Gathering opinions on what to do with this Belguim made Hi-Power...

[Yinzer-Steve]

Well if you want to look at it from that perspective it is still Saive's gun. He designed the magazine which JMB took and built around. Wiithout the mag JMB has no foundation for the design. It would might have been radically different without Saive's starting point. I think personally if you look at the fact only sentimentality leads one to the conclusion that the BHP we shoot today was designed by JMB.

touché, touché....I will bow out of this....for now anyway. Hard to debate with someone when it's clear they know more

 

[WVsig]

touché, touché....I will bow out of this....for now anyway. Hard to debate with someone when it's clear they know more

Its not really a debate. This is my take on it. Everyone does not have to agree with me. I know that many do not. I find it interesting but in the end I just love shooting the BHP even when it is a clone. You should shoot yours.

 

[Yinzer-Steve]

Its not really a debate. This is my take on it. Everyone does not have to agree with me. I know that many do not. I find it interesting but in the end I just love shooting the BHP even when it is a clone. You should shoot yours.

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Well, debate or not, that was a wealth of information you provided and I enjoyed absorbing it! So, thank you for that. I still haven't decided whether or not to shoot this one yet but I think I have decided that I will definitely be acquiring another BHP in the near future ....... aww heck, maybe another 2 or 3!

 

[AustinTX]

I still haven't decided whether or not to shoot this one yet but I think I have decided that I will definitely be acquiring another BHP in the near future ....... aww heck, maybe another 2 or 3!

Speaking as someone who has done and continues to do a ton of handgun collecting, I would shoot it. Without the original serialized box and papers, it has already lost most of whatever premium it could have commanded as an ANIB out-of-production pistol, and, as WVsig said, it isn’t especially rare to begin with. Just my opinion.

On the other hand, if, despite the above, it would still bug you too much to put standard shooting wear on it, that’s a perfectly valid reason not to shoot it.

 

[giggitygiggity]

I would keep it unfired and would buy an SA35 once it’s availability improves and they are not priced in excess of the MSRP. In addition to the SA35, there are other less collectible offerings from FEG, Tisas, Girsan, and FN that you could buy, shoot, and not regret having shot a prized Belgium specimen.

That’s just what I would do. You do what works best for you.

 

[Yinzer-Steve]

Speaking as someone who has done and continues to do a ton of handgun collecting, I would shoot it. Without the original serialized box and papers, it has already lost most of whatever premium it could have commanded as an ANIB out-of-production pistol, and, as WVsig said, it isn’t especially rare to begin with. Just my opinion.

On the other hand, if, despite the above, it would still bug you too much to put standard shooting wear on it, that’s a perfectly valid reason not to shoot it.

I appreciate your opinion. Thank you...... and, I agree that without the original box it really hurts the collector value. And, I know it's not really a rare piece. But something in me really appreciates a 36 year old gun that's 99.5-100%! It seems like sacrilege or something to me ! Besides that, though it's not a rare run of the BHP, I would have to think 98-100% examples of the same era/model are dwindling?

 

[Yinzer-Steve]

I would keep it unfired and would buy an SA35 once it’s availability improves and they are not priced in excess of the MSRP. In addition to the SA35, there are other less collectible offerings from FEG, Tisas, Girsan, and FN that you could buy, shoot, and not regret having shot a prized Belgium specimen.

That’s just what I would do. You do what works best for you.

Thank you! I just may be leaning this way. Seems logical.

 

[AustinTX]

I appreciate your opinion. Thank you...... and, I agree that without the original box it really hurts the collector value. And, I know it's not really a rare piece. But something in me really appreciates a 36 year old gun that's 99.5-100%! It seems like sacrilege or something to me ! Besides that, though it's not a rare run of the BHP, I would have to think 98-100% examples of the same era/model are dwindling?

Well, like I said, that's a perfectly legitimate reason not to shoot it, even with the other considerations I mentioned. You can always find a BHP with some signs of use (or a clone) to use as your remorseless shooter Hi-Power.

Just do what feels right to you. Definitely don't assign any weight to the prevalence of one opinion over another in this thread. To my unending amusement, most people on gun forums profess to being constitutionally incapable of understanding why anyone would ever want to preserve a gun in the condition in which they found it.

