View Full Version : CDI Sales High Powers
Anyone get one of these used BHPs as advertised on Gunbroker? Looks like the excellent -cond. ones were Israeli. Ex-IDF guns replaced by Glocks?
I did. It was in really nice shape. Sent it off for a bunch of work and a hard chrome finish. It's a much cheaper option for a custom Hi Power versus dropping the coin on a new commercial Browning.
That's what I was thinking. I don't need one, just think they are cool. I had a "Practical" but sold it and wish I hadn't.
Really like the newer ones with the "FN" roll mark though!
MountainRaven
06-17-13, 21:22
Egads.
I might have to acquire one of these.
Thanks for the heads-up!
SeriousStudent
06-17-13, 22:43
Fred, you are a evil man, pushing me into sin...... :p
I'm an old guy and grew up with 1911's and BHP's.
On a serious note, what would you really need to do with one of these? Maybe have someone fit a new barrel and replace the sights? I'm betting the trigger would likely be smoothed out enough from use.
One of these things would be so much fun in a VM2. I know, I know, my Glock 19 is much more practical and very much better.
But I'm an old fart and have loved these things for decades.
AJD - who did you send yours to? Novak?
On a serious note, what would you really need to do with one of these? Maybe have someone fit a new barrel and replace the sights? I'm betting the trigger would likely be smoothed out enough from use.
Removing the magazine disconnect on your own makes the trigger massively better. Lowest cost, highest percentage of improvement of probably anything else you can do to the gun.
These the FN ones out of Kentucky?!
Army Chief
06-18-13, 08:00
I've been looking for an excuse for years. Hope this isn't it. ;)
AC
I sent it to APW Cogan. It's getting Novak rear, front night sight, C&S hammer and sear, welded beavertail, C&S extended single sided thumb safety, magazine disconnect removed, trigger job, hardchrome finish and I put some VZ grips on it.
With only $450 into the base gun you can get a lot done and still not break the bank.
brickboy240
06-18-13, 10:13
I bought one of those Israeli Hi-Powers a few years ago and had some light custom work done to it. I installed the Cylinder & Slide hammer/sear set up, C&S safety and spring kit. Then...had the thing flat black teflon fiinished and put a set of Herret cocobolo grips on it.
The thing is one of the most accurate 9mms I have ever shot. Almost 1911-like trigger and totally reliable. i don't carry this gun often but it is a total pleasure to shoot and one of my favorite range guns.
If you want a custom HP but don't want to drop major coin on a new FN commercial HP....this is probably the way to go.
-brickboy240
Picked one up several weeks ago. I didn't have a hi-power in the pile and always wanted one, for $460.00 or so it seemed like a deal.
On receiving the gun the safety took real effort to move and the action was very stiff. A quick look revealed that the grease inside the gun had hardened considerably and was pretty much gumming up the works. A quick lube (yea, I should have detail stripped it...) and I was off to the races.
The first range trip resulted in no stoppages and groups of sub 3" at 25 yards standing off hand. I'm currently doing some work to the gun prior to having it parked. Once it's done I'll post some pics.
Man, I've been researching smiths to do work on the Hi Power if I picked one up from CDI sales. Some of the well known smiths do a package deal for the Hi Powers and can be anywhere from $500-$2000.
Basically looking to see what work should definitely be done on these used Hi Powers? Only I know for certain I'll be getting rid of is the "magazine disconnect"
They can be used as is depending on which one you get.
Otherwise my only real requirements would be.
Improve sights
Improve trigger
Improve finish
Improve thumb safety
Everything else isn't required and is only done on personal preference.
Man, I've been researching smiths to do work on the Hi Power if I picked one up from CDI sales. Some of the well known smiths do a package deal for the Hi Powers and can be anywhere from $500-$2000.
Basically looking to see what work should definitely be done on these used Hi Powers? Only I know for certain I'll be getting rid of is the "magazine disconnect"
They can be used as is depending on which one you get.
Otherwise my only real requirements would be.
Improve sights
Improve trigger
Improve finish
Improve thumb safety
Everything else isn't required and is only done on personal preference.
I'd add a spare recoil spring guide rod and a pack of extra springs. The ring shaped lug on the rod is somewhat fragile and if the spring is worn, it takes a beating. For me I'd have to have the grip tang welded up. My BHP used to cut me at the web of the hand quite a bit.
BTS, this thread is worthless without pics! :D
I sent it to APW Cogan. It's getting Novak rear, front night sight, C&S hammer and sear, welded beavertail, C&S extended single sided thumb safety, magazine disconnect removed, trigger job, hardchrome finish and I put some VZ grips on it.
