Browning Hi-power

[Dazen]

I picked up a Kareen (Browning Hi Power clone) a few months back for $350. That's when I discovered that the Browning HP is for me. I've never had a pistol that I could shoot really good with before tell I purchased this Browning HP clone. So down the rabbit hole I'm going and I purchased my first real Browning Hi Power.

I appreciate it if some of you could chime in and give me some information on this pistol that I purchased. I looked up the serial number 245RN and it's dated to be 1979. I noticed the only serial number on it is on the front of the the frame where you grip with your hand. The barrel and slide are not serialized at least not on the outside. I have yet to take it home and take it apart and inspect it. I'm really excited to take it to the range this weekend.

 

[Dazen]

This is the only magazine that came with the pistol I can't find any markings whatsoever on it so I don't know if it's an actual Browning mag or aftermarket. I just noticed when I took out the magazine and was inspecting it a Little closer, the back side of the grips are red.

 

[jonnyc]

If a true BHP, both the slide and barrel should be serialized on the right side. The sights are not original to the slide, so perhaps the numbers were removed during the 'smithing process.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Those are factory adjustable "beer can" sights which could be correct for a '79 slide with the pressed-in bushing.

My T-series with 2-peice barrel is not serialized on the barrel or slide, but I have an older "combat" slide which does have a number on it.

The magazine does appear to be aftermarket, as every factory mag Ive seen has at least a few miscellaneous letters and numbers stamped into it, and usually the round-counter holes are marked.

If you can find them, the Mecgar mags with helper-springs are good-to-go.

 

[Dazen]

Thank you for the replys, does not look like I am going to make it to the range this weekend. Sure hope it shoots like the Kareen does.

 

[hso]

Order several MecGar BHP magazines as fast as you can and check for an appropriate era factory. I own several Hi Powers and find the MecGar to be excellent mags.

 

[Nature Boy]

Congrats on acquiring a nice BHP!

 

[HOWARD J]

Thank you for the replys, does not look like I am going to make it to the range this weekend. Sure hope it shoots like the Kareen does.

You will enjoy this gun !
I have a nickel plated P35 & it is the most accurate of all the handguns I have.
I cheated & put an ajustable sight on the rear sight.

 

[WVsig]

If a true BHP, both the slide and barrel should be serialized on the right side. The sights are not original to the slide, so perhaps the numbers were removed during the 'smithing process.

You are incorrect. Those are what are known as Beer Can sights and are 100% period correct for a 1979 gun.

Those are factory adjustable "beer can" sights which could be correct for a '79 slide with the pressed-in bushing.

My T-series with 2-peice barrel is not serialized on the barrel or slide, but I have an older "combat" slide which does have a number on it.

The magazine does appear to be aftermarket, as every factory mag Ive seen has at least a few miscellaneous letters and numbers stamped into it, and usually the round-counter holes are marked.

If you can find them, the Mecgar mags with helper-springs are good-to-go.

You are correct on the beef can sights and the serial number on FN 2 piece barrels but you are incorrect on the magazine. It is a FN/Browning mag correct for the period. It is the same mag that shipped with T series, C series and early MKIIs.

I picked up a Kareen (Browning Hi Power clone) a few months back for $350. That's when I discovered that the Browning HP is for me. I've never had a pistol that I could shoot really good with before tell I purchased this Browning HP clone. So down the rabbit hole I'm going and I purchased my first real Browning Hi Power.

I appreciate it if some of you could chime in and give me some information on this pistol that I purchased. I looked up the serial number 245RN and it's dated to be 1979. I noticed the only serial number on it is on the front of the the frame where you grip with your hand. The barrel and slide are not serialized at least not on the outside. I have yet to take it home and take it apart and inspect it. I'm really excited to take it to the range this weekend.

What you have is a 1979 MKII with Beer Can adjustable sights. The gun appears to my uneducated eyes to be stock. The grips are correct for the period as well. They have the proper red backing which is a protectant of some sort to protect the wood from moisture. It looks to be in excellent condition. Enjoy it.

The small numb thumb safety and spur hammer are stock. Again to my eyes this gun is in stock configuration. I do not see any signs that it has had any parts changes. Is the mag disconnect still in the gun?

The magazine is also period correct. It has the correct finish and the notch cut out which is found on mags of that period.

 

[Dazen]

Yes the mag disconnect is still in the gun. I had taken it out of the Kareen that I own. The trigger in that was atrocious. This Browning has a nice trigger even with the disconnect in it so I am going to leave it be.

