Hi Power question

knovotny · Apr 23, 2021

A friend has a 1979 Hi Power he will sell to me. We have no idea the value. He bought it in 2014 used, but it was claimed to be unfired. A couple hundred rounds through it now. I haven't touched it, but based on pictures, it looks fantastic. Any ball park on values? Gun broker past sales is all over the place. I don't know enough about Hi Power's to know what would increase the price or lower it. I want to be fair to both of us.

HiStandards · Apr 23, 2021

No idea on price, but I shot one that belongs to a friend. I think it is the sexiest 9mm, soft-shooting, but feels much smaller than expected.

TheOriginalMexicanBob · Apr 23, 2021

I'm guessing between $1200-$1500. That's a bit of a range to deal with but it depends on finish, sights, etc. Browning discontinued the Hi Power several years ago due to worn out tooling and low sales and values have increased some due to that. While they're not rare and there's plenty of clones on the market...a real Belgium-made Browning is a thing of beauty. I may be a 1911 guy but I believe the Hi Power is the most elegant handgun design ever.

Bob A · Apr 23, 2021

The examples with T and C prefixes go for a premium. (The T series was described as being the finest Hi Powers ever made, and people pay outrageous sums for as-new pistols). If it's really clean a grand wouldn't be out of line, though I've managed to keep well below that figure, accepting cosmetic flaws.

The pistol being discontinued pushed the price point upward, though there are literally millions of these pistols out there.

Despite their being single-action, they're about my favorite 9mm. Nice balance makes them feel smaller than they are. My preference is for examples with the ring hammer. Magazine safety makes for a really ugly trigger pull, but it's easily removed.

Have you shot one? The grip is on the large side.

Squaregrouper · Apr 23, 2021

MecGar makes very high quality 13 and 15rd mags for them for significantly less than factory mags.
I have a Hi Power clone (FEG PJK-9HP) you're welcome to take for a test drive.

knovotny · Apr 23, 2021

Bob A said:
The examples with T and C prefixes go for a premium. (The T series was described as being the finest Hi Powers ever made, and people pay outrageous sums for as-new pistols). If it's really clean a grand wouldn't be out of line, though I've managed to keep well below that figure, accepting cosmetic flaws.

The pistol being discontinued pushed the price point upward, though there are literally millions of these pistols out there.

Despite their being single-action, they're about my favorite 9mm. Nice balance makes them feel smaller than they are. My preference is for examples with the ring hammer. Magazine safety makes for a really ugly trigger pull, but it's easily removed.

Have you shot one? The grip is on the large side.

Where would I find the prefix?

I haven't shot it, but I held one and it seemed fine size wise.

I believe this one has an adjustable rear sight. He paid $1250 for it in 2014 as allegedly in unfired. It is no longer unfired.

Bertfish · Apr 23, 2021

First letter in the serial number is the prefix

knovotny · Apr 23, 2021

Looked, not a T. This is later. It has the standardized serial number that has letters for numbers to determine the year.

Huckleberry · Apr 23, 2021

Seriously, even if it's a Portuguese built HP, buy it. The BHP snobs will tell you that if it's not Belgian than it's not worth but the Portos and FN-USA pistols are very good quality and great shooters.

Next to the 1911A1, BHP's are the last and one of JMB's greatest designs. If JMB lived, I would dare say he would have redesigned the BHP for 45 ACP to replace the 1911.

knovotny · Apr 23, 2021

Oh I'm definitely buying it, I just want to pay him a fair price. He's a friend and neither of us really know what it's worth. It is Begian made.

Huckleberry · Apr 23, 2021

knovotny said:
Oh I'm definitely buying it, I just want to pay him a fair price. He's a friend and neither of us really know what it's worth. It is Begian made.

You can always offer him the “Right of First Refusal” to ensure you both have agreed to a good price.

You buy the gun from him for an agreed price and if you ever want to sell it then you have to offer the pistol to him first for the original agreed price plus $1, Steak Dinner or Bottle of your favorite whiskey. If he doesn’t want it back then you’re free to sell it on the open market at any price.

YMMV but it always worked for me and my inner circle to ensure no hurt feelings or resentment over deals. Had one guy break his promise so his money was never green enough ever again for me or within our group.

Mark75H · Apr 23, 2021

$1200 would be a good price at this time. I have 3 and love each one. 13 rounders can easily be altered to hold 14. There basically isn't another mag that works in Hi Powers. MecGar made the mags FN/Browning supplied with the guns.

Jed195 · Apr 23, 2021

My late father was a hi power lover. First handgun he ever owned. He had 3 upon his death...1 for each of his sons...I treasure that handgun. We even had a pretty rare hi power...all black and chambered in .30 luger. Only 1500 imported into the US. Miss that gun...

dontpanic · Apr 23, 2021

$1,200 is a fair price right now. Hard to believe how much these have increased in value over the last year.

I have 2 now, a 1951 and a 2001. Such great pistols

Sundazes · Apr 23, 2021

I saw one at the BCGF show in really good condition that sold for 850. Two tone from the mid 90's. Asking price was grand and the lady ended up selling lower. It was a really pretty HP. I think she was selling off her deceased dad's collection

Bob A · Apr 23, 2021

Some of the later ones had alloy frames. I don't think I'd want one of those.

No real info just saying.

somd_mustangs · Apr 23, 2021

The $1200 number seems pretty fair.
Blue Book (recent updates) straddles that for 98% and 100% condition.
If it has the adjustable tangent sight though, you can almost double that.

knovotny · Apr 23, 2021

It doesn't appear to have any of those features. I guess I should post the pictures he sent me.

Mark75H · Apr 23, 2021

Real info

Bob A said:
Some of the later ones had alloy frames. I don't think I'd want one of those.

No real info just saying.

There is nothing wrong with the light weight alloy framed Hi Powers. They were done right and are durable.

One of mine is an alloy frame

Mark75H · Apr 23, 2021

knovotny said:
It doesn't appear to have any of those features. I guess I should post the pictures he sent me.

The adjustable rear sight is a desireable feature for most HP collectors.

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