First Hi-Power

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andrewdl007

andrewdl007

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I’ve loved the Hi-Power for years and am finally looking to get my own. I’m looking for a fixed sight version and I will be shooting it so while I love historic models I’d probably want something a little newer. Are there any models (say post 1970) I should aim for or avoid?
 
andrewdl007

Have had a couple of earlier Hi-Powers from the '60s and the '70s but the best shooting one is my MK.II from the mid '80s. While it doesn't have the beautiful deep blue finish or the finely checkered walnut stocks of previous models, this gun can flat out shoot! Finally I have sights I can actually see, an ambi safety that I can easily use, and a trigger that's light and clean right out of the box! Didn't care for the factory plastic grips so I replaced them with a full wrap-around set from Pachmayr. My regular companion on every trip to the range!
G39jFmH.jpg
 
If you are looking for a high round count shooter, something you can put 15,000-20,000 rounds through I would go with a MKIII. I prefer the forged frame dimensions and feel in the hand but the MKIIIs cast frame is stronger and will last longer with proper recoil spring changed. It will have more modern dovetail sights which can be replaces with some direct replacements or much easier milling than early guns like the MKII. The Ambi safety is the best of the breed even though I prefer a single sided safety. Be prepared in todays market to pay somewhere in the $650-$900 range for a VG to LNIB MKIII.
 
I have a "T" series made in 68. It's really pretty, but the sights are practically invisible and the safety is crap. The trigger isn't all that great, either. But if you're looking for a duty gun, and it appears that you are, by all means get one like bannockburn's
 
I have a ‘72 C series that is well worn and awesome, and a ‘92 mkIII that is my battered constant companion.

they’re all good, but the mkIII IMO is the best of the bunch.
 
Bannockburn: said:
Have had a couple of earlier Hi-Powers from the '60s and the '70s but the best shooting one is my MK.II from the mid '80s. While it doesn't have the beautiful deep blue finish or the finely checkered walnut stocks of previous models, this gun can flat out shoot! Finally I have sights I can actually see, an ambi safety that I can easily use, and a trigger that's light and clean right out of the box! Didn't care for the factory plastic grips so I replaced them with a full wrap-around set from Pachmayr. My regular companion on every trip to the range!
Click to expand...

I have an identical MKII right down to the Pachmayr grips. I agree with most of the comments although I’d like better sights in Novak dovetails.
 
Ironicaintit said:
So, which one is?
I’m not a true connoisseur, and not nearly as well versed in them as you...
I only have the two!
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I was sort of joking in the end the best is really subjective and conditional. A lot has to do with the intended task of the pistol. For a carry gun the Alloy framed guns are the best. For a stock high round count shooter MKIIIs. I prefer the blued version. The epoxy is durable but takes away from the beauty of the gun IMHO. If I am going to do custom work for a BBQ gun then a T series, practical or MKII chromed gun so the grip strap can be checkered because if the location of the serial number.

My personal favorite is the early forged frame MKIII. No drain hole, no rib on the top of the side or hog nosed bushing. Slimmer frame but good hard forging, stronger than earlier guns but not as strong as cast. This is a pretty subjective choice but it is my preferred version.

For a collector gun you can’t beat a 1965-1968 T series. The last of the hand finished BHPs.
 
I bought a HiPower in the early '90's... it was a Belgian made, Portuguese assembled version... and was a piece of junk. The slide was so loose, it rattled on the frame like a '68 Ford pickup going down a bumpy dirt road. The finish quickly started to wear as well. It was a gloss blue version with adjustable sights... a very nice pistol, but not what I wanted in a HiPower.

I'm not all up on all the HiPower versions... but I do know that I want a '60's Belgian in good condition. I found one at the last gunshow I went to... it was $1200, which seemed like a fair price, but would have taken every cent I had on me... so I had to, reluctantly, walk away from it.
 
Charlie98 said:
I bought a HiPower in the early '90's... it was a Belgian made, Portuguese assembled version... and was a piece of junk. The slide was so loose, it rattled on the frame like a '68 Ford pickup going down a bumpy dirt road. The finish quickly started to wear as well. It was a gloss blue version with adjustable sights... a very nice pistol, but not what I wanted in a HiPower.

I'm not all up on all the HiPower versions... but I do know that I want a '60's Belgian in good condition. I found one at the last gunshow I went to... it was $1200, which seemed like a fair price, but would have taken every cent I had on me... so I had to, reluctantly, walk away from it.
Click to expand...

Was the gun new or used? High round count BHPs will rattle. Any gloss blue pistol will wear quickly. I am not sure that can be considered a knock on the BHP. As to the assembled in Portugal since somewhere in the late 1970s all the the BHPs produced were assembled in Portugal. Some believe and I am in this camp that some BHPs were assembled there as early as 1973. In FN bought the factory/plant in Viana, Portugal plant in 1973. Somewhere in 1973 FN started assembly of "sporting arms" there. Sometime thereafter that BHPs were part of that production. In 1972-1974 FN made a big push to lower production costs. The plant in Viana was a big part of that. It can be assumed that BHP production was moved there shortly after 1974 if not before.

If I was looking for a 1960s BHP I would look at a T or early C. Honestly a C series up until about 1975 are the same guns as a 1969-1972 T series. The T vs C designation is simply a FN Herstal inventory code. A VG to Excellent condition gun of that vintage will cost you $1200-$1800 these days. That market is way over priced. IMHO Oh and the blue on those guns will wear just as fast as your old one.
 
I’ve also got one like Bannockburn’s—it’s my first so I don’t have a lot to compare it too. I wrote a detailed post here when I first got it late last year.
 
Kevin Rohrer said:
The MkIII in .40cal is the one you should be shooting for (pun intended). Major calibers for men, minor for all else.
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IMHO the BHP in 40 is the worst of the breed. The balance, shootability and longevity of the gun are all greatly compromised. It is slow back to the target. The caliber was shoehorned into the design because of the growth of the caliber in the US. Really it turns an elegant shooting handgun into something that batters and shooter and the gun needlessly.
 
Thank you all for your answers. I definitely think I will look at a MKII or MKIII. I like the sound of the better sights over the old style and never thought about the ambi thumb safety, but my wife shoots lefty so that will make it easier for her.
 
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