Browning Hi-Power value check and thoughts

[bikemutt]

I ran across this Hi-Power today at a LGS and kinda like it. These aren't uncommon to find around here but they're usually about used-up for $500-600, or minty collector pieces for $1200+.

This one looks as if it wears a parkerized finish. I can see slight signs of what may be rust under the finish on the backstrap and frontstrap areas. the slide and rest of the frame look pretty good. The action is great with a nice trigger. Comes with one original magazine and 4 or so non-original mags. I did not have time to peek at the bore but I will certainly do that if I decide to pursue it.

Says it was made in Belgium and from the serial # the counterman estimated a mid-1980s manufacture date.

The gun fits my hand as if it had been custom made for me. The price feels a bit on the high side at $799 + tax. How does this one stack up value-wise? Anything I should pay more attention to on this, or any, Hi-Power?

Thanks.

 

[earlthegoat2]

That is a HP Mk II. Verrrry good pistol. I have one myself of 1987 manufacture. Basically it is the same as the MK III but parkerized. This was Brownings "attempt" to break into the LE sales market. Them, and everyone else, could not compete with Glock and the other old reliable guns already in production and well loved by LE. It has Browning first iteration of their good fixed sights. I see that one is Belgian made. Mine is newer than this one and made in Portugal. No difference really but whenever anyone sees "Belgain Browning" they think it is gold.

799 is such a high price for that gun. I bought mine for 450 OTD in 2009 in Eastern KY. These the least desireable of the HPs for some reason too so that should also lower the price. 799 is only 100 less than you can get a MKIII brand new.

Try to bargain. I bought mine for 450. It had a 650 price tag on it though. I knew they had been sitting on it for almost a year. I used to work at a pawn shop so I am semi-savvy at reading price codes and I figured they only had 350 into it. I made my offer of 450. They countered with 550. I said no thanks and they relented.

I think 550 would be a more fair price for that gun.

 

[Fremmer]

Just the name adds to the retail price. You seem to like the gun and you know the trigger is good. Try to get that price down some and see what they can do.

 

[wow6599]

I think 550 would be a more fair price for that gun.

I agree, but would go as high as $600. Hi Power prices aren't going to go down......ever.

 

[444]

"The gun fits my hand as if it had been custom made for me."


That is what the Browning Hi-Power has going for it that no other gun I have ever owned has going for it.

 

[il.bill]

Coles Distributing has a number a very nice Israeli surplus parkerized FN Hi Powers (they have them listed as "High Power" pistols) for sale on GunBroker.

I am very happy with one I purchased from them for less than $500 delivered to my local FFL dealer. I would get a second one in a heartbeat if I had the money to spare right now. Your pictures look nice, but $799 +tax seems somewhat high to me. The serial number shows: 9mm pistol number 3701 made in 1985.

 

[Pilot]

That is a very nice Hi Power. Try to work a deal for a bit less, and get it.

 

[Ben86]

High Powers fit most people's hand great. They are pretty sweet guns with a lot of character.

That looks like a nice one. Still, I wouldn't want to pay more than $600 for that one, $500 would be a deal. If I could get them down closer to $500 I'd go for it.

 

[RainDodger]

The serial number of mine is very similar, with the "PV"... without looking it up, that should be of 1985 manufacture.

 

[Rock185]

That appears to be a very clean MKII. I bought MKII years ago at a very good price, but I don't remember the last time I saw a clean FN/ Hi Power priced at $500-600. Maybe "FM"s, FEG, Arcus, Charles Daly, Surplus Israeli beaters, etc, but not nice FN/Brownings. FWIW, a very clean "PV"/1985 MKII, with box and paperwork,etc, sold on GunAuction today for just over $900.00+ shipping. Let us know if you get it for $500-600, If you do, I don't think you'd ever lose money on that one...

BTW, all the MKIIs had the forged frame. Later MKIIs had the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark and the firing pin safety, if that matters.

 

[Lucky Derby]

The PV in the serial number translates to 1985 manufacture.
This is a MKII. Forged frame and despite it not saying Portugal, it was assembled there. Sometime in the mid 70's all High Powers were "Made in Belgium, Assembled in Portugal". It wasn't until the late 80's that they started marking them that way however. Not that it makes a bit of difference. All FN made High Powers (excepting NAZI era guns) are extremely high quality. You will need to find a later gun though, if you want a firing pin safety. IMHO it is not needed as long as you make sure you have a good, strong firing pin spring.

