what is the deal with Hi Powers and $$$$

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axeman_g

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Climbing on the soap box ...

ok ... I made a big mistake some time last year and sold my FN HP with SFS to a very nice gentleman (he is a member here ...) and have regretted it ever since.

So lets go find a new one .... Can someone please tell me why a good quality, FN or browning HP has to cost over $550 dollars. Its not like the design is new, or its titanium parts. Gosh, its not even that hard to build.

We see 1911s going from $300 for third world imports, $400 for US minimalist up to an over thousands ... But my word ....HPs??? $650 for a Browning? $550 for an FN SA HP. I even saw a FEG for $400 today at a show. Price it to compete with a glock and sell it will appeal to the anti tupperware crowd. I myself am a line crosser in that battle...

Maybe the new Daly HP will get a looksee from me, but damnit ... maybe this is why CZs are so popular. At least the prices a freaking realistic.

Ouch ... I just fell off the soap box.
 
I'm feeling ya! I was shocked by the high prices of the BHP when I went looking for one. I ended up with a nice used FM Hi Power and it only cost me $199. I like the BHP and the 1911 but I think they could charge a lot less for them. The thing is, I don't think price is what sells these guns. If they lowered the price by $100, I doubt they would sell any more of them. They don't compete for the same market as Glocks and H&Ks so what would be the pont?

When a Glock costs $500, it really isn't all that bad to pay $650 for a nice deep blued, all steel BHP.:) Glocks are the real rip off! $500 for a molded hunk of black plastic? No thanks! I had one and I was not impressed. The grip angle was perfect but everything else was wrong.
 
I can't give you a definite answer as to why they are so expensive, but I completely understand your agitation.

It really pissed me off for a while too, but I have come to think that it's worth it. What I do know is that they are made from high quality parts (no MIM). The frame is cast on newer ones, but it's supposed to put up with more abuse. It's also very unusual for them not to run like a racehorse out of the box.

I know that doesn't do anything to make 'em cost less, but IMO they're worth every penny.

Wes
 
Yes, because they're made of high quality parts is the answer. With all the HP's out there, how often to you hear about major parts breakage compared to other guns? Or reliability issues? Or cosmetic issues? Not very often....
 
I understand that the FNs and Brownings are the best but are they really worth the $300 or even $400 more than their clones?
 
Yes. ;)

I want to ad though that the FEG clones are not bad at all for the money. I would buy one.

However the Argentine (HPs) I think less highly of. But the Argentines are generally priced just a few Jacksons more than an FEG.
 
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I have a two-part theory regarding outrageous HP prices...

1. The US Dollar is DOWN. The Euro is UP (about 1.25 to the dollar I believe). This makes imports more expensive and US products cheaper for export. Of course, this assumes that the P-35/HP is still manufactured at European plants. For all I know, they build 'em in Florida; sold my last Hi-Power over 15 years ago...

2. FN/Browning is not making huge money at civilian handgun sales (nor has any interest in doing so). The HP is kept as a "flagship" the same way Colt always retained the Python. More for bragging rights than profitability.

I glanced at 2 HPs today in a local gunshop...both were priced around $700 before tax!

Beautiful and reliable firearms, but after years of CZ-75/85 ownership, I just don't care about overpriced Brownings anymore.
 
I would be interested in the

Charles Daly....they are supposed to be assembled by Dan Wesson aren't they? The one I have seen looked to be like it was designed for shooting....not looks as it was a matte black with the "big dot" type of sights....I would love to hear how it shoots and would be willing to bet it is every bit the gun that an FN would be.
 
Dont know why they're so high out there in the market.

I got mine for $300 and its a Belgium Browning Hi-Power born in 72
f9efb1bc.jpg



:D
 
Any $699 Browning/FN Hi-Power is a bargain as far as I'm concerned.

And the thing is they sell for less than that alot of the time! I just don't see buying many other pistols when there's HP's out there to be had!!!

You have to carry, own and shoot them regularily with military spec ammo and normal capacity magazines to fully understand and appreciate. :D

AND ALWAYS REMOVE THE MAG SAFETY!!!

Can't stress that enough...
 
I'd pay upwards of $2k for a Titanium-framed BHP.
Click to expand...

Me three!

I dunno about the price, my two used Herstal MKIIs came to me at 390 and 400, both in nice shape with an original mag. If I see one now for less that 450 I will buy for resale.
 
Honestly I think that if FN/Herstal came out with a true high quality titanium (but true to specs within reason) HP I would be the first one in line to buy it. It would be the end all..... ;)

We can always dream.....
 
ok ... I see the arguments

but they still hold little water. Yes they have quality parts, yes they a built well, all steel, finished well .... but my god. With todays tech, you would think they would get cheaper.

I think they would sell more to civilians if price was lower ... therfore genrating more profits. Isnt that what owning a business is about ...

r u listening FN?
 
I never really wanted a 9mm, but bought a CZ75B Military a few years ago because the price was too good to be true considering the reputation. Great gun. No complaints once I replaced the factory grips with Hogues.

Turned around a few months later and bought a basic new BHP for $579. I like it better. It feels better, handles better, shoots better, etc. No complaints once I lost the mag disconnect, bobbed the hammer and got some Spegels.

I found myself looking at them again last week. I don't see that the $624 they're getting is too much for the same gun these days. I like the black epoxy finish, too. Actually, the other store I frequent still has them for $20 less IIRC.

But then again, I think $2300 for Cooper Custom Classic .22 rifle is entirely reasonable for what you get. ;)

John
 
axeman_g,

Give CDNN a call. I downloaded their catalog a couple of months ago, and they had FN HP's with the SFS advertised. They typically offer very good prices. Curiously they did not advertise the price, which is odd because everything else in the catalog had a price.

You can download their catalog here:
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/

I was lucky enough to score a like new Browning MK III with a tigger job and 1 preban for $399 at my local shop. It is a very sweet shooter.
 
If you find the price too high then you can get the less expensive versions. Generally, my experience has been thet many of the clones are functionally equivalent to the FN made ones. I particularly like the ARCUS models and my ARCUS 94 has the best trigger of any of my HPs.

Of the less expensive models I'd order them (from most desirable to least desirable) as:

ARCUS 94
FM M-95
FEG PJK 9HP
FN manufactured Argentine contract.
FM licensed by FN
FM pre-model 94
Kareem

The unknown is the new KBI Charles Daly import. It appears that it is FEG parts assembled by Dan Wesson. If so, then it may well be a reasonable choice.
 
The only shop in my area has a few of them from $650 to $750. I thought that was a bit high but I just put it down as being typically Jersey.
 
I'll second "jar" on this one; go to AIM Surplus's website. they have the Arcus 94, two tone, for $239.00!!! This is a Bulgarian made HP that all parts interchange with the FN's. They are extremely nice. Much nicer than the FEG's, which I consider a good clone. The Bulgarians build quality weapons; whether they be Makarovs, AK's, or Hi-Powers.
 
r u listening FN?
Click to expand...

No, they're not. As discussed in a recent thread, Browning must be ashamed of the HP. I didn't pay attention to the thread, but I did pick up a Browning full product line catalog at the range. Buckmarks everywhere, A-Bolt Hunters, pretty shotguns, safes, clothes, trinkets and trash, but no HP. I guess it doesn't fit their sporting image. I guess I won't buy any new Browning stuff.
 
At least they list them on their website now. They claimed they couldn't do so before because of a "minor legal issue" according to someone offer at FNHipower.com.
 
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