can someone give me a primer on the different Browning HPs?

[Doogy]

I love the history and feel of a Browning Hi-Power, and am thinking about getting one soon. However, my first look into it, has me perplexed.

On Gunbroker alone, there seems to be ones made in Belgium (as i would expect), made in Portugal(?) and some in the US. I'm not looking for a collectable classic HP, but a modern shooter true to it's original form.

Can someone fill me in on the HP, and what the differences are?

Thanks!

Doug

 

[arnoldr]

check this out...

you may want to check out Stephen Camp's website. He's very knowledgable regarding Hi-Powers.

arnold r.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/

 

[Pilot]

The MK III Hi Power (current gun) is made in Belgium and assembled in Portugal. They've been doing this for many years without any loss of quality. Buy one with confidence. The Hi Power was never produced in the U.S., bbut at one time by Inglis in Canada.

Stephen Camp is very knowledgeable about the Hi Power, and his site is excellent.

 

[Oro]

I'm not looking for a collectable classic HP, but a modern shooter true to it's original form.

Given that, don't overlook the "FM" High Powers from Argentina (That's "FM", not "FN"). They were licensed copies and true to form. They were not knock-offs or "bootleg" versions.

 

[Quentin]

+1 on the Argentine FM High Powers

They occasionally turn up used for around $300 and are excellent pistols except the finish and sights are milspec. Mine has a tough black epoxy finish and is based on the mid-70s FN High-Powers. I'm real happy with it and it's 100% a HP.

Run down to your local Fred Meyer and see if they have any on sale! J/K

 

[JTQ]

And you may find FN Hi-Power's. FN is the manufacturer of both the Browning and FN Hi-Powers. FN no longer imports the Hi-Power with their roll-marks, just the Browning roll-marked variety.

You may have seen FN's with South Carolina roll-marks, but not on the Hi-Power, just the new polymer framed pistols (FNP's).

The Browning MKIII would be the one I'd look for as a "shooter".

 

[shamus]

you may want to check out Stephen Camp's website. He's very knowledgable regarding Hi-Powers.

arnold r.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/

+10 to that!

 

[BHPshooter]

I'll try not to make this too long or boring:

The real deals are FN/Brownings. They may be marked as either, both are built in the same facility by the same people. Assuming we're talking about new models, there are a couple, all available in 9mm and 40S&W. The Standard has a polished blue finish and walnut grips.
The MkIII has a black "epoxy" finish, and black plastic "thumb rest" grips.
The Practical was recently discontinued (a couple years ago), but you can still find them unfired. They have a 2-tone finish, black slide and hard-chrome frame and small parts.

Other countries have made HPs, mainly Hungary (FEG) and Argentina (Fabrica Militar, or FM), but also Indonesia (Pindad), Israel (Kareen), and India (can't recall their brand name). Charles Daly produced one a couple years ago -- they were FEG parts assembled in the US, but with a nice finish, Uncle Mike's rubber grips, and XS sights.

I've had a FEG, which I wasn't very impressed with, and I have had 3 FM-Argentines, all of which I've vastly preferred over the FEGs. I have one of their FN-licensed ones right now, and have had an M-90 and an M-95 (newest clone, with MkIII specs). I kick myself for selling both of them.

Kareen's aren't seen very often, but they're considered to be about on par with FEGs, but at a MUCH higher price.

The FN/Brownings are by far the best of all options. If you look around, you can find used ones for around $500.

Wes

 

[rellascout]

I love the older T series guns. They are the best that Browning made IMHO...

This one is actually a pre-T series





Here is my custom gun built on a 1972 Belgian gun.

 

[shibby]

I have an FEG and it has been 100% dependable and accurate, except someone broke the safety on it a while back. Very happy with it and am considering getting another, or at least another mag/parts

 

[rellascout]

Unless $$$ is the major issue I do not understand why you would not buy a "real" BHP?

Why buy a clone? BHPs can still be had for $500 in LNIB condition if you are patient.

 

[jaysouth]

"Assembled in Portugal"?

I spoke to a BATFE supervisor a couple of months ago.

He told me that Browning HPs had been assembled in Portugal since 1955. Beginning in the 80s, with the MK II, Browning put the rollmark "assembled in portugal" because of a misunderstanding of US tariff regulations.

FN HPs and Browning HPs are made in the same facility in Belgium and Assembled in the same facility in Portugal. FN did not mis-read the tariff regulation, did not mark their guns 'assembled in portugal' and has not suffered any adverse effects.

If this story is correct, then BHPs were only made and assembled in Belgium for the period 1953(introduction of the BHP) until 1955 when assembly was moved to Portugal.

Anybody else heard this version?

 

[dogtown tom]

jaysouth: I spoke to a BATFE supervisor a couple of months ago.

He told me that Browning HPs had been assembled in Portugal since 1955.

I don't believe FN opened the Vianna, Portugal plant until 1971 or so. This article in The Browning Insider says: "This was history making for Browning, as the BAR was the first Browning firearm made in Belgium with assembly at an all new Browning plant in Viana, Portugal."
http://www.browning.com/eblast/archive/eblast0708.htm

Beginning in the 80s, with the MK II, Browning put the rollmark "assembled in portugal" because of a misunderstanding of US tariff regulations. FN HPs and Browning HPs are made in the same facility in Belgium and Assembled in the same facility in Portugal. FN did not mis-read the tariff regulation, did not mark their guns 'assembled in portugal' and has not suffered any adverse effects.

Which is odd, considering FN has owned Browning Arms for a number of years and has been the sole supplier of Hi Powers to Browning since the late '50's. FN could easily change the Browning rollmarks since they ARE Browning.

 

[jaysouth]

We generally acknowledge that the FN HP was first brought out in the 30s. However, Browning did not have a HP made for them with their rollmark until 1953. This of course was for the US and Canadian market, as FN had distribution rights to the rest of the world under the FN rollmark. 1953 was also the first year in which FN began commercial sales of the HP following WWII.

Does anyone with superior knowledge know is there were commercial sales of HPs prior to WWII.

When did Browning become property of FN? I understood it to be in the 90s or later

I will get back to my BATFE source on the dates.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the first BHP to have the "assembled in Portugal" roll mark was the MKII in the mid 80s. If we accept your date of 1971 as the date that assembly started in Portugal, any BHP made between 1971 and the mid 80s was therefore assembled in portugal but not roll marked. Which doubles my amusement about gunshow dealers who claim that their "all Belgium" are worth more than the ones roll marked with 'portugal'.

As to the original OP, the best BHP for a shooter would be a MKIII because it has the better sights and decent sized safety that the earlier models. For a collector, of course the older models with the better finishes are more prized.

For a tinkerer, an older FEB would be OK, but for out of the box use, go with the newest MKIII you can find, whether it be a practical or MKIII.

If you intend to carry, avoid the MKIIIs with adjustable sights. If you want a range gun only, the adjustable sights are great, but do not pay a premium for them.