With only $450 into the base gun you can get a lot done and still not break the bank.
What is that going to run you, cost wise?
So, my search-fu seems weak today. Can anyone link me to where to get one of these? My collection needs growing, and for that price, I can't hardly say no.
Wow, seems like I'm not the only one interested. I know the Glock 19 is more practical, that's why the Israelis went to it, but BHPs have more character and I just like them. My "Practical" had a couple thousand rounds through it with no problems until the mag-safety failed and locked up the gun. Too bad at the time it was my carry gun! I got pissed and after it was returned from Browning (very quickly, to their credit) I traded it off for a Glock 27.
I would just blow out the crud, replace the sights and shoot it. A new finish would be cool but these guns have been re-parkerized, and it wouldn't be a carry gun... although a Versa-Max II would be ordered immediately, just in case!
Just log into Gun Broker and search "High Power" and most of the results will be the CDI guns.
I saw some stamped made in Belgium assembled in Portugal. Are these any different than the browning mkiii?
SeriousStudent
06-18-13, 20:16
I did not get a dang thing done at work today, I was daydreaming about used Belgian ironmongery.
I'm passing. I ran the budget, and this money would pay for the Pat McNamara class in September. I'd rather train with Pat on my soulless Glock's.
Maturity is a horrible thing, sometimes. :(
I did not get a dang thing done at work today, I was daydreaming about used Belgian ironmongery.
I'm passing. I ran the budget, and this money would pay for the Pat McNamara class in September. I'd rather train with Pat on my soulless Glock's.
Maturity is a horrible thing, sometimes. :(
same boat. picking one up and doing the necessary work to it will have to come from my training funds.
I'm just taking it from my wife's professional clothing budget. I'm sure she won't notice.
I think I'll take the plunge. Always wanted a High Power but couldn't really justify the cost.
brickboy240
06-19-13, 10:48
If you are a fan of the 1911...you will probably like the Hi-Power. This is one thing I have always noticed about everyone I let shoot my Hi-Power.
They have a lot in common. Both point really well and are flat on the sides and sit well in the hand. Both are a joy to shoot with decent triggers and sight radius. Also, the Hi-Power is very accurate and in my experiences very reliable.
They are also very well made pistols...all steel and usually fit and finish on them is very good.
Go get a Hi-Power...you might find that you really like it.
In fact, this is really one of the only countries where the Hi-Power did not have a really huge following. It served as a military sidearm in more places than did the M1911.
-brickboy240
Link to where these are??
C4
Link to where these are??
C4
http://www.gunbroker.com/All/BI.aspx?Keywords=*power&IncludeSellers=2621012
brickboy240
06-19-13, 11:11
Mine was in very similar condition as those.
However mine came with the one side safety and had "9mm NATO" stamped on the barrel right above the serial number through the ejection port. Also came with checkered wood grips.
Still...a solid shooter and totally worth it.
These were made with the hard cast frames and are very tough...made to withstand the hotter 9mm Uzi ammo that the Israelis make.
-brickboy240
Do they have the non ramped feed ramp, do the feed hollow points?
From my searching the fn guns are made in the same factory as the browning guns or vice versa. Is thAt correct?
brickboy240
06-19-13, 15:06
The one I have was an earlier issued HP.
It has never jammed on anything I have fed it and I have had this HP for a good 6 years.
SXTs, Hydra-shoks, Golden Sabers and Gold Dots all ran fine through this gun...as did every flavor of ball I could find.
If you ask me...the Hi-Power is a very reliable 9mm.
-brickboy240
Damn! I already bought my pistol for this decade. :mad:
I've always wanted a HP too.
I was a devout Hi Power guy for a couple of years.
If you can deal with the slide stop and the hammer they're awesome guns. They carry very nicely IWB in a VMII.
And yep, a Glock is probably as reliable as a straight feedramped Hi Power.
I'd love to get one but I just dropped a deposit on a Colt 1911
I need to figure out how to get rich pronto!
mkmckinley
06-20-13, 22:50
Is there a reason the serial number is only stamped on the barrel and slide and not the frame? On some of them it's only on the barrel.
Is there a reason the serial number is only stamped on the barrel and slide and not the frame? On some of them it's only on the barrel.
My MKIII HP also had the the SN stamped on the front strap of the grip. I'm betting that it is there on these as well.
Dave, just took a look at mine and I can't find any import markings. Light Star of David marking above the rear of the trigger area, proof mark on the right hand side of the trigger guard at the front and "Fabrique Nationale Herstal Belgique" on the left side of the frame.
-Joe
brickboy240
06-21-13, 11:23
Every Izzy HP I have seen has the serial number on the barrel, on the slide under the ejection port and on the front strap of the frame. I bet these do as well.
