Costs: Hi-Power vs 1911

[txgunsuscg]

So I was thinking about getting one of the Hi-Powers that is on Gunbroker for under $500 used, and was doing research into cost for parts, etc. First, let me say that I love Browning's designs, both the 1911 and Hi-Power. I am, however, very confused at how Hi-Powers are so expensive. For example, a 1911 from Colt has a suggested retail of $883, a MKIII has a suggested retail of $1060. Parts are even worse: a mag release for 1911 - $23, for Hi-Power - $31. 1911 Slide stop - $25, HP slide stop - $170, 1911 safety - $24, HP safety - $116.

Can anyone explain this? Are there cheaper alternate sources (all my prices were for factory parts and were taken from the Colt website and Brownells)?

 

[Jim Watson]

Colt - Made in USA
Browning - made in foreign lands. Shipping, duty, and likely another layer of merchants to pay.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Factory new parts for a Browning, as you found, are ridiculous. I think that is FN/Browning's way of saying they do not like to fool with parts orders. What was said above certainly affects the retail price of quality import firearms. That said, retail is seldom paid, as dealers will bargain to make a sale, and the BHP is often fit and finished better than the usual 1911 item from Colt. Check out gunbroker for what items change hands for, at the end of the auctions for more realistic prices.

 

[robinkevin]

Also a lot of the Hi Power parts are built thicker and more robust than the 1911 parts. I don't know enough about either pistol to give details beyond that what I have read. The whole foreign parts have a lot to do with it as well. Look at cars, parts for my Toyota is a lot more than parts for my Chevy...

I have read that many parts on a 1911 will need replacing a lot more than parts on a HP, however once again I don't of yet have the hands on experience just what I have read from research.

 

[Ken Rainey]

Yep, I don't like it either...but there ain't no where near the demand for BHP parts as there are for 1911 parts....look at all the 1911 makers and parts sellers...more competition = lower prices. On the bright side, BHP factory parts are tough and rarely need replacing and there are a few after market suppliers with excellent parts as well...C&S comes to mind...

 

[eldon519]

Lots of competition between the dozens of 1911 manufacturers to drive down prices.

 

[bdb benzino]

Ya, I was going to get a Browning slide stop for my FEG PJK 9HP, as the FEG original is a little different. Thats what I found too, over $150 for just one little part!! You can almost get a Match grade 1911 barrel for that much, crazy!

 

[sirgilligan]

I can not explain the price differences. I do not have a 1911. I do have a Hi-Power. To me, it is worth every cent.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

For hipower parts, buy a used HP, sell off the parts you don't need on gunbroker, and the parts you keep will probably be paid for.

 

[rcmodel]

Browning Hi-Powers need parts??

rc

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Extractors and springs are nice to have. Slide stops can be had occasionally on ebay and gunbroker for $35-$50. I've never seen one break, but along with springs, etc, it's nice to have a spare.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Browning Hi-Powers need parts??

The firing pin retaining plate snapped in half on mine.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Suggested retail doesn't have much to do with actual cost. You can buy a new Hi Power for about $700 on some of the online sites.

 

[RetroMan]

...

 

[cactus02]

I fired my hi-power for forty years and only part that needed replacing was fireing pin stop. under twenty from numirich parts.

 

[Wags]

Prices can be found much more reasonable through Browning than distributors such as Brownells or MidwayUSA. Do a cost comparison first. And don't forget Browning Hi-Powers are very seldom on the disabled list. One of the most reliable pistol ever produced.

 

[surjimmy]

Get then both

 

[Pilot]

The FN made Hi Power is one of the highest quality, consistantly produced pistol out there. The price is well worth it. Its a pistol you will have for a lifetime.

 

[rellascout]

They are well built but you can make improvements on them with parts like those C&S sells which are not really any more expensive than their 1911 parts.

 

[txgunsuscg]

surjimmy, those are beautiful!

 

[PT92]

That has always been one of the pros to having two of the same (you can swap parts on the fly while waiting for replacement).

-Happy Holidays

 

[txgunsuscg]

This may be a topic for a new thread, but does the Hi-Power suffer from a marketing issue? I went to the gun show today and saw a total of 3 Hi-powers, all of them clones (an FM, and two FEGs). I can't remember the last time I saw one in stores. Could FN revitalize the line by adding some options? Maybe a MKIII with some C&S parts, or a Commander sized HP, or a tactical HP with a rail, or at least get rid of that retarded mag safety? The HP strikes me as an excellent pistol from all reports, but it hasn't branched out at all like the 1911, despite the fact that it was adopted by far more countries as a standard sidearm....

 

[Husker_Fan]

I love the Hi-Power. It is my favorite pistol, but the 1911 definitely has a marketing advantage. The 1911 is a quintessential American gun and was issue by our military for decades.

The other thing was the 10 year AWB. If you were limited to a 10 round magazine capacity, it might make more sense to some to get a 1911 with 8 rounds of .45, or a lightweight 9mm than an all steel Hi-Power.

 

[guyfromohio]

I've owned 2 modern Browning Hi-Powers and was not satisfied with either. My opinion? You'll spend far more getting the Browning to shoot how you need it to shoot. Gritty, sloppy trigger, prone to extraction issues, failures to hold open after the last shot, etc... they're beautiful guns and feel great in the hand, but I'd pass.

 

[Ken Rainey]

guyfromohio, I don't think your experience is the norm at all...the only problem I've ever experienced with a BHP was from some faulty underpowered ammunition (win white box). I've got 2 at present and including them, have owned 2 new, 2 imported old military, and 1 other used one and all functioned just fine....now the triggers - yep, they need a little help but can be made usable with just a little attention. I do think the factory would help themselves by attending to the trigger pulls and the mag safety as well since it effects the trigger pull...however, I would have to vote for the BHP as being one of the most reliable steel 9mms to be had.