Want a Hi-Power, looking at Israeli ones

[bobbo]

Hi, all. I've been applying for my CCW (you get it in my part of NY to even touch a pistol in a shop), and I am looking at getting a Browning Hi-Power for my second pistol (after a .22LR).

I've seen a bunch of former Israeli pistols, like on Gunbroker and Gunsamerica, and I'm wondering if they would be good choices?

Thanks,
--Bob

 

[sansone]

BHP is a fine choice. I went through a bunch of nines until finally ending up with one. If your hand is medium to small in size nothing fits like a BHP. I tried an Israeli made Jericho but liked the BHP better. The cz75B was very nice but a little too large for my hand (trigger-reach).. Don't let anyone tell you the new ones are no good. Current models are Belgium parts assembled in Portugal at a Browning-owned facility. They ARE beautiful to see and shoot

 

[Ronbo256]

Those are usually "beaters", I would make sure I got a MKIII Hi-Power if I was in the market for one. Having said that, If you could get one for about $350-$400 it would be hard to say that was a bad decision. I suggest reading up on the Hi-power forums to learn a bit more. http://handgunsandammo.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=fnhipower

 

[sansone]

if you find a used BHP for under $500 buy it, or tell us at THR

 

[GunTech]

No lie. Love the BHP but with the prices now being charged, it's hard justify buying another one. I'd be interested to hear more about the Israeli guns. I have an Argy beater that's been a pretty good gun. I wish I'd kept one of the MkIII I bought though. The local gun shop has one on sale for $850.

 

[nalioth]

You guys who are looking, how have you overlooked all the threads here on the Fabrica Militar Hi-Power pistols?

They're milspec P-35s, and fully interchangeable with earlier BHPs (not sure about the MK II or III). They're produced on former Browning/FN machinery (from when Argentina was producing BHPs under license).

Of course, if you're stuck on having "BROWNING" roll marked across the slide, there's really nothing to be done but get ready to say goodbye to some extra greenbacks.

 

[GunTech]

The Argentine HP I have is basically an early HP with a very poor exterior finish. It required polishing the ramp to get it to feed HP ammo reliably. Other than that it's been a great gun, particularly since I paid $299. Yes, it doesn't have the precision of a Mk III, which is just a Mk II redesigned to be made on CNC machinery and with a few tweaks. But it goes bang just fine.

IMO the Mk IIIs are the best HPs ever made. But if a person wanted an HP that was fully serviceable and didn't have a lot of money to spend, they would certainly be well served with one of the Argentine guns.

 

[jonnyc]

The Argy FM is a good choice of you will not be shooting thousands of rounds through it. The recent "Israeli" FNs are a real bargain for a good shooter or carry gun. If that is your intended use, get the latest you can find, 1990+.

 

[Gelgoog]

if you are looking at the Israeli trade-ins then you better grab one now, as they aren't likely to last long. They are mkIII and in decent condition. Basically if you buy one and sent it in to be refinished then you won't know the difference and will still be in several hundred cheaper then if you tried to by a browning mkIII off gunbroker.

An argentine clone is going to run you about the same as an authentic MKIII which the isreali ones are, so buy the orginal and not the copy. MKIII are +P rated which the Argentine clones are not.

Buy the Isreali and don't look back.

 

[KodiakBeer]

I've bought both an Argy and an FN Israeli contract in the last couple of months. As for prices, the Argy was only $85 less than the Belgian made Israeli contract. Functionally, they are the same. Condition is about the same.

The FN produced gun will always have more resale value, but I can't really say it's a better gun. I like them both.

I reviewed the Argy here: http://www.thehighroad.us/showthread.php?t=421031

I added a thread on the Israeli today: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6867180#post6867180

You can't go wrong with either flavor. HP's are great shooters.

 

[rellascout]

If I were in the market for another HI power I would contact Dans Ammo. He works directly with PW Arms who imported these guns. He has some hand picked guns on his site for $459. These are ones which have already been refinished. Check out this one. Grips are a little rough but the rest of the gun looks great and Dan is super easy to deal with.



Here is another one with larger more modern sights...