Any Browning Hi-Power guys? Question about an MKIII Standard

748rpilot · Aug 2, 2024

I've long wanted a Browning Hi-Power and I'm in a buying mood. I found a nice looking 2004 mfg Hi-Power Standard with adjustable sight on GB. However, I'm not sure if the sights are originals or aftermarket.

The rear sight is milled deeper into the slide than others I've looked at, and it seems to be more forward on the slide as well. Other adjustable rear Hi-Power sights I've seen seem about even with the rear of the slide. I'm also not sure about the sight design; I know they used just a notch, and a notch with dots, but this is neither.

I did want an all original example, but maybe that's asking a lot for a 20 to 30 year old gun.

Appreciate any info on the sights or Hi-Powers in general.

nockhunter · Aug 3, 2024

I think it was milled for those Bomar style sights.

Mike

jrhtx · Aug 3, 2024

That's not factory.
If you want a HI-Power, look at this one.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1060655374

748rpilot · Aug 3, 2024

Thanks for confirming. I felt like it wasn't, but wanted to double-check.

That Novak is gorgeous!

DeathBeforeDismount · Aug 3, 2024

The high power is a shitty pistol in stock format. It's an amazing design and imo should have been what the 1911 was. They just need alot of tweaks and little mods to bring out the potential.

Now a worked over HP or clone from the likes of Novak, Wilson or any custom smith's is one the the finest pistols you can own.

If buying new today and not wanting to drop $3k... this would be my first choice: https://eaacorp.com/product/girsan-mc-p35-pi-ops/

MK20 · Aug 4, 2024

Really all they need is a no bite hammer, night sights, mag disconnect removed, and you are gtg.

DeathBeforeDismount · Aug 4, 2024

Front strap checkering, extended /ambi saftey, new trigger/sear and short beavertail in addition to the above. Possibly a new fitted barrel.

Already been down the road.

MK20 · Aug 4, 2024

Or just shoot the pistol. It has been a favorite of many fighting men for many years without all the above stuff on it.

748rpilot · Aug 4, 2024

I would definitely do the mag disconnect, probably swap out sights. The ambi-safety is a must-have as I shoot lefty. However, my shooting is rudimentary at best, so as much awesome-factor as a Nighthawk or Novak Hi-Power would be, it'd be a lot of "all hat, no cattle".

I may slow it down and keep looking, not like it was a low-production product. Gonna go check out that Girsan P35 Match today too.

MK20 · Aug 4, 2024

I would really advise you to just get a factory MKIII as they have ambi safeties standard and can be found cheap.

The Girsan has proprietary sight dovetails but other than that is a stellar gun.

If you decide to go the Girsan route, I have an almost NIB Stainless one I would sell you for 550 plus shipping costs.

sirhrmechanic · Aug 4, 2024

Spend a little extra and go for a 1970s or early 1980s Montreal.

Thank me later. Cheers.

DeathBeforeDismount · Aug 4, 2024

I would take a clone over a non Belgian made browning anyway. The FEG clone was among the best made. Fit , finish and some of the prettiest bluing I have seen. It's like a 1911. It's a commodity gun as this point.

MK20 · Aug 4, 2024

DeathBeforeDismount said:
I would take a clone over a non Belgian made browning anyway. The FEG clone was among the best made. Fit , finish and some of the prettiest bluing I have seen. It's like a 1911. It's a commodity gun as this point.

EVERY Browning was Belgian made.

sirhrmechanic · Aug 4, 2024

Well, there are lots of cool Hi Powers including the Montreal-marked ones…

And, yes, Elephant.

Sirhr

DeathBeforeDismount · Aug 4, 2024

MK20 said:
EVERY Browning was Belgian made.

Uh no. The rough parts may have been made in Belgium but fitting , assembly and final QC was done in portugal.

MK20 · Aug 4, 2024

DeathBeforeDismount said:
Uh no. The rough parts may have been made in Belgium but fitting , assembly and final QC was done in portugal.

