A set of FN twins!

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bainter1212

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FN Hi Powers that is..............

I recently picked up two Israeli surplus FN Hi Powers from cdisales (gunbroker). They are both in excellent condition. The kicker?

They have sequential serial numbers. For some reason I just couldn't resist that.

They are both 1992 production but I still consider them very collectible. They would have come out of the factory with that awful BBQ type black paint. Apparently the Israelis (or somebody) parkerized them, and IMO did a pretty good job. I think these are ten times prettier with their parkerized finish than with that awful BBQ paint ( I have seen it new and worn, and it is ugly regardless. I LOVE the parkerization).

They both have the Hebrew star stamped above the trigger guard. Both are in excellent condition. Both of them have some wear on the LEFT grip, but both right grips are nearly perfect. Bores look pristine and lock up and fit/finish is very tight.

Initially, the triggers were heavy, creepy, and terrible. I removed the mag disconnects from both pistols and the improvement was dramatic. One pistol has about a 5.5 lb trigger while the other is a perfect 4.5 lbs, both nice and short/crisp. Both shoot very nice and reliable. Can't get over the ergonomics on these, even better than the 1911.

If you are looking for a Hi Power, look no further than cdisales on Gunbroker (Cole's Distributing). They are very responsive to emails and their descriptions are spot on. They REALLY need to upgrade their camera equipment (these pistols looked pretty banged up on Gunbroker, but very nice in person).

Here are the pics, wish I had better lighting.



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Very nice... I happened upon a consecutive range of Glock 19s recently..

The model in the case was 007, and the one in the back was 006. Only wanted to trade in my 32 for a 19 that'd be a little cheaper to shoot, and ended up with two..lol

Hi Power is a great gun..or Hi Power(s) are great guns! :)
 
bainter1212

Nice pair of Israeli Hi-Powers. When I bought my Browning Hi-Power years ago they finally got it right in terms of better high visability sights, larger easier to use thumb safety, and a greatly improved trigger pull (mine was so good I didn't even bother with removing the mag disconnector. The one thing I didn't care much for were the original grips with the raised swell on either side. Swapped them out for a set of Pachmayrs and love the way they feel wrapped around the grip frame.

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Great pair. If there is anything I am addicted to more than a 1911 it's a HP. I am also addicted to cons. serial # guns. Due to constricted finances at this time I have been unable to participate in the import of these pistols.

Glad you were able and remember 1 is none 2 is one.;)

Cheers,

ts
 
I had one of those 80's "NATO" Hi Powers.

One of the very few regrets I have in the many firearms I let slip away. I think in this case it was a trade.

Oddly - maybe not - mine came new from the factory with no mag disconnect so I was completely happy from the get-go.

I'd just have to be putting lanyard loops on those were they mine but I've got a thing for lanyard loops anyhow... the pistol's sling swivels. Also got a thing for sequential numbering though I only have three pairings left these days.

Todd.
 
Great pair of Hi Powers. Sequential serial numbers is always cool. The Star of David on the pistols is a nice touch. :) CDI sells mainly Isreali Defense forces guns.

I do however hate to break it to you that they are not collectible. There are thousands of BHPs with a Star of David. They are contract guns and make great shooters but they are not collectible.

I am surprised that the triggers are 5.5 lbs and 4.5lbs. Without a hammer spring change and a lot of work most BHPs cannot obtain a sub 5 lbs trigger with stock components. Did you use a trigger scale to test the weights? Not doubting you but if what you report is true is it rare and you got lucky. Go buy a lottery ticket. LOL ;)

CDI is a great source for BHPs they sell a ton of nice shooters which should serve you well. Enjoy the pair and shoot them and don't worry about their "collector value".
 
VAgunner said:
Great pair of Hi Powers. Sequential serial numbers is always cool. The Star of David on the pistols is a nice touch. :) CDI sells mainly Isreali Defense forces guns.

I do however hate to break it to you that they are not collectible. There are thousands of BHPs with a Star of David. They are contract guns and make great shooters but they are not collectible.

