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Posted: 3/25/2015 11:43:54 AM EDT
Having carried a Colt 1911 cocked and locked in a Roy Baker pancake holster with the thumb break over the firing pin and under the hammer, I have some familiarity with that.

In the Hi Power, there is no grip safety or firing pin block, but there are two big levers putting the safety on and off rather easily.

How do you carry a 1990 FN Hi Power safely other than chamber empty, hammer down?
Link Posted: 3/25/2015 11:55:48 AM EDT
[#1]
I'm not going to tell you!  Why?  Because, nowadays, only sissies carry in C-3; and, trust me, I ain't no sissy.  
Link Posted: 3/25/2015 1:10:14 PM EDT
[#2]
Same way I carry a 1911, condition one.  



I did remove the ambi safety and put in a C&S single side safety.
Link Posted: 3/25/2015 1:43:46 PM EDT
[#3]
MKIII HPs have a firing pin block

You have to pull the trigger for the hammer to fall to hit the firing pin.  If the hammer did come 'loose' of the sear without pulling the trigger it will stop at the half cock notch.
Link Posted: 3/25/2015 2:56:30 PM EDT
[#4]
Condition 1, same as my 1911.  My dad had an old Bianchi 1911 holster that had the same thumbstrap that goes behind the slide and in front of the hammer, just like you described.  If you want that additional safety feature, just find a holster that is on the small side for a 1911 and shrink it a bit or re-work the location of the snaps.
Link Posted: 3/25/2015 3:09:57 PM EDT
[#5]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
MKIII HPs have a firing pin block

You have to pull the trigger for the hammer to fall to hit the firing pin.  If the hammer did come 'loose' of the sear without pulling the trigger it will stop at the half cock notch.
View Quote


No, not all MK III's do. Most, if not all of the FN mk III surplus imports don't have the fp block.

Also, I would have no problem carrying cond 1, but you should look at the "click test" thread to check the sear-safety engagement.  Both of my surplus mkIII's fail it, so I would probably fix that if I wanted to carry them.
Link Posted: 3/25/2015 3:28:17 PM EDT
[#6]
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Quoted:

No, not all MK III's do. Most, if not all of the FN mk III surplus imports don't have the fp block.
View Quote



My FN mkIII surplus import does.
Link Posted: 3/25/2015 5:37:45 PM EDT
[#7]
What does the firing pin block look like?  I don't see anything that resembles the O button of some guns that goes up and down with the trigger.

There is some sort of P paddle shape on the back of the (trigger connector pivot inside the slide).

The one I have makes no click noise of any kind doing that test.
Link Posted: 3/25/2015 6:23:05 PM EDT
[#8]
Hi Powers are meant to be carried cocked and locked, and that is the most sensible and practical option.
Link Posted: 3/25/2015 11:49:44 PM EDT
[#9]
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Quoted:
What does the firing pin block look like?  I don't see anything that resembles the O button of some guns that goes up and down with the trigger.

There is some sort of P paddle shape on the back of the (trigger connector pivot inside the slide).

The one I have makes no click noise of any kind doing that test.
View Quote


The one on the left has the fp block

Link Posted: 3/25/2015 11:53:34 PM EDT
[#10]
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Quoted:



My FN mkIII surplus import does.
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Quoted:
Quoted:

No, not all MK III's do. Most, if not all of the FN mk III surplus imports don't have the fp block.



My FN mkIII surplus import does.


Interesting, is it an Israeli surplus?  I was led to believe that most of the mil contract hp's didn't have them.

What 2 letter date code does it have?
Link Posted: 3/26/2015 6:51:19 AM EDT
[#11]
245 NM is code for  9mm and 1990.

Israeli.

"Paddle" looks like the left picture, NOT the simple straight slot.  Yeah!