Um, yes.

Please read what is on the pistol.

DeathBeforeDismount said:
a non Belgian made browning

The gun literally says "made in Belgium" on it.

DeathBeforeDismount · Aug 4, 2024

Yea and leupold scopes used to all say made In the USA until FTC hammered their dicks and it turns out they were importing almost everything from China and Asia and slapping the shit together and putting made in USA on them.

What it says and what is means are not the same thing. HP guys who know the platform understand this.

MK20 · Aug 4, 2024

Well, maybe I'll call Bill Laughridge tomorrow and ask him.

S197 · Aug 4, 2024

What kind of hi-power are you looking for? Collector, collector / shooter, or just a shooter? If it’s just a shooter to learn on, grab a newer Springfield, they are of good quality and inexpensive.

turnerfork · Aug 5, 2024

The MKIII is a well-regarded version of the classic Hi-Power, known for its reliability and solid performance.

748rpilot · Aug 5, 2024

S197 said:
What kind of hi-power are you looking for? Collector, collector / shooter, or just a shooter? If it’s just a shooter to learn on, grab a newer Springfield, they are of good quality and inexpensive.

Little bit collector, little bit range-only pistol. It's not going to become a competition or carry gun. Every time I hold one it feels great in my hand. I thought they were cool as shit when I was a young'un, the local gunshop had a MkIII Practical that I used to stare at through the case.

I currently shoot a P320 X5 Legion, that I generally enjoy, but after a wrist and arm injury to my shooting hand, I think it's just a touch too large in terms of grip size length of pull. The Hi-Power being more slim, I think I'll be able to shoot it without beating my tendons to death.

In their default trim, I liked the trigger on the Springfield better than the Girsan and the Springfield has no mag disconnect. But the Girsan has the ambi safety from the factory.

I'm leaning heavily towards a Browning --not the fancy one that Sirhr has-- and if I like it may well pick up another or a clone to work over and play with.

S197 · Aug 5, 2024

748rpilot said:
Little bit collector, little bit range-only pistol. It's not going to become a competition or carry gun. Every time I hold one it feels great in my hand. I thought they were cool as shit when I was a young'un, the local gunshop had a MkIII Practical that I used to stare at through the case.

I currently shoot a P320 X5 Legion, that I generally enjoy, but after a wrist and arm injury to my shooting hand, I think it's just a touch too large in terms of grip size length of pull. The Hi-Power being more slim, I think I'll be able to shoot it without beating my tendons to death.

In their default trim, I liked the trigger on the Springfield better than the Girsan and the Springfield has no mag disconnect. But the Girsan has the ambi safety from the factory.

I'm leaning heavily towards a Browning --not the fancy one that Sirhr has-- and if I like it may well pick up another or a clone to work over and play with.

I would definitely look for a post WWII FN then. Reach out to Karl at kgbcustom.com he usually has a couple, plus he is a highly reputable smith. Simpson ltd has several but his prices seem high.

farwest · Aug 5, 2024

I have a 1976 Browning HiPower made made/assembled in Belgium. Somewhere around 1980-90 they started showing made in Belgium/assembled in Portugal. Same on Browning BAR rifles. Maybe rifles were assembled in Portugal starting in 1977. I had a Captain with tangent sights, but it was not the same quality as the 1976 with adjustable sights so I sold the Browning Captain.

sirhrmechanic · Aug 5, 2024

Portugal is for Millenials...

Us boomers are good with Herstal and Montreal. Just 'sayin.

Oh, yeah... and Renaissance. They shoot good, too!

Sirhr

jrhtx · Aug 7, 2024

Mile High has this on GB:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1060909640

farwest · Aug 7, 2024

Would be a bargain for $1,500. CO is where I purchased mine - I think from Gart Bros Sports Castle
The 9mm Renaissance was about $900 then.

