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Old 02-14-2020, 06:57 PM
otis24 otis24 is offline
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Default Happy Valentine's Day to me; Hi Power Heaven.

Stopped at a pawn shop on a whim while in the neighborhood (Sioux Falls). Bad mistake. They had a Hi Power 9mm in stock. My favorite handgun of all time. Had to sell mine several years back due to tough finances. This one was marked $550. Last one I saw, and you don't see them here very often, was in excess of $900. This looks like a parkerized finish, or something similar. The grips aren't original. Asked if they could do any better. Guy said, "Shoot me an offer". I offered $475 and he accepted!!!. Made me a very happy man. Will post pics later this weekend. But for the next few days, I have to treat my wife like a queen for letting me buy this!

Update: Better pics added. Had slide dovetailed and factory post front sight added.
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Old 02-14-2020, 06:59 PM
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How about some pictures when you get time?
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Old 02-14-2020, 07:26 PM
otis24 otis24 is offline
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Will do. But it's Valentine's Day. Can't let my wife catching me caressing this pistol more affectionately than I do her! Can't have any jealousy in this household!
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Old 02-14-2020, 07:39 PM
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As I suspected, it has VZ grips. Saves me about $90 because that's what I would have put on it anyway. Anyone know date of manufacture? Serial number 76C871xx.
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Old 02-14-2020, 08:07 PM
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Well the 76C would indicate sometime in 1976.
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Old 02-14-2020, 08:08 PM
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Here is a ser # look up from the Browning web site

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...vXjgJxkIhd2GHb

Larry
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Old 02-14-2020, 08:16 PM
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Good for you, otis. Looking forward to pics and range report.
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Old 02-14-2020, 08:57 PM
Baggy Wrinkle Baggy Wrinkle is offline
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In the Spring of 1972 the exchange officer of the ship I was on received a small box contains ten Browning HP’s that he didn’t order. After much effort he discovered that it was a screwup, but that he could keep them if he wanted. The price was $100 each. He couldn’t sell any of them to the crew or crew of the other ships at the base so he sent them back. I am still kicking myself for passing up that deal. But, as a recently married LTJG I really couldn’t afford it.
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Old 02-14-2020, 09:10 PM
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Writing on the side says :
Fabrique Nationale Herstal Belgique
Browning's Patent Depose

Can't really figure out the finish. It's a dull black, but doesn't look like parkerized.
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Old 02-14-2020, 09:31 PM
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Happy Valentine’s Day indeed! Any Hi-Power at $475 is an absolute steal these days. Congrats OP!
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Old 02-14-2020, 09:35 PM
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Congratulations!
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Old 02-14-2020, 09:53 PM
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Smoking deal. Finish possibly Cerakote or one of the other shake n bake finishes. Absolutely one of the most instinctively pointing firearms I've ever held/fired, next to a 1911.
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Old 02-14-2020, 09:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mckenney99 View Post
Smoking deal. Finish possibly Cerakote or one of the other shake n bake finishes. Absolutely one of the most instinctively pointing firearms I've ever held/fired, next to a 1911.
Yes, as great as a Hi Power feels in the hands, it feels much better with the VZ thin grips. The VZ grips did a great job of taking the Beretta 92A1 that I had from being an ok gun to a great gun. There's just something about the way a Hi Power feels in the hands!
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Old 02-14-2020, 10:00 PM
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A few years down the road, I may have it reblued and Novak sights added.
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Old 02-15-2020, 12:35 AM
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You did well.

I have three HPs already and I'd have been sorely tempted by that gun at $475.
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Old 02-15-2020, 09:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by otis24 View Post
Writing on the side says :
Fabrique Nationale Herstal Belgique
Browning's Patent Depose

Can't really figure out the finish. It's a dull black, but doesn't look like parkerized.
I think you did fine at $475. The finish looks like Cerakote, but I really can't tell without putting my hands on the pistol. It's definitely one of the more modern spray on finishes, then again, it could be VHT engine paint. One way to tell if it is paint would be to apply various solvents to an inconspicuous area. Strong solvents like carburetor cleaner or brake cleaner will usually remove such paint.
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Old 02-15-2020, 11:21 AM
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And I thought I had a deal on the one I bought a couple of weeks ago for 825$!
All the crazy stuff going on here in Va. has driven up the cost on just about any firearm with a magazine.
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Old 02-15-2020, 12:53 PM
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The only thing I don't like on this firearm is the blade front sight. I dropped it off at the gunsmith to have the slide dovetailed and a better sight installed. It needs to be functional for shooting purposes. I had a sight that I ordered from Midway for my last Hi Power. It was cheaper just to buy the one the smithy had in stock than trying to find mine and get it to him. Which means that Novak sights will probably never be installed. I agree that this finish is probably Cerakote. Instead of Novak sights, I will probably spend the money to have this gun parkerized. Wife was incredulous that I would leave it here for two weeks after just obtaining it yesterday. Yeah, she knows me THAT well!!!!
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Old 02-15-2020, 04:16 PM
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Cerakote is an excellent firearm finish, I'd leave it.
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Old 02-15-2020, 05:40 PM
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Quote:
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Cerakote is an excellent firearm finish, I'd leave it.
It looks like it was thinly applied in some places, or just worn through from holster contact (?). As someone stated, I will check an inconspicuous area with a little carb cleaner to make sure that it is not a cheap spray-on finish. If it is Cerakote, maybe it just needs another application.
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Old 02-21-2020, 04:38 PM
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After looking at some Hi Power pics online, the finish on my pistol may be original. It is a matter black finish. There are some slight areas of holster wear. I will examine it more closely when I get it back next week (hopefully). For now, I'm going to enjoy it as a shooter. In a few years I may have it reblued or parkerized.
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Old 02-29-2020, 01:01 PM
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Picked up my baby from the gunsmith. New front sight is fabulous. Upon closer inspection, I'm convinced that it is a parkerized finish and is in much better condition than I thought. Only some very slight holster wear on some sharp edges. I will leave it "as is".
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