FN Highpower

[ernestt]

Can any one give me a history of the high-power. I think I have a grasp of it, FN made them after buying the lis. from browning, ingles made some in Toronto during the war, and now browning makes them along with FN, how good are the FN current manufacture? I have found a company selling them new in box with one ten and one fifteen round mag. in case for 399.00, these look much like the original FN ww2 versions. It the quality there? any history or correction of my brief history very welcome, thanks

[John Hodgin]

IMHO still a superb weapon. But what do you plan to do with it? If self defense is part of the answer, then I'd buy a modern double action, a SIG, or H&K USP, or a Glock.
Regards,
John

[Matt Wilson]

Ernestt,

IMO (& I stress that it is mine), the HiPower may still be the Cadillac of 9mm auto pistols. It fits so many hands so well. In contrast to so many of the later high-cap pistols, the original P-35 grip is not like a beer bottle (although THOSE fit my hand pretty well, too). I have a late model HiPower w/very slim micarta grip panels that make it so thin, it disappears under the lightest jacket. The only high-cap pistol I have found to rival the comfortable grip (& this of course is COMPLETELY subjective) of the Browning design is the SIG. I am kinda old-fashioned when it comes to firearms - I prefer steel to synthetics - so this further inclines me toward handguns like the P-35 & the 1911. I used to carry a gun for a living, & having been a shooter all my life, I prefer single-action pistols. However, John's advice is very sound. If you are not a full-time shooter (& possibly even if you are), if your purpose is self-defense, a double-action pistol is "probably" a better choice. I have wintessed numerous unintentional discharges by folks in stressful situations who did not realize the pressure they were exerting on the trigger, until the weapon discharged. DA is a good additional safety measure for a self-defense arm.

But to FINALLY answer you question as asked, if it is a genuine FN Hipower, brand new, I would consider $399 to be a smokin' deal!

Best of luck, & stay safe,
Matt

[Johnnie]

Good price. Buy it. I have seen a lot of High Powers over the years of different origins and time frames, and except for some of the later German occupation ones which were deliberately sabotaged, they are ALL excellent. (assuming proper care of course). The British and Irish soldiers I see here in Kosovo still carry them, mostly wartime manufacture I believe, and I have seen a few Greek soldiers with them too.
Regards,
Johnnie

Can any one give me a history of the high-power. I think I have a grasp of it, FN made them after buying the lis. from browning, ingles made some in Toronto during the war, and now browning makes them along with FN, how good are the FN current manufacture? I have found a company selling them new in box with one ten and one fifteen round mag. in case for 399.00, these look much like the original FN ww2 versions. It the quality there? any history or correction of my brief history very welcome, thanks

[ernestt]

fn high power

I have many guns, but not high power, like I had posted, I have 5 1911s a rand ,colt 1911 colt 1911a1 series 80 ss, colt combat commander nickel, and a norinco 1911, I don't need the norinco and was offered 415 for is, I paid 189 back when they firs started to come into this country.
I decided to get a high power, and found a dealer that got a bunch of original newer manufacture high power made inthe Belgian fn factory, comes with one 15 and one 10 round mag and case for 399 and shipping is 9 usps. with a transfer fee of 20 I am only behind a couple of bucks for the trade.
I only bought the norinco for a shooter, I know that they can not be imported any more, but this is too good a price to let go.
Don't get me wrong, the norinco is a top notch gun, made well, and shoots better, but I lover the history of a gun, and want to keep the blood line pure, I don't really want a Chinese colt, and don't want a American made ak47 the only thing I have like that is a us made walther ss ppk. I love that little gun, have a pp ac made German proofed, and Sauer 38h, two p 38s, a couple of lugers, one g date with holster,couple of k98s one all matching, one Russian but very good shape. I just feel that I can up grade the scope of my collection with this move. To answer the question if it will be a carry gun, no I have several guns to fit that bill, my carry gun is a firestrom 380, it fits my hand and is just small enough to fit a shoulder holster under my arm nicely, this little gun is inexpensive and shoots great, I love a gun that has the qualityh of a 400 dollar gun for 198. if it is stolen, I am not out that much.
My strangest gun is a stinger pen gun, I dont see them much any more, dont know if they even make them. but I take it that the fn highpowers are original high powers just newer manufacture, they have the black plastic grips.

[Matt Wilson]

Ernestt,

Just a thought - make sure you are being offered an FN HiPower, & not an FM Hipower. The FMs are from Argentina, & were imported in large quantities a few years back. I believe they are made under license to the Belgians, & they are fine for shooting, but the finish quality does not compare w/the European-made pistols, & their value is nowhere near as much. $399 for an FM would be a normal gunshop price, & as you are adding to your collection, I would probably pass on it if it is the S. American piece. Let us know how you make out.

Best of luck,
Matt

[John Hodgin]

Agree Matt, pass on an FM. Another reason, aside from DA in self defense, that I like the SIG 220 or an H&K compact USP is, personally, I'd move up from 9mm to .40 or 45 cal.. 380 isn't going to work in some sits..

[Matt Wilson]

Amen to that, John.

I seldom carry smaller than .45, since I no longer have departmental constraints to dictate my choice. In high stress situations (such as defending one's life), the larger projectile helps compensate for my shaky hands.

Best,
Matt