An Israeli MK II & 1/2 Hi Power..

[John Holbrook]

I bought this nice HP at a gun show and sent it down the John Norell and had him refinish it with his Moly Resin finish. I just got it back and I have Meprolite Night Sights on order..-----[]






Here you can see how the MK II slide was slotted for the MK III sights.

 

[rellascout]

Nice looking gun. Based on the serial number it looks like it was made in 1995 which means it is a MKIII. Does it have a forged or cast frame? Looks like it is missing the ambi side of the safety.



Forged on the left cast on the right....

 

[John Holbrook]

Here is a shot of the frame, and it is forged.. I shot it before I sent it for refinish and it proved to reliable and accurate. A typical HP!!! I got the night sights today and have installed them... I am looking forward to sighting it in.... I left off the right ambi-safety cause I dont like them...

Also, it has no import marks.

 

[rellascout]

Does the serial number on the slide match the frame and barrel?

 

[John Holbrook]

Yep, it is all matching, and it had beatup MK III contoured plastic stocks that I replaced with older walnut types.. I have long fingers and like the thicker stocks... I may replace the original trigger with one from Cylinder & Slide which is wider... It also has a lanyard ring post, however no ring...

BTW, I paid $350.00 for it and it cost me $95.00 to have Norell to finish it.. I don't remember what I paid for the night sights, but it was about $75.00, so I would up with a very nice MK III HP just over $500.00, a very reasonable cost........

 

[rellascout]

Nice a 1995 Forged MKIII. Not really a MII 1/2 IMHO because it lacks the ridge on the front part of the frame like this one.

 

[rellascout]

BTW, I paid $350.00 for it and it cost me $95.00 to have Norell to finish it.. I don't remember what I paid for the night sights, but it was about $75.00, so I would up with a very nice MK III HP just over $500.00, a very reasonable cost........

Nicely done. I paid under $450 for the one above.

 

[Dentite]

From what I've read there are some cast frames without the ridges. John's Israeli posted here does in fact have the smooth bottom but it also has the thicker front strap area consistent with cast frames. I only have 2 BHPs which are both forged frame so I can't make a direct comparison in hand forged vs cast but you can see in the side by side photo posted above the "corners" of the front strap are thinner in the forged frames.

From what I understand there are typically casting marks inside the cast frames. Maybe look with a flashlight and see if there are any casting marks inside the frame in the magazine well just below the slide (you can do by just removing the mag). I've read of some casting marks just under the mag catch but you wouldn't see that unless the mag catch was removed.

John that is a nice BHP at a good price.

Some will shorten and then round the ambi saftey pin on the weak side so it nearly flush with the frame like the original strong side only safeties. Obviously it won't change the function but it cleans up the look a bit.

I've never taken out a lanyard stud but it can be done (probably best before refinishing though).

Since rellascout shared his I guess I'll join in.

Here's my '67 T Israeli with armory updated hammer, ambi safety, grips:

 

[John Holbrook]

This is my first Israeli HP AND it is an interesting example. It has a forged MK III receiver and a MK II slide that has been slotted for MK III sights. It still has the hole in the slide for the old half moon front sight and is not machined for the trigger lever with the firing pin block.. Also, inside the frame there is stamped something in Hebrew.. I also installed a different safety..

 

[Dentite]

John as I understand it that is not a "stamp" but an FN casting mark that I mentioned in post #8.

As I suspected from the year ('95) and the thicker corners on the front strap you have a cast frame with smooth bottom.

You have the exception to the rule of flat vs ridged. They are out there.

Check out this page from Stephen Camp's site: http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/does_my_hi_power_have_a_forged_or cast frame.htm

 

[rellascout]

John as I understand it that is not a "stamp" but an FN casting mark that I mentioned in post #8.

As I suspected from the year ('95) and the thicker corners on the front strap you have a cast frame with smooth bottom.

You have the exception to the rule of flat vs ridged. They are out there.

Check out this page from Stephen Camp's site: http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/d...st frame.htm

I believe this is correct.

 

[John Holbrook]

Thanks for the info......

 

[TJx]

Not to ask a dumb question but what function does the frame hole serve for the front sight if they are drift in?
I'm getting ready to either put the Tru Glows or Trijicons on one of my HP's.
Any reason you choose the TG's over Trij's other than price?

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
That was for the original staked-in sight.

 

[Trebor]

John,

Who made that safety you added, and where can I get one?

 

[Doubting Thomas]

John--I picked up one of those Israeli hybrid Mk. IIIs back in 2000 for the ridiculous price of $289.95 with three magazines, an IWB holster and mag pouch. Mine is a 245NTXXXX which checks out to 1996--with forged frame minus ridges. Mine had the old original left side small safety, plastic grips, dovetailed sights and enameled finish. It had some dings and scratches, but all superficial. In all major respects it was in excellent shape with what I would say were very few rounds through it. Must have been issued to a management type who rarely hit the streets and probably qualified once a year with it.

I fitted up a C&S safety, installed a lanyard loop (I like 'em) and removed the magazine safety. Quite a job, that...and put on a set of Spegel delrins. It makes one classy, reliable pistol. I don't shoot it as well as the 1911s (my doing, I'm sure) but it's the best of the 9s and functions with anything. Very high on the cool factor.

I keep thinking about fitting up a set of night sights but haven't gotten to it yet.

My son is flying in Afghanistan; they stuck him with an M9 instead of something with some class and ergonomics like a BHP. You'd think that they'd listen to us experts by now...

 

[PabloJ]

John--I picked up one of those Israeli hybrid Mk. IIIs back in 2000 for the ridiculous price of $289.95 with three magazines, an IWB holster and mag pouch. Mine is a 245NTXXXX which checks out to 1996--with forged frame minus ridges. Mine had the old original left side small safety, plastic grips, dovetailed sights and enameled finish. It had some dings and scratches, but all superficial. In all major respects it was in excellent shape with what I would say were very few rounds through it. Must have been issued to a management type who rarely hit the streets and probably qualified once a year with it.

I fitted up a C&S safety, installed a lanyard loop (I like 'em) and removed the magazine safety. Quite a job, that...and put on a set of Spegel delrins. It makes one classy, reliable pistol. I don't shoot it as well as the 1911s (my doing, I'm sure) but it's the best of the 9s and functions with anything. Very high on the cool factor.

I keep thinking about fitting up a set of night sights but haven't gotten to it yet.

My son is flying in Afghanistan; they stuck him with an M9 instead of something with some class and ergonomics like a BHP. You'd think that they'd listen to us experts by now...

The M9 is superior to the BHP.

 

[Doubting Thomas]

Well, Pablo, I guess THAT settles that! I'll be sure to pass it on to my son.

Do you give financial and lovelorn advice, too?

 

[Certaindeaf]

The M9 is superior to the BHP.

Har.