where's the Hi-Power thread?

[genstab]

I just found an old 2007-2009 thread from this forum on the internet about Hi-Powers, and at the end it said if the reader enjoyed it, join THR forum for the full version. Well, where is it- or do we have to start another one? Okay, if so, I got my first, a like new 2004 Practical
9mm (technically a Mark III) with stainless slide, old style ring hammer and Pachmayr grips two years ago and just love it. It's a really sweet shooter and has never jammed.

I previously inherited a FN model 1910 7.65mm (war souvenir- the holster has Jap markings and Anthony Vanderlinden says that Japan bought a large shipment in 1940 because their pistols were ****) and later bought a model 1922 .380 just to have one. That one is a former Dutch military/police gun with the Wilhelmina crest on the slide. The Practical came next and then I went a bit afield, getting hold of a FN HP-DA and then another. They, while not technically Hi-Powers, are fine double action all steel guns, FN's last and made in Herstal.

I also picked up on the same model in Compact, one in DAO (extremely rare) which are hard to find for sale these days. They are very fine concealed carry guns. FN missed the boat in not pushing them harder, but with the large ticket military sales they do I don't think they care.

My last acquisition is a pristine 1950s FN with the old internal extractor, ring hammer and thumbprint on the slide. the serial number is 42095and if anyone has any idea when it was made I'd be grateful to hear.

I really hope we could have a separate forum for FN products. But that depends on demand I guess. Anyway, I want to say that this is one of my favorite forums and I have enjoyed reading it.

Happy holidays everyone!

Best,
Bill in Cleveland

 

[Zerodefect]

We traded it in at a local gun store for a 1911 thread.

Typical hi-power thing. You know how it is.

 

[Bmont2409]

Glad to hear someone else has interest in the Hi-power. I bought a new FN double action compact and it is a very nice pistol. The only thing I didn't like was the heavy trigger so I had a local smith lighten it up but haven' had the chance to fire it since it had the trigger job. They are a very well made pistol and I really like mine.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Gratuitous Hi Power picture. Esmeralda grips.

[/IMG]

 

[Smoke14]

 

[Mike1957]

If I remember right (and I might not) FN used more than one serial number range during the 50s for the Hi-Power for commercial guns and assorted military contracts. So it might not be easy to pin down a year of manufacture.
I think the commercial guns began being marked as Browning around 1955-1956 at about serial number 70,000.
Assuming it`s a commercial gun, early 50s is a good bet.

Below is an earlier gun made in the 40s under German occupation.

 

[txgunsuscg]

IMG_3612 by downrange08, on Flickr

My newest acquisition. Also have a somewhat odd FNMI .40 Hi-Power with the SFS system..

 

[velocette]

Early & late HPs, 9mm & 40 S&W respectively. The early one has been customized a bit.

Roger

 

[briansmithwins]

If I was being snarky I'd say the HP threads suffer from two factors:

The JMB fanatics all worship at the altar of the 1911.

The 9mm pistoleros don't care about a pre-WWII design with a capacity of 13 rounds.

Personally, I like HPs but the hammer eats my hand and I can't shoot them with bleeding.

BSW

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

I used to get bit before I just said to myself, "This hammer bite thing is BS. I'm not going to believe in it anymore!" And, all of a sudden, I never got bit again. Craziest thing..............................

 

[wrench]

I've never been bitten by a Hipower, so that part isn't an issue for me. I love them, they're beautiful, ergonomic pistols.
And I shoot them well
What's not to like?

 

[PabloJ]

Glad to hear someone else has interest in the Hi-power. I bought a new FN double action compact and it is a very nice pistol. The only thing I didn't like was the heavy trigger so I had a local smith lighten it up but haven' had the chance to fire it since it had the trigger job. They are a very well made pistol and I really like mine.

The one I have seen was inexpensive, cute and compact but I did not like poylmer levers so I did not buy it.

 

[huntershooter]

 

[Pilot]

Beautiful Hi Power guys. I lost my digi camera or I'd post mine.

 

[wow6599]

My only Hi Power.......I need another.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Love mine... Lay off about the Pachy's, they feel great and I can't see 'em while I'm shooting. So, no Hi Power adoration thread here, what's the world comin to?

 

[SSN Vet]

According to the late Steve Camp (aka Mr. Hi Power), they never made a stainless HP. The practicles are nickle plated, if I'm not mistaken.

Here's a thread that details my BHP mods....
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=607494&highlight=back+in+black

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

No kiddin'? So that's matte nickel? Very pretty.

 

[W.E.G.]

Navidrex grips from Brownells


Blade-Tech IWB holster

 

[JTQ]

Come on fellas, if you're going to show cool leather/kydex or grips, or after market treatments, at least you could identify them.

 

[Wags]

1968 T series:

2003 MKIII Practical in 9mm:

1992 MKIII Novak Spec Ops in Kramer #2 IWB Horsehide:

1972 72C Novak Spec Ops in Horseshoe belt slide rig:

1988 MKII with then added round hammer. Switched back to spur:


Yes, I like my Browning Hi-Powers.

 

[KodiakBeer]

1990 Israeli police contract.



1981 Austrian border police, aluminum frame.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Mostly stock, MKIII polished blued, with Esmeralda's grips and an AAC Scorpion sound "moderator".

[/IMG]

 

[larryh1108]

I have to admit that my BHP in .40S&W is one sweet shooter. I even liked the trigger so much I didn't have to remove the mag safety. I don't know why they stopped producing them but if you like High Powers and you like the .40S&W round then you need to shoot one of these.

 

[atlanticfire]