Browning Hi-Power Questions

[Grampa]

I bought a Browning Hi-Power from a friend this past weekend, and now I wonder what I bought. There are so many variations out there it makes the head spin. This one is all blued, with smooth wood grips, fixed sights, 9MM, with two mags and a Browning gun rug/case. Serial # is 69C3XXX. I've wanted one for a long time, and this one is almost perfect. No noticeable bluing wear. It's been shot, and I intend to shoot it.

Is there a Hi-Power FAQ somewhere?

 

[bubbygator]

Well, the FNHipower forum seems to be gone. Perhaps Mr. Stephen Camp will stop by and tell us where he is hanging out these days.

 

[unclestu]

Lots of Browning Hi Power info here:
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/index.html

And Congrats on your new Browning!

 

[fecmech]

Try here http://forums.1911forum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15

 

[Marshall]

If it's polished blue, it's a "Standard" with fixed sights. (picture has adjustable sights)

If it's more of a matte blue/black, it's an MKIII.

 

[mbott]

Serial # is 69C3XXX. I've wanted one for a long time, and this one is almost perfect. No noticeable bluing wear. It's been shot, and I intend to shoot it.

To me, I read that as a 1969 Hi Power pistol with a serial number of 3xxx, which would also make it a "Classic" Hi Power. The Mk IIs weren't introduced until 1982.

See Date Your Browning

--
Mike

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. It is a classic Hi Power but w/o seeing the grips I cannot say for sure if they are from the factory or aftermarket. Most factory grips (but not all) that I've seen have been checkered walnut and from that time frame, they have the red-painted back.

The gun was made very shortly after the T-numbered gun stopped production but it is probably the same gun.

Is the hammer the spur that followed in most of the "C" line or ring?

The gun should have the small, single-side thumb safety, magazine disconnect, and the humped feed ramp.

Best.

 

[Grampa]

Thanks for the info!

The grips are not painted red on the insides. They are stamped "A" and "4".

The feed ramp looks pretty rough, and the barrel is obviously 2-piece, with a line about 2/3rds up the chamber. And, it appears from the serial number, that it is a 1969 production Browning.

Cool! And thanks. Any reason I shouldn't smooth the feed ramp?

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. You have a neat gun there, an older C-series pistol but with the ring hammer from the previous T-series guns. The two-piece barrel is normal. The grips are not factory I don't believe, but very nice. Certainly the feed ramp can be polished. It may or may not help it feed more blunt ogive bullets, which was pretty common for Hi Powers of this time frame. Unless familar with the process I would not attempt to remove the "hump" in the barrel but polishing should be fine.

Best.

 

[Commissar Gribb]

that's a sweet looking HP, you'll love it.

HPs are some of my favorite handguns for their feel and small size.

 

[Marshall]

Sorry about that, I completely missed the serial #.