Posted: 1/5/2007 7:22:22 AM EDT
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Hello one and all, I’ve owned a Browning Hi-Power for the past 15 years or so. It’s the MkII model. A really nice pistol, but would like to do a couple of “up grades”: install a better set of dove-tailed sights and have it re-finished is “something” other than the dark green park that is on it now. Would then become a part-time CCW for me. Have also considered selling the pistol and just buy a newer model with the sights and finish that I want, but I’ve owned this on for so long that I would really like to keep it. So . … any idea on what I’m looking at , cost wise, to have these two modifications done on my Hi-Power ? ? ? Thanks !! |
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The dove tail for a set of Novak or similar sights can be done with a drill press and an end mill and finished with a file by just about any competent gunsmith, or can be done right on a milling machine by a well equipped gunsmith with proper machine tools. Either way the cost will be about $50.00 for the dove tail plus the cost of the sights. The cost of reblueing a pistol will vary depending on how much polishing and preparation is required. The preparation is the part that takes the most time (and consequently money). If you can do most of the prep work yourself the cost will be significantly lower. If a matte finish is ok, cost is also lower, while a high gloss finish will cost you more. Maybe $100 on average? A nickel finish could also be applied for around $200.00. Personally, I am partial to nickle plated frames and blued slides with the top portion bead blasted for a no glare matte finish. One possible low cost refinish option is to go with a duracoat paint finish. It is fairly easy to apply and you can cure the paint in your oven. Once cured the stuff is very durable and is both scratch and chemical resistant. Prep work only involves degreasing the existing finish as you can then spray the paint right over it. It is available in several shades of black and gray and can be completed with a shiny or matte finish. Cost would be under $30 if you did it yourself. Otherwise, I agree - the main mods would be to remove the magazine safety and clean up the trigger pull a bit. Nearly all the creep and roughness common in a Hi power trigger can be removed by filing/stoning off any burs on the trigger parts and smoothing surfaces on the trigger parts and frame that contact each other. Cleaning up the sear engagement is best left to a gunsmith but should cost less than $40.00. Last time I looked a new Belgian FN Hi Power with nice sights was running around $600-$700 in the local gunshop and Argentine FN High Powers's were still in the $400-$450 range. So spending $170-$340 to refurbish your old Hi Power (with its 15 years of accumulated sentimental value) seems reasonable to me. |
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Hello BankerBilly; I bought a Browning Hi-Power in 1986. I won't sell mine, because on the slide it sez; "Made in Belgium By Fabrique Nationale Herstal"  So in ‘99 I had custom work done by Jim Garthwaite, Master Pistolsmith, member of the American Pistolsmiths Guild. Garthwaite Website Looking at the invoice right now. Dovetail front sight, Novak front & rear sights installed. Install Cylinder & Slide hammer, trigger, and trigger job. Includes tightened and lapped frame to slide fit. Throat barrel, polish fed ramp, polish & tune extractor. 60◦ recrown factory barrel. Deburr & radius & then re-parkerize complete pistol. Later I added: Wolfe 18.5" recoil spring + Buffer Technologies frame buffer {Allows almost unlimited use of +P ammo} My BHP went from a nice pistol to a really fine pistol.  If you'd like to poke around a website that has a lot of Hi-Power afficionados, I'd like to recommend Steven Camp's Hi Powers & Hand Guns. There is a wealth of info. on magazines, ammo, and Hi-Power history that just cannot be found elsewhere. After you read some of the articles about the Browning, You'll fall back in luv with your pistol! See ya there! www.hipowersandhandguns.com/ |
 Let's see..... Navidrex Micarta grips, fitted and bedded to the frame. Novak MKII Nite Sites, .190 front which is PERFECT for 147 grain SXTs at ten yards. ( six o'clock hold ) Wolff recoil spring Dehorned hammer Polished feed ramp C and S Safety ( single side with reworked spring and detent ) Removed mag safety C and S tool steel sear. Parkerized with Gunkote O.D. finish. |
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I don't normally buy the rag, but the current Custom Combat Handguns magazine profiles custom Hi Powers by Robar, Ted Yost, Karl Sokol, and Cylinder and Slide. If you really want to spend serious cash on it, it would give you some idea of the options that are out there. With regard to Hogue grips, I have never liked them as the finger grooves are always in the wrong place and I prefer the compound used by Pachmeyer. I even prefer Uncle Mikes more or less stock shaped grips over the Hogue grips on a P35. |
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Made in Belgium By Fabrique Nationale Herstal -- yep , mine says that too ! Been over to "HiPower and handguns" several times. One of the reasons I've been a thinkin'  Desertmoon has just about what I'm looking for, except I want mine in matte black. Not a "race gun" but a good "defensive" pistol. Already have the C&S trigger and safety. Will need to get the sear too. Looks like I had better start saving up my nickels and dimes . . . . Thanks, gents ! ! ! |
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When you do yours, may I reccomend just lightly dehorning the slide release a bit, too. No need to go crazy, just break down the edges a bit. That was a detail I missed. Also, note that I chopped 4 notches off of the back of the hammer and reprofiled it....in order to fully prevent hammer bite, also grind about 1 to 2 millimeters of metal from the complete surface area along the exposed portion of the BACK of the hammer. This makes for a totally smooth and bite free gun. |
Hey! Mine says that too! Mine's kinda been put on the back burner for other things, but one day's I'll get it done. Mine needs the new sights and a new hard chrome finish, but that and paying for the ride to Novaks falls a little under $700. That's more than I have in the gun now. It will be a terrific carry gun one day, but I think it's going to have to wait right now. |
 I can't wait till you get it finished.
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