Thinking about a browning hi-power

[dmcummins]

I'm not sure why, but I think I want a browning hi power. I'm not a hand spoon guy, I use to have a Ruger 22 auto I use to plink with but sold it years ago.

So what does say $1000 or less get me? And what should I look for? I plan to take it to the local range some and put holes in paper. I may also kill some cans.

[Jrboulder]

$1000 will get you either a brand new hi power or a damn nice older one. I've had a couple Mk 3s and they're ok. Newer ones have cast frames and are assembled in portugul, not that any of that is a knock against the quality. In the early 60s they moved from an internal extractor like a 1911 to an external extractor like most other handspoons. In the 70s they started using spur hammers, stiffer springs and better metal. Over the last 30 years or so the finish options have been either parkerized and painted or a nice blued finish. Up into the 90s they were being sold to militaries and they were making a lot more so the civilian price wasn't so high. Now they make a lot less and so they're pretty expensive new.

If I were to buy another hi power it would probably be an older blued one. If you have fat hands you'll want one with a spur hammer.

They had a beautiful 1976 bhp at cabelas last week for $699 but I couldn't pull the trigger and when I went back to get it 2 days later it was gone.

[manbridge 74]

Excellent. Only double-stack that fits correctly in my smallish hand.

[masraum]

Browning Hi Power, one of my favorite guns. The only reason that I don't have one is that they aren't an inexpensive gun.

[jyl]

Some of the older ones came with a shoulder stock!. Not sure how those are treated legally, the Mauser Broomhandle shoulder stock is legal under an exception to the NFA.

[on2wheels52]

Just don't expect a great trigger pull; the mechanics are a bit odd, plus the magazine disconnect works against the trigger.
Jim

[T77911S]

i have had one since the early 90's.
i like the fit in my hand also. i also like the safety feature that if the clip is out, the gun will not fire.
i ahve heard that can be removed and makes the trigger pull a little nicer.
i filed the back of the slide where it slides on the trigger to cock it, (he said cock), along with some lite filing on the slides and it made things a little smoother. i also think it makes the gun shoot smoother.

i bought it because a friend had one and again liked the fit. i really new nothing about guns when i bought. read about it, it has a very interesting history.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

Just don't expect a great trigger pull; the mechanics are a bit odd, plus the magazine disconnect works against the trigger.
Jim

The trigger pull does take some getting used to. There are "fixes" to the mag disconnect and a smoother trigger pull but I have left my '70's Hi Power stock.

I did a quick search on Guns America and $1,000 will get you a 97% used Belgium Browning.

[javadog]

My dad had one 20+ years ago. Never got much use, so one afternoon we ran a few rounds through it. Had a Beretta 92 along for a comparison. The Browning felt great but wouldn't hit the broad side of a barn. The Beretta was too big but hit anything it was pointed at. Ended my interest in the Browning on the spot.

JR

[sand_man]

I have the one my that my great grandpa purchased new in the 1960s. Pretty sure it's a Belgian. Been a while since I shot it. My brother-in-law who is a LEO carries a Glock .40cal and had never really shot anything quite this old, could not believe how well it performed for a vintage gun. He really loved the feel.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I'll be honest, I have two (one Belgian and one Hungarian FEG clone) and neither see the light of day very often. I just don't shoot them well. Yanking out the mag disconnect shoe helps some.

It has no soul but I shoot my CZ P-09 much better.

[356racing]

I bought mine used about 25 years ago and still have it. The previous owner had some trigger work done on it and I put some new grips on it to fatten it up. I also had a FEG clone of the high power that never let me down.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

I'll be honest, I have two (one Belgian and one Hungarian FEG clone) and neither see the light of day very often. I just don't shoot them well. Yanking out the mag disconnect shoe helps some.

It has no soul but I shoot my CZ P-09 much better.

That is a very interesting observation.

The first pistol I bought was a Ruger MkII Target Model in 1984. I still have it and it is still the pistol I am most accurate with - always. It is simply an extension of my hand.

I bought my BHP used in 1988 from a friend of mine. It took me a few sessions to get comfortable with it and every time I shoot it takes a clip or so to get reacquainted with accuracy.

So, to the OP: As always go shoot one first before you drop the coin. I love the way it looks, shoots and the high level of workmanship but you have to like shooting it!

[tabs]

Originally Posted by jyl

Some of the older ones came with a shoulder stock!. Not sure how those are treated legally, the Mauser Broomhandle shoulder stock is legal under an exception to the NFA.

Because it is C&R.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

The trigger pull does take some getting used to. There are "fixes" to the mag disconnect and a smoother trigger pull but I have left my '70's Hi Power stock.

I did a quick search on Guns America and $1,000 will get you a 97% used Belgium Browning.

The fit and finish on the commercial Belgian ones is exceptional. The early Portigee ones says "ASSEMBLED in Portugal" meaning mfg in Belgium and put together where it was cheaper labour in Portugal. So for a few bucks less you get something of equal quality as the all Belgian made ones.

The T serial numbered ones with the round hammer made in the 1960's go for a few bucks more than the 70's versions. Mostly though the 70's to early 80's HP's is where to fall. Beautifully made weapons. Sub $1000 price range...mostly around 700 at auction plus buyers commission, shipping and receiving.

Took my HP out and did not like the trigger pull. compared to the 911 it is a no brainer.

BTW the 70's HP come in a black vinyl gun rug wt red interior. .

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by tabs

BTW the 70's HP come in a black vinyl gun rug wt red interior. .

So did my Browning "Baby". Don't know what year it is, but I'm sure it's pre-1969.

I saw a "matched set" of a Hi-Power, a 1955, and a Baby--I believe all with the Browning rollmark--at a gun show a few years ago. Quite a beautiful little family.

[Super_Dave_D]

Just get you one of these Israel police trade ins for cheap and have a blast.

Israel Police FN Belgium MK 3 Hi Power 9mm Pistol

[Arthropraxis]

Not to repeat what was said above. You might want to look at the CZ line. I have a CZ 75 compact and it fits my hand great. It blends the best of the Hi Power and a 1911 into one pistol.

[Jeff Higgins]

Very cool guns with lots of history. An original FN is the only 9mm of any kind I would even consider. Not because it's more reliable, not because it's more accurate, but simply because it has a cache that no plastic gun can ever approach.

That said, the only 9mm I own is a WWII souvenir P38 acquired by my late father-in-law in Italy from a German acquaintance ("no longer in need of it..."). It shoots well enough, but I swear those goddamn little pills bounce off of coyotes (I've tried). Fun little plinkers, but nothing to get serious with.

[unclebilly]

The Canadian made ones are very collectible here. They were actually made by Inglis the washing machine company for the war effort. Some have only Chinese writing on them because they were made for the Chinese military - back when they imported finished good from us.

They are OK, a buddy has one. Our LGS has one with the wooden stock. I have shot a few but prefer my original Sig P75 (real deal 9mm P220).