These seem to be missing the "9mm NATO" marking that is on the barrel like mine.
-brickboy240
My example has the serial number on the slide, barrel and front strap.
Otherwise my only real requirements would be.
Improve sights
Improve trigger
Improve finish
Improve thumb safety
If you buy one of the MkIII versions he has available, then you can pretty much eliminate "improve sights" and "improve thumb safety". The finish is obviously based on what you want, but the trigger will need to have the magazine disconnect removed at the very least (unless you get lucky and get one that has already had this done).
If you're going to go the route of fully customizing one, I'd suggest buying one of the surplus Hi Powers that's available with an aluminum alloy frame (search GunBroker on "aluminum hi power" or "alloy hi power). The aluminum frame significantly reduces the weight. Don Williams turned this...
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5140/85alloyhipower.jpg
in to this for me...
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/5376/alloyhipowerleftview.jpg
http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2827/alloyhipowerrightview.jpg
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/2931/alloyhipowersights.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6634/alloyhipowerleftviewdis.jpg
Don machined the slide for and installed as set of Novak sights with big white dots for my less than sharp visioned eyes, did a trigger job, fabricated an extended safety, cleaned up all the dings/scratches, and had the pistol hard chromed by Metalife. For those who think that you can't hard chrome aluminum, it is possible. The trick I'm told is that the frame had to be nickel plated prior to the hard chrome being applied. The thing that most impressed me about Don was what he told me didn't need to be done. He told me that I didn't need to have anything done to the barrel and I didn't need to have anything done as far as reliability goes because the Mark II Hi Powers are already extremely reliable.
I have a Colt Commander (aluminum frame) that was hardchromed 25 years ago. It was carried every day for 10 years and it hardly even shows it. The guys that hard chromed mine (can't remember who) said that they copper coated it first, then hard chromed it. It's a great finish on aluminum if done right.
Stupid question: can 1911 sights be used on the BHP?
Yes they can, Im about to have Mr. Williams put a pair of Heine ledge sights on my BHP.
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2
Since magazines are scare, I found this guy who had MEC-GAR, and his are the lowest priced I could find.
http://www.gregcotellc.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=97_121
Since magazines are scare, I found this guy who had MEC-GAR, and his are the lowest priced I could find.
http://www.gregcotellc.com/cart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=97_121
Are the 15 rounders flush with the pistol?
I had problems with those MecGar 15rd "extended capacity" mags. Because of the follower design, they would tip over and hang up against the inside of the tube. You could turn the mag upside down and shake the rounds out.
I would stick to the thirteen round magazines.
I got one of Cole's Hi Powers back in March or April, a flat bottomed cast frame mkIII made in 1995. I'm in love with the thing. I removed the magazine disconnect after my first trip with it because the spring was broken and was causing malfunctions. Specifically the trigger wouldn't reset.
Last week I completely detail stripped it and finished it in satin black gunkote. I'll post pictures of it later. That stuff really likes to soak into parkerizing. Detail stripping it is quite difficult. The trigger pin and sights were complete hell to remove, and only slightly better to get back in - the trigger pin slightly mushroomed the head of one of my steel punches. I'm going to have to hit both with a blueing pen or something because the finish on the sides of those two things is pretty thin and scratched up now. Whatever steel FN used is TOUGH!
I'd like to get another one of those HPs before they're gone. If I do I'd like to refinish that one as well.
http://www.operatorchan.org/k/src/137308619558.jpg
Satin black Gunkote. I'd like to add a pair of wood grips of some type soon.
http://www.operatorchan.org/k/src/137308619558.jpg
Satin black Gunkote. I'd like to add a pair of wood grips of some type soon.
that looks great. Do you have any before pictures?
Thank you. Sure.
Parkerized. The parking on it was actually really nice. I just thought I might want to conceal carry it, and wanted an extra level of protection for it. Went with satin because I wanted it to look nice.
http://www.operatorchan.org/k/src/136465824750.jpg
http://www.operatorchan.org/k/src/136461714685.jpg
Another of it refinished.
http://www.operatorchan.org/k/src/137308484264.jpg
I have been in love with BHP's for a long time (used only for range/plinking). After owning 3 (regrettably down to 2 at the moment), and deciding I need to get off the pot with having a customized BHP which has been on the bucket list for while, I stumbled across another source pointing Gary Cole out to me. I pulled the trigger on one of his a couple days ago, and it shipped yesterday.
Besides Don Williams (gonna have to google that one, never heard of him), are there any other recommended custom shops? My first thoughts were Novak and C&S. I'll be going for the usual "fixes" and a finish like Robar or hard chrome...it's gonna become my South Texas ranch sidearm so finish has to be super tough.
