Browning Hi Power hankering

You may be "a day late and a dollar short" for the good deals on surplus Hi-Powers. However, you might want to look at the Tisas Regent, but do some searching here before you pull the trigger on one.

The Hi-Power is a classic, and everyone should own at least one. If you don't like the mag disconnect you can easily remove it.

Look for a FEG hi power at the gun show. They are clones of the Browning. You should be able to find a clean one for around $400.00

There are a lot more CZ-75 surplus pistols out right now then real Hi-Power pistols, FN or clones. Best of luck on your search.

Disconnect is an easy job. If you want a different safety that can be tricky.

As said - you are a tad bit late to the party on getting a surplus Hi Power. Just a couple years ago you could find them for $350-400 on Gunbroker for the Israeli surplus ones. HOWEVER, if you truly do want a "real" Hi Power, they are not going to be getting any cheaper. Buy it now else watch it climb further and further out of reach.

As to the CZ-75 - that's a great gun and there's nothing wrong with it, but it's similarity to the Hi Power is often greatly overstated. Aside from the fact that they are both quality, all steel, hammer fired guns, they're completely different designs.

You are not being irrational
Find a Hi-Power
Buy it
Remove the mag disconnect safety

I spent a lot of time in the 80s shooting bullseye, so the feel in my hand is important to me.

The Hi-Power feels good in my hand, so that's why I bought a couple. I tried a CZ75-B SA and it felt bulkier - but everyone's hands are different.

As for sights, the folks at Novack's can cut and install sights, and have the slide back to you in less than a week. I went with a gold bead front, their most expensive, and had 2 slides back from them in 7 days time, including shipping both ways, Can't beat that service.

If it feels right, go for it. If not, keep looking until you find a pistol that feels good in the hand - that'll be the one you shoot the best.

I've had my Hungarian FEG Hi-Power clone for many years now. It's been a good pistol for me. I couldn't have afforded a real Hi-Power when I was young and poor, but the clone has served me well.

CZ75's are some of my favorite semi-automatic pistols, but they don't remind me very much of a Hi-Power.

Have had quite a few Browning Hi-Powers over the years and my Mk.II, while not the greatest in the looks department, is the best shooter of them all. Great trigger right out of the box, easy to acquire sights, and a smooth operating thumb safety all make for one sweet shooting 9mm. If a Browning Mk.II or MK.III is currently out of your price range then I would say look for a Hungarian FEG or Argentine FM version. Both are decent guns for the money.

You should be able to do exactly that with your budget.

Btw, over at Simpson Ltd, they have a very nice Browning Hi-Power with holster and two mags for $750. Might want to check it out.

To the OP. Do not over pay. People are paying stupid rediculous prices for BHPs these days. They are one of the most prolific handguns every made. There are tons of them in the marketplace. The sweet spot for a MKII-MKIII which is what I would suggest is $500-700 depending on configuration.

If I was looking to add a shooter to the collection and only was going to buy one get and MKIII. It comes with modern sights, ambi safety and a firing pin block safety. Remove the mag disconnect replace the trigger return spring and fire away.

PS At this point I do not recommend the Tisas clone. There are serious ??? about their quality and spec.

MosinT53Hunter said:

Btw, over at Simpson Ltd, they have a very nice Browning Hi-Power with holster and two mags for $750. Might want to check it out.

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That is an odd gun. The wear and aging on the slide and the frame are not consistent. Without seeing it in person I would pass.

I know of no cons to removal of mag disco.

sparkyv said:

I know of no cons to removal of mag disco.

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Many times you can get a sluggish vague reset after removing the mag disconnect.

Batty67 said:

Quick update: I should be coming home with a 1989 mk II, parkerized finish in very good (not perfect) shape. The seller, who had 5-6 BHPs, told me, and I believe him after comparing, that the trigger had been worked on in addition to the magazine disconnect being removed. It felt amazing, by far the best trigger. Slide smooth and tight, virtually no rattle. Made in Belgium, assembled in Portugal, and I've read enough to know that no only are those good to go, some folks think they are some of the best shooters. No box or papers, and only 1 magazine. So I'll be picking up 3 more.

Okay, the ambi safety has to go, very tight and almost useless. I'll get an extended, single-sided safety. New grips, the after-market ones it has are ho-hum with a pronounced thumb-rest. Maybe replace the sights with something more modern and tritium.

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Good deal does the gun have s secondary import mark? For mags get Mecgars 13 or 15 rounders. Greg Cote is a great source for those. If you want factory CDNN has them often for $30 a pop but Mecgar is the OEM.

As for the sights Novak is a good option if you like their sights. You can send just the slide they will mill it install the sights touch up the finish and get it back to you in 7-10 days. I have moved on from Novak sights and prefer other setups but Novaks are fastest cheapest way to upgrade sights on a MKII.

For a replacement thumb safety look at C&S parts. Their wide or extended safety is very good. I would also replace at least the recoil spring if not all the springs. BHSS sells good spring kits. I recommend replacing the recoil spring every 5,000 rounds. Earlier if you shoot a lot of hot ammo.

Post pics when you get it.

Batty67 said:

Are the mecgar-15s as reliable as the 13s and factory 13s?

All post some pix after I get it.

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I have a couple MecGar 15 round mags for my BHP. They work very well.
A few times the slide has locked back with one round left in a mag.

Batty67 said:

Are the mecgar-15s as reliable as the 13s and factory 13s?

All post some pix after I get it.

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For the most part yes. The follower is thinner and does not have legs to make room for the extra 2 rounds. This makes the follower more prone to tipping. Has not happened to me but people report it does happen.

OP, your $1k should get you a decent BHP, just take your time. They are out there. They are one of my favorite pistols. I have two: a 69C and a 75C Sporter. With my old eyes I rarely shoot my 69C with those dinky sights. The 75C Sporter has much better factory sight. Those sight look cool, but are not as nice as a good set of aftermarket ones. Someday I get those upgraded. But, I've been saying that for a while. BHPs fit me just fine. If they fit you you will know it immediately when you hold one.

Batty67 said:

Are the mecgar-15s as reliable as the 13s and factory 13s?

All post some pix after I get it.

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I know at least for a time Browning used Mecgar magazines.

MecGar have been the FN/Browning OEM for magazines for as long as I can remember. That said the mags side by side are slightly different. Mainly marking, finish and at some points in time materials.