Hi Powers

Here is a Hi-Power I picked up a few weeks ago.
1991 Vintage with Herstal FN markings instead of the Browning roll marks.
A vendor next to me at a show passed on it because of the markings....
IE...not marked as a Browning.



You did good-that's a nice MKIII;) Browning is simply the importer to this country. So not all Hi Powers have Browning roll marks. Hi Powers have always been manufactured in Belgium by FN:) And Argentina (FM) manufactures licenced copies and FEG of Hungary makes a high quality clone.
 
Hi Powers have the best ergonomics for me of any bottom feeder. It is a crying shame that FN never decided to make a Commander version. I know the Argentine's did but I would love to have a FN Detective.




My Browning badged FN with Spegel's.



59HiPowerSpegelNet.jpg
 
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I don't know anybody who doesn't like a BHP. It was one of the first guns I ever shot, and it is one I would buy in an instant if me, the money and the gun ever came together at one time. They are a bit rich for my post-retirement blood, so for now I'll just have to be a spectator.
I know the feeling. :o And it's even more expensive when you finally find one around here because of our "lists" and "regs" (the BHP is not MA-compliant). :(

But I'm still hoping for a miracle. :) Let me ask the free state members this: If you were to acquire a new or near new BHP today, which current version would you choose? :confused: Traditional or Mk III? :confused:
 
My other passion ( other than S&W K38/15) is Hi Powers. Took a group photo to share. Left to right;1967, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1993. :)

Very nice Hi Powers you have. I've been lucky and managed to put a set of Practicals together over the years. Standard models in both the 9mm and 40S&W calibers including one oddball; the BDM Practical. Love the way BHP's point and shoot.

After looking at all these fantastic Browning Hi-Powers and posting pics of my Practical set I decided to get my lazy butt up and get a photograph of my 1981 all Belgium Silver Chrome that's been in safe for awhile.
 

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Classic or MKIII

I know the feeling. :o And it's even more expensive when you finally find one around here because of our "lists" and "regs" (the BHP is not MA-compliant). :(

But I'm still hoping for a miracle. :) Let me ask the free state members this: If you were to acquire a new or near new BHP today, which current version would you choose? :confused: Traditional or Mk III? :confused:


As much as I like the classics, If I were to buy just one today, it would definitely be the MKIII.:)
 
I believe the MKIII's have the cast frame which is supposedly stronger than the MKII's. CDI sales on gunbroker has at least some MKII's and MKIII's Israeli surplus. I bought a Ex Israeli MKIII in October of last year. Trigger pull with the magazine safety was terrible. Removed the offending mag safety and trigger pull is much better. Now I have to find a better slide lock/safety as the issue one leaves a lot to be desired. Think JMB goofed with the Slide lock/safety on this one. Have to repaint the slots in the front and rear sights as most of the old paint is discolored and badly chipped. Enjoy your High Powers. Frank
 
I believe the MKIII's have the cast frame which is supposedly stronger than the MKII's. CDI sales on gunbroker has at least some MKII's and MKIII's Israeli surplus. I bought a Ex Israeli MKIII in October of last year. Trigger pull with the magazine safety was terrible. Removed the offending mag safety and trigger pull is much better. Now I have to find a better slide lock/safety as the issue one leaves a lot to be desired. Think JMB goofed with the Slide lock/safety on this one. Have to repaint the slots in the front and rear sights as most of the old paint is discolored and badly chipped. Enjoy your High Powers. Frank

Those Israeli Army (IDF) surplus HP are solid shooters, and for the price very fun project guns; really popular as a custom platform. Enjoy :) Regard the MKIII; you are correct. When Browning requested a .40 cal from FN, the FN engineers went to a cast frame for more strength ( using the same frame for 9mm and .40). Other MKIII improvements are a firing pin safety, improved ejection port shape, updated combat sights dovetailed front and rear, target sights, that great epoxy/polymer black finish with black nylon grips( polished blue with wood grips still available), and on the later MKIII, a wider trigger. :)
 
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MKIII Price

Beautiful high powers in this informative thread.......got me interested!

Online dealer has three MKIII in nice condition based on limited photos. These are 9mm. What is a fair price for a MKIII in nice, original condition? Just the gun, no box/docs. If I can copy a photo I will post it later.

Thanks for your help.
 