For good info on HPs go to the late Sephen Camp's website
www.hipowersandhandguns.com

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I had one of these "NATO" Hi Powers new when they came out. Loved the gun at the $300+ I paid and while I am even happier with the pistol that I traded it for, I still wish I had bought the traded gun outright and kept my Hi Power.

I'm not too put off by the number starting with a 7 but it's too close to and in fact over $800 with tax and any other expenses for me to look twice at.

That said though, if it's relatively unused, if you pop for it and keep it long enough (forever?) the price will be immaterial.

 

[Sniper66]

As others have indicated, $799 is high. I have followed Browning HPs for years now and have seen the prices climb steadily. At the Tulsa Gun Show in November, I found 2-3 "mint" condition ones for $1200 and found a few used ones that I would rate about 80-85% for $600-$700. You have to decided if it's right for you.

 

[FM12]

Browning hi power= finest pistol ever made!! That's all, just the finest.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I've got one HP. Like the one in the photos above.

Ain't selling it.

Love to get an Ingus WW2 HP just to compare.

Now I used the P-35 in IPSC for many years. Used it cause 1911s tended to jam alot back then.

Many of my trophies I have are there not because I was a faster or more accurate shot but because my gun never jammed!

Hence I use Glocks today. Modern day High Power!

Kind of like a S&W model 10 .38. The P-35 and Glocks are real dependable guns. Not fancy but very dependable.

Deaf

 

[bikemutt]

Well, I found a different hi-power today on gunsamerica, $625, seemed every bit as nice, bought it. 1988 mfg so we shall see. The seller appeared to be an honest man on the phone, I'll post back when the rubber meets the road.

 

[SC Shooter]

I purchased one just like your awhile back for $450. It had a small star of David stamped on the right side as it came out of the Israeli army. I had it completely taken down, professionally blued, put original BHP walnut grips and have a beautiful weapon that spends a lot of time at the range

 

[bikemutt]

I was talking with an acquaintance this morning about wanting a Hi Power, he just happened to have one he was getting set to sell in order to finish his AR build, I just happened to have some cash with me, I ended up with this beauty, he ended up with 8 life-like pictures of Benjamin Franklin

Made in 1992 I believe, adjustable rear sight, dovetailed front sight , 2 mags, box and papers. Chromed, gold trigger, meticulously cared for, not a scratch on it. Can't wait to shoot it.

 

[1KPerDay]

sweet! That's one of my goals this year... finally get a Hi-Power. And a Colt SAA.

After I win the lottery, of course.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

I bought my first Hi-Power new back in '90 or so for the princely sum of $425! My second and third were around $450 each (both Practicals). I wound up selling the Practicals to fund some other purchase thinking I'd just get a couple more down the road. But then the Bush/Clinton bans came down the pipeline and the cost doubled overnight.:banghead: And they never really came back down- when Bud's gets one in they're going for $925. Luckily I still have that first one I ever bought. They can toss that one on my coffin right before the first shovel full of dirt.

A day or two ago the local Scheel's store had a used 9mm BHP that could pass for new. It's a newer mfg one and has five mags with it. They're asking $699 which is actually a pretty decent price nowadays. I might have picked it up if I hadn't just dropped $900 to finish paying off my HK USC.

FWIW the BHP is one of my all time favorite firearms. The ergonomics are spot-on and it shoots like a dream. The trigger isn't as good as a nicely tuned 1911 (what is?) but there's not much for non-1911 centerfire guns that can match the BHP. The Match triggers of my HKs are very good but not as good as my (tuned) BHP. For my money the only real way the BHP could be better would be if they had a small beavertail (like C&S welds on) to prevent hammer bite, and it could be 1/4" to 1/3" longer in the grip. I dunno if people had smaller hands back then or what but a smidge more grip would be nice, and add another round or two of capacity. Obviously they should ditch the mag disconnect but that's the first thing most people do anyway and it's pretty simple.

Sadly I probably won't ever get any more BHPs unless I win the lottery. The price is just getting a bit too high for me for what you get. As much as I love my old Hi-Power I could buy another HK P30S for $100 than a new HP, and have a better, more "modern" gun. It seems like parts and accessories for the Hi-Power are getting scarcer and scarcer nowadays.

 

[Fremmer]

Wow, nice pistol!!!