Browning Hi Power hankering

[Nature Boy]

Nature Boy

First thing I did after getting my Hi-Power was to take off the factory grips (which I really didn't care for), and replaced them with the Pachmayrs. Normally I cut off the front grip strap portion on their 1911 grips; mostly because I feel it makes the gun feel a bit too wide for my smaller size hand. But when I put the grips on the Hi-Power it just felt right. Have a pair of Hogue grips for those occasions when I want to "dress-up" my Hi-Power but the rest of the time it wears the Pachmayrs.

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Awesome!

 

[USBP379]

 

[Batty67]

Okay. Got the night sights installed from Novaks. Look excellent. But I'm faced with a new problem. They re-blued/parkerized the entire slide (did not anticipate that)!. It looks amazing...and the lower/frame...does not. They actually look very good together, but yeah--the frame looks like it is a well-kept 30 years old, and the slide looks new.

So, now I want to get the frame re-blued/parkerized. NOVAK does not do non-install related blueing. Any suggestions on who can do that work and what I'm looking at in terms of cost? It has a serial number so would it need to be sent as if it were a firearm?

 

[paulsj]

And it will continue to sit there at at price. Ridiculous

At that price level I would develp hankering for Luger Pistol 08. I once owned military FM. Never could figure out what people find so alluring about this design.

 

[Tallball]

Here is the gratuitous picture of my FEG clone. I bought it at a gun show in 1988 from someone who had barely shot it and wanted to trade it in at a dealer's table for something else. I gave him $200 cash. He had put some sort of aftermarket grips on it. I don't know how many thousands of rounds I've shot through it in the last 30 years; it's been a lot. The trigger is a little crunchy, and the sights are small, but it's been rock-solid reliable and is more accurate than I am.

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[Batty67]

Pictures with slide back from Novaks.

 

[Jim NE]

I have a 1973 Hi Power that I bought from a friend, and it's certainly a wonderful gun, so I can understand the OP's desire to own one. Mine is in extremely nice condition, which is why my friend sold it to me - he just couldn't bring himself to shoot it much. He called the other day and said he replaced it with one of the Tisas versions that people have been talking about on this thread, and he's very impressed. I think that's what I'd look at if I was looking for something to shoot as opposed to collect. From what I've seen, the Tisas doesn't have the nicely blued finish the old FN made Brownings do, but they may offer that finish as well at an up charge.

A classic era Hi Power is cool to own, though. No, I don't shoot it much either, but I don't regret buying it at all. I'd wanted one since the 1980's. Best wishes.

 

[bannockburn]

Batty67

Lookin' good! I see what you mean by the appearance of the refinished slide in comparison to the original frame but you know what, I would just go ahead and start shooting it and wait to get it refinished. If it were me I would eventually get the frame hard chrome plated as I have always liked the two-tone look with the blued slide and the silver frame.

Let us know how it goes at the range with the new sights.

 

[RA40]

Nice. I've also liked the Heine sights but haven't desired to have those fitted because the slide will need to be refinished. Was considering the Trijicon Bright Tough as a simpler alternate.

 

[Batty67]

Thanks bannockburn.

Oh, I’ll be shooting it soon and check back in. I might be able to live with it. But knowing me, I’ll evebrually get the frame refinished too.

 

[WVsig]

View attachment 800921 View attachment 800922 Pictures with slide back from Novaks.

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If it were me I would shoot that gun and not worry about the finish. They are actually pretty well matched as they are. If you intent to use the gun as it was intended the slide will eventually show wear as well. It is very nice BHP but unless it is intended to be a safe queen the slide will eventually wear to match the frame.

If you really want to refinish it. Novak does a matte blue. If you want to have it refinished lots of people should be able to match it. If you want to go to a tutone look I would go with Metalife and have it hard chromed. Tutone BHPs with hard chromed frames look great.

 

[Batty67]

Thanks WVsig. Shot it today, and ran like a top again. I’m convinced it will shoot as well as I can point it, and the new sights are much easier to use. As for the frame, yeah, I’ll probably be fine with it. But I might look into Novak matte blue to match the slide. Maybe.

Did I mention the trigger...is outstanding.

 

[bannockburn]

WVsig

If you want to go to a tutone look I would go with Metalife and have it hard chromed. Tutone BHPs with hard chromed frames look great.

My sentiment exactly! Love the look of a two tone Model 1911 or Browning Hi-Power!

 

[drobs]

My tree FN's:

 

[WVsig]

WVsig



My sentiment exactly! Love the look of a two tone Model 1911 or Browning Hi-Power!

I am a sucker for that look.