Question about a new Browning Hi Power

[Jim PHL]

I'm considering a new or 'gently used' BHP for my next handgun purchase. I really like the fixed sites and no frills finish on the late model MkIII's. I've seen NIB standard models in this configuration for a little over $800. Lately I've noticed a couple of the "75th Anniversary Model" selling at just over $700.

Does anyone own, or have you handled, a new "75th Anniversary Model"? It appears to be a current MkIII with a polished blue finish instead of the usual matte black, checkered walnut grips instead of the current plastic ones and of course the commemorative engraving on the top of the slide. The sites and safeties appear to be the same. What are the other differences? I would think if they were the same other than these three things, the commemorative would be the more expensive of the 2?

 

[rellascout]

The 75ths are being blown out. A lot of them were moved to CDNN and then those in the Davidson network were also discounted. I think they just want to move the old stock.

CDNN is the cheapest I have seen for NIB guns. If I were in the market for a NIB gloss blue I would get the 75th because of the price. I am not a huge fan of engraving in general but the BHP is tastefully done. IMHO.

The blueing on the standard and the 75th is some of the nicest modern deep blueing in have seen.

 

[wow6599]

Yeah, I've got one. Here is the thread discussing it - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=586346

 

[SSN Vet]

I picked mine up from CDNN and really like it....

The blueing on the standard and the 75th is some of the nicest modern deep blueing in have seen.

It really is a beauty.... on par with Colts Royal Blue imho.

Even quality of the finish inside the slide is impressive, with very few tool marks.

It has been reported that the blue finish is not the most durable and will show holster ware, but I have other tools for carry.... this one is purely for enjoyment.

I've just put another 100 rounds of my own reloads through it Saturday and have not had one single issue of any kind with the gun since I purchased it in February.

The stock grips were to blocky for me, so I picked up a pair of Navidrex Micarta's .... the thin model, and it totally changed (huge improvement) the way the pistol feels in my hand.

The trigger pull is heavy (12 lbs. on my Lyman digital) and has a somewhat gritty take up due to the mag safety, but it breaks very clean & crisp. I did my homework and removed the mag. safety myself. This got rid of the gritty take up, but did nothing for the pull weight. So I ordered a reduced power hammer spring, which I have yet to install, but is reported to reduce the pull weight down to the 5 lbs range.

I'm kind of a trgger freak though.... YMMV

Don't be fooled by the price.... the 75th anniversary was 1935 to 2010. The year of jubilee is over and they want to move the unsold stock.

As far as I can tell, the "standard" is a polished blue finish version of the MK-III. And the 75th anniversary edition was an especially nice polished blue standard with the engraving on the slide.