Buying a hi-power, any advice?

I

Icopy

New member
I'm looking to buy a new or used Hi-power MK111 in 9mm this weekend, if I can find one. Does anyone have any advice on what to look for if used? Any particular markings I should be aware of? What's the going rate for one new or 90 - 98% condition? Thanks in advance.
 
Recently I had the chance to shoot an FEG Hi-Power clone belonging to TFL'er 4202 and fell in love with it. Probably doesn't help with your questions but it is thought and less than half the cost of the real thing.

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Gunslinger

TFL End of Summer Meet, August 12th & 13th, 2000
 
I have the FEG Hi-power clone, and I like it. The mags are interchangeable with standard Browning mags, and I only paid $200 for it. It has a nice finish. I used to have an Argentine Hi-power, and it was nice too, but the FEG has a round hammer spur and a gloss finish rather than the dull matte finish of the Argentine "FM." The FEG also has a little larger safety switch.

[This message has been edited by Calif Hunter (edited May 11, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by Calif Hunter (edited May 11, 2000).]
 
Yes, the FEG's safety is much better than even a stock MKIII lever, as is the slide release. This is a LOT of gun for the money. You can use the savings to buy more "standard" capacity 13rd mags and ball ammo for practice.
 
A BHP is a fine pistol. Plenty of parts are available for repair and upgrade as well as many smiths to handle any mods you want. AIM Distributing had some very used Israeli guns for $250 which was still an excellent price. As for markings just make sure it says 'Made in Belgium' on it. It might say 'Assembled in Portugal' or have Argentinian or Israeli markings, but it will still be a good HP. Do stick with the more modern design with the exposed extractor. That will not be a problem as all Mk III HP's are of the modern design.

[This message has been edited by Jeff OTMG (edited May 11, 2000).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Icopy:
I'm looking to buy a new or used Hi-power MK111 in 9mm this weekend, if I can find one. Does anyone have any advice...[/quote]

I have both Browning and FEG Hi-Powers. The Argentine is also a good buy but a little rougher. The FEG is the better deal price-wise but if money isn't a concern the Browning will be more valuable. The Browning comes with a ten round mag now while the FEG comes with a Triple K high capacity (13 round) mag. All mags interchange. The Browning has better sights, but if you want you can replace them on either gun. I have Novak Lo-mounts on one of my FEG Hi-powers. I also prefer the FEG safety lock to the Browning ambi safety, but that's personal preference. I expect a used but near new Browning to go in the high fours while an FEG will be $200 to $250.
 
I would be surprised if you could find a good used Browning Hi-Power for less than $500.
New ones are near impossible to find since FN quit making them. Hicaps are sky high as well. I found a n.i.b. Hi-Power Practical model over a month ago and ponied $650!
Beautiful gun and shoots well.
 
I also like hi-power clones. Mine is an
arcus, and I got it with a 17 round and
two 10 round mags for $250. Shoots just
like a hi-power at half or less of the
cost, and the hammer spur doesn't bite the
hand like some FEGs.
 
The Browning Hi-power is the better firearm than any of its clones, cost notwithstanding. I see lots of them everywhere. Some are high priced and some are reasonably priced. I am sure you can get a good Browning for less than $500 and you can get new in wrapper South African 17 rnd Hi-power mags for $25. Unless the gun is abused there are few bad Brownings. If you limit yourself to this weekend only and to a Mark III version then you will likely pay around $500+ new. Try to get one in the 400's. For a comparison I picked up a Mint blued Captain model (99%) with 2 hicaps for $425.
 
Okay, I'll bite.

I'm not nearly the gun collector half of the people here are, but I considered myself fairly familiar with the BHP.

17 round mags? This one is news to me. Where might one obtain these, and will they fit a 'standard' HP mk III? Are they as reliable as the standard HP (13 rnd) hicap mags?

Heck, I only have 2 hicap (13 rnd) mags, and I've been looking to get more. While we're on the topic, where is good place to get them cheap, too?

Mike


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"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." -Robert Heinlein
 
Coronach, The 17 round mags I refered to as I understand are Military and Police mags made in South Africa for their service sidearms. They are flush fit mags which come with a loader (if new)and should fit any standard hi-power. I have seen them as high as $35 each but slsmith.assoc@mindspring.com runs an add selling them for $25 each + shipping. He also sells aftermarket Western Mags for less. I have no idea about the Western mags. The 17rnd's are mil-spec for the South African military and most South African stuff has proven to be good inexpensive stuff. No mags are usually better than the factory mags but these have seemed to be reliable. Hope this helps.
 
i'm glad to hear the positive comments about the FEG 9mm, i've wanted one for about 18 months, but i let my friend talk me out of getting it (sigh)when i saw one at a gunshow
he had a story about being in competition, at a match, with a browning hp and some spring that works the hammer broke, so he lost the match, then he had the onsite gunsmith replace it, then that spring broke too.
but, i don't know, i really like those FEGs.
mebbe i'll get one and just not let him know, lol. I have a Kimber Compact lt. wt., btw
 
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