Browning Hi-power

Status
Not open for further replies.
Gordon said:
Bring $550 cash the day yoy look at it, tell him all you got is Five fiddy cash . :) 5 100s and a 50 should do it. Trust me . BTW early HPs don't usually do well with HP or SP ammo. But if you want it for a range shooter use ball FMJ ammo and it's all good. PS FMJ 9mm ammo worked on people for 100 years quite well.
Click to expand...
That's a fact. They were made to shoot ball ammo. Early Speer h/p ammo was a lead exposed hp and they would choke any HP.
 
351 WINCHESTER said:
That's a fact. They were made to shoot ball ammo. Early Speer h/p ammo was a lead exposed hp and they would choke any HP.
Click to expand...

So many people in this thread are delusional when it comes to what a BHP is worth. Only a fool would sell a 1970s BHP with strong bluing still intact for $550. I estimated $550 - $650 because of a 80% bluing statement. If the guns has 90% plus bluing then you are pushing closer to $700-$800 depending on configurtion. Also as far as JHP ammo some will feed some will not. If yours does not you can simply remove the hump in the feedramp and it will feed everything. Any good BHP can do it. Also what does early Speer JHP ammo have to do with this discussion? Is anyone using it for self defense. I doubt it.

The OP passed because the seller was realistic about the guns value and was not willing to give it away. I would love to see pics of peoples vintage 1970s BHPs that they picked up in the last year for $550 or less.I doubt most of the people quoting that number have one in the safe that they purchased at that price. o_O
 
Last edited:
The OP passed because the seller was realistic about the guns value and was not willing to give it away. I would love to see pics of peoples vintage 1970s BHPs that they picked up in the last year for $550 or less.I doubt most of the people quoting that number have one in the safe that they purchased at that price. o_O[/QUOTE]
I would have paid $800 if I wanted it, they are going up to 50% more for one like that now, not talking worn surplus stuff. I would have bought $660 cash tho and tried, obviously the guy has been following what they go for on GB . I am watching a .30 Luger one, a herry and of course not many are interested in the rare and weird caliber. But he won't go under $1200 , and I don't want to spend that much. Looks like I'll never own a factory .30 Luger Hi Power . I may put a Barsto .30 Luger barrel in an Argentine like new FN marked one I have tho.
 
WVsig said:
So many people in this thread are delusional when it comes to what a BHP is worth. Only a fool would sell a 1970s BHP with strong bluing still intact for $550. I estimated $550 - $650 because of a 80% bluing statement. If the guns has 90% plus bluing then you are pushing closer to $700-$800 depending on configurtion. Also as far as JHP ammo some will feed some will not. If yours does not you can simply remove the hump in the feedramp and it will feed everything. Any good BHP can do it. Also what does early Speer JHP ammo have to do with this discussion? Is anyone using it for self defense. I doubt it.

The OP passed because the seller was realistic about the guns value and was not willing to give it away. I would love to see pics of peoples vintage 1970s BHPs that they picked up in the last year for $550 or less.I doubt most of the people quoting that number have one in the safe that they purchased at that price. o_O
Click to expand...

Threadjack incoming!

I have a black apoxy 2012ish BHP MKIII I've been considering dumping.

What's a reasonable expectation on today's market? (Ignoring panic buying)
 
WVsig said:
So many people in this thread are delusional when it comes to what a BHP is worth. Only a fool would sell a 1970s BHP with strong bluing still intact for $550. I estimated $550 - $650 because of a 80% bluing statement. If the guns has 90% plus bluing then you are pushing closer to $700-$800 depending on configurtion. Also as far as JHP ammo some will feed some will not. If yours does not you can simply remove the hump in the feedramp and it will feed everything. Any good BHP can do it. Also what does early Speer JHP ammo have to do with this discussion? Is anyone using it for self defense. I doubt it.

The OP passed because the seller was realistic about the guns value and was not willing to give it away. I would love to see pics of peoples vintage 1970s BHPs that they picked up in the last year for $550 or less.I doubt most of the people quoting that number have one in the safe that they purchased at that price. o_O
Click to expand...
I merely used Speer ammo as an example as it was some of the first available commercial hollow point ammo. The fact of the matter is the early Brownings usually won't do well even with modern h/p ammo. Depending of the magazine they tend to take a nose dive on the very bottom of the feed ramp and will easily defeat the crimp and push the bullet into the case. Somewhere along the production Browning upgraded them to feed h/p ammo which could be a deal breaker, especially if you want a hd pistol with a mag. disconnect which is a pretty rare, but desirable thing for some folks.
 
