Browning Hi Power

[WVSig]

This is the 90's version of the Silver Chrome Finish. They were produced between 1991 to 2000. It orginally would have had Pachs not Hogue grips.

They also came in 40 S&W and some also had fixed sights.

This is an older version Nickel finish gun from the 1985. They were produced between 1980 and 1985. IIRC.

The Nickle finish is worth more and if they are labelled "made in belgium" they are worth even more. The one Biginge posted in that condition is a very collectible gun. IMHO

 

[jdlii]

In the mid 70's Browning produced a satin/brused nickel model refered to as the Combat (?) model. It came in a Browning pistol pouch, had a gold plated trigger, buled hammer, slide release, safety and adjustable rear sight. This model came with the warp around Pachmeyer grips.

A similiar model was produced in the late 80's early 90's but had the newer type adjustable sights.

Okay, I was finally able to dig the satin nickel BHP out of the safe and it's cousin, a MKIII in .40 cal. came along for the ride. While the satin nickel BHP's are a little hard to find, extra mags are almost impossible to find in nickel although CDNN has them occassionally. I picked up the Combat Model BHP in 1985 with the Browning pouch, instruction book and the removed magazine safety parts.

 

[ROK]

Okay, I was finally able to dig the satin nickel BHP out of the safe and it's cousin, a MKIII in .40 cal. came along for the ride. While the satin nickel BHP's are a little hard to find, extra mags are almost impossible to find in nickel although CDNN has them occassionally. I picked up the Combat Model BHP in 1985 with the Browning pouch, instruction book and the removed magazine safety parts.

That is one sharp looking pistol.
Congrats on an excellent collectible. Beautiful!
Question->
How does satin nickel compare to hard chrome durability, or wear wise? I've always passed on nickel or chrome, but my interest is changing...

 

[jdlii]

ROK,

The satin finish on my BHP has held up very well with no flaking issues of any kind. This particuliar BHP was one of those made in the 70's and while I have not shot it a lot (800 rounds +/-) even the bearing surfaces on the frame and slide look none the worse for wear.

I have a recently acquired CZ 75 with a satin nickel finish and it is one of the older models imported into Minnesota. The finish on that pistol is not, as you might imagine, as "nice" as the one on the BHP but, it too shows no sign of flaking, peeling or failure of any kind.

I am also leery of satin nickel but, that concern was primarily due to what I had seen as it related to the finish found on Colt products. I have an 870 Marine magnum and the finish on it is, based on my experence, almost indestructible.

 

[WVSig]

Hard chrome is one of the best finishes out there when done right. Places like Metaloy do great work and the finish will last a lifetime. Many still consider it the most durable finish out there.

Satin Nickel is typically not a durable but when done right will hold up well. It tends to be more susceptible to scratching and flaking.

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

This is the 90's version of the Silver Chrome Finish. They were produced between 1991 to 2000. It orginally would have had Pachs not Houge grips.

They also came in 40 S&W and some also had fixed sights.

This is an older version Nickel finish gun from the 1985. They were produced between 1980 and 1985. IIRC.

The Nickle finish is worth more and if they are labelled "made in belgium" they are worth even more. The one Biginge posted in that condition is a very collectible gun. IMHO

THIS is why I joined this Forum! Picture Proof always trumps!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

This is true:

THIS is why I joined this Forum! Picture Proof always trumps!

But this is MORE true (assuming such a thing exists as more true!)

The Hi-Power is a classic pistol. I still consider it to be the best-looking pistol ever made. Ultra-classsy.

Twas a very happy day when I dumped my 1911s and BHP went home with me.

 

[WVSig]

I am becoming a big fan of NP3 which is a electroless nickel-based finish. I used it on my Alloy BHP because of its hardness and durability. The lower is NP3 the slide and controls are Rogard.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Thought I'd bring this back up as I'm looking at a hard chrome model with the adjustable rear sight, Pachmeyer wraparounds with Made in Belgium on the frame and a 1982 serial number date. No box and only one magazine but truly appears mint. Value? TIA

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Originally Posted by iwanna View Post
The Hi-Power is a classic pistol. I still consider it to be the best-looking pistol ever made. Ultra-classsy.



Twas a very happy day when I dumped my 1911s and BHP went home with me.

I love those two remarks. I dumped my 1911s for a BHP, too. So much the better handgun! Especially in the looks department but it just goes on from there!

 

[Texas Star]

If you get one, buy a MKIII. Tougher slide, built up a bit, too, at the rear of the chamber, where many earlier BHP slides have cracked.

I think all MK III's are assembled in Portugal, from Belgian parts. I see no QC difference, & the MK III is more durable.

My son carried a MK III as a security contractor in Iraq and it was with him constantly. It saved his life several times. No one had told the jihadists that FMJ NATO 9mm ammo was ineffective, so they died when hit with it.

