Back in the 80's, this turned up at the local gun store. It had been left stored in a holster and the bluing on the front 1/3 of the slide was messed up. This killed most of its value. As a result, I got a deal on it.
The Hi Power has three basic deficiencies.
The sights are tiny like G.I. 1911 sights
The trigger sucks, mainly due to the magazine disconnect safety.
Certain style hammers pinch the web of your hand.
Since the pistols finish was ruined anyway, I took the opportunity to first install some better sights. Back then, no one made aftermarket sights for the Hi Power. I had to order a set of 1911 sights from Brownell's and file away everything that didn't look like it belonged on a Hi Power. Nobody did dovetailed front sight in those days, so I had a gunsmith silver solder a front sigh on for me.
After removing the magazine safety, the trigger pull was still not to my liking, so I attempted a trigger job...and failed. Had to order a new sear after screwing it up. I prevailed on the second attempt however and to this day I have never felt a Hi Power with a better one that did not come out of a custom gunsmith. (There's a blind hog and an acorn analogy in there somewhere)
I was learning about Parkerizing at the time, and being I could do it cheaper than paying to have the gun blued, it got parked.
One of the "Holy Grails" in Mil-Surp refinishing is duplicating the green tint seen on WW2 M1's, Carbines, and Springfields. Little did I know that the passage of time plays a large part in that. Rust prevention in the 40's consisted of coating the guns in Cosmoline, which over time caused the green tint.
I had a can of G.I. Rifle Grease (which is kinda green) and when the parts came out of the tank and were still hot, I swabbed them down with the grease. I was disappointed when there wasn't an instant color change. In fact, there didn't seem to be any change. However, as the years went by, a green tint emerged. Not as prominent as a G.I. weapon, but in certain light it is there.
Anyway, this is my favorite 9mm pistol. This gun came to me with Pachmayr grips with a palm swell that I was never crazy about. The factory grips are also kinda thick. I replaced them with Craig Spegal grips which are tapered. The nicely grained Coco Bolo doesn't hurt either.
I am looking forward to getting my hands on one of the new Springfield SA35's, which have had the classic deficiencies remedied by the factory. FN also has a new Hi Power on their website, but MSRP in much higher than Springfield's.
Different light and background change the color of the photo.
The Hi Power has three basic deficiencies.
The sights are tiny like G.I. 1911 sights
The trigger sucks, mainly due to the magazine disconnect safety.
Certain style hammers pinch the web of your hand.
Since the pistols finish was ruined anyway, I took the opportunity to first install some better sights. Back then, no one made aftermarket sights for the Hi Power. I had to order a set of 1911 sights from Brownell's and file away everything that didn't look like it belonged on a Hi Power. Nobody did dovetailed front sight in those days, so I had a gunsmith silver solder a front sigh on for me.
After removing the magazine safety, the trigger pull was still not to my liking, so I attempted a trigger job...and failed. Had to order a new sear after screwing it up. I prevailed on the second attempt however and to this day I have never felt a Hi Power with a better one that did not come out of a custom gunsmith. (There's a blind hog and an acorn analogy in there somewhere)
I was learning about Parkerizing at the time, and being I could do it cheaper than paying to have the gun blued, it got parked.
One of the "Holy Grails" in Mil-Surp refinishing is duplicating the green tint seen on WW2 M1's, Carbines, and Springfields. Little did I know that the passage of time plays a large part in that. Rust prevention in the 40's consisted of coating the guns in Cosmoline, which over time caused the green tint.
I had a can of G.I. Rifle Grease (which is kinda green) and when the parts came out of the tank and were still hot, I swabbed them down with the grease. I was disappointed when there wasn't an instant color change. In fact, there didn't seem to be any change. However, as the years went by, a green tint emerged. Not as prominent as a G.I. weapon, but in certain light it is there.
Anyway, this is my favorite 9mm pistol. This gun came to me with Pachmayr grips with a palm swell that I was never crazy about. The factory grips are also kinda thick. I replaced them with Craig Spegal grips which are tapered. The nicely grained Coco Bolo doesn't hurt either.
I am looking forward to getting my hands on one of the new Springfield SA35's, which have had the classic deficiencies remedied by the factory. FN also has a new Hi Power on their website, but MSRP in much higher than Springfield's.
Different light and background change the color of the photo.