Happy Valentine's Day to me; Hi Power Heaven.

[otis24]

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.

 

[hotshot357]

How about some pictures when you get time?

 

[otis24]

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!

 

[otis24]

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.

 

[Rock185]

Well the 76C would indicate sometime in 1976.

 

[Fishinfool]

Here is a ser # look up from the Browning web site

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...-pistol.html&usg=AOvVaw1F1Nc8EKvXjgJxkIhd2GHb

Larry

 

[sparkyvega]

Good for you, otis. Looking forward to pics and range report.

 

[Baggy Wrinkle]

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.

 

[otis24]

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.

 

[Valmet]

Happy Valentine's Day indeed! Any Hi-Power at $475 is an absolute steal these days. Congrats OP!

 

[MOONDAWG]

Congratulations!

 

[mckenney99]

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.

 

[otis24]

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!

 

[otis24]

A few years down the road, I may have it reblued and Novak sights added.

 

[dr. mordo]

You did well.

I have three HPs already and I'd have been sorely tempted by that gun at $475.

 

[stansdds]

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.

 

[silentflyer]

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.

 

[otis24]

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!!!!

 

[stansdds]

Cerakote is an excellent firearm finish, I'd leave it.

 

[otis24]

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.