But the BHP is a little light for Plus P ammo on a frequent basis. Federal's No. 9BP load has a good street rep, and is mild by 9mm pressure standards. I think well of it in Browning, Taurus, and Beretta 9mm's. And in Walther P-38's, if it feeds in a given gun.

But if I was especially expecting trouble, I'd load Federal's HST or Speer's Gold Dot, either with 124 grain bullets.

I said that NATO ball works pretty well, and those Iraq tests were on real people, not on gelatin. But given a choice, I think the hollowpoint Plus P ammo is the way to go in 9mm.

My son agrees, and he's shot more people with a handgun than anyone else I know. He prefers SIG's now, and Colt .45 autos, but I think he'll add a BHP soon, if only out of sentiment for the gun that served him so well in stressful times.


The BHP does point very well and conceals well for a full size service pistol. It's quite accurate. My son had a MK III in his teens that astounded us with its accuracy. It was, I think, a bit better in that regard than most CZ-75's or Beretta M-92's, and those tend to shoot quite well.

 

[Houlton]

Hammer bite

$600.00 down to $350.00? You must know these guys pretty well.

The Hi-Power is a classic pistol. I still consider it to be the best-looking pistol ever made. Ultra-classsy.

Every collector, regardless of your favorite brand, aught to have one.

Agree about one on the best looking pistols made, if it weren't for the hammer bite I'd have one. Maybe someone will make a beavertail fro it.

 

[ibewbull]

+P HPs

My stupidity caused me to sell two BHPs to my brother in-law. Expecting to buy them back when my finances got better. Shame on me.
Well I picked up a FN .40 for my wife's 40th. Birthday I did some in depth research on the HPs. The 9mm is not to be used with +P without harm.
Those who want more punch have converted the .40s to 9mm and it to work great. Only issue being a change in weight and balance. The 40 is heavier. I prefer to pass on +P and prefer the original feel and balance of the 9MM over the 40.
By the way now I always gift the No my NEVER Sell guns to my lovey bride. She rarely sells anything.
If I had a chance at this $600 deal it would be MINE.e photo.


The two HPs I spoke of are here in the photo.
Double click the pic to enlarge it.
The grips are spalted cherry from Ebay.

 

[gwpercle]

If you can get it for a price you are comfortable with, buy it. I have never been in the right place with the right amount of extra cash but have always desired to have a real Belgium Browning High Power. Go into the shop with a few hundred dollar bills and some fifties, dealers are reluctant sometimes to let cold hard cash walk out the door and he should come down. Watch a few episodes of Pawn Stars to see how they operate.
Gary

 

[JRhoPy]

I absolutely love my BHP that I picked up a few years ago. It goes with me every time I go to the range. That being said, I certainly not get rid of my two 1911's just because I have a BHP. Both were designed by John Moses Browning, arguably the best gun designer of all times. Both designs are worthy of keeping.

 

[Bullet Bob]

"Agree about one on the best looking pistols made, if it weren't for the hammer bite I'd have one. Maybe someone will make a beavertail fro it."
____________________________________

If you have the money, Novak's can fix you right up.

 

[BAM-BAM]

"Agree about one on the best looking pistols made, if it weren't for the hammer bite I'd have one. Maybe someone will make a beavertail fro it."
____________________________________

If you have the money, Novak's can fix you right up.

Or just "bob/shorten" the hammer or go to a ring or other short aftermarket hammer............

 

[Engine49guy]

New issue of the American Rifleman has an article with pics of the Browning High Power evolution.

 

[Richard Simmons]

If you can get it for a price you are comfortable with, buy it. I have never been in the right place with the right amount of extra cash but have always desired to have a real Belgium Browning High Power. Go into the shop with a few hundred dollar bills and some fifties, dealers are reluctant sometimes to let cold hard cash walk out the door and he should come down. Watch a few episodes of Pawn Stars to see how they operate.
Gary

Thank you. It's an estate action so I can't make an offer. Just trying to figure out what my bid limit should/would be?

 

[Hoot]

For those who want to know about +P in the Hi Power, I'd suggest reading an article by the HP user's guru, Stephen Camp. Since I got my first HP in the 1970's, I've used Super Vel, +P, and +P+ and had no problems. Like Stephen, I now use 18.5 lb recoil springs, but only since about 2006.

The Browning Hi Power and 9mm

The author of the American Rifleman article, Anthony Vanderlinden, has an awesome book titled FN Browning Pistols, and the HP sections contain much information that can't be found anywhere else. It's pretty much the go-to guide for information about the history of the Hi Power.

For a carry 9mm pistol, I'd choose the MK III, only because of the better sights and safety lever. The cast frame is a bit tougher than the earlier models, but not enough that it would affect my decision.

Here's a 1988 HP that was modified a bit by Austin Behlert;