 

[WVsig]

I appreciate your opinion. Thank you...... and, I agree that without the original box it really hurts the collector value. And, I know it's not really a rare piece. But something in me really appreciates a 36 year old gun that's 99.5-100%! It seems like sacrilege or something to me ! Besides that, though it's not a rare run of the BHP, I would have to think 98-100% examples of the same era/model are dwindling?

Not to throw it way off topic but this one is waiting to go to the range. I got it a few weeks ago. It is unshot. Came with the box manual and tools. Even the original VCI paper. Made in 1971 LOL

 

[Yinzer-Steve]

Not to throw it way off topic but this one is waiting to go to the range. I got it a few weeks ago. It is unshot. Came with the box manual and tools. Even the original VCI paper. Made in 1971 LOL

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Nice, minty, model 39! When it's a beauty like that, you can throw us off topic for a minute...lol

 

[Nature Boy]

I understand the satisfaction and appreciation of taking a pristine example of a coveted firearm out of the safe, admiring it, wiping it down and putting it back.

With that said, I feel like I can do that AND still shoot it.

Using it but not abusing it, so to speak.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I've been more dedicated to saving factory boxes, and they are carefully stored.
But they are not with their respective guns. My bride has been told where they are, and that the value of any arms will be greater with the boxes.
Whether any of that survives my achieving room temperature is another question.
I've bought some nice, but boxless, guns, likely from similar situations.
Moon

 

[Terrible]

While I'm not new to the forum, this is my first post so forgive me if my etiquette if it is incorrect. I collect guns and acquire most of them at local auctions and so-on. I'm big on 1911's and its predecessors, descendants & variants. A couple weeks ago I picked up a Belgium made Browning Hi-Power. It was made in 1986 and has NEVER been fired. It was someone's 'safe queen' for sure. It still has factory grease on it's internals/bore. However, it does NOT have original box or paperwork unfortunately. I like to buy 'shooters' and was interested in this one for just that. After picking it up and realizing that it hadn't ever been fired, I'm on the fence as to whether or not I should fire this piece or if I should even clean it? Should I make it my 'safe queen'? Really just looking to get some opinions from all the great, knowledgeable people here to help me make a decision. What would you do? I appreciate all responses. Thanks a bunch!

Yikes that one’s tough any sign of water damage, safes can be bad if you don’t take steps to prevent temperature and humidity variation. Do a already a complete breakdown or better yet have a smith safety check it, then if all good bring it to life by letting her do what she was made to do, sprinkle freedom seeds. It should be good but safe queen for that long unless she’s in cosmolene the whole time you never know. Good luck let us know what you do and result. Wouldn’t worry about it value won’t change that much if anything showing it’s been serviced would give you or next person piece of mind.

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

s

While I'm not new to the forum, this is my first post so forgive me if my etiquette if it is incorrect. I collect guns and acquire most of them at local auctions and so-on. I'm big on 1911's and its predecessors, descendants & variants. A couple weeks ago I picked up a Belgium made Browning Hi-Power. It was made in 1986 and has NEVER been fired. It was someone's 'safe queen' for sure. It still has factory grease on it's internals/bore. However, it does NOT have original box or paperwork unfortunately. I like to buy 'shooters' and was interested in this one for just that. After picking it up and realizing that it hadn't ever been fired, I'm on the fence as to whether or not I should fire this piece or if I should even clean it? Should I make it my 'safe queen'? Really just looking to get some opinions from all the great, knowledgeable people here to help me make a decision. What would you do? I appreciate all responses. Thanks a bunch!

Safe queen guns are a waste of your money and effort. Doing this you just become a "warehouse" for the next owner. Shoot it and enjoy it. For the few bucks you may or not make on down the road ain't worth it.

 

[AustinTX]

Safe queen guns are a waste of your money and effort.

Better just to speak for yourself instead of trying to generalize your opinion into a rule that applies to everyone.

For the few bucks you may or not make on down the road ain't worth it.

Most advanced collectors don’t buy and keep high-end handguns in unfired condition because they’re worried about trying to make money on them.

 

[Yinzer-Steve]

To everyone who's contributed to this thread - I want to thank you all!! I appreciate everyone's opinions and knowledge. I've really enjoyed this thread and have learned a few things about this wonderful piece of firearm engineering. I still haven't decided what I'm going to do yet but if I had to say right now, I'm leaning toward buying another one to shoot - at least for now as I'm not short on other shooters. I keep going back and forth on this though... If anything changes, I will be sure to let yinz guys know! In the meantime, be safe, stay well, Take care, & keep on shootin'

 

[Nature Boy]

I still haven't decided what I'm going to do yet but if I had to say right now, I'm leaning toward buying another one to shoot

Great answer!