A lot of the fun about owning some of these older firearms like this is researching it and learning about different makes and models. Thank you all for your time once again. This helps me ask the right questions since I am completely new to BHP.

 

[danez71]

....appears to my uneducated eyes.....

You are certainly knowledgeable.

 

[hannstv]

I would recommend you drop in on the highpowersandhandguns.com. This site is still up and has some great hi power information. It is the work of the late Stephen Camp. I, too, am a fan of this pistol.

 

[Ironicaintit]

I would recommend you drop in on the highpowersandhandguns.com. This site is still up and has some great hi power information. It is the work of the late Stephen Camp. I, too, am a fan of this pistol.

that is a very good site. His load development is what spurred me to not be a wuss when working up a load for mine.

 

[WVsig]

Yes the mag disconnect is still in the gun. I had taken it out of the Kareen that I own. The trigger in that was atrocious. This Browning has a nice trigger even with the disconnect in it so I am going to leave it be.

A lot of the fun about owning some of these older firearms like this is researching it and learning about different makes and models. Thank you all for your time once again. This helps me ask the right questions since I am completely new to BHP.

If it were me I would remove it. At the same time replace the trigger return spring with a heavier spring from Wolff or BHSS and you will have an even better trigger.

 

[bannockburn]

Dazen

Had a beautiful T Series many years ago. Absolutely gorgeous on the outside but totally the opposite when it came to actually using it. It had a horrible trigger, tiny nearly impossible to see fixed sights, and a thumb safety that required a mallet to put it on or take it off.

Bought a "new and improved" Mk.II shortly after they were introduced and found myself finally with a Hi-Power that shoots great with easy to see sights, has a fantastic trigger without having to remove the mag safety, along with an ambi thumb safety that works to perfection.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Have only one hi power, a MKIII.
Pretty much right away I bought a spring kit from bhss, removed the mag disconnect and a bought an ambi safety and cut the right side off.

A good friend of mine who doesn't own any guns but goes shooting with me calls my hi power a lingerie model. Pretty good to look at even better to hold.
Its currently in Vegas at MK3 firearms getting some work done.

 

[Dazen]

I would recommend you drop in on the highpowersandhandguns.com. This site is still up and has some great hi power information. It is the work of the late Stephen Camp. I, too, am a fan of this pistol.

What an excellent read, glad to now know about this gem!

 

[Speedo66]

Just to clarify, that site address starts with "hipowers" not "highpowers", so it's
www.hipowersandhandguns.com

 

[a2x4bbl]

I bought both of Stephen Camps books . Money well spent . Cylinder and Slide sells hi quality Hi- Power parts with excellent detailed instructions. Out of the box my trigger was 9 lbs . No creep just heavy . Got it down to 4 . A lot of people have never heard of a Hi-Power , but once they put it in their hand and shoot it , they want one . I wish I had bought a second one before they discontinued them .

 

[Grayrock]

I have a 1973 vintage pistol. I am assuming it came with the mag disconnect feature. However, I can dry fire it with no mag in it. Could it be gummed up and just not functioning or might it have been disabled? How can I tell?

 

[Dazen]

Here is a video of a guy removing it. He points it out at the 1:20. That should give you an idea of what to look for to see if it's installed.

 

[Dazen]

I thoroughly enjoy shooting this pistol, planning on adding a SA 35 to the bunch when they become readily available. Btw that's really good shooting for me at 20 yards

 

[lysanderxiii]

I have a 1973 vintage pistol. I am assuming it came with the mag disconnect feature. However, I can dry fire it with no mag in it. Could it be gummed up and just not functioning or might it have been disabled? How can I tell?

Look for the pin indicated. If there is just a hole, the magazine disconnect has been removed. If the trigger is blank in this spot, the disconnect was never installed (most WW2 FN production for Germany). If the pin is there, but the magazine disconnect doesn't work, pull off the slide (no magazine, obviously) and look at the tripping lever (the part that goes up and down when you pull the trigger), push it forward, if it stays there, the magazine disconnect is still installed just gummed up, if it springs back, the disconnect has been removed.

 

[Grayrock]

Thanks Dazen and lysanderxiii: That was the exact info I needed. Seems at some point the mag disconnect was removed. I didn't do it. My dad (from whom I inherited the pistol) didn't do it. He got it at some point in the late 70's; probably in a barter agreement with a client.

With that discovery revealed, how does it affect the value? This is one of the few guns I got from my dad that he did NOT take the dremel tool to and engrave his name and SS# on the frame.

 

[bannockburn]

lysanderxiii

Yeah, I left the mag disconnector in there because the trigger was so light and clean right out of the box that I didn't want to mess around with it!