[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I read a report from a Hi Power fan who was at the SHOT Show. He advised that in a conversation with an FN representative, he was told that the Hi Power would be phased out of production. No time frame was given. This is not confirmed by FN, but it sort of rings true to me. While the 9mm Hi Power remains my favorite 9mm, its heyday as the premier military sidearm for much of the world has passed and most military/police units simply don't want single-action.
As I understand it, civillian sales don't count for much in total numbers and even so, the Hi Power platform has never been as popular in the US as the 1911.

Again, I have no idea how long the phasing out will take, but mention this in case it is true and anyone is considering buying a new Hi Power.

Best.

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there Stephen,

I just finished reading the thread over on fnhipower.com and I also lament the news that FN will be phasing out the design. The Hi Power is one of my favorite handgun designs and it appears there is not enough demands from the military and commercial consumership to warrant its continued production.

While I had hoped this was not the case, I would like to take the opportunity to remind people that the gun manufacturing industry has gone through this before and the demand is generally recharged by change in consumership as evidenced in the "Single Action Army" market and the "1911" market. For example, when Colt stopped producing the "single action" during and after WW II, Ruger recharged the market with the introduction of the Ruger Blackhawk. Not withstanding, the evolution of "1911" companies rose to the market in the 1970's and 1980's to fill the void by the often bankrupt and erratic management of Colt.

Charles Daly offers the HP clone and I imagine that there are many companies out there that with produce or import an HP clone to keep up with this current "niche" market of consumers. Sadly, what will probably happen is that the price of FN/Browning HPs will climb as they reach a "collectable" status for the entire line of HP handguns regardless of date of manufacture.

Chris

 

[Guest]

They had big signs up that said something like, any other company who could produce something like the hipower would rest on their laurels, we rolled up our sleeves. Indicating, of course, that we should all look at their new models. Sorry, I didn't.

 

[Bob Reed]

Hello parson45,

I hate to appear stupid, but, would you please tell me who is "they" and who were they directing the phrase at? And please tell me what the phrase means.

Thanks,
The Sockman

 

[Guest]

Sockman, my apologies. That's what happens when I start writing too early in the morning. You mean, you don't know where I've been the last four days.

Sorry 'bout that.

"They" were Browning. I was referring to walking past their exhibit at the SHOT Show in Las Vegas a couple of days ago. I noticed the signs, stopped and looked at one rifle, then hurried to a meeting and never did get back to their booth.

The signs were directed at the dealers, distributors, and writers wandering by. The campaign was aimed at getting us to stop and look at their new products. After seeing them, it seems logical that Browning was directing attention away from the hipower toward the new stuff for a reason -- like they were going to discontinue the hipower.

 

[Bob Reed]

Thanks parson45,

Now that I know it was Browning that had the sign up, I read it entirely differntly, althow I kinda read it this way the first time, but couldn't understand why other makers would be promoting The High Power.

Heres how I take the phrase: Any company that could produce a pistol as Magnificent as The High Power, would pretty much be on easy street from there on.

We rolled up are sleeves, means they really went to work to come up with such a Magnificent Pistol.

I know I ask you to tell me, and now I'm trying to tell you, but I didn't realize it was the Browning Group displaing the sign, I read it as a Positive Banner about The High Power, wanting people to stop and handel one so they will see how Great of a Pistol it is.

Please don't take any offense, and thanks for telling me who had the sign and so forth.

Thanks Again parson45,
The Sockman

 

[Guest]

Gents,

I will be saddened by the demise of the Hi-Power. IF it happens. It's been rumored before and nothing happened.

Something is afoot, no doubt. Recent dealer prices for the BHP has been between $600.-$700. for a BHP. Depending on options, etc.

Colt, S&W, and others have had similar increases.

If police and military don't want the single action function they could opt for the SFS lockwork and get a hammer down carry. The same could be said for the 1911 platform.

Remember that there is a LICENSED factory in Argentina that has been turning out Hi-powers for some time. Cosmetically, they are not in league with the Brownings & FN's, but they fit and function perfectly.
I've had the better part of a dozen through my hand and the ALL performed beautifully. If the wanted to upgrade the finish they can certainly do so...and own the market.

I don't think the HP will "submerge" a la the Colt SAA. The SAA was not the service sidearm of almost sixty countries and the customer base is huge. I believe it will stay in production...in some form or another.

All is not lost...we can always opt for CZ's, smile, and be happy.

Wes