Quick! Hi Power help

[JustinL]

Hi

I am debating buying my first Hi-Power as a range gun. I saw one at a gun show today and may go back tomorrow to buy it, assuming it is still there. I am soliciting opinions to see what you all have to say.

It is marked as an FN High-Power, made in Belgium, and imported by "Howco." It has a matte finish of some sort with an adjustable rear sight and what looked to be Pachmayr grips. The bore looks great and the mechanics (as far as I can tell) are sound. The price is $530 with two mags.

Can anybody tell me if this sounds like a good buy?

P.S. What about a LNIB Walther P5 with 2 mags, literature, box for $575?

Thanks

Justin

 

[bannockburn]

JustinL

I seem to remember those Hi-Powers imported by Howco, but it was quite a few years ago. They looked to be parkerized, came in a cardboard box with one extra magazine, and were marked as being a Model 88. They were made by FN, but I think that Howco was just a U.S. based distributor for the pistols. The ones I remember seeing had fixed sights and some sort of hard plastic black grips. Maybe some mods have been done to this one. The price seems a little high, but everything is relative these days. The Walther P5 also sounds very nice, but keep in mind that it uses a single stack magazine, compared to the double stack of the Hi-Power.

 

[jonnyc]

That's a fairly uncommon HP variation. Originality and condition are major concerns, but the price does seem decent.

 

[Princi]

Although I love the design of the Hi-Power because of its simplicity, if it was me, I'd go with the Walther P5. I've let several people shoot mine, and they all have raved about it.

I don't remember the month, but last year Gun Tests magazines tested the P5 and gave it an "A" rating. The manual leaves somewhat to be desired, but the gun is a great one. I don't think it was made by the same individuals at Walther that gave us the P22.

 

[Dick1911]

You may still be able to find a Charles Daly Hi-power at a good deal as the dealers clear out their stock. I bought one about 3 weeks ago from CDNN for $289. I really like it so far with only 250 rounds through it. No problems, yet.

 

[BHPshooter]

That is a rare Hi Power. It's a good deal regardless, but made even more so by the fact that it's a Howco import.

Wes

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Howco marked FN High-Power is an okay buy at $550. But IMHO I'll pass on the Charles Daily HP for $289. We may be able to "clone" sheep, but a handgun clone is a misnomer. They may look the same, but they don't share the same DNA (materials, fit, quality).

 

[JustinL]

I ended up with the High Power for $450. The guy with the p5 was firm at $575, stating he was selling it for a friend. Another find for another day I guess...

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[Shear_stress]

The guy with the p5 was firm at $575, stating he was selling it for a friend

Don't worry about it. If you've really got your heart set on a P5, there's a slew of surplus guns in nice condition being imported. You can get one for about four and a half bills.

In the the meantime, enjoy that HP!

 

[bannockburn]

JustinL

Way to go; the Hi-Power is one of my all-time go to guns, as it always seems to end up in my range bag every time I go there. There's a wealth of info here and at other sites if you got any other questions about it. Enjoy.

 

[Cliff47]

Sounds like you have an excellent example to begin your collection of Hi-Powers. Part of the fun is in the search. Another part is the acquisition when you least expect to find one. Hi-Powers tend to multiply in a collection, kinda like having just one salted peanut...

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Yep, Hi-Powers are like Mint Julips at the Kentucky Derby; one is plenty, two is too many, but three...isn't near enough!

Congrats on your new FN.