Do we have a Hi-Power Club?

FWIW I finally took my FEG to a gunsmith and he sanded a bit off the frame- said it was too soft and was peening a bit when the slide came back. Not real thrilled but for $150 it's hard to complain.

 

Clean MkII Bannockburn, very nice .....

 

sub-moa

Thanks! Not as pretty as an earlier T series I use to have but this is one is so much improved with better sights, trigger, and intrinsic accuracy as to make it my favorite 9mm.

 

These days there are few in the collection.

Lightweight Alloy HP full house custom by Don Williams of Action works:



Wild West Guns custom by Jim West:



Pre T internal extractor:



C Series custom which I believe was done by Novak prior to my acquiring it.



Stock MKII waiting to be sent to Garthwaite



1969 C series with a Bomar rear sight



Israeli Surplus MKII



Practical MKIII Stock

 

VAgunner

Very nice collection of Hi-Powers! Really like the customized Lightweight by Don Williams and the stock Tactical Mk.III.

 

Know what you mean...and have plenty of "beautiful" ones myself, BUT practical/functional is also "beautiful" my friend .....

 

sub-moa

I know very well of that which you speak of; i.e. beauty sometimes being only skin deep. Some years back I had a T series Hi-Power which I earlier referred to. Like new in the pouch, beautiful Belgium bluing along with perfectly figured walnut stocks, it looked like a Million Bucks but shot more like a Buck Fifty! The trigger pull was off the gauge, the sights were near impossible to see, the safety required something like a good whack from a mallet to get it on and off, and accuracy was Minute of Barn. Sold it for a decent profit hopefully to someone who wanted to look at it more than they wanted to shoot it.

A number of years later I saw a magazine article about the new and improved Hi-Power Mk.II, complete with high visibility sights, larger ambidextrous safety, and a better trigger. Didn't think much about the matte finish and thumbrest stocks but it sure sounded like they addressed the important issues I had with the gun. Went out the next day, found one and bought it and have been extremely satisfied with my Hi-Power ever since. Definitely proof of practical/functional as a truly beautiful thing!

 

^^^ A man who speaks the truth...from personal experience .....

 

Hi power sight question. I'm already looking for another! I see a lot of them with those big shark fin looking front sights, but I can't tell if they are removable or not. Is it true that many later production guns like the 80's and 90's didn't have a front dovetail?

 

I bought my MK III Silver Chrome Hi Power new in 1994 when Browning was releasing new models of the BHP, and seemed to be supporting the platform. A friend of mine bought the two tone "Practical" the same day. It is my most accurate centerfire handgun, although my CZ's are darn close. Even with the stock hammer spring which is too stout, the trigger pull is crisp, and clean albeit a bit heavy.

 

Well, if you are that kind of gun guy and I qualify.

After many years of trying various hand guns, I am happy and content with the 1911 and Hi-Power. I have no need or strong desire for any other. Now revolvers do lure me but I think they go pretty well with the old classics.

I have a very nice Israeli surplus, Belgian made. Took the mag safety out and it shoots like it was made for me. Also have a couple KRD 17 rounds mags and just received 4 20 round mags from 44Mag,com for 21.00 a pop, so capacity in the Hi-Power is not an issue.

 

How about the trifecta?

 

One is not like the others...

 

Question for you all. I just installed the 18.5# wolf recoil springs in my hi powers (a '61 and a '92). I bought both of these used so I figured they should get new springs. The new springs were a good inch longer than the old and extremely difficult to reassemble. Is this normal? Is there a trick to assembly or will the springs break in?

Also I'll get some pics to you guys in a little bit but I can say the new to me '92 shot really accurately, I am very pleased.

 

Completely normal. I know that the late Steven Camp was a big advocate of the Wolf springs. I used to use them but have since gone back to factory springs.

Cheaper and with proper spring changes you can shoot whatever ammo you want.

 

Thanks for the help.

Pics of the new hi power. Seems to be a '92 browning with the baked on paint finish (so practical I think?) and some tru dot tritium sights that must have been added more recently because they are still pretty good. Some wear on the finish but barrel looks perfect and shoots as good as it looks. I think I got a pretty good deal for an even $600 with a couple grip choices and 2 mags. The best part was he threw in a set of original style grips that I needed for my old one.

As I just said installed new recoil spring and a case of ammo just came in the mail so I think I'm all set! Eventually I would like to use this as a workhorse platform with some light customizing. I'm thinking trigger job, round hammer, maybe ambi safety delete, and Cerakote.

 

Not a practical but a basic MKIII with an epoxy finish. This is a practical. Practicals have the black epoxy slide and chrome frame.



$600 seems like a fair price. If you are looking to get some custom work done I recommend Don Williams at The Action Works. He is outstanding and great to work with.

 

Ah ok I was confused by the various terminology, as the current catalog seems to indicate that the standard comes with a blue finish

 

By "standard" I mean most common. I forgot Browning now refers to the adjustable sight version as "Standard".

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/finder.asp?f1=007B

 

I don't believe I did not jump into this 8 yrs ago.
Oh well, better late than never.
I have been a BHP fan for many, many years. I have carried one since at least 1969. That was in Viet Nam. I bought a 50/60s vintage military contract pistol in a gun shop just out side the main gate of Ft Lewis, Wn in Aug 1969 on my way to RVN. Carried it while flying door gunner and later while beating the bushes with B55 Mike Force.
When it came time to come home I registered it as a war trophy so I wouldn't have any hassell taking it with me. Thus I have both a bill of sale from a US gun shop and war trophy papers for the same pistol - dated about 8 or 9 months apart.
That pistol was put away a couple of years after I got home and I bought another just like it - after trying a S&W 59. Didn't like the 59 at all!!!
So I currently have my bring back and its twin and an Ingles - which I have a shoulder stock for.
Here is the bring back along with a ruskie Makerov I also brought back and a chicom Tokerov that I bought 2 or 3 yrs after I got home. Trophy papers on all 3.
Sarge

 

Sarge 13

Nice collection of war trophies! The Tokarev and Makarov look to be in great shape.

 

After M1911's, the HP is my favorite auto. There are a MkIII, Inglis and an FEG in the lock box. I prefer 124gr ball or hollowpoints.

 

Both the MAK and Tok are Exc+ - 95%+, the HP, because it got wet a couple of times in the boonies, is probably closer to 80-85%.
Sarge

 

I own two BHP Standards in 9 MM. One is my carry and the other is a safe queen.

 

Doesn't the "Practical" have a chrome finished frame? I have the "Silver Chrome" model I bought in 1994, and Browning was selling the Practicals along side that model. I always liked the Practical and the two tone finish.