KodiakBeer
member
Correct.
Just shoot whatever is cheapest.
First handgun. BHP
- Thread starter pxgq55a
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Correct.
Just shoot whatever is cheapest.
To answer some questions, here are some more photos. The throated feed ramp, the mag well revealing a forged frame, a shot of the matching serial number on the grip strap, and a grip strap serial/mag well group shot. Now I'm getting insanely curious as to how this thing even exists haha. Thanks to all.
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KodiakBeer
member
It's possibly a cop gun from some nation other than the US or a bring-back from some other country. Only the US market guns are required to have that Portugal marking, so when it's not there it wasn't made for the US market.
It's not a hard and fast rule, but most foreign (non-US) sales are FN marked, rather than Browning marked. The British Commonwealth countries are an exception and are usually Browning stamped. So, this pistol could have come from Canada, Australia, etc, as a cop or civilian purchase, or could be something a GI bought at some foreign exchange.
The fact that it's not worn and doesn't have an importer mark leads me to speculate that it's probably a civilian purchase rather than one of the imported cop surplus guns.
It's not a hard and fast rule, but most foreign (non-US) sales are FN marked, rather than Browning marked. The British Commonwealth countries are an exception and are usually Browning stamped. So, this pistol could have come from Canada, Australia, etc, as a cop or civilian purchase, or could be something a GI bought at some foreign exchange.
The fact that it's not worn and doesn't have an importer mark leads me to speculate that it's probably a civilian purchase rather than one of the imported cop surplus guns.
If i ever see the original owner again, I'll be sure to ask him about the history of this gun. I first saw him when picking up a rifle. While waiting for the OK, I started looking at the hi-powers in the case. He stepped up and told me that if i wanted one, this would be the one to buy, as he was the original owner of it and had only shot maybe 50-100 rounds through it and that it had been a wonderful shooter. That's what sold me on the deal. When going to pick this one up the other day, he was in there again and brought with him the original wood grips. It had been outfitted in wrap-around Pachmayrs by him previously. So he must be a regular. I'm sure I'll see him again at some point. And I'll pick his brain for info.
rellascout
member
Yes FN/Browning misinterpreted import rules and marked the slides with the assembled in Port rollmark. It is my understanding that it is not necssary even for the US market. The FN branded pistol which FN sold here did not have this rollmark even though they were made on the same lines.
No secondary import marks rules this out as an imported cop or other surplus type gun. A secondary import mark would have been required and although it could have been removed this pistol does not show any signs of re-finishing which would be required.
IMHO this is simply a pre MKII gun. MKIIs were introduced in between 1982 and 1986 I have seen the late Mr Camp site both dates. I personally believe there was some overlap and there was not a hard and fast date where everything changed. This is true for Pre MKIIs to MKII guns and MKII to MKIII guns. For example does the gun have a internal firing pin safety? This was another change between the pre MKIIs and the MKIIs. Some early MKIIs do not have this device. There are also MKIII guns which have forged frames where most MKIIIs have the cast frames.
This gun has all the the standard pre-MKII features. Prior to the MKII most guns were bright blue and came with checkered walnut grips. They had the single-side thumb safety. This one has the spur hammer which also seems correct for a 1984 gun. The sights are correct dovetailed in the back staked half moon in the front. The only part that does not fit is the barrel not being humped which could have been the result of gunsmithing since the serial # matches the grip frame.
This would also explain why the rollmark is the FN one not the Browning one. So really if we can explain the lack of the hump in the barrel then mystery solved IMHO. Not that it really matters you got a nice looking vintage all forged BHP that should fire JHP with no issues as your first pistol which I consider a super SCORE!!!!!!
Still waiting for a range report. LOL
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rellascout
member
So i think you have a pre MKII gun with a modified feed ramp.
johnnydollar
Member
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I have a MK II made in 1985 with a 245PV032XX serial number, which would seem to pre-date yours. Mine, however, was quite apparrently made for the Israeli contract and has all the usual MK II features (ambi safety, hole in front of slide, rib atop slide, etc). You do have an interesting example of BHP diversity. Perhaps you could post a query over on the Hi Power Talk forum. A guy there with the username of gp35fn is quite knowledgeable about the various H-P models.
JD
JD
Fishslayer
Member
LOL. First thing I thought, too.
That's certainly a fine way to get into handguns! Gonna be a hard one to top.
KodiakBeer
member
Yeah, there is definitely a lot of overlap between all those changes. For example, my 1990 is without the firing pin safety. I think a lot of the confusion lies in the simple fact that we see a lot more imported US "Browning" pistols that follow a certain logical (to us) path dictated by the importer, while elsewhere around the world the pistol was being sold without those changes.
It is marked "Browning" which is why I think it may be a British commonwealth gun brought back from Canada, Australia or some such place.
danez71
Member
I agree and it was my 1st too. (I dont CC it though )
I bought it in the early 90's. I'll always keep it.
(along with my 1st rifle bought in the mid 80's; a 10/22)
Um, I don't know what you paid for that thing, but I would have needed a hanky to wipe the drool off my chin. That one looks like Ingrid Bergman to me.
I'm a bit of a tinker, too, and normally would remove the mag safety, put on Navidrex thin grips and replace the safety with a single sided larger one... but I might just leave that one the way it is. It is an interesting example. If I were a spy, I'd get a Very High End shoulder holster for it and a silk jacket. Seriously, you picked up a good one with some interesting features and gorgeous bluing, plus it appears original walnut grips.
I think this calls for a SECOND Hi Power that you can tinker and modify for daily carry, and keep this one for when you are in Monaco watching F1 and playing some high end gambling game.
