jhco
Member
i want a belgium made hi power what should i know before i buy heres what i want 9mm,adjustable rear sight, blued, wood grips,browning not fn what else should i look for/how much should i pay
hi power what to know
- Thread starter jhco
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Tribal
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Executive summary: I'd say $700 cash for a 9mm Mark III is fair and not to be picky about grips or sights if a good deal comes along.
1. What do you mean by "Belgium-made"? Do you mean one that wasn't cast in Portugal? Those will be older and more expensive, plus they will not be Mark III and thus shouldn't be used with +P ammo very much.
2. I paid $600 for my used Hi-Power, although it came with a few upgraded parts. One store near me has a new Browning Hi-Power in .40 that could probably be had for $700 cash. That strikes me as an okay price for a new BHP.
3. Don't get too hung up on the sights and grips: those can be upgraded later if you come on a good deal for an otherwise-good pistol.
4. Go for the Mark III if at all possible. I think Browning only imported those in the finish you want, but Mark III is much preferable to the earlier models unless you're looking for an Ingliss or Nazi WWII pistol, which it sounds as though you're not.
1. What do you mean by "Belgium-made"? Do you mean one that wasn't cast in Portugal? Those will be older and more expensive, plus they will not be Mark III and thus shouldn't be used with +P ammo very much.
2. I paid $600 for my used Hi-Power, although it came with a few upgraded parts. One store near me has a new Browning Hi-Power in .40 that could probably be had for $700 cash. That strikes me as an okay price for a new BHP.
3. Don't get too hung up on the sights and grips: those can be upgraded later if you come on a good deal for an otherwise-good pistol.
4. Go for the Mark III if at all possible. I think Browning only imported those in the finish you want, but Mark III is much preferable to the earlier models unless you're looking for an Ingliss or Nazi WWII pistol, which it sounds as though you're not.
You should find a true Belgian Hi Power in the trim you described for $650-$750. There are many out there. I didn't see Mark III or +P compatible in your description so that will make your search easier. Skip the upgrades, if you want to sell most buyers want them stock and unmolested.
dogtown tom
Member
1.All Browning Hi Powers ARE FN's. Fabrique Nationale has been the manufacturer of the original HP since day one. Browning is just the US importer.
2. FN Browning HP's are manufactured in Belgium, but are now assembled in Portugal. Only the Browning marked Hp's have the "Assembled in Portugal" mark on the slide. There is no difference in quality from those that don't have Portugal on the side.
3. If you want this as a carry gun get the MKIII finish, not blued. Although the blue is beautiful, the epoxy finish of the MKIII is much more forgiving and wear resistant.
4. Factory adjustable sights have always been a bit less than ideal. There are a number of aftermarket sights to choose from. Get a fixed sight MKIII and your front sight will be fine. Buy an older version or a Standard and you get that little half moon front sight.
5. You can try and find a new HP for $700-800+ or better yet, buy a used one on Gunbroker for $450-600.
Here is one like you want: www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=100304188
bannockburn
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jhco
The newer Mk.III models have a decent set of high visibilty fixed sights on them that shoot to the point of aim at 50', in my Hi-Power. I 've never been too interested in the design or the usefulness of FN's adjustable sight models anyways. And believe it when they tell you that the epoxy finish holds up really well, as my Hi-Power over the years has seen considerable use, still looks great, and I don't worry too much about every little bump and bruise it may pick up along the way.
The newer Mk.III models have a decent set of high visibilty fixed sights on them that shoot to the point of aim at 50', in my Hi-Power. I 've never been too interested in the design or the usefulness of FN's adjustable sight models anyways. And believe it when they tell you that the epoxy finish holds up really well, as my Hi-Power over the years has seen considerable use, still looks great, and I don't worry too much about every little bump and bruise it may pick up along the way.
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