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Browning Hi Power help - factory sights

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pdcrig

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I've got a 1979 vintage Hi Power I'm looking at and the sights can't be factory. What sights would have been proper for this year/model? Can I get correct sights? These look to be very old night sights and they no longer glow.
Any help or advice would be welcomed?
 

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pdcrig said:
I've got a 1979 vintage Hi Power I'm looking at and the sights can't be factory. What sights would have been proper for this year/model? Can I get correct sights? These look to be very old night sights and they no longer glow.
Any help or advice would be welcomed?
Click to expand...

I'm sure there are correct fixed sights somewhere out there but if it was me, I'd much rather have the sights you already have. The sights on the original HP and 1911 really suck, I guess John Browning never shot pistols much for accuracy but those tiny sights are the weakest link in the whole design. The rest of the gun is awesome!
 
pdcrig said:
I've got a 1979 vintage Hi Power I'm looking at and the sights can't be factory. What sights would have been proper for this year/model? Can I get correct sights? These look to be very old night sights and they no longer glow.
Any help or advice would be welcomed?
Click to expand...

I'm sure there are correct fixed sights somewhere out there but if it was me, I'd much rather have the sights you already have. The sights on the original HP and 1911 really suck, that's why I bought a MK II High Power. I guess John Browning never shot pistols much for accuracy but those tiny sights are the weakest link in the whole design. The rest of the gun is awesome!
 
Is there any kind of product name on the sights?

Definitely not stock, as you know, but the question becomes what was done to get the new sights to fit? That would dictate what might fit in the area that was milled to fit those.

If they have a manufacturer name it might lead you to some replacements that fit properly.

Just my thoughts and I may be off track so hopefully someone more knowledgeable comes along.
 
As I look closely at the rear sight it looks as though they put in a shim on the bottom and just fit the rear sight over that. I don't think they modified the slide at all and it's very well done. I can't find manufacturer info anywhere. The front sight is strange as well. I'll try to get some closer pictures.
 
See if there is a name on the sights. I had a S&W 3913 with Trijicon night sights that no longer glowed. I sent the slide into Trijicon to have the sights relamped for $75, if memory serves me correctly.
 
"The sights on the original HP and 1911 really suck."

Sounds like more range time is needed.
Maybe a small paint brush. :D
 

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Browning HP's came with different type sights over the years. Some were fixed, some were the ladder or elevator military style and there were also partially adjustable sights on some models. Exactly which sight your gun came with is unknown to me but if I had to bet, I'd say probably the fixed type. You can probably buy a set today, but I don't know the actual manufacturer.

If it were my gun, I'd probably seek out an original used set online or from Numerich Gun Parts or similar rather than buying a new set.
 
Just a wild guess but for some reason "Meprolight" comes to mind (???) Unless you really want the original style, which were likely basic miltary-type and relatively hard to see, I wonder if the tritium vials can be replaced? I doubt there are that many manufacturers of tritium vials.
 
I believe Meprolight is the answer. Check out these photos. You can see the mark on the right side of the rear sight. And it looks like they put a "sleeve" around the factory front sight. You can also clearly see the shelf they put under the rear sight.
I wonder if Mepro would replace the viles because this sight picture is quite acceptable.
 

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pdcrig said:
I believe Meprolight is the answer. Check out these photos. You can see the mark on the right side of the rear sight. And it looks like they put a "sleeve" around the factory front sight. You can also clearly see the shelf they put under the rear sight.
I wonder if Mepro would replace the viles because this sight picture is quite acceptable.
Click to expand...
Well, that was a lucky guess!

They're still around, in Middleton PA. Worth sending them an enquiry [email protected].

Whoever did the work did a neat job.
 
pdcrig said:
I've got a 1979 vintage Hi Power I'm looking at and the sights can't be factory. What sights would have been proper for this year/model? Can I get correct sights? These look to be very old night sights and they no longer glow.
Any help or advice would be welcomed?
Click to expand...

Those could be the factory sights. MkII's had a "3-dot" notch/post Tritium sight available. My MkIII has Millett adjustable sights, a far cry from the simple military style on the MkI and older guns. 1979 is relatively modern for the BHP.
 

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Browning made a late model Hi power with the tall adjustable sights in an absolutely gorgeous, deep polished blue finish. I would love to have one of those!
 
Hair Trigger said:
Those could be the factory sights. MkII's had a "3-dot" notch/post Tritium sight available. My MkIII has Millett adjustable sights, a far cry from the simple military style on the MkI and older guns. 1979 is relatively modern for the BHP.
Click to expand...
The rear is a possibility but the front isn't dovetailed.
I'll leave the sights as is.
 
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