Ran across this 1990 mk III transitional yesterday at the local gun store. They had gotten it in on trade at a recent gun show.  Tennessee Guns import marks on the bottom of the front dustcover.  Someone had already duracoated it.  I'm not a Duracoat fan, nor what I guess would be fde or coyote tan.  Trading in a Marlin .22, I've got around $400 in it.  

No pits anywhere, mechanically it is fine, just an ugly color. Lettering is sharp.  I bought it with the intention of removing the duracoat and either getting it blued or Ceracoating it myself.  

The BHP has a few features that are distinctive.  The muzzle is extended like the Mk II.  The bottom of the frame has a bit of a rib. I've seen this before on Israeli contract guns, can't remember what the story was there.  It's a forged frame, and does not have the firing pin block.  Sights and safety are Mk III.  The magazine disconnect is still installed, yet the trigger is very good.  Frame to slide fit is fair, it is a bit loose.  Much like most T and C series HP's I own.  

Duracoat was well done. Not too thick and someone did a good job.  I'm not a fan of the color.  The small parts were left in black and show what wear was probably on the pistol when it was imported.  My only complaint is they left the sights on when painting it, but that's easily remedied.  I think I'm going to leave it alone for awhile until the duracoat starts wearing off.  I'm going to remove the lanyard ring and leave the stud.  

Got home and had to try it out.  Ran 2 boxes of flawless ammo through it and my Novak T––another rejuvenated BHP that I got from the same store about 6 months ago and sent to Novak's for sight and reblue.




A note about why FN changed from the rowel hammer to the spur.  Even though I have a Cylinder and Slide No-Bite hammer on another BHP, I don't have a problem with the spur hammer.  The old style rowel hammer pinches the web of my hand.  Nothing major that would bring blood, just a little bit of discomfort.  






Tried both sets of factory plastic grips,  Can't decide which I like better.  Would really like a set of VZ's in Black Cherry.  






I would have no problem carrying either of these as a CCW.  When new BHP's are bringing $900, the Izzy imports, while cosmetically flawed, can represent a good value.  The mk III will probably do duty in my truck console and the occasional 4wheeler or tractor ride.


Parts interchange readily between the Mk III and the T.  Pair of two-tones anyone?  





No firing pin block



Here's the 71 T.  I had Novak's put night sights on it and do a matte blue.  It was pretty rough before the refinish.

Nice!



I think Scott over at Danny's is doing the Duracoating, actually; I talked to the importing guy himself for a while.  I managed to snag another Izzy HP that was still "in the rough" that I'll be getting reparkerized this week, I don't like the duracoat options that're on some of 'em right now.



 

Danny's?  Tennessee Guns?  

I've had good luck cerakoating myself, thinking about doing a Practical style.  Graphite black slide over stainless steel color frame.  


Here is a Caspian I built and Cerakoated graphite black.  

I kind of like the Coyote Hipower. It`s more Tact i Cool!

Danny's Gun Repair, off Bishop Lane in Louisville, KY.  He's been doing a ton of 'em for at least one of the importers.





 

Without trying real hard. 7 yards standing.