Thank you.
Link Posted: 3/26/2015 5:26:44 PM EDT
[#12]
You can/could order the MkII or MkIII with a firing pin safety (technically that would be the MkIIS/MkIIIS).  We don't notice that distinction in the states because almost all FN Hi-Powers imported by Browning for commercial sale come with the firing pin safety.  I carry my non-firing pin safety Hi-Powers the same as my MkIIIS; but I am better about changing out the firing pin spring on those pistols with no FP safety.
Link Posted: 3/26/2015 11:44:56 PM EDT
[#13]
I'm a moron.

I confused 2 of my pistols. My Israeli MKIII does not have a FPB.

My apologies.
Link Posted: 3/27/2015 6:56:02 AM EDT
[#14]
Mine does for 100% sure.
Link Posted: 3/27/2015 2:07:30 PM EDT
[#15]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


No, not all MK III's do. Most, if not all of the FN mk III surplus imports don't have the fp block.

Also, I would have no problem carrying cond 1, but you should look at the "click test" thread to check the sear-safety engagement.  Both of my surplus mkIII's fail it, so I would probably fix that if I wanted to carry them.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
MKIII HPs have a firing pin block

You have to pull the trigger for the hammer to fall to hit the firing pin.  If the hammer did come 'loose' of the sear without pulling the trigger it will stop at the half cock notch.


No, not all MK III's do. Most, if not all of the FN mk III surplus imports don't have the fp block.

Also, I would have no problem carrying cond 1, but you should look at the "click test" thread to check the sear-safety engagement.  Both of my surplus mkIII's fail it, so I would probably fix that if I wanted to carry them.


Show me a cast frame (MKIII) FN without one...

Also the one nice thing about HP firing mechanism, the firing pin block does not add a bunch of extra parts.  There is only one little spring added to push the paddle up.
Link Posted: 3/27/2015 5:50:29 PM EDT
[#16]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:

Show me a cast frame (MKIII) FN without one...

Also the one nice thing about HP firing mechanism, the firing pin block does not add a bunch of extra parts.  There is only one little spring added to push the paddle up.
View Quote


Ok, here are my 2. Both are all matching NV (1995) serials.  Both lack the grooves on the bottom that most cast frames have, but do have what is apparently casting marks inside.  I'm quoting this here, so if I'm wrong about something i apologize.







Link Posted: 3/28/2015 5:30:42 PM EDT
[#17]
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Quoted:


Ok, here are my 2. Both are all matching NV (1995) serials.  Both lack the grooves on the bottom that most cast frames have, but do have what is apparently casting marks inside.  I'm quoting this here, so if I'm wrong about something i apologize.

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1495_zpshcaecioy.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1495_zpshcaecioy.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1483_zpskqkfiveb.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1483_zpskqkfiveb.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1489_zpsjdme8jah.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1489_zpsjdme8jah.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1491_zpsnlanmxll.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1491_zpsnlanmxll.jpg</a>
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:

Show me a cast frame (MKIII) FN without one...

Also the one nice thing about HP firing mechanism, the firing pin block does not add a bunch of extra parts.  There is only one little spring added to push the paddle up.


Ok, here are my 2. Both are all matching NV (1995) serials.  Both lack the grooves on the bottom that most cast frames have, but do have what is apparently casting marks inside.  I'm quoting this here, so if I'm wrong about something i apologize.

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1495_zpshcaecioy.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1495_zpshcaecioy.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1483_zpskqkfiveb.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1483_zpskqkfiveb.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1489_zpsjdme8jah.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1489_zpsjdme8jah.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1491_zpsnlanmxll.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1491_zpsnlanmxll.jpg</a>


No ribs on the bottom of the mag well......and the small safety on the one.  Not a MKIII

Odd ball MK2.5s

There are MKIIs with the FPB, right before they went to the MKIIIs.  FN has been know to mix master parts at times if they have a surplus of something.
Link Posted: 3/28/2015 5:43:48 PM EDT
[#18]
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Quoted:

No ribs on the bottom of the mag well......Not a MKIII

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OK...I'm curious where you even got that from, considering there are forged frame Browning imported MKIII's out there from the early 90's, and those definitely won't have the ribs.