351 WINCHESTER said:
I merely used Speer ammo as an example as it was some of the first available commercial hollow point ammo. The fact of the matter is the early Brownings usually won't do well even with modern h/p ammo. Depending of the magazine they tend to take a nose dive on the very bottom of the feed ramp and will easily defeat the crimp and push the bullet into the case. Somewhere along the production Browning upgraded them to feed h/p ammo which could be a deal breaker, especially if you want a hd pistol with a mag. disconnect which is a pretty rare, but desirable thing for some folks.
Click to expand...

https://hipowersandhandguns.com/9mm_hi_power_reliability.htm

Mk II Hi Power in the 1980's, FN changed the feed ramp to a "straight" design and since that time, Hi Powers are reliable with about any JHP I've tried. All of the Mk III pistols I've tried have also been reliable with high-performance ammunition.

Image249.jpg
 
351 WINCHESTER said:
I see they made a one piece barrel too.
Click to expand...

No FN continued to use 2 piece barrels. Those are barsto barrels. The lower one just happens to be a 2 piece barrel. Also it is a myth that all humped feed ramp BHPs would not feed JHPs. I have some they feed modern Speer Got Dots and Federal HST.
 
I desired a BHP for years but couldn't afford one at the old price. $800 for less than you really want today is outrageous. I ended up trading into a Hi Power practical with black slide, stainless frame, and rubber grips. Possibly my least desired version, and you know what? It's pretty great. It scratches the itch. A beautiful blued model simply isn't going to happen.
 
WVsig said:
No FN continued to use 2 piece barrels. Those are barsto barrels. The lower one just happens to be a 2 piece barrel. Also it is a myth that all humped feed ramp BHPs would not feed JHPs. I have some they feed modern Speer Got Dots and Federal HST.
Click to expand...
It's not a myth that they choke on hp ammo. Most will not feed them. They were designed to feed ball ammo, but if you have ones that do feed well that's great - maybe someone worked on the guns before you got them. I opened up my feed lips ever so slightly to get them to work, but I would not trust my life to them.
 
351 WINCHESTER said:
It's not a myth that they choke on hp ammo. Most will not feed them. They were designed to feed ball ammo, but if you have ones that do feed well that's great - maybe someone worked on the guns before you got them. I opened up my feed lips ever so slightly to get them to work, but I would not trust my life to them.
Click to expand...

Maybe read what I said closer and you will understand but probably not.... :thumbdown:

It is a myth that “ALL” older BHPs will choke on JHPs. Also if you altered the feed lips on the mag and then it ran that tells you something doesn't it... but then again probably not.

But like I always say when people want to get into pissing contests about the BHP with me. What do I know? I have only owned 20+ over the years and still own 12+ dating from the 1950s to 2014.

I bow to your expertise and your experience with your one older BHP.:thumbup:
 
Last edited:
We should be able to accept that some - that is some older hump-style HP feed ramps will process hollow point ammo , while many will not. That just seems factual and believable - forget the myth part.

Better put : Caution - some older High Powers that have the older style hump ramp do not function well with hollow point ammunition.
That is neat , tidy and , I think , uncontentious.
 
If you can find yourself an old REAL pistolsmith… he can straighten a humped feed ramp and extend that feed ramp by just a smidgen with a small weld. I have two barrels like that, where the feed ramp actually extends enough so that IF a cartridge tends to go nose-down, it only has to move a small amount forward and it will hit that feed ramp and go where it's user intended. Very nice indeed. I had never heard of a modification like that, but this was done by an actual Browning gunsmith, AT Browning. Lucky for me, he has been a family friend for many years. Unfortunately, he is long-retired and living in a senior care facility.
 
tark said:
This one was made in 68 and never fired. I'm assuming yours has the same sights and grips?
Click to expand...
I had that exact same vintage as an off duty bank in the 1990’s. That gun had more wear than the beauty you have. :thumbup:
The former Chief recalled all issued duty and off duty guns and they melted them all down. :(
If you buy it let us know how it shoots!

Stay safe.
 
I just bought a 1980 vintage one in Nickel with box and papers for 550 about 6 months ago. (friend price) I would expect to pay 700+ for that on GB and a friend just picked up an 80% Hi-Power at a LGS for $475 which while sound, seems to be a bit more used that what your buying.
If you buy it in the 500-600 range, your doing good. Especially if he has extra 13 rnd mags. Original mags are disappearing fast.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

U
  • Locked
Browning Hi-Power price.
2
Replies
45
Views
3K
rellascout
R
S
  • Locked
Help on Hi-Power value
Replies
4
Views
526
Stephen A. Camp
S
B
  • Locked
browning hi-power for newbie?
2 3
Replies
54
Views
3K
rellascout
R
M
  • Locked
Thinking Of Getting A Hi Power
2
Replies
40
Views
3K
johnnydollar
J
rpenmanparker
  • Locked
New Tisas Hi-Power clone
2 3
Replies
72
Views
10K
USBP379
USBP379
Back
Top