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Thread: Browning Hi Power

  1. #21
    I would speculate Browning will restart production again after pent up demand and interest create a higher profit margin. Everyone wants one now that they are not being produced.

    If I recall correctly, in the late 90s Colt was to stop production of 1911 pistols and folks were mining for Colts as they were to be extinct.

  2. #22
    Member JonInWA's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boxy View Post
    I would speculate Browning will restart production again after pent up demand and interest create a higher profit margin. Everyone wants one now that they are not being produced.

    If I recall correctly, in the late 90s Colt was to stop production of 1911 pistols and folks were mining for Colts as they were to be extinct.
    While I'd like to see it happen, I'm pretty skeptical. While the High Power is a great gun, there are some limitations to it, although those are being steadily whittled away by aftermarket specialists like BH Spring Solutions and others. While it's true that Colt has seemingly done well with their Series 70 1911s, their product base has been significantly oriented around the 1911, while FN/Brownings has moved steadily away from the High Power since the 1980s. Plus Colt seems to perpetually teeter on the edge of bankruptcy, so I'm not sure how good of a paradigm they are to cite.

    One of the main limitations is price. For the years leading up to its demise, the basic MK III High Powers were priced at $1,000+, and the Standard model with its high polished blue finish and wood grips was around $1,200 as I recall, and there wasn't a huge demand for them; I believe that FN was only producing 1,000 to 2,000 of them annually. An all-metal forged and cast pistol is simply fairly resource intensive, especially when compared to polymer-frame competitors, such as Glock and HK. To make a suitable profit, a manufacturer either needs to pass the cost on to the consumer, or subsidize it through other sales (which in the long run probably isn't a particularly viable business model, nor one likely to be approved by boards and shareholders).

    Another aspect is FN resourcing; I've heard that the machinery used to manufacture the High Powers over decades had deteriorated, so there would likely need to be some rebuilding, or totally new replacement machinery made.

    And then there's the possibility of a more restricted market, especially if significant magazine limitation laws are actually enacted. That might prove to be a poison pill regarding 9mm production (although resurrected a 10-round .40 might be possible and attractive in such a market).

    I can envision a dual High Power product line: A "Classic" model, and a "Modernized/Upgraded" model. The Classic would likely be the MK III/Standard, while the Modernized/Upgraded could incorporate contemporary features such as a larger magwell, modified hammer/action options (e.g. bobbed, SFS), sight options, beavertail options, frontstrap checkering/stippling, more aggressive dehorning, and various finish options. Different metals or alloys could be offered as well for frames.

    But it would be expensive, particularly compared to other contemporary offerings, and I think that it would appeal to a very small market niche. A discerning one, no doubt, but still likely a very small niche....

    Best, Jon

  3. #23
    Glock Collective Assimile Suvorov's Avatar
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    @Boxy @JonInWA

    Agreed on most points John, and FN really seems not so interested in the collectors market. There are the Turkish guns on the market now and I wonder if FM and FEG still have the tooling? Didn’t IMI also produce HP clones?

    Can one of these Turkish guns be turned into a decent shooter?

    Collectibility of the Browning or FN roll stamps aside, it seems there are ways to fill the demand for HPs.
    Last edited by Suvorov; 10-12-2020 at 03:51 PM.

  4. #24
    Quote Originally Posted by Suvorov View Post
    @Boxy @JohninWA

    Agreed on most points John, and FN really seems not so interested in the collectors market. There are the Turkish guns on the market now and I wonder if FM and FEG still have the tooling? Didn’t IMI also produce HP clones?

    Can one of these Turkish guns be turned into a decent shooter?

    Collectibility of the Browning or FN roll stamps aside, it seems there are ways to fill the demand for HPs.



    Cylinder & Slide seem to be in favor of using the Turkish Tisas guns as base guns to upgrade.

    https://cylinder-slide.com/Category/Tisas

  5. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Soxfan9 View Post
    Stopped in a shop yesterday with zero expectations. I found this in the case, a rare bird in Massachusetts due to our “consumer protection” handgun restrictions. It’s a T series to boot! Grabbed it for a good price.

