[Min]

She's only 13 years old. I just got her today in the parking lot of a mall. She is a beauty!

I'm talking about a Hi-Power I got during lunch. FN, made in Belgium, assembled in Portugal. Made in 1990, according to the serial number. HAS NEVER BEEN FIRED! Cosmoline still all over the gun's insides. No blemish of any kind outside. Black finish with black plastic grips. Came with two factory 13-rd mags.

I don't know if I can bring myself to shoot this thing. These are truly nice pistols.

[Schuey2002]

I just got her today in the parking lot of a mall.
Huh?

So, um.. someone sold you a gun out of the back of their car at a local XYZ-Mart?? :uhoh:

[Min]

That is correct.

[Hawkman]

I have met members of THR and Glocktalk at malls, McDonalds, service stations and other places to conclude sales of firearms. Location makes no nevermind.;)

[Min]

Yeah, but now that I have it, should I shoot the darn thing. Would you?

[BevrFevr]

a virgin intact yet. 13 is plenty old enough, depending on the state, But if you do the dirty deed I see a shotgun wedding in your future.:D

I have no prolem with the parking lot. Actually if you don't know the guy, the more public the place the better.

Congrat's sounds like you found yourself a winner!

-bevr

[Min]

Thanks, I am thrilled. This HiPower is a fine example. Pristine condition. Sigh.

[10-Ring]

Shoot it!

[Schuey2002]

Here's another "Shoot it" vote.

[Min]

This is a Hi-Power that has forged, instead of cast steel frame, which was manuf in 1994. A nice change from my polymer guns. It feels, and points great!

[FPrice]

Why would anyone keep a gun they can't shoot? Except for real antigues perhaps.

By all means shoot it. You will enjoy it more by shooting it than by just looking at and fondling it.

[Min]

It may retain its value better if I don't shoot it, is the main reason. They don't make them like this anymore.

[Jim Watson]

Put it away unused and it will be worth more after you are dead.
Now won't that be FUN?

[Min]

I won't wait THAT long.

[BevrFevr]

it could be worth something unfired. Maybe $50 or $100 space bucks more than what you paid. We surely won't still be using earth money then will we? :D

The problem is guns are crappy investments unless you are already mega rich. I have never heard of anybody striking it rich be cause they found X Gun when cleaning out Grandpa's trunk. Fact is you could go out right now and buy you a sweet old colt or even a rare revolutionary flintlock for much less that people pay for a car nowadays.

Hell I shoot my guns to sin and they could still sell for like new, Most of em that is. Just take care of it when you shoot it. Besides some day 30 years form now you will take your virgin out and find somebody's rusty fingerprint on it. Never fails!

shoot it!

-bevr

[bountyhunter]

HAS NEVER BEEN FIRED!

Oh, yes it has. They don't ship guns without test firing them.

[WonderNine]

So which is it? 1990 or 1994? They started casting the frames in 1994.

If it has stipled lines on the bottom of the magwell it's a forged frame.

Personally I prefer the forged frame, but some people say the cast frames are "stronger". I don't really believe that's true and I believe the forged guns are put together better just from the examples I've seen and shot.

[Min]

Well, I meant has never been fired outside of the factory. I'm aware all new guns are test fired at the factory before shipping.

[Min]

So which is it? 1990 or 1994? They started casting frame in 1994.


The serial number indicates it's made in 1990 - forged.

245NMXXXX

[Schuey2002]

Besides some day 30 years form now you will take your virgin out and find somebody's rusty fingerprint on it.
You can bet your bottom dollar that the "rusty fingerprint" on your prized Hi-Power will belong to that guy in the mall parking lot.. ;)

[Min]

How much would you say it is worth right now?

[WonderNine]

Average price: $525-$550.

Low: $425-$450

High: $600

[Min]

Thanks.

[DMK]

Why buy a nice gun like that gun and never shoot it?

Shoot it or take a picture of it and sell it to me. I'll shoot the darn thing. You can look at the picture. :neener:

[keederdag]

Shoot it; High powers are meant to be shot duder. If it was a 50's NIB belgian I would hesitate. A 90's port means a great carry/shooter. Have fun man.:D

[hansolo]

Frreeze it in Ccarbonite:what:

[MaterDei]

BANG!!!!!! (followed by many thousands more)

[denfoote]

You know what I would do???

I would I would shove a round into her chamber and fire it off !!

You are planning on marrying the girl afterwards aren't you??? :D

[Min]

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/70658/WRXSQ-HiPower4.jpg


http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/70658/YKZZM-HiPower1.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/70658/TYQFK-HiPower3.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/70658/LPQIK-HiPower2.jpg


She feels incredible! :D

[Pumpkinheaver]

I buy guns to shoot not look at but thats just me. Only you can decide if you fire it or not, we can't make you go one way or the other.

[Min]

BTW, I will shoot her. I hear they are accurate guns. Points naturally, and grip feels great.

[Neal Bloom]

Nice gun. There is something about a Hi-Power that is alluring. Take it out and shoot it. That's what they are made for. My apologies for refering to her as an it.

[Mike Irwin]

That is one HELL of a disturbing introductory to a post...


But, if you want to shoot it, shoot it.

[forquidder]

That being the question, I'd wait three or four years....... till she's legal. :D

[makarov1989]

I don't know how you can NOT shoot it! That gun is just begging to be run through it's paces. 9mm is so cheap that you should not only shoot it, but shoot it a LOT! Get some hi-caps and a set of Spiegel checkered grips and it will be even better.

The assm in Portugal guns have ZERO collector value but still retain full BHP value as far a gun goes. It is a shooter even though it does look nce. If you had a unfired WWII BHP, I would not shoot it but a 13 year old BHP is really just a good gun for shooting. It's value lies in how well it was made and the loyal following they have gained as a self defense pistol.

[Min]

I like the forged steel, and the svelt lines of the BHP.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. As others have said, I would shoot it.

Best.

[Kenneth Lew]

It may retain its value better if I don't shoot it, is the main reason. They don't make them like this anymore.

Millions of Browning High Powers were made before yours. Guns in the long term are lousy investments unless your into NFA (machine guns which are risky as hell) or very rare and unique firearms.

Kenneth Lew

[WonderNine]

The only Hi-Powers I couldn't bring myself to shoot would be 100-99% T series or Pre-war/occupation guns. And maybe some of the early Inglis guns. Probably some other rare variations that skip my mind right now.

Still kills me what that one guy did to his minty T-series. He knows who he is!!! :D

Ah well, I'm glad he's happy. :)

[denfoote]

Nice High power!! I have my 17 year old MK-I sitting here loaded up and ready to go to the range as soon as I wake up!! :D

[WonderNine]

Oh yea??? Well I have my 21 year old Hi-Power sitting here in a dresser drawer cocked and locked....um....waiting for me to um buy some more ammo....:D Only 4 mags loaded and one box of spare ammo....ah the joys of being a poor college student...:rolleyes:

[DMK]

Oh man, my trigger finger is just quivering while looking at those pics. ;)

Seriously, beautiful BHP. You are a lucky man. But shoot the darn thing will ya? Then come back and give us details, we want all the details! :D

[BluesBear]

Shoot it.

Keep the case from the first round fired and make it into a necklace.

Or have it bronzed like baby shoes.

Or...... :D

[sm]

Shoot it.

[Lightsped]

I guess I am the only one, but I have a habit of buying guns that are out of production and not shooting them. I have plenty of current production guns to shoot....

I'd save that one, and buy a current HP to play with.