Karl Sokol Browning Hi Power Build

Status
Not open for further replies.
Bannockburn: said:
My Mk.II was an early production one and while it does have the "Made In Belgium" rollmark it does not have the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmark.

I have a late production MKII that is identical to yours, rubber Pachmayr grips included. But it has both the "Made In Belgium" and the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmarks. It’s bone stock and the more I shoot it the more I want to keep it that way.
 
Last edited:
There's not that many smiths out there who really know what their doing with a BHP.

There are a few that immediately come to mind. Sokol is one, obviously. There's also The Action Works/Don Williams, Estate Sporting Limited/Ted Yost and Jim Garthwaite. Another is Novak although it is now a shop operation instead of one man. Likely similar to Wilson Combat in that regard.
 
JDR

It’s bone stock and the more I shoot it the more I want to keep it that way.

With the exception of replacing the factory grips with Pachmayrs I also left my Hi-Power just as it came out of the box (did kind of miss it coming with a pistol rug though). The trigger was amazing, especially compared with the last T Series I had before this one. The sights were spot on and the safety was a joy to use. Best Hi-Power I have ever shot!
 
SSNVet: said:
There's not that many smiths out there who really know what their doing with a BHP... I'm glad to see you found one.

Recently I asked a few local “gunsmiths“, both younger guys, about cutting dovetails in my MKII slide so that I could put better sights on it. They begged off when faced with doing actual machine work on a customer’s gun, and I’m very glad they did!

In this age where a lot of this work is swapping parts on Glocks and AR’s, you have to search out the grey haired gunsmiths with milling machines!
 
In this age where a lot of this work is swapping parts on Glocks and AR’s, you have to search out the grey haired gunsmiths with milling machines!

I don't know how old Karl Beining is but I don't think he's as old as Karl Sokol, Ted Yost or Jim Garthwaite. Maybe he is. Regardless, he appears to do nice work. Another option for a younger Hi Power gunsmith is Jason Burton. Jodi Gritus also comes to mind although I'm not sure what she's doing/who she's working for now that Robar is closed.
 
There are a few that immediately come to mind. Sokol is one, obviously. There's also The Action Works/Don Williams, Estate Sporting Limited/Ted Yost and Jim Garthwaite. Another is Novak although it is now a shop operation instead of one man. Likely similar to Wilson Combat in that regard.

Well that's 5... and I'd add Bill Laughridge's crew at Cylinder and Slide....

And as I stated.... that's not very many.
 
Ah, yes. How did I forget C&S?

Not a ton but I'm sure we're missing a few. Plus I'm sure someone like Virgil Tripp (who is predominantly an STI and/or 1911 smith) can install sights and things of that nature.

Also need to add Mars Armament to the list. They list a few BHP services on their site.
 
Ah, yes. How did I forget C&S?

Not a ton but I'm sure we're missing a few. Plus I'm sure someone like Virgil Tripp (who is predominantly an STI and/or 1911 smith) can install sights and things of that nature.

Also need to add Mars Armament to the list. They list a few BHP services on their site.

Also add Bob Cogsn of APW Cogan. He has been doing BHP work forever.
 
Also add Bob Cogsn of APW Cogan. He has been doing BHP work forever.

Yeah, see. I knew I was forgetting someone.

Cogan is like Sokol. Known for doing good work but neither get much press nowadays.
 
Recently I asked a few local “gunsmiths“, both younger guys, about cutting dovetails in my MKII slide so that I could put better sights on it. They begged off when faced with doing actual machine work on a customer’s gun, and I’m very glad they did!

In this age where a lot of this work is swapping parts on Glocks and AR’s, you have to search out the grey haired gunsmiths with milling machines!


Novak's recently milled dovetails and installed their excellent combat sights in my P35..The workmanship was first rate and price was very reasonable...
 
Novak's recently milled dovetails and installed their excellent combat sights in my P35..The workmanship was first rate and price was very reasonable...

Did you have anything else done besides sights?

Would you mind posting a picture or two?
 
Since the slide had to be refinished after the milling I asked them to bead blast all the factory "paint" off (this was an ex EU police gun) and blue the slide. Excellent job I will post pics later today..
 
A


By request..
 
I have a late production MKII that is identical to yours, rubber Pachmayr grips included. But it has both the "Made In Belgium" and the "Assembled in Portugal" rollmarks. It’s bone stock and the more I shoot it the more I want to keep it that way.

I have Hi-Powers and High Powers and there is a difference. My favorite is the Belgium machined and Portuguese assembled as it shoots any FMJ or JHP I've tried so far. Which I can't say for the others in the safe.

 
What is the difference between the hi power and high power
It is kind of simple; if a BHP is roll stamped High Power, it was made by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium. If the BHP is marked “Browning Arms Company,” then it is a Hi-Power.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/ar...known-facts-about-the-fn-browning-high-power/

If you didn't know don't feel bad as I have each and although I saw the difference on the pistols; I didn't know what it meant until a few years ago.. ;) Learning what the difference was taught me to enjoy a laugh at myself.



 
It is kind of simple; if a BHP is roll stamped High Power, it was made by Fabrique Nationale in Belgium. If the BHP is marked “Browning Arms Company,” then it is a Hi-Power.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/ar...known-facts-about-the-fn-browning-high-power/

If you didn't know don't feel bad as I have each and although I saw the difference on the pistols; I didn't know what it meant until a few years ago.. ;) Learning what the difference was taught me to enjoy a laugh at myself.



Really it is only a naming convention difference to avoid confusion with the Brown High Power rifle sold in the US market. The guns themselves are the same. They rolled off the same lines in the same factories.
 
Really it is only a naming convention difference to avoid confusion with the Brown High Power rifle sold in the US market. The guns themselves are the same. They rolled off the same lines in the same factories.

No one said they weren't made on the same machines and assembled in the same factory. The OP asked what is the difference between a High Power and a Hi-Power which was answered and accompanied with a link to the source.
 
No one said they weren't made on the same machines and assembled in the same factory. The OP asked what is the difference between a High Power and a Hi-Power which was answered and accompanied with a link to the source.

Don’t get your panties in a bunch. The OP didn’t ask they question someone else did. They are the same gun. There is no “difference”. The only difference is two letters. Why add to the mountain of miss leading information regarding the BHP.
Vanderlinden is of course historically correct but today the distinction is moot. Both are used interchangeably.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top