I'm a bit of a tinker, too, and normally would remove the mag safety, put on Navidrex thin grips and replace the safety with a single sided larger one... but I might just leave that one the way it is. It is an interesting example. If I were a spy, I'd get a Very High End shoulder holster for it and a silk jacket. Seriously, you picked up a good one with some interesting features and gorgeous bluing, plus it appears original walnut grips.
I think this calls for a SECOND Hi Power that you can tinker and modify for daily carry, and keep this one for when you are in Monaco watching F1 and playing some high end gambling game.
rellascout
member
That is what I bought this one for. Its my beater BHP.
rellascout
member
I was referring to the markings on this side of the slide.
TrafficMan
Member
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2005
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Well, I suppose I should chime in here...
Gentleman, I must take at least partial responsibility for the OP's leap off the slippery slope of firearms ownership. I've been buddy's with the OP for almost 20 years.
I have to admit that he has certainly purchased a beautiful piece, and he has outstanding taste in firearms. Not only pistols, but Rifles.
Waiting on the range report Josh...
(Scott)
Gentleman, I must take at least partial responsibility for the OP's leap off the slippery slope of firearms ownership. I've been buddy's with the OP for almost 20 years.
I have to admit that he has certainly purchased a beautiful piece, and he has outstanding taste in firearms. Not only pistols, but Rifles.
Waiting on the range report Josh...
(Scott)
Oh wow. that FN competition model is a beaut! i'd love to find one of those to give a whirl. as far as the buying a second hi power to tinker with... not a bad idea at all. i may just have to start hunting for a parkerized one to fart around with. as for rcjohnson's post... hahaha. that one made me laugh. although i do know of certain career paths that mandate the use of a pistol, i'd never considered pistol ownership mandating a career move. but i have to admit, being an international man of mystery ain't sounding too bad.
Took her to the range yesterday and had a blast. My precision and accuracy aren't what they need to be yet. But all in all, i think i did fairly well. I did forget to mention, not only is this my first handgun, but yesterday was my first time firing a handgun. I'm a late bloomer, i suppose. Anyway, I think it will be a very enjoyable endeavor trying to get the most out of this gun and myself, as i continue to improve. I went through 50 rounds of Magtech, as well as 100 rounds of Winchester USA. The only issue was one FTE. At that time though, my buddy was shooting it it, so i can't say or speculate what may have caused it. There were a couple of times that i found a sweet spot in stance, grip, and trigger pull, in which i was able to group about 2"-3" at fifteen yards for at least 3/4 of the magazine. That felt really nice. Practice, practice, practice. Its so much different than a long gun. But so much fun as well. A whole other world. Thanks for all the input and advice. I appreciate it.
Took her to the range yesterday and had a blast. My precision and accuracy aren't what they need to be yet. But all in all, i think i did fairly well. I did forget to mention, not only is this my first handgun, but yesterday was my first time firing a handgun. I'm a late bloomer, i suppose. Anyway, I think it will be a very enjoyable endeavor trying to get the most out of this gun and myself, as i continue to improve. I went through 50 rounds of Magtech, as well as 100 rounds of Winchester USA. The only issue was one FTE. At that time though, my buddy was shooting it it, so i can't say or speculate what may have caused it. There were a couple of times that i found a sweet spot in stance, grip, and trigger pull, in which i was able to group about 2"-3" at fifteen yards for at least 3/4 of the magazine. That felt really nice. Practice, practice, practice. Its so much different than a long gun. But so much fun as well. A whole other world. Thanks for all the input and advice. I appreciate it.
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Coltdriver
Member
Three things;
Everyone will tell you to take the mag safety out of it. Nonsense. Look up Sprinco and get a bottle of plate+. I had an 85 HP. I took it apart and plated all of the parts in the trigger group. You will never get rid of the creep in the trigger system, but you can make it smooth as glass. They are a little gritty in stock form but if you slick them up you can get a let off that is pretty crisp. That is what the plate+ will do for you.
Also you can get a shok buffer. This will prevent peening the frame and it softens the slide opening enough to make it easier on your hand.
If you get hammer bite, learn to hold the grip without tucking the web of your hand up so high on the grip.
They are great pistols and you will find yours to be a natural pointer and very accurate.
Everyone will tell you to take the mag safety out of it. Nonsense. Look up Sprinco and get a bottle of plate+. I had an 85 HP. I took it apart and plated all of the parts in the trigger group. You will never get rid of the creep in the trigger system, but you can make it smooth as glass. They are a little gritty in stock form but if you slick them up you can get a let off that is pretty crisp. That is what the plate+ will do for you.
Also you can get a shok buffer. This will prevent peening the frame and it softens the slide opening enough to make it easier on your hand.
If you get hammer bite, learn to hold the grip without tucking the web of your hand up so high on the grip.
They are great pistols and you will find yours to be a natural pointer and very accurate.
Another interesting thing is it has a ring hammer. According to Vanderlinden the spur hammer was standard from 1972 except for the Practical and Capitan. It must have been replaced. You're lucky- I prefer it to the spur.
Best regards,
Bill in Cleveland
Best regards,
Bill in Cleveland
KodiakBeer
member
The Browning Buckmark is a near perfect mimic for the Hi Power. The grip angle, controls, dimensions, etc, are all copied from the Hi Power. So, if you want a training pistol to shoot cheap .22's, you might want to consider that as your next purchase.
You picked one hell of a 'first' pistol. Great looking example too. If you plan on carrying it you need to upgrade the safety lever.
If you want to use it in IDPA you might want to remove the magazine disconnector.
Beyond that, I wouldn't mess with ANYTHING until I had 500+ rounds through it.
If you want to use it in IDPA you might want to remove the magazine disconnector.
Beyond that, I wouldn't mess with ANYTHING until I had 500+ rounds through it.
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