Browning Hi Power, Discontinued

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johnmcl

johnmcl

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Well, this is a sad day.

I read in the current "American Handgunner" in an article by Mas Ayoob that Browning has made a 1st Quarter 2017 decision to discontinue the Browning Hi Power. I looked on the web page, and sure enough the Mark III is on the Discontinued Models page.

Good grief, first I find out earlier this year that the Marlin 39A is discontinued, and now the BHP. The BHP truly is an elegant weapon for a more civilized age.....
 
Perhaps a big deal for some, perhaps not such a big deal for others. I love my near mint BHP 69C. It's a classic. But, then most of my favorite guns (I wont list them all) that I own have long been discontinued. In a way the discontinued ones are even more special now. If I want another BHP, I will always be able to find one. I don't need a new one.
 
Hello. Not exactly correct - Mk. III & Standard in 9mm Luger are still listed as "current production", they discontinued .40 S&W models and several others. But I did read on some other forum, from a guy that spoke with Browning representatives, that the future of Hi-Power is entirely dependent from this year sales - if they did not report increase in sales, BHP will drop from production in 2018.
 
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The BHP is simply not cost effective in the age of the striker fired semiautomatic pistol. I have a Marlin 39A and Winchester 9422-Legacy. While I like them both the Marlin 39A is the better rifle in my opinion. What has been gone for decades is the Savage 99 simply superb but not a cost effective design especially the model with the rotary spool magazine.
 
Hangingrock said:
The BHP is simply not cost effective in the age of the striker fired semiautomatic pistol.
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pretty much.... The British Military deciding to retire their BHP's and go to Glock a few years ago certainly didnt help their bottom line.
 
Finally, I have an excuse to buy a Hi Power. In 20 years it might be worth 2 to 3x what I paid for it. If inflation doesn't eat that up.
 
That's a shame. Like another poster said- they just can't keep up with the competition in terms of price. I bet they continue making pistols for the international military community though.
 
I guess now is the time if I want to pick up a Hi Power. I’ve had it on my wish list for a few years, but if they discontinue the 9mm I could see the used market prices going even higher!
 
I have to wonder how many Hi-Power pistols are produced every year? A quick check of three large internet sellers shows no Hi-Powers in stock. I can't remember the last time I saw one on the shelf.

It's kind of a self limiting situation. If they don't build enough for dealers to actually stock, don't advertise, then sales will be slow.
 
Cannibul said:
I have to wonder how many Hi-Power pistols are produced every year? A quick check of three large internet sellers shows no Hi-Powers in stock. I can't remember the last time I saw one on the shelf.

It's kind of a self limiting situation. If they don't build enough for dealers to actually stock, don't advertise, then sales will be slow.
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Our larger LGS had some last time I looked. I'm short on funds right now, but they offer layaway. I plan to see if they still have any.
 
But dealers don't stock Hi-Powers because the demand is low... The features that attracted me most to Hi-Powers, like the classic design, clear lines, that strict "service gun" look, are it's drawbacks - general public seems to favor more dressy (if I can use that word) guns, with more "enhancements". I realize that there are just handful of lunatics like me, who prefer to carry a full sized all steel gun. And let's be honest, for a range gun the Hi-Power sucks - sure the ergonomics are great, but the heavy trigger without positive reset just kills it. Browning just failed to address the needs of the civilian shooters - they kept the design as basic and true to the original as they can, which is something I really like, but people simply don't want that. If I can make that comparison - it's like offering a nice, British style dress oxfords to some guy that wears parrot-colored sneakers... No way.
AND it has a safety... :what:
 
Mizar said:
But dealers don't stock Hi-Powers because the demand is low... The features that attracted me most to Hi-Powers, like the classic design, clear lines, that strict "service gun" look, are it's drawbacks - general public seems to favor more dressy (if I can use that word) guns, with more "enhancements". I realize that there are just handful of lunatics like me, who prefer to carry a full sized all steel gun. And let's be honest, for a range gun the Hi-Power sucks - sure the ergonomics are great, but the heavy trigger without positive reset just kills it. Browning just failed to address the needs of the civilian shooters - they kept the design as basic and true to the original as they can, which is something I really like, but people simply don't want that. If I can make that comparison - it's like offering a nice, British style dress oxfords to some guy that wears parrot-colored sneakers... No way.
AND it has a safety... :what:
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Exactly. FN didn't make the Hi Power "sexy" to keep up with other guns. Take the 1911, if all the manufacturers that make 1911s just made blued GI spec with brown plastic grips, the 1911 would have died years ago.

The BHP is a far more "useful" gun than a 1911, but you can't get one that looks great unless you like traditional looks.
 
Manufacturers discontinue guns when they no longer make money. With all the super light guns available today there are few shooters willing to carry such a heavy gun that is chambered in 9mm. Granted it is the best 9mm known to man but still! :(
 
ArchAngelCD said:
Manufacturers discontinue guns when they no longer make money. With all the super light guns available today there are few shooters willing to carry such a heavy gun that is chambered in 9mm. Granted it is the best 9mm known to man but still! :(
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I thought the BEST 9mm known to man is the Glock 17 or 19?
 
ArchAngelCD said:
With all the super light guns available today there are few shooters willing to carry such a heavy gun that is chambered in 9mm.
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I dont think it has anything to do with weight, capacity, safties, etc. It has everything to do with price. They cut corners where they could (Cast/Portugal/etc.) but still cannot get prices down to be competitive with the slew of 500 dollar wonder 9's.

Its had its day and the fact that a vast majority guns are based off the same action and double stack magazine is still a testament.
 
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tarosean said:
I dont think it has anything to do with weight, capacity, safties, etc. It has everything to do with price. They cut corners where they could (Cast/Portugal/etc.) but still cannot get prices down to be competitive with the slew of 500 dollar wonder 9's.

Its had its day and the fact that a vast majority guns are based off the same action and double stack magazine is still a testament.
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I disagree, it has more to do with looks. High end expensive 1911 makers like Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, Les Baer, are sold out quite some time in advance while you can get a RIA or other cheaper 1911 any day of the week. The BHP in its current form is not a really attractive gun unless you are a purist.
 
stchman said:
High end expensive 1911 makers like Wilson Combat, Ed Brown, Les Baer, are sold out quite some time in advance while you can get a RIA or other cheaper 1911 any day of the week. The BHP in its current form is not a really attractive gun unless you are a purist.
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They fill a niche between production guns and full on Customs. Hence why they are extremely popular. Add in a substantial cost/wait time savings and its instant gold, despite the naysayers.

Up until very recently with NHC offering their BHP. Your only choice was to go to one of of the few custom builders in the country. Beavertails on BHP's and other custom touches are nothing new, albeit very expensive.
 
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