Thanks,
Pete
I'll post pics of my CDI Hi Power that I got back from APW Cogan. I haven't had/seen any work from anyone else on the Hi Power so I can't compare.
I had the following done:
-Remove magazine disconnect
-Trigger/action job
-Install novak rear/night front sight
-Install C&S extended single sided safety(I provided this part)
-Install C&S hammer and sear
-Weld on extended beavertail
-Brushed Hard chrome finish
Total cost was $990 for this work. Total cost into this is around $1500.
Overall I'm really happy with how it turned out. The beavertail really gives this gun really enhances the ergonomics and allows a much more aggressive high hold. You could probably get by just bobbing the hammer on a standard Hi Power if you wanted to save some money on the project. The trigger is outstanding. I would estimate its 4.5 lbs and breaks like glass, still has the lousy reset that all Hi Powers have. Turnaround was around 4 weeks.
brickboy240
08-07-13, 10:21
I have had great luck with the 13rd Mec Gar mags but have never tried the 15rd units. I once bought a few surplus South African 15rd mags from CDNN but they caused feed jams and would not lock the slide back when empty. Granted...they were not in great shape, either and were cheap.
I stick with FN factory 13rd mags and Italian made 13rd Mec Gars and they work very well.
-brickboy240
Here are some pics of the FN Hi Power I got from CDI and sent to APW Cogan.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/Cleis101/IMG_3983.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cleis101/media/IMG_3983.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/Cleis101/IMG_3982.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cleis101/media/IMG_3982.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/Cleis101/IMG_3980.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cleis101/media/IMG_3980.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/Cleis101/IMG_3978.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cleis101/media/IMG_3978.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/Cleis101/IMG_3977.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cleis101/media/IMG_3977.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/Cleis101/IMG_3961.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/Cleis101/media/IMG_3961.jpg.html)
SeriousStudent
08-08-13, 20:40
AJD, those pictures look very nice. Thanks for posting them.
Thanks, its the 3rd different Hi Power I've owned...I can't seem to shake my desire to own one and I think this one will be a "keeper".
Thanks for the pics, AJD. Beautiful!!
Got my CDI Hi-Power today, along with one of their Beretta 84's. The BHP doesn't look like its been touched since the reparking. Definitely pleased given the price. Now comes the decision process on who to send it to. :confused:
Purchased an Israeli surplus Hi Power from CDISALES last fall.
Had Chuck Warner install his proprietary gold bead front and wide notch rear sight. Took out the magazine disconnect safety. Installed Warner's optimized ignition set and splurged on a set of cocobolo grips from Craig Spegel.
It took a while because Chuck is deeply involved in the development of a new light weight barrel project (explosive cladding) that has tremendous implications for military and civilian arms.
Chuck is a GREAT, INNOVATIVE guy and a class act.
Sweet shooting, classic.
DOC
SeriousStudent
08-10-13, 20:30
DOC, that's some beautiful wood on the grips. I used to have a really sweet set of rosewood grips on a J frame, that Craig had made. I ended up giving them to a friend as a wedding gift.
mkmckinley
08-26-13, 17:58
Here's mine with a set of Spegel grips. The park job is on this one is just about perfect.
http://i.imgur.com/JnaVpfy.jpg?4
I really prefer black parkerization (zinc) as opposed to grey/green (mang) park....and the Spegel grips are beautiful. But color is subjective, it's how it shoots.
DOC
Just got off the phone with the BHP 'smith at Novak's....gonna have them do the work. Shipping it off tomorrow. I had Tucker Gunleather build a custom OWB holster for it that is just incredibly sexy. i'll post pics of everything when i get the pistol back (and will probably get bashed for necro-posting....LOL....because I'm sure it will be several months).
Just got off the phone with the BHP 'smith at Novak's....gonna have them do the work. Shipping it off tomorrow. I had Tucker Gunleather build a custom OWB holster for it that is just incredibly sexy. i'll post pics of everything when i get the pistol back (and will probably get bashed for necro-posting....LOL....because I'm sure it will be several months).
40Arpent, what are you having Novak's do to yours? Mine's just sitting in my safe with a horrible grey parkjob and tiny mkii sights. I want to send it off but my focus shifts from project to project.
When I see what Novak's has done to yours it may just push me over the edge.
Bill, it's pretty much the same list of modifications as AJD's in this thread, with the exception of the beavertail, plus i'm having them dehorn (carry bevel) it and do a throat/polish feed ramp job.
