The pistol shown is the DAO version of the “HP-DA”. The traditional DA/SA version came out in the ’80’s circa US military testing for a new 9mm handgun to replace the 1911. This pistol has been an on-again/off-again production item with FN. (Introduced in 1983 but discontinued four years later, but produced again in 1990.
Fiocchi ammunition has served me well for years, not only in my Hi Powers, but other 9mm pistols and while I’ve used it in other calibers, the vast majority has been selections in their 9mm FMJ line. It has consistently been reliable, accurate and the cases worked very well for reloading. When I could find
Sometimes referred to as “South African Hi Power magazines”, these are actually manufactured from tempered steel by KRD-High-Tec S.R.L. in Buenos Aires, Argentina. For those interested, their site (English version) can be seen here: http://www.krdhigh-tec.com/htms-english/index.html I do not recall the first time I laid eyes on the KRD magazine but believe it was around 1999
For several years now Mec-Gar has manufactured 9mm magazines for the FN Hi Power, whether sold under the FN logo or Browning’s. The standard-capacity 9mm Hi Power magazine is 13-rounds unless legal impositions demand the 10-round versions. This Mk III is shown with a Mec-Gar 13-shot magazines. If you look carefully below the last witness
When speaking of the classic style Hi Powers, i.e.; those such as T and C-Series pistols (and older), the fixed sight version is most often the version under consideration. 9mm Hi Powers of classic design were also offered with adjustable sights, which were the only differences between the two. They were sometimes call the Sport Model. The
A relatively common mistake when reassembling the Hi Power pistol appears to be accidentally replacing the recoil spring guide upside down. It can appear to be in place and the pistol can actually be reassembled with it incorrectly installed. This view from the bottom shows the recoil spring guide as it should be. Note that the flat
As a charter member of the Temple of the Sacred Hi Power for about four decades, I have owned several custom Hi Powers. Most of my customized P35’s were done in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. I still have a couple of these early customs and both are from the bench of gunsmith, Lou Williamson.