Is the Hi-Power worth having?

[Mister Coffee]

I would like to comment on this thread. As I said. I have a BHP. I really likED this gun. It fit great in my hand and it WAS pretty accurate. About 2 years ago. I was going to the shooting range about 3 times a week. And my BHP was one of the guns I took with me. I guess you could say I put A LOT of rounds thought it. Nothing out of the ordinary. It was all store bought regular plinking 9mm ammo. No "HOT" loads. One night after shooting. I started to clean the gun. After close inspection I noticed a very small hairline crack on the slide. The lower front side of the ejection port. I thought I better inspect it more carefully. So I used a magnifying loop. The slide was cracked on each of the 4 sides of the ejection port. Yes , thats right! Cracked! I think I was lucky. I don't have any idea of what the ramifications might have been if that slide would have givin way during shooting. I found a replacement slide at a gun show that seams to be in good shape. I bought it , I replaced the slide. But now I am hesitant about shooting this gun. I have never heard of such a failure. But then again. I have not done any research on this type of thing either. Since the subject line in your thread. I felt compelled to comment.

Did you buy the gun new or used?

[gunman5646]

I lusted after a Highpower for decades. Finally took the plunge a couple of years ago. A gun that was decades ahead of its time. The wonder 9 by which I judge all others. A bit heavy by todays standards(all steel), but feels right in your hand, points naturally, functions smoothly, and good sights on the newer ones.

[gunman5646]

Make sure of what you have.

I would like to comment on this thread. As I said. I have a BHP. I really likED this gun. It fit great in my hand and it WAS pretty accurate. About 2 years ago. I was going to the shooting range about 3 times a week. And my BHP was one of the guns I took with me. I guess you could say I put A LOT of rounds thought it. Nothing out of the ordinary. It was all store bought regular plinking 9mm ammo. No "HOT" loads. One night after shooting. I started to clean the gun. After close inspection I noticed a very small hairline crack on the slide. The lower front side of the ejection port. I thought I better inspect it more carefully. So I used a magnifying loop. The slide was cracked on each of the 4 sides of the ejection port. Yes , thats right! Cracked! I think I was lucky. I don't have any idea of what the ramifications might have been if that slide would have givin way during shooting. I found a replacement slide at a gun show that seams to be in good shape. I bought it , I replaced the slide. But now I am hesitant about shooting this gun. I have never heard of such a failure. But then again. I have not done any research on this type of thing either. Since the subject line in your thread. I felt compelled to comment.

Did you contact the manufacturer? Even if you purchased it used, they may give it a look. Big gun companies live by their reputations and will go out of their way to keep their skirts clean.

[rick_b23]

I purchased the gun used. I did contact browning but because I bought it used browning would not do anything about it

[Mister Coffee]

I purchased the gun used. I did contact browning but because I bought it used browning would not do anything about it

In that case, you have no idea what the gun and slide have been subjected to. Like all mechanical devices, guns wear out.

Below is a post from another forum. It is from a LEO in Israel.

We were limited to ball ammo in Israel for decades. In my unit we shot a lot and we used the super hot Uzi ammo that IMI made, we shot our Hi Powers into junk.

[Lead Waster]

I'll have to second or third the idea of a CZ-75 SA if OP is looking for a nice steel single action 9mm. Mine wears hogue rubber grips and it feels like it was molded to my hand.

[digelectric]

I have 3 CZs already so I have to branch out

[Tere_Hanges]

UPDATE, picked up a surplus BHP

Well I went and DROS'd a surplus recently parkerized FN Belgian made BHP with serial # from 1991 imported by CAI. I think it is a MkII. It has a front drainage hole in the slide, spur hammer, no ambi safety, no lanyard ring but it does have the hole to screw one in. Trigger is pretty gritty, hoping it will smooth out a bit.

$680, $761 OTD at River City in Sac. They have two more. Not exactly a deal but at least I dont have to deal with finding one online, shipping and coordinating with an FFL.

*UPDATE*
I picked up my Hi Power. I think it is a mkIII, no drainage hole and it has dovetailed sights. The trigger is not as bad as I thought, already getting used to it. It points extremely well and is not very heavy considering it is all steel. Looking forward to seeing how well it shoots. The barrel does have a lot of copper and some fouling in the grooves so it was definitely shot a few times. The price was on the high side but with Aim being out of stock, production ending and the roster uncertainty, I figured it was now or never if I wanted one before prices went even higher andor they fell of the roster. They still have two more if anyone is interested.

Here it is:

[digelectric]

[FalconLair]

*UPDATE*
I picked up my Hi Power. I think it is a mkIII, no drainage hole and it has dovetailed sights. The trigger is not as bad as I thought, already getting used to it. It points extremely well and is not very heavy considering it is all steel. Looking forward to seeing how well it shoots. The barrel does have a lot of copper and some fouling in the grooves so it was definitely shot a few times. The price was on the high side but with Aim being out of stock, production ending and the roster uncertainty, I figured it was now or never if I wanted one before prices went even higher andor they fell of the roster. They still have two more if anyone is interested.

Here it is:

i like that

[Tere_Hanges]

i like that

Thanks, its not as purdy as a commercial with a beautiful blue but it will have to do.

[digelectric]

Thanks, its not as purdy as a commercial with a beautiful blue but it will have to do.

Looks parkerized. Is it?

[Tere_Hanges]

Looks parkerized. Is it?

Yup, freshly parkerized. I think it originally had a black epoxy finish but Im sure it had a lot of holster wear so they parked it.

[Guns and guitars]

This thread got me looking again..Just jailed a New MIII standard with adjustable sights today...

[Tere_Hanges]

This thread got me looking again..Just jailed a New MIII standard with adjustable sights today...

Nice. Wish I had taken advantage of the ones Aim had for a long time but its such a hassle to find an FFL that knows what they are doing.