One of the guns on my list is a Browning Hi-Power. I’m somewhat familiar with the 3 different generations and don’t really have much preference of which gen based on what I’ve read.

A nice example will go for $1000+. I’ve seen some Cerakoted ones on GunBroker for $600-700.

My interest isn’t so much in collecting. I’d just like to have a nice shooter.

I came across these surplus ones. They look pretty rough but only cost about $450. Would they be worthwhile being Cerakoted? Would there be potentially other issues to worry about? Is this a bad idea that I should skip and just spend the $600-700 for a Cerakoted one on GB?

https://www.mach1arsenal.com/index.php? ... 38ui46id53


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I love them too, and a few years ago Cabelas had some similar-looking Hi-Powers that were imported from Israel, for about that same price.

As soon as I picked one up, I lost interest. I don't require that my guns be in pristine condition, but those were too rough even for me.

But . . . beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you may feel differently.

Are you stuck on it being an actual browning?

We saw some pretty affordable clones at SHOT.

I've got one in the safe but havent touched it in years as it is in like new condition. I'm not sure if I have shot it or not. Cool guns, but not firing without a mag is kind of lame IMO. Very accurate and comfortable to hold!

That’s what I worry about. I get that they’ll be in rough shape and that I’d have to get some work done on one. But I’m not sure I’d be in over my head on one of these.

Is it just a Cerakote job? Will it require some kind of metal filling or grinding to smooth out giant dings? Is it a complete tear down and rebuild of the gun? Is it just replacing a couple of springs? Will this $450 gun wind up costing me $1500?

It doesn’t help that I honestly have no idea how much a gunsmith would charge to do any of this stuff.


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If I’m gonna do this, i think I’d like an actual Browning. DJ’s Loan has one made by FM, which I had never heard of. It looked pretty nice and was about $500 if I remember right. But it wasn’t a Browning...

On the other hand if there’s a good quality clone like PTR and Zenith are for H&K, maybe I’d be ok with that since I’m really just looking for a good shooter.

The magazine disconnecter is dumb to me too. But that’s something removable, as I understand it.


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It can be removed, a friend had his done. It can be done at home but it isn't a super easy one. Never tried to do it myself, the trigger on mine is really good and I dont plan to carry it - it would bother me a lot more in that scenario.

Here is a little porn- mine is nice but not 100%. I gave about $600 for it at a WAC show 8 or 9 years ago.

I’ll give you $700 for it. :)


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You can’t go wrong with a BHP. I jumped on the bandwagon a couple of years ago and fully endorse having one in your collection. I have a couple that I won’t shoot so I picked up a shooter from a buddy that I can. It’s been around the block but is a freaking taco driver.

Fun fact: the Hi-Power is the only handgun officially issued to opposing armies in WWII.

Spoiler: show

Oh yeah, the two I don’t shoot. On the left, my Nazi-marked version made in occupied Belgium. On the right, an Inglis HP made in Canada under Chinese contract.

Attachment:

B0275E0F-76D5-42E9-B0BD-11E229A9DEE8.jpeg

Soft taco or crisp taco? :)



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Interesting. Apparently my phone autocorrected tack to taco. Because it knows how much I like tacos!

It gave me a laugh. :)

Thanks for the input. I haven’t shot a Hi-Power in a really long time. I remember liking it and I’d like to get one before the silly magazine limits get passed by the legislature. Or maybe I’ll just buy a bunch of mags for a gun I don’t yet own.


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I bought a surplus Israeli Browning Hi-Power from Bud's Guns a few years back for $349 with free shipping and here is the thread I created on the resurrection I performed on it. I did a rust bluing job on it that another member "cruffler" (Tom) had taught and helped me to do. It was very rewarding.

https://www.waguns.org//viewtopic.php?f=35&t=69771&hilit=+hi+power

Page two of this thread shows the finished pistol. Beautiful!

https://www.waguns.org//viewtopic.php?f=48&t=69994&hilit=+hi+power

1. You can remove the magazine safety disconnect. I've done it on half a dozen Hi-Powers.
2. The main reason for removing the mag disconnect is because IT DOES improve the trigger.

Here is my prize possession BHP. It has the original factory installed SFS (Safety Fast Shooting) system. I created a thread when I had this re-blued by another member on here that turned out to be less than credulous. I can't remember his handle but his business was called Mike Wiliamson Guns and he was from Stanwood.

This thread has before and after pics of my re-blued FNH BHP SFS Pistol.

https://www.waguns.org//viewtopic.php?f=40&t=50591&hilit=+hi+power

My FNH BHP SFS gun porn with major wood........ grips that is!

https://www.waguns.org//viewtopic.php?f=40&t=50808

This video explains the safety fast shooting system. It is a single action ONLY gun that can be carried on "safe" by pushing the hammer forward and flipping the safety lever to fire single action.

I've got two Hi Powers, neither one FN nor FM. Both mine are Canadian made Inglis pistols, a manufacturer better known for fridges and ovens.The first one I acquired is a bit of a mutt, several years agi Nummrich was selling Hi Power stripped slides and frames for about 110 dollars. I prdered a set, it showed up, and was a WWII Canadian made Inglis slide and frame, matching numbers. Over the years I slowly acquired the parts to assemble it from Canadian surplus, Hungarian copies and a bit of luck. Chasing down the parts was most of the fun.

About a year after completing it, I walked into the gun room at the Tulalip Cabelas and they had about 5 Hi Powers in the display case. All were Argentinian made FMs.......except one. That was another Canadian made Inglis Hi Power. It was the same price as the others, 349.95. I left with it.

A couple months ago finally found an Inglis made magazine, 75 dollars. Now one if my Hi Powers is complete.

Fantastic pistols. As has been noted, many people do not like the magazine safety.

New clone just over $500 - Tisas Regent
https://www.brownells.com/firearms/handguns/semi-auto/regent-br9-9mm-4-6-13-1-prod118691.aspx
Know nothing about it, except that Brownells recently sent me an email announcing they had em...

Are you sure that wasn't "FN"??

Frabricaciones Militares (FM) is an Argentine manufacturer of Hi-Power clones.

FN is Fabrique Nationale Herstal and these are the Belgian made originals that took over manufacture of the Hi-Power after John Browning died in 1926. The Browning Hi-Power was John Browning’s last patented design before his death.

So no mistake. There is an FM and an FN when it comes to Hi-Powers. The FN is the more desirable IMHO.


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