 

[PzGren]

I buy my guns to enjoy them and, as an avid shooter and reloader, from my perspective the guns that I buy get shot in order to give me the enjoyment that I paid for.

In this case, the OP has a later Browning FN 35 with grease still in it but no box or paperwork and in my experience that makes it not as desirable to hard core deep pocket collectors, as a gun with box and papers and especially a pre-T or T series. I also am not sure if Browning did actually put grease into the new guns, or if a former owner did. Also, to realize the best price in a sale, it would most likely need to be sold online and I have bought "new" guns through distributors and from other dealers, that I am sure had more than the two cartridges at the proof house and for the test target shot through it.

I shoot mine and eventually they will go to the kids, so depreciation does not concern me.

 

[SSN Vet]

I'd rip the mag disconnect out of it and pump as many rounds through it as I could afford.

 

[tark]

s


Safe queen guns are a waste of your money and effort. Doing this you just become a "warehouse" for the next owner. Shoot it and enjoy it. For the few bucks you may or not make on down the road ain't worth it.

My C-96 Mauser is a 99+% gun. If I shoot it enough to wear off ONE percent of the finish it would be worth hundreds of dollars less. I wish you guys in the "shoot em or sell em" crowd would realize that shooting a gun isn't the only way to appreciate it.

I have a second broomhandle that I shoot

 

[AustinTX]

My C-96 Mauser is a 99+% gun. If I shoot it enough to wear off ONE percent of the finish it would be worth hundreds of dollars less. I wish you guys in the "shoot em or sell em" crowd would realize that shooting a gun isn't the only way to appreciate it.

I have a second broomhandle that I shoot

It never fails to amuse.

I have nothing against folks who can't abide not shooting every single gun they own, or who view the guns they own as purely utilitarian implements. Those are perfectly legitimate approaches to gun ownership -- but they aren't the only legitimate approaches. It's a bizarre subset of those groups that feels the need to generalize their preferences into a rule for everyone else and endlessly yammer on about how it's absurd for someone not to follow their exact approach to gun ownership.

You just have to laugh, really.

 

[tark]

I will admit that I was a "shoot it or sell it" person for most of my life. Back when all I could afford was worn out guns. If I ever bought a new gun it was a cheap one! I was fifty years old before I ever owned a piece of real estate. Then came fracking and horizontal drilling and suddenly the land in N.D. that I inherited mineral rights to became suddenly very valuable. Things have gotten better since. I fully admit that I did nothing to deserve such good fortune but there it was.

About that time I got my C&R license. Today, I would not buy a new gun I wouldn't shoot. I have even shot my Avatar a bit. The gun writer put 200 rounds through it. Clint Smith had one just like it ( A TR Special engraved ) and he shot the snot out of it. I consider mine to be a high end ( kinda sorta ) 1911...but not all that high end and not all that collectable. It's still in production.

I am more fascinated by an original 1911 in like condition; 99% of the original finish and all original parts. Or my C-96. That one is clean on the outside and full of cosmoline on the inside. When I see something that rare, I just can't imagine why anyone would want to shoot it and eventually turn it into an average example. I would rather go out and buy an average example (I did ) and shoot that one.

The pride in knowing that you own something that has survived for over 100 years without ever being used, is considerable. X 2 for cars. Or anything. My dentist once discovered an entire set of wooden shafted golf clubs, in a period correct bag. No way will he ever do anything with them other than admire them. I'm the same way with guns.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

I cannot begrudge anyone who doesn’t want to shoot a gun for collectability’s sake. I do have a couple guns that I do not want to shoot. My reasons why are more utilitarian, though-one’s a war trophy that uses nearly unobtainable ammunition, and the other is a like-brand-new black powder gun that I’d rather simply admire than clean after shooting. A friend of mine inherited a Para Warthog from a deceased friend and also has its consecutive serial neighbor (they bought together at a gun show)-it’s a brand new gun and he doesnt want to shoot it out of reverence for his friend.

totally get the no-shoot thing.

However, if the HiPower were mine I’d remove the magazine disconnect and shoot it. A lot.