Also, like Bartholomew said, there is the MKIII (no fb block), and the MKIIIs (with block).  MK2.5 is a made up term, I would say aside from the small safety (that was likely replaced), these pretty much fit the bill for the MKIII.
Link Posted: 3/28/2015 5:45:54 PM EDT
[#19]
see my above post /\/\/\  I was adding when you posted
Link Posted: 3/28/2015 5:52:26 PM EDT
[#20]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:


No ribs on the bottom of the mag well......and the small safety on the one.  Not a MKIII

Odd ball MK2.5s
View Quote View All Quotes
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Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:

Show me a cast frame (MKIII) FN without one...

Also the one nice thing about HP firing mechanism, the firing pin block does not add a bunch of extra parts.  There is only one little spring added to push the paddle up.


Ok, here are my 2. Both are all matching NV (1995) serials.  Both lack the grooves on the bottom that most cast frames have, but do have what is apparently casting marks inside.  I'm quoting this here, so if I'm wrong about something i apologize.

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1495_zpshcaecioy.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1495_zpshcaecioy.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1483_zpskqkfiveb.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1483_zpskqkfiveb.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1489_zpsjdme8jah.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1489_zpsjdme8jah.jpg</a>

<a href="http://s121.photobucket.com/user/raab35/media/IMG_1491_zpsnlanmxll.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/raab35/IMG_1491_zpsnlanmxll.jpg</a>


No ribs on the bottom of the mag well......and the small safety on the one.  Not a MKIII

Odd ball MK2.5s


No, those are pretty clearly cast frame MkIIIs.   I bet it has the enlarged ejection port of the MkIII.  It has the dovetailed sights.  The ridges on the bottom of the magwell were added to conceal some of the porosity that results from casting (as shown in the casting mark picture).  And of course it has a serial number that dates it about six years after the MkIII was introduced and two years after the cast frame was introduced.

I don't think the safety is really all that relevant as there are a truckload of Israeli MkIIs and MkIIIs that have been modified to use the old style safety.  It is just a plain old MkIII with no firing pin block, which aren't really all that unusual outside of the U.S.

ETA: Those aren't MkII slides on MkIII frames - they have dovetailed sights instead of the older MkII sights, and they were produced in 1995 (see the pentagon with the 5 on it in the slide picture?).  And while I can only see a part of the ejection port, I'm 99% sure that has the MkIII's larger ejection port as well.
Link Posted: 3/28/2015 10:34:36 PM EDT
[#21]
Link Posted: 3/30/2015 10:03:49 AM EDT
[#22]
Both are cast frame MkIII pistols.
Link Posted: 4/3/2015 6:32:17 AM EDT
[#23]
I don't carry a BHP, but if I did, it would be locked and cocked (whatever condition that is- I don't know conditions because I don't care). I would also remove the magazine safety. I learned this from experts who I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work with in Afg in 2006- Australian Commandos.
Link Posted: 4/4/2015 7:43:02 AM EDT
[#24]
The FPS is only on the US guns, the ones imported from elsewherre(Israeli, Coles, etc.) don't have them.  But, MkII and MkIII's from the US do.  

By the way, I carry mine cocked and locked.
Link Posted: 4/4/2015 9:21:35 AM EDT
[#25]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Quoted:
The FPS is only on the US guns, the ones imported from elsewherre(Israeli, Coles, etc.) don't have them.  But, MkII and MkIII's from the US do.  

By the way, I carry mine cocked and locked.
View Quote


WADR Reed, you might want to have a look above @ Ron and BR's posts/pics regarding the FPS. The FPS was gradually introduced in the late mid '80s and can be found in both FN and Browning branded BHPs, it's not just found "only on the US guns". The FPS is a standard feature that was...at times, deleted upon end-user request or...early on, absent as FN used up existing parts inventory.....
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