I hear you Denis but its not like the all the existing BHPs got vaporized. They will be here long after we all have left the earth. IMHOThe core issue is the death of an icon.
We'll see the same thing happen when Colt eventually lets the Peacemaker go.
Lotta words on "But, Rugers are a BETTER single-action", by those who don't understand what the Peacemaker embodies.
I was saddened to see Walther drop the P-38 back in the 90s.
It ain't a matter of "What's Better."
It's a matter of history.
"Progress" marches on, but it's still hard to let ground-breaking classics & pivotal pieces of firearms development go.
Denis
Browning HP Discontinued
- Thread starter DPris
- Start date
themalicious0ne
New member
RickB & WVsig,
I did not at all mean to imply that those brands or guns are better at all or that the only reason people would buy one is for nostalgia. I have shot the BHP before and honestly I intended it to be my next steel, da/sa handgun. I liked it a lot as well. I still want one. I only meant that there were many comparable offerings for a lower price point and why there was less popularity for the BHP. And nostalgia does play a role in many peoples purchasing decisions. But, there are a large number of 1st time firearms buyers and with so many more cost effective options, there isn't as much demand for the BHP even though it is a great gun and many people like it. Realistically when you think about it, and I would love to see the actual numbers, I would bet that 9 out of every 10 handguns purchased were cheaper than the BHP.
I did not at all mean to imply that those brands or guns are better at all or that the only reason people would buy one is for nostalgia. I have shot the BHP before and honestly I intended it to be my next steel, da/sa handgun. I liked it a lot as well. I still want one. I only meant that there were many comparable offerings for a lower price point and why there was less popularity for the BHP. And nostalgia does play a role in many peoples purchasing decisions. But, there are a large number of 1st time firearms buyers and with so many more cost effective options, there isn't as much demand for the BHP even though it is a great gun and many people like it. Realistically when you think about it, and I would love to see the actual numbers, I would bet that 9 out of every 10 handguns purchased were cheaper than the BHP.
JoeSixpack
New member
Actually I mentioned earlier about my Uncles FEG clone and how he babied it, was his pride and joy.
It did have a really nice blued finish on it I will admit.
There was a time they made a very nice blued HP clone. The FEGs and the FM were the best of the clones IMHO. I would love to get my hands on a FM Detective BHP. I passed on a few years ago including one that had been customized by Novak. Should of gotten that one.
muzzleblast...
New member
I virtually never see a BHP is a gunshop case. When I ask why, the answer is virtually always that it takes too long for them to sell. It can't all be about price because most of the stores have some pretty high priced German polymer handguns in the cases.
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By far the biggest piece of the handgun market today is carry pieces; handguns that can be carried (most often concealed), drawn, and fired by simply pulling the trigger or at most swiping off a safety and pulling the trigger. The single action Hi-Power is larger and somewhat heavier to carry, and considered by many to be less safe when carried with the hammer cocked and safety engaged (arguable). As a result, the Hi-Power is simply not a very good fit for the intended purpose by most of those buying handguns today.
Plenty of people like the Hi-Power, but I doubt very many individuals carry them or even choose them for home defense. I own one myself but don't use it for those purposes, and if I didn't own a handgun and wanted one for those purposes, I wouldn't choose a Hi-Power.
I've watch the handgun market change drastically over the last 5-10 years. And nobody knows this better than those producing and selling handguns. It is what it is.
I've owned a few 9mms over the years; a Glock 19, a Star 28, a CZ75, a Kahr CT9, a Colt 1911, and a couple of Hi-Powers. Most of the people I've seen handle a Hi-Power comment on how comfortable they are to hold. As I said in an earlier post, a great design. But as with any other gun, it's not without it's limitations. It's just not a good fit for the majority of today's handgun buyers.
Plenty of people like the Hi-Power, but I doubt very many individuals carry them or even choose them for home defense. I own one myself but don't use it for those purposes, and if I didn't own a handgun and wanted one for those purposes, I wouldn't choose a Hi-Power.
I've watch the handgun market change drastically over the last 5-10 years. And nobody knows this better than those producing and selling handguns. It is what it is.
I've owned a few 9mms over the years; a Glock 19, a Star 28, a CZ75, a Kahr CT9, a Colt 1911, and a couple of Hi-Powers. Most of the people I've seen handle a Hi-Power comment on how comfortable they are to hold. As I said in an earlier post, a great design. But as with any other gun, it's not without it's limitations. It's just not a good fit for the majority of today's handgun buyers.
Immediately upon reading this here two days ago, I started looking for one.
Those betting on the demand driving up prices evidently bought up the stocks pretty quick.
Buds gun shop had some a couple weeks ago. Now all the categories say sold out.
The auction sites, have some at close to suggested retail and much higher.
You snooze you loose.
Those betting on the demand driving up prices evidently bought up the stocks pretty quick.
Buds gun shop had some a couple weeks ago. Now all the categories say sold out.
The auction sites, have some at close to suggested retail and much higher.
You snooze you loose.
Yup people love to panic buy. I will wait 12-24 months from now when all the people who rush out and buy one now, over pay don't shoot it enough and have bills to pay sell them for less than they paid today.Wow.