    These have always been a favorite of mine, despite the less than perfect safety and trigger. Somewhat surprisingly, in an IWB leather holster it feels more comfortable and conceals better than a G19.

    I need to find some preban magazines for it, and will probably remove the magazine safety. Other than that, I will enjoy this one as is.


    Congratulations! Beautiful pistol. The first center fire pistol I ever shot was a BHP and I also got to carry one just like yours around one of the Middle East's darker spots back in the mid-80s. They do carry and conceal well compared to other similar-sized pistols. Enjoy it.

  6. #26
    Site Supporter OlongJohnson's Avatar
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    I'd be interested in a Hi-Power II. Modernize it. Make the frame more robust without gaining weight. Simplify the machining. Consider using aluminum if that could be done without having to make the whole thing big like a Sig. Get rid of the brazed parts, so it could be given a modern metal finish like some kind of FNC, eliminating corrosion issues. Update the trigger design; get rid of the magazine disconnect or come up with a design that doesn't inherently make the trigger press feel like crushing vermiculite. Make action parts from European MIM, designed from the beginning to be MIM like HK so they don't break ever and are slick and smooth like the best S&W MIM. Come up with a hammer design that doesn't need a beavertail to not bite, or give it just enough of a beavertail to do the job and no more. Keep the ergos, keep backward magazine compatibility, but offer it with improved/a variety of different sights. Update the grip designs and work with Hogue to knock out some nice G10 designs. Keep Nils Griffe far away from the whole project, please.

    You know, as long as they'd have to retool to bring back production.
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  7. #27
    Member JonInWA's Avatar
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    I'll defer to those who actually have hands-on experience with the Turkish Tisas Hi Powers. From what I've read, as I recall, there can be some suspect metellurgy and small parts. I'm additionally not sure if all dimensions accurately reflect the FN blueprint. At this point, should I purchase one, I'd probably completely replace all springs and pins with FN/Browning components and/or BH Spring Solutions springs/components. I'd also use it solely as a range/game gun, not for serious defensive carry, until I was more confident and comfortable about the basic metallurgy and manufacturing.

    The FEG and FM guns are a more proven platform, but be aware that there are FEGs and FEGs-some are viable Hi Power clones, some are more like Smith & Wesson 3900/5900 series clones. Some of the FM's as I recall also deviated from the FN blueprint, but I believe that their deviations are more aesthetic, such as their slide configurations and the inclusion of compact versions. I believe the Israeli Kareens are essentially FEGs.

    Arcus 94s seem to be pretty proven, and that's where BH Spring Solutions has their roots, so I'd probably put them on the same, or slightly higher level of operational desirability as an FEG.

    At the end of the day, I'd trust a post 1994 Mark III cast-frame FN production piece (regardless as to being rollmarked FN or Browning) over the clones. Since you're looking (at least in my opinion) towards having to re-spring and re-componitize as Tisas from the get-go, and still have potentially suspect material integrity, I find it hard to recommmend them at this point over a decent condition used FN/Browning piece.

    At any rate, as with any used gun, make a hard-headed objective analysis for the initial condition and eventual goal and resources needed for what you're getting.

    Best, Jon

  8. #28
    Gray Hobbyist Wondering Beard's Avatar
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    While I'd like to see the Hi Power make a come back, the modern Hi Power is, nowadays, manufactured by CZ.
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  9. #29
    Member feudist's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wondering Beard View Post
    While I'd like to see the Hi Power make a come back, the modern Hi Power is, nowadays, manufactured by CZ.
    .
    Are the lighter CZ 75s suitable for EDC?

    I've seen quite a few reviews and comments like "I wouldn't carry it because it's too heavy". Which is odd because 1911s weigh more . and people swear they carry them 24/7.

  10. #30
    Four String Fumbler Joe in PNG's Avatar
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