Asiparks · Aug 7, 2024

748rpilot said:
I've long wanted a Browning Hi-Power and I'm in a buying mood. I found a nice looking 2004 mfg Hi-Power Standard with adjustable sight on GB. However, I'm not sure if the sights are originals or aftermarket.

The rear sight is milled deeper into the slide than others I've looked at, and it seems to be more forward on the slide as well. Other adjustable rear Hi-Power sights I've seen seem about even with the rear of the slide. I'm also not sure about the sight design; I know they used just a notch, and a notch with dots, but this is neither.

I did want an all original example, but maybe that's asking a lot for a 20 to 30 year old gun.

Appreciate any info on the sights or Hi-Powers in general.

disagree on the rear sight- it looks correct OEM for a later, post "beer can" adjustable.

That looks like a gorgeous example.
If you're going to get one and do a lot of mods, look for a less pristine version. This one I'd replace the trigger with a Garthwaite or similar which also removes the mag disconnect, add a no bite hammer and have fun shooting it

TorF · Aug 21, 2024

The rear sight is correct OEM.

I have a Mk3 Practical with the same rear sight, similar to this:

748rpilot · Aug 21, 2024

TorF said:
The rear sight is correct OEM.

I have a Mk3 Practical with the same rear sight, similar to this:
View attachment 8484586

Interesting. What year is your HP?

748rpilot · Aug 21, 2024

I ended up picking up a MkIII Silver Chrome with adjustable sights, '94 manufacture. Visually it appears in good shape, except for a minor scratch on the right side of the slide that I couldn't/didn't notice in the pictures. Haven't broken it down yet to inspect the internals, maybe this weekend if I don't have to work too much. Came with its original hard case, mag and manuals. I think I'll pickup some extra mags and a set of wood Hogue stocks and get to shooting.

I'll probably have to pick up a blued example too

TorF · Aug 25, 2024

748rpilot said:
Interesting. What year is your HP?

I'm not sure. I bought it new around year 2000.
MIM sear has been replaced by a forged one of WW2 origin and, for a mysterious reason, the trigger is better than on my gunsmith tuned 1911. And that 1911 trigger is good.
Mag safety is deleted.
New front sight.
100% reliable.

748rpilot · Aug 25, 2024

Based on the NN serial number, yours would be a 1999 gun.

Solely from dry-firing I think the trigger on the Hi-Power I just picked up is better than my P320 X5 Legion trigger. Which is a relief, because that's what I was hoping for! I'll definitely be removing that mag safety.

The original front sight on your Practical, was it a ramp style ?

I can't wait to shoot my after it gets a good scrubbing. The oil is all gummed up. I've got some new mags on the way and hopefully I can clean up the pistol this week!

Anyway, nice Practical!

TorF · Aug 25, 2024

Yes, ramp style.
New front sight is Novak.

joe777 · Aug 26, 2024

DeathBeforeDismount said:
The high power is a shitty pistol in stock format. It's an amazing design and imo should have been what the 1911 was. They just need alot of tweaks and little mods to bring out the potential.

Now a worked over HP or clone from the likes of Novak, Wilson or any custom smith's is one the the finest pistols you can own.

If buying new today and not wanting to drop $3k... this would be my first choice: https://eaacorp.com/product/girsan-mc-p35-pi-ops/

Does girsan have a good rep for reliability? Sometimes I carry an Arcus but I broke the trigger retaining pin once.

steve123 · Aug 28, 2024

The Hipower grip is my favorite of the many pistols I've handled. I had mine magnaported way back 30 something years ago and later sold it to a friend which I regretted. I used it to win local USPSA matches back then. That was before there was an Open division.

I've always wished for a custom long heavy dust cover, long fitted slide, and barrel, on a Hipower for comps, as well as a 2 pound trigger. Man that'd be a cool gun! Yeah just fantasizing.

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Any Browning Hi-Power guys? Question about an MKIII Standard

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