I am surprised that the triggers are 5.5 lbs and 4.5lbs. Without a hammer spring change and a lot of work most BHPs cannot obtain a sub 5 lbs trigger with stock components. Did you use a trigger scale to test the weights? Not doubting you but if what you report is true is it rare and you got lucky. Go buy a lottery ticket. LOL ;)

CDI is a great source for BHPs they sell a ton of nice shooters which should serve you well. Enjoy the pair and shoot them and don't worry about their "collector value".
Click to expand...

Well, the higher numbered pistol has such a nice trigger pull that I cannot tell a difference between it and my Kimber which is 4 lbs from the factory per my buddy's scale.

The second one is noticeably heavier but still very short and crisp, it might be two pounds heavier instead of one, but they both have that "glass rod" type break which I am happy with.

As far as the "collectible" thing goes, I am looking far, far into the future. Like, all of those old timers who talk wistfully about "barrels" of milsurps sold for almost nothing in hardware stores back in the 60's.

Just think if your dad passed down two milsurp 1911s to you today, which just happened to be the same make AND sequential serial numbered. He would've got them cheap in the 60's and they would have *not* been considered collectible at all back then, but now....big time.
 
VAgunner ......I do however hate to break it to you that they are not collectible. There are thousands of BHPs with a Star of David. They are contract guns and make great shooters but they are not collectible.
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You're kidding, right?:scrutiny:
Using your logic a Remington Rand 1911A1 isn't "collectible" because they made 900,000...........right?

"Contract guns" are among the MOST collectible of Hi Powers.

While I don't care to collect refinished firearms, you aren't talking about the refinish, but about their collectability as contract guns. Relatively few of the Israeli surplus Hi Powers have the Star of David.

Cuba, Lithuania, Estonia, El Salvador, Panama, Honduras, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Argentina, Iraq, Syria, The Congo and others all had specific variations and some have beautiful rollmarks.

I don't think you understand the concept of "collectible".
 
You're kidding, right?
Using your logic a Remington Rand 1911A1 isn't "collectible" because they made 900,000...........right?

"Contract guns" are among the MOST collectible of Hi Powers.

While I don't care to collect refinished firearms, you aren't talking about the refinish, but about their collectability as contract guns. Relatively few of the Israeli surplus Hi Powers have the Star of David.

Cuba, Lithuania, Estonia, El Salvador, Panama, Honduras, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Argentina, Iraq, Syria, The Congo and others all had specific variations and some have beautiful rollmarks.

I don't think you understand the concept of "collectible".
Click to expand...

Israeli Hi Powers are not and will not be collectible in our lifetimes. The other contract guns you are referring to were made in much smaller numbers a long time ago. Their history and small numbers make them collectible. There are very few of "those" contract guns in the market. Most have gone the way of the dodo bird which is why they are collectible. These guns will be lucky to keep up with inflation because of their sheer numbers and recent production.

On top of that these guns have been refinished and IIRC they were not done by the Israeli police forces who used the guns. The star with the letter Mem is a police marking not an IDF marking. They are not rare.

The OP got some nice Hi Powers but in order for them to be truly collectible they would have to have the original finish, cleaner rollmarks, original lanyard rings etc....

Most Remington Rands that are floating around today are not collectible. They are great shooters or have sentimental value but not real collector value. A small number of them are true collectibles. Most of those have providence, are in excellent condition, and are stock. All poodles are dogs not all dogs are poodles.

This does not mean that these are not great Hi Powers and that OP did not get a great deal. CDIs Hi Powers are still a good deal but these are not last of these pistols. They are getting refinished because they will not sell without the refinish in many cases or at least they get more for them.

The best of the Israeli guns were sold 5 to 7 years ago. At that time guns which were pristine with original finishes were being sold under $500. Those days however have past and these are still good guns. Even those better guns are not collectible today.

In the end the OP might end up being right and in 50 years his consecutive serial number surplus Hi Powers might be collectible but I personally would not bet on it and simply enjoy the BHPs.
 
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