GG sure sold out quick.
Denis
Also AIM has some refinished MKIIs for $579
https://www.aimsurplus.com/product....ished+FN+MK2+Hi+Power+9mm+Pistol&groupid=8630
https://www.aimsurplus.com/product....ished+FN+MK2+Hi+Power+9mm+Pistol&groupid=8630
dogtown tom
New member
I've lost count of the number of threads on various gun boards over the last fifteen years that said "OMG! OMG! the Hi Power is discontinued!".
The rumors seem to come around about every two years.
All FN needs to do to resurrect sales is come out with a tactical HP with a rail, replaceable backstraps and factory esstended clips.
This time it seems like the real deal. In the past I agree there was a lot of the "boy crying wolf" but it has been removed the the FN website. All the military contracts have expired and sales here in the US are lacking. It has been leaked two at least 2 well respected gun writers so I am inclined to believe it this time.
Spend a lot of $$$. More than they will ever make back selling BHPs commercially in the US.
rickmelear
New member
Perhaps their time has come and gone. I have a T series and a Mark III, they are works of art from a by gone era. I will shoot them and treasure them as long as I live. I also have all the modern poly wonders and enjoy them as well.
I mourn the loss of the High Power, glad I own two
I mourn the loss of the High Power, glad I own two
I've always had a love-hate relationship with the HP. Love the feel of the grip I my hand. Its just wonderfully well fitting (for me). Its the rest of the features I hate, or at worst am ..meh.. about.
Sights? The commercial one I had with adjustable sights was decent. Military style sights are ...poor.
Safety? while it is positive, it was always a bit of a concern for me, the lever is small, and shaped in a way that isn't as positive a "thumb stop" as the 1911 safety. This applies to the original ones, the later guns with the larger levers look better, but I haven't tried any of them.
Trigger pull? Sucks. Three men and a boy needed to pull it. This is (mostly) due to the mag disconnect, and the design does not lend itself to the same degree of ease getting a fine pull that the 1911 does.
Mag disconnect? Worst feature of the gun, IMHO. And NOT just because it blocks firing with the mag out. Because it makes the trigger pull worse than it needs to be, and because it (usually) keeps empty mags from dropping free. And then there is the more minor irritation of not being able to drop the hammer without the mag in place when working with the empty gun. (Unless you have fingers as long as I do, AND the ability to press HARD in just the right spot, Many people don't).
Other factors have always worked against the HP when it came to being a popular pistol on the US market. First, the price. Leaving out the milsurp guns, it has always been expensive.
What gun with the Browning name on it hasn't been among the most, if not the most expensive in its class at retail?? Until recently (Buckmark??) Brownings have always been more expensive than their competition.
Another factor that worked against the HP is its size. Today we hear so much whining about how its "too big", but back in the day, the problem was that it wasn't "big enough"! Not big enough to do anything BUT a 9mm. And the 9mm back in those days simply wasn't the same thing it can be/is today.
The 1911 has "room" to work in, tinker, try different things to see what is, and isn't better or even workable. The HP never did. That, and the fact that it was an expensive base gun to tinker with (again, leaving out the milsurps), meant that very few customizers worked on it.
I too, mourn the passing of an iconic pistol, from current production. Welcome to the world of Luger owners!
Sights? The commercial one I had with adjustable sights was decent. Military style sights are ...poor.
Safety? while it is positive, it was always a bit of a concern for me, the lever is small, and shaped in a way that isn't as positive a "thumb stop" as the 1911 safety. This applies to the original ones, the later guns with the larger levers look better, but I haven't tried any of them.
Trigger pull? Sucks. Three men and a boy needed to pull it. This is (mostly) due to the mag disconnect, and the design does not lend itself to the same degree of ease getting a fine pull that the 1911 does.
Mag disconnect? Worst feature of the gun, IMHO. And NOT just because it blocks firing with the mag out. Because it makes the trigger pull worse than it needs to be, and because it (usually) keeps empty mags from dropping free. And then there is the more minor irritation of not being able to drop the hammer without the mag in place when working with the empty gun. (Unless you have fingers as long as I do, AND the ability to press HARD in just the right spot, Many people don't).
Other factors have always worked against the HP when it came to being a popular pistol on the US market. First, the price. Leaving out the milsurp guns, it has always been expensive.
What gun with the Browning name on it hasn't been among the most, if not the most expensive in its class at retail?? Until recently (Buckmark??) Brownings have always been more expensive than their competition.
Another factor that worked against the HP is its size. Today we hear so much whining about how its "too big", but back in the day, the problem was that it wasn't "big enough"! Not big enough to do anything BUT a 9mm. And the 9mm back in those days simply wasn't the same thing it can be/is today.
The 1911 has "room" to work in, tinker, try different things to see what is, and isn't better or even workable. The HP never did. That, and the fact that it was an expensive base gun to tinker with (again, leaving out the milsurps), meant that very few customizers worked on it.
I too, mourn the passing of an iconic pistol, from current production. Welcome to the world of Luger owners!