Browning hi-power

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

Smith & Wesson Man

Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2006
Messages
113
I went to my favorite gunshop and they had a used older model browning hi-power traded in. It is nothing like the models that are on the market new right now. It is blue, their is some markings on the front of the grip and a small strap on the back. The person had three mags, which one sticks out of the frame (hi-cap mag). It has a amadextious safety and it is in really good shape. They are asking $400 for it. I have always wanted one of these. The newer models don't feel very good to me, but this one does. Any thoughts of pics of ones that you have? Thanks for the info everyone:)
 
"Older model" and ambidextrous safety don't go together. It's either an old-looking newer model, or a modified older model. You really haven't given enough info to give you a good answer. It might not even be a Browning/FN pistol. If it is Browning/FN, in good shape, with all the bells & whistles you mentioned, $400 is not a bad price.
 
If it is in good shape, I'd pick it up. Here is a pix of my wife's BHP. It started life as a middle '90's pratical BHP. We had Jess at Ontarget do the stippling, new hammer and springs, frame hard chromed at Tripp, extended safety and slide release, and finally a match trigger. This is one sweet shooting pistol. :D


 
I think your right jonnyc, I think the person that traded it in had some work done to it. I went on gunbroker and no of them matched the one that I might be picking up. I looked at it for a few minutes, and the hammer is different also than all of the others. It does say Browning on the side, but I don't remember seeing FN on the side, but I wasn't sure what I was looking for. I also didn't find any that had the same grips as this one (those could have been custom made?). They almost look like they are right inside or flush of the frame. I will more than likely pick this one up because it feels really good, and I would rank it at 90%. The older gentleman that traded it in sayed he has had it for at least twenty years. I am trying to figure out the markings on the front of the grips. I think it is a good price. Thanks for the info so far everyone!

P.S. Distra that is one sweet pistol:)
 
Last edited:
Are there any difference between FN HP and Browning HP, or are they the same company? For some reason, FN HP always seemed to be cheaper tha Browning HP. I prefer the worn FN HP look with round hammer and blued finish than the Matt Black Mark III.
 
The difference is usually just the finish and things like grips & hammers. I've had both and prefer the FN simply because they are cheaper and functionally and quality wise they are identical. My daily carry is an FN HP by the way.
 
BHP's are just one of those platforms you have to try to appreciate. Mine took 2 mags before I knew I made the right decision to buy it...if you can get a real Browning Hi Power for $400, get it! :cool:
 
I stopped at the shop and wrote this stuff down. The left side says Browning Arms Company Morgan, Utah & Montreal P.Q. the right side it says made in belgium, assembled in Portugal. It has novaks sights and the serial number is stamped on the front of the grip. So, what does all of that mean? How old is this model? Thanks everyone.
 
to me, the BHP is the most comfortable pistol ever in the hand. I have several in 9mm and in S&W .40 Cal.
This is my most recent find. It is a 1973 model, in 9mm.

img1302.jpg


here is another, a .40 Practical.

img1304.jpg
 
Since it has Novak's and ambi safety, jonnyc is probably right. My guess is it had some work done at the 'smith. Still, for $400 I'd buy it. Just my $0.02.
 
S&W Man, not sure of the exact dates, but the "ASSEMBLED IN PORTUGAL" mark was on through most of the 1980s and 90s, I think. If you can post the beginning of the serial #, including the letters, I can date the pistol for you.
 
I would RUN back to the store and buy that baby.

It is probably safe to say that it is a MkIIIS Hi Power, since it is made in Belgium and assembled in Portugal. The serial number is on the frontstrap, which is normal up until the last few years (around 2001 or so). I'd say it was probably made in the 90s. I have a '94 model myself, and I love it.

Another big factor is that the HP in question also has Novak sights (which are at least $200 to have installed). GO GET IT!!!

Are there any difference between FN HP and Browning HP, or are they the same company? For some reason, FN HP always seemed to be cheaper than Browning HP.
Click to expand...

FN owns Browning. The Hi Powers marketed under both labels are made side by side in the same place. The reasons that FNs seem to be available for less are 1) Browning is getting a bigger markup*, and 2) The Browning name has much more recognition in the US than the FN name.

They're identical pistols, made in the same place by the same people on the same equipment. :)

S&W Man, not sure of the exact dates, but the "ASSEMBLED IN PORTUGAL" mark was on through most of the 1980s and 90s, I think. If you can post the beginning of the serial #, including the letters, I can date the pistol for you.
Click to expand...

The "Assembled in Portugal" mark is still on current Browning-marked HPs.

Wes

* They have to be. The difference in dealer cost between the two is amazing.
 
joab, I have been shooting pistols for 31 years, and the High Power Practical 9mm my soldier son bought me for Christmas was the first pistol to ever bite the web of my shooting hand. I gripped it too high, and got my hand between the hammer and the beaver tail. It is drop dead accurate though, so I guess I should work on my grip. I changed to some nice wood panels and removed the rubber wrap arounds. My next problem is a nice holster. Probably going to go for a Bianchi Leather 19L (I think that is what I descided on). Love the pistol, now I have to descide what to do about all my Glocks!
 
Anybody else have an issue with hammer bite ?
Click to expand...

Not any more, took a dremel to the hammer - wacked a good portion of it off. There is still enough there to thumb cock it if you want....but theres quite a bit missing too.

Image00018.gif
 
Anybody else have an issue with hammer bite ?
Click to expand...

I have two High Powers, one Mk III from FN and a "Detective" model from FM. I have an occasional case of hammer bite with my FN High Power, though it's more on the order of an abrasion than actually letting of blood. My M95 Detective High Power was actually much worse with the standard ring-style hammer it came with, and would abuse the web of my hand.

I ended up taking the FM to my gunsmith for him to install a Cylinder & Slide "no-bite" hammer. He also suggested pairing it with a C&S sear and removed the magazine disconnect. Ended up with one of the nicest triggers of any of my guns, not too light but short travel with a surprise break. It's one of my favorite carry guns, with the short Detective slide and slim High Power grip width, it's a very concealable pistol and very accurate. I've considered adding a set of CT Lasergrips to complete the package, but haven't done it yet.

Tex
 
Mine bites just enough to be irritating and make the gun unpleasant to shoot.

My hands aren't that big, but apparently just big enough to get a little nip
 
I thought the "PORTUGAL" mark was gone now. Is it still on the FN-marked guns as well as the Browning-marked ones?
Click to expand...

Nope, not on FN-marked HPs, just the Browning ones. Is that confusing enough for everybody? :D

Ken, that's a gorgeous HP... don't know what else to say. Thanks for posting the pics!

Wes :)
 
I've got three Hi Powers, two Brownings and one FN. None them bite my hand. The Practical comes closest but misses me.

Dan, thanks for the offer my friend! I'm just not much on camo on Hi Powers.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
Browning Hi-Power ? Values vary?
2
Replies
31
Views
17K
CNobbe
C
Lennyjoe
  • Locked
Browning Hi-Power and Colt Officers model question
Replies
13
Views
841
Lennyjoe
Lennyjoe
P
  • Locked
Browning Hi-Power enthusiasts opinion of the .40 model?
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
JDR
J
N
  • Locked
FN Hi-Power -vs- Browning Hi-Power
Replies
7
Views
3K
PCRCCW
P
S
  • Locked
Browning Hi-Power
Replies
23
Views
2K
tipoc
tipoc
Back
Top