Check CDI sales on gunbroker for prices while you may not buy one there look at the descriptions given for each pistol and how they effect the prices. At least that would give you an idea of what pistol in a certain condition would go for. The ones I saw went from around $500 up to approximately $600 depending on condition. If the ones you are talking about are commercial rather than military surplus then used figure from $700 and up again based on condition and how they are setup. Adjustable sights rather than fixed sights would be one consideration. Frank
 
MKIII

Beautiful high powers in this informative thread.......got me interested!

Online dealer has three MKIII in nice condition based on limited photos. These are 9mm. What is a fair price for a MKIII in nice, original condition? Just the gun, no box/docs. If I can copy a photo I will post it later.

Thanks for your help.


Mach1Arsenal on Gun Broker has some really nice MKIIIs:) for sale now in the $400 to $600 range
 
Re-finished

I only have one, probably my best shooter, and a little heavy for everyday carry, but it's kind of unique, 1969 vintage and we think it is hard chromed.
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I really like the re-finish. I'd agree it's "hard-Chrome", and whoever finished the gun did an excellent job. The roll-marks appear to be nice and crisp with no signs of being buffed or sanded. NICE shooter:)
 
I've said it before......if I carried cocked and locked..... it would be one of my Mk III Browning's....both of mine have the Millet ramp front sight like the Practical..... big bold red/white strip for 60 year old eyes.

Both wear Houge Grips and are GTG in a Spark's Summer Special.

One is mat the other bright blue ....... which I found at a big Pittsburgh gun show for $350 in the box ....in this Century!!!!! Didn't even try to haggle nor did I sit it back down. Guy was selling 'parts" and the Browning was the only gun on his 2 tables.......


To answer TTSH's question .....I'd stick with the MkIIIs for the sights, safety and feed ramp (hollow-points)
 
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You did good-that's a nice MKIII;) Browning is simply the importer to this country. So not all Hi Powers have Browning roll marks. Hi Powers have always been manufactured in Belgium by FN:) And Argentina (FM) manufactures licenced copies and FEG of Hungary makes a high quality clone.


I think FEG is out of business. They made the Chas. Daly Hi-Powers imported here as well as FEG marked ones. I've read that the Browning used to shoot a Pope was a FEG faked to look like a Belgian gun.

I had an Argentine one for a while and it was a solid gun. Later ones have slides shaped in front more like Colts. And I've owned two Belgian ones, one with a tangent sight.


My son carried an FN-marked example in Iraq as a security contractor after he finished two tours there in the Army. He wore the Browning everywhere, often on his combat vest. It was handy to draw from that way, if he was in a vehicle and someone ran toward them with a knife or a bomb. There are a LOT of crazy Jihadists there...


The gun was accurate and reliable. He killed several men with it, and found the 9mm ample, although he shot twice in a couple of cases. In one battle, he fired four magazines! That was after his rifle ran dry.


He owned a MK III as a teen and was very familiar with the gun. And had been coached not just by me, but by Jo Anne Hall, then the world champion Ladies class IPSC shooter. He was about nine on that occasion, but paid attention. I suppose that I should mention that Jo Anne was not only a famous shooting champion; she was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. I don't think we've seen that combo since.


The gun my son had in Iraq was a MK III with the usual FN markings. It didn't have the US market Browning markings, but it killed just fine. The Jihadists didn't even seem to know that 9mm is a "minor" caliber to some.


I wouldn't buy another Hi-Power unless it was a MK III, which has a beefed up slide around the ejection port, to lessen the likelihood of cracks there. UK military and cops found the Browning to break under a heavy diet of their hot ammo.


The recent ones also have stronger cast frames. It doesn't bother me that they're assembled in Portugal. Quality has remained high.


I think the HP is okay with a diet of Federal's 115 grain JHP No. 9BP load which has a good street record. I'd use Plus P sparingly, but unless you shoot a boxcar of ammo a year like those SAS men did, it should hold up well.


These days, I lean toward the CZ-75B and the Beretta M-92FS for my 9mm's. But I understand the appeal of the old Hi-Power and it does handle and point well. Many examples are also quite accurate.
 
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My Transitional Mk II and a friend's Mk III:



(Just because.)


Nice HPs ERICH:) Look like Herrett grips on the MKIII . And the grips on your Sport Model are cool. What are they ??

Regards, John
 
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