joined the Hi-Power club!

[General Geoff]

Saw this at the local shop for $595, and decided in about five seconds I had to have it (been looking for a Hi-Power for a couple years now):








It has been refinished at some point in the past, which is why some of the markings are partially worn off. But I don't really care, as this is going to be a shooter and possibly carry gun. I've already taken it to the range and it's proven 100% reliable.

One question I must ask though, this is the first pistol I've owned that has given me hammer bite. Is it advisable to replace the hammer to prevent this? Any other practical solutions?

 

[towboat_er]

Nice!! and congrats!!!!!! HP's are known for that. Im guessing a hammer swap would prob fix that.

 

[General Geoff]

Oh, a couple other questions: Are the Mec-Gar 15rd magazines reliable in these older HPs? Second, will this gun stand up to a steady diet of +p ammo, perhaps with a stronger recoil spring? If not, I'll stick to standard pressure stuff. Thanks

 

[gscrasher]

I can't think of a better place to get your Hi-Power information than
Stephen Camp's site:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/HiPowerComments.html

 

[General Geoff]

Thanks for the link! I ordered three Mec-Gar mags, a Bianchi holster, dual-pouch mag carrier, Wolff 18.5lb recoil spring, and a thousand rounds of PMC 9mm. Should tide me over for now

 

[viking499]

Should tide me over for now

Might be enough to last you through the weekend.

 

[rellascout]

Nice Pre T gun. Internal extractor. My guess without looking closely at the serial number you have a WWII gun. I love the ring hammer. It still bites some people. Look into a Novak No bite or a C&S Commander style hammer. I prefer the C&S part myself.

Get a 18.5 lbs recoil spring. It will handle some +p ammo. It will not handle it as well as the cast MKIII but its not going to turn to dust after 100 round of +p. I would test it out with standard pressure 9mm and then move to 124 grain nato spec'd ammo first. Something like this:

or this




Range report?

 

[earlthegoat2]

The relief cut on the other side of the slide for the slide lock lever pin is somewhat uncommon. Only made for a few years.

Nice score. It appears to be refinished so have it with modifications if you choose to do so.

I prefer the spur hammer and the extended safety and that is pretty much it for my list of mods.

 

[Olde School]

Good find on a great gun. My 1964 T-Series is the one semi-auto that will be with me always. It is my first high capacity autoloader and has the best in the hand feel of any I have ever had.

 

[General Geoff]

I gave it a thorough cleaning this evening, and the bore practically shimmers. No pitting, sharp, defined rifling.

 

[MattTheHat]

Wow, she's a BEAUTY!!!


-Matt

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Enjoy your pistol and I hope that it serves you well for years to come.

Best.

 

[W.E.G.]

Well, heck yeah!

 

[ravot]

hey guys, price question.
my LGS has a Hi power, not sure on year, but the owner said it's a t30 series? late 50's early 60's maybe. the barrel said it was made in St Louis. price on it was 550. quality on it looked good but i was only looking. didn't see down the barrel. (is it normal to ask dealer to breakdown?)

anyone would know knowledge on that gun?
sorry, dont mean to thread jack.

 

[earlthegoat2]

IF it is a T series with original finish and no modifications (sights, grips, hammer, safety, etc.) then it is worth a bit more than 550 unless the condition is horrible.

 

[Girodin]

Nice! A hi power is a gun I would like to get. I really don't need one. I've got other 9mm handguns I'm very happy with. I just want one. Its an iconic 9mm, and a looker to boot.

 

[larryh1108]

Is that a German proof stamp on it? It looks like one. If it is that would make it a WWII version. It's a nice gun and they shoot very well.

 

[xr1200]

Its a nazi fn p35 and it has been poorly refinished and reblued, worth about $400.

It would have been worth more if it wasn't refinished.

Problem with yours is that it was belt sanded to much and they destroyed the original sharp edges and sanded out most of the engraving in an attempt to remove a lot of the original pitting or rust. This destroyed most of the guns value. Sorry to say you really overpaid, If I were you I would complain to the gun shop and see if you can get them to buy it back and order you a new browning matte 9mm hi power form CDNN for $659 and you pay the difference.

Heres an example of what an original finish one should look like http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=217323116

Check out www.gunbroker.com and search for nazi hi powers and you will see what it
should have looked like.

 

[Wags]

No magazine safety pin in trigger gave away the WWII German Hi-Power years. FN discontinued the magazine safety during WWII German occupation, then resumed it upon resuming production after the war. Unfortunately the heavy sanding and re-blue took away from it's potential original value. Since it's a shooter enjoy it and have fun!

 

[General Geoff]

Problem with yours is that it was belt sanded to much and they destroyed the original sharp edges and sanded out most of the engraving in an attempt to remove a lot of the original pitting or rust. This destroyed most of the guns value. Sorry to say you really overpaid, If I were you I would complain to the gun shop and see if you can get them to buy it back and order you a new browning matte 9mm hi power form CDNN for $659 and you pay the difference.

I don't think I got ripped off, and even if I could *potentially* have found one in similar condition for less, I still think I got my money's worth. That's all that matters.

As an aside, I do not want a new 9mm Hi-Power. If I decide to buy a new one in the future, it will be in .40S&W (which may be my next purchase). I bought this gun as much for the history as I did to shoot it.


edit; I wanted to add, one of my friends just offered to buy it for $800 after showing it to him. I told him no thanks. "Worth $400" indeed...

 

[googol]

I would choose to consider the sanding and refinishing as a dehorning job and ignore anyone who tells you that it "destroyed" any of the pistol's value. If you bought the HP as a shooter, cherish it as a tool with a lot of history in it. Mine is the one gun I'll never part with.

 

[MattTheHat]

poorly refinished and reblued, worth about $400.

Bah! It's worth what folks will pay for it. The OP paid $595, his buddy offered $800.
It's kind of like trying to buy a used 1911 at its "book value". Good luck with that, at least around here in the Dallas area.

I guess the refinishing is a matter for debate as well. I'd personally rather have a refinished pistol than one that's pitted. I understand other's may disagree and feel differently. Whatever.

I think you did just fine Geoff.

-Matt

 

[dusty14u]

I am envious. If I can find that kind of deal I would snag one too. Very nice gun!

 

[Paul7]

I just got an Israeli HP and to me it is now the ultimate 9mm, which I used to think was the CZ-75.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Nice!

Since it is refinished, you can drop in a C&S "no-bite" hammer (and any other custom parts) and not worry about hurting the collectible status.