love it" will come along...keep looking!
Gary

$1050 is too much IMHO. If you look around and are willing to have it shipped to you you can score a VG-Excellent T series for $1000. The SS# ruins all collector value. A price of $1000 is taking into collector value of a T series which IHMO it shouldn't because of the SS# engraving. If they wanted to sell it to your for $700ish I would consider it but at $1050 pass.

If the grey clamshell is original to the gun it is a 90s gun IIRC. FN/Browning started using them in 1993 give or take but don't quote me on it. FN dates are always fuzzy. I might be wrong but in the 80s they came in a cardboard box with a styrofoam insert. Prior to that they came in black vinyl or leather pouches. Some people got pouches up to 1981.

It does not matter if the gun has the Portugal rollmark. It will not effect the value and even if it does not say it the gun was assembled in Portugal.

They do not assemble any BHPs or FN rollmarked HPs in Belgium. They have not for a very long time, 1980s for sure but some people report or claim they were made there as early as 1973 when FN bought the factory in Viana Portugal.

All of that said $1100 is too much for that gun. I assume it looks like this:




At $1100 you are paying top $$. I personally would not pay more than $800 for BHP of that vintage and type but that is me. I am cheap when it comes to BHPs. I love them but do not buy into or pay for the hype of "collector" status attached to some of them.

For example I paid $700 for this. No box no manual but with a factory original nickel mag. It is a factory nickel gun that came with the factory gold trigger, which I replaced, and pachmayr grips.



Now everyone's local market is different. Some areas are good BHPs others are not. The deal on the second gun is not horrible but is it a little high IMHO. It is over the retail of a NIB gun even with the gloss blue and the adjustable sights. I personally like the newer adjustable sights and location of the sites vs the older but that is just a personal preference thing.

I have been very successful getting nice BHPs are decent pricing on gunbroker and other auctions sites. Good luck with your hunt!

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Use should dictate gear!

They both seem overpriced to me, since you can get a new one with polished bluing for those prices.

Both overpriced IMHO. I've seen some really nice guns ruined by owners too lazy to record the serial number, but apparently quite happy to engrave their SS# somewhere on the gun. That SS# engraved on the T-Series, and at that price, would be a deal breaker for me. I'd just buy a new Hi Power instead of paying $1100.00 for a used MKIII variation.......ymmv

BTW, I had one of the later,2009, polished blue guns. It had a much higher polish than any of the T and C series guns I've owned. How FN can apply such a quality high polish and keep the flats flat, rollmarks sharp, etc at that price is beyond me.

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

Just to add my thoughts to what other say: Pass on the T-series with the SSN.

You can get an unmolested one for that same price or a bit less, but I will say I don't think you'll find a decent one for $800. Price is often location-dependent, though, so I suppose it's possible.

Great feedback, so far, thank you so much. Definitely seems like a consensus that both are overpriced for what they are, and yes, I do think the SSN # engraving on the T Series gun would bother me...

I've been tempted to just get a new one from Buds. But, I'm not sure how the new production HPs are regarded compared to the older ones. I've handled some of the new ones and they do look beautiful with the high polish bluing!

I went on Gunbroker and there's a lot of HPs for sale! Typical, some overpriced guns with no action, others in the price range indicated by folks responding to this thread, and there's bidding on those guns. I suppose you just need to be patient and wait for the right combo of great gun and price.

I've bought through GB in the past (years ago now...), but have to admit, I like/prefer seeing a used gun in person. Most of my Online gun purchases have been good, but I have been burnt a couple of times. Enough times to like to find guns locally... .

So, what do you guys think about the new production HPs? They sure look nice.

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NRA Life Member

I agree, and think you're right about pricing. BTW, I'm in NC, as well... Just updated my profile to include location, as it does help when asking about values.

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NRA Life Member

Thanks for this post/reply, I appreciate the information and input. You've got a couple of nice looking Hi Powers!

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NRA Life Member

Thanks for the feedback, I think you're right on with your assessment. With some patience, I hope I can find one priced right...

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NRA Life Member

The one consistent characteristic I see on reviews of the newer BHPs is a really heavy trigger pull, as in 8-pounds plus. My old C-series from the mid-70s was almost new when I got it, and is six pounds even and crisp. Of course, the newer ones have the ambi-safeties and other features. Hickock45 has an excellent video giving a T-series a good workout. As thoroughly noted above, prices on those two pistols are high. Keep looking and someday a good one will fall into your lap. It happened to me!

The new MKIII models are well made and will supposedly stand up to more use than the older T and C series. I can't attest to that personally and I own both a C series and a MKIII. I've had trigger work done on the C series and nothing done to the MKIII. Both are fixed sight models and both are excellent pistols and more accurate than I am. I do like the sights on the MKIII better than the smaller version on the C series. If I were looking for a BHP today for shooting, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a new MKIII model with your preference of fixed or adjustable sights.

I'm trying to get my head around paying $800 for a relatively common gun with somebody else's SSN# on it. Unless it's one of less than 1000, that ain't happening on my watch.

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Release the Kraken

Nice t-series are running $1100+ nowadays. I'd probably offer about $750, be willing to pay about $850, for this one, stone away the SSN, and touch up with cold blue. You'll forget the SSN was ever there.

The SSN just wouldn't bother me too much.

Thanks. I am a huge BHP fan. They fit my hands better than any other 9mm. They have their issues but overall I shoot them well. Good luck on your search. If I can help you in the future don't hesitate to ask.

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Use should dictate gear!

Guess I don't have a pic of my t-series on my iPad. One day I will figure out why they upload upside down

Attached Images

IMG_0823.jpg (112.5 KB, 19 views)

Nice. Is the one pictured a surplus (Israeli) HP? I've considered getting one...

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NRA Life Member

This is an Israeli (IDF) surplus. A 1985 MKII. I shoot it a lot and have owned it for several years. Excellent mechanical condition and these things are a real "buy"

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John