School me on Hi Powers?

[garandman]

I want to buy a Hi Power, just because of the role it plays in the development of semi-automatic service pistols.

But they have been produced for so long and in so many places that I don't even know where to start.

Where should I start?

 

[JuergenG]

With John Moses Browning's idea and Dieudonné Saive's completion of it

They have been made first at Fabrique Nationale (FN) in Herstal/Belgium. During WWII
John Inglis Co. in Canada produced under license. Don't know, when production started in the U.S.
Copies have been made in Argentina, UK, Hungary and Indonesia.

R. Blake Stevens' "The Browning Hi Power Automatic Pistol" is a good read for starters.

 

[Twigg]

I recently picked up one of the "Made in Belgum / Assembled in Portugal" off GunsAmerica.
I'm very pleased with mine.

Here's a few websites which may help.

This one is particularly informative.
Hi Powers and Handguns


An artical on the Browning Hi Power Pistol from The American Riflemen.

Sereral gunsmiths specialising in the Hi Power;

Jim Garthwaite Pistolsmith, Inc.

Cylinder & Slide

 

[hk-sigman]

Start anywhere. They are one of the finest 9mm pistols ever created. For a heavy use pistol that will last forever focus on the Mk II or Mk III pistols. Those will handle all the hollow point ammo that is available. Earlier models have a humped feed ramp that "may" have problems with hollow points. Also, the internal extractor on earlier models is becoming difficult to find replacements for. The internal extractor is perfectly reliable but they are getting older as they were phased out for external extractors in 1962.

I'd also say that you may be a little late to the Hi Power game. They have jumped up in price in the past year or so. You'll be hard pressed to get into a Hi Power for under $700-$800 these days.

 

[Gammon]

The Hi Power has been praised as JMB's improvement on the venerable 1911. Many people, myself included, disa gree. JMB had a big problem designing the Hi Power as many of his innovations were patented and sold to other manufacturers, such as Colt. This hampered JMB's development of this pistol due to patent infringement. Don't get me wrong, I still think the Hi Power is a great pistol, I just wonder what Mr. Browning would have designed if he had a free hand. I don't own one but plan to add one to my small collection. My preference would be a Belgian (FN) Hi Power.

 

[Speedway]

I bought a MK III locally, new in the box for $300 (made in Belguim, assembled in Portugal). I also bought a 1940's Belguim made online for $450 shipped.

Deals are out there, but they don't walk by every day.

 

[Pilgrim]

The T series from the 50-60's are reputed to be the best models. The serial numbers begin with a T.

 

[bfm]

Well, one question would be what do you plan to use it for? Just to have one and for fun at the range? Find pretty much anything you can afford. Looking to use it as a carry gun? I would say try to find a MK III if you can if only because it is often easier for feeding hollow point and installing night sights on. That said there are some post WW II police trade ins that turn up from time to time. Like most police turn ins, high on holster time and cosmetic wear, but low on shooting and in great mechanical shape. Even in MA when they show up they are normally around $500. They have small sights like early 1911s. Would need to be milled to put new sights on, but acurate and fun for plnking etc.