Here's a pic of the gun as it is now, in the new custom Tucker holster:
http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w560/40Arpent/null_zpsc290bfbd.jpg
FYI: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/370958/product?cm_mmc=M_Spop-Email-_-Clearance-_-Clearance_20130917_1-_-Product5&cm_mmca1=j_gaines1911@yahoo.com&cm_mmca2=CustNum=101408456
Cheap mil-spec mags.
Okie John
After looking at the reviews cheap might be the word for them.
brickboy240
09-18-13, 10:46
Be VERY careful with surplus mags in the Hi-Power.
I bought several cheap South African military surplus mags from CDNN many years ago and they were all crap. A few had the mag bottoms come apart when kept loaded for a week or so. A few made the gun jam 2-3 times per mag and this gun never jams with FN factory or Mec Gar mags.
Stick with FN factory 13rd mags or the Italian made Mec Gars and you will be happy.
-brickboy240
Be VERY careful with surplus mags in the Hi-Power.
I bought several cheap South African military surplus mags from CDNN many years ago and they were all crap. A few had the mag bottoms come apart when kept loaded for a week or so. A few made the gun jam 2-3 times per mag and this gun never jams with FN factory or Mec Gar mags.
Stick with FN factory 13rd mags or the Italian made Mec Gars and you will be happy.
-brickboy240
Where they the 17 or 18 Argentine mags they were selling back then? I bought a few to use as range mags, and they've been fine, but I agree the factory or Mec-Gar mags are great.
MountainRaven
09-19-13, 22:39
These are still available? Huh.
Anyway, is there anything more to this than to find the most expensive one they're selling (that isn't C&R)?
I noticed that one that is C&R has a Syrian military crest on it....
Anyway, is there anything more to this than to find the most expensive one they're selling (that isn't C&R)?
That's what I did, and a buddy ordered one that was a few bucks less. The difference in the 2 pistols was noticeable, so based on that sample of one, it seems they are grading them somewhat appropriately.
youreacrab
10-01-13, 20:17
These are still available? Huh.
Anyway, is there anything more to this than to find the most expensive one they're selling (that isn't C&R)?
I noticed that one that is C&R has a Syrian military crest on it....
Also make sure they have the right sights, safety, grips, etc that you want. They're some differences in the lot.
My CDI BHP is on its way back from Novak and i'll have it in my grubby paws tomorrow. Was really amazed at the wait time...only just over a month, when i was expecting several months.
Bret, I just picked it up from the FedEx store. It looks a lot like yours, except for the commander-style hammer. Will get pics uploaded soon. It's still wearing the original grips, but I have a set of VZ grips ready to go on....as soon as I carve a notch for the lanyard ring. I'll be wringing the snot out of it at the ranch this weekend. :D
brickboy240
10-09-13, 16:06
I noticed that CDI Sales also has some really nice looking Italian made 92 Berettas for around 400 bucks. Early ones with blued slides and wood grips.
...very tempting.
-brickboy240
I noticed that CDI Sales also has some really nice looking Italian made 92 Berettas for around 400 bucks. Early ones with blued slides and wood grips.
...very tempting.
-brickboy240
Yep, they sure do. I got one of their 84's and was very pleased.
brickboy240
10-10-13, 15:48
400 bucks for a Belgian Hi-Power or Italian made 92F is a steal for a 9mm of that quality.
Grab them while you can.
-brickboy240
http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w560/40Arpent/null_zps385b81ff.jpg
http://i1329.photobucket.com/albums/w560/40Arpent/null_zps5412450a.jpg
Misplaced my damn VZ grips for it, so the stockers are still on it.
18371
I also say stay away from South African and Argentine mags as they have never functioned in either of my Hi Powers stay with Mec -Gar or factory. It no longer has those terrible factory grips on it. I have Navidrex grips on it now.
40Arpent, that does look familiar! Very nice.
40Arpent, that does look familiar! Very nice.
Thanks man!
List of mods:
Throat barrel
Polish feed ramp
Novak Custom Extended Strong Side Safety
Carry Bevel Treatment
Chamfer slide stop
Fit/adjust extractor
C&S Commander Style Hammer & Sear
Trigger Job
Modify Magazine Disconnect to Drop Mags
Remove Magazine Disconnect
Wolff Recoil Spring
Wolff Extra Power Firing Pin Spring
Novaks lo-mount rear sight, Tritium dot front
Novak's stamp
Brushed hard chrome finish
Well thanks to you guys I just bought one of these on Gunbroker. Thanks a lot. Geez :p
Sent from the corner of my brain.
Hi powers are good pistols and I have really liked mine. I picked up some Mec Gar 13 rnds mags and they have worked great.
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