Rockrivr1
NES Member
Would seem there is a fairly active rumor going on that FN has discontinued production of the Browning HP and that the last shipment came to the US in March. Since that time FN has disassembled the production line and stopped all versions of the Browning HP. There are some fairly lengthy discussions happening over on Gunboards and The Firing Line on this with many of the rumors being backed up.
There seems though to be someone who knows several Browning reps over on The Browning Owners forum who has talked to FN and got the scoop. Here is the breakdown of that discussion.
Hummmm, a rumor from an unknown source states Browning HPs are done being imported, sales skyrocket as people who have been waiting to get one scramble to get one and then production continues for a few more years. Soooo, yep. FN/Browning is the source of the rumor. Interesting sales tactic.
Though I would hate to see the HP be discontinued for a 1911. Glad I got my Inglis when I did before prices start to fluctuate.
There seems though to be someone who knows several Browning reps over on The Browning Owners forum who has talked to FN and got the scoop. Here is the breakdown of that discussion.
Good news is that the Hi-Power is not discontinued. Yet. Browning still has them available, and will continue to distribute throughout the rest of the 2017 model year.
Unfortunately however, it is on the chopping block. Whether it returns for the 2018 catalog is all up to how well it performs this year. Due to low sales, the Hi-Power is currently being reviewed for dismissal from production. If sales boost, then it will return. If they continue to remain stagnant, it will be discontinued from the manufacturer, and will not be available starting the 2018 catalog year.
Also what concerns me is the rumor of discontinuing the Hi-Power being fairly well known. This will no doubt increase sales, as people will want to buy in before the prices increase (which happens whenever a popular firearm is discontinued), which might save it from being discontinued this year, but will likely have an adverse affect in the following year, due to sustainability of sales.
I also asked about a possible catalog replacement, and he hit up on the idea of a possible 9mm 1911 to fill the void.
All in all, no the Hi-Power is not discontinued. But brace yourself, as the announcement will likely come this fall.
Hummmm, a rumor from an unknown source states Browning HPs are done being imported, sales skyrocket as people who have been waiting to get one scramble to get one and then production continues for a few more years. Soooo, yep. FN/Browning is the source of the rumor. Interesting sales tactic.
Though I would hate to see the HP be discontinued for a 1911. Glad I got my Inglis when I did before prices start to fluctuate.