Another new Hi-Power - Longthorne Defiance
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mcs1564
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Maybe that is the larger plan...to build a US image as a top tier custom gunmaker. They've been in business for a while selling expensive guns. The owner lived for a while in Australia and even made parts for ARs, etc., back when they were legal.
Maybe small runs of fully custom HiPowers helps develop his image in the number one gun market in the world, even if he doesn't sell many or even if he only breaks even on the pistols.
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My cutoff price would be $2,000. More than that and I'm not getting one. I recently purchased a new Manurhin MR73 for $3,300. But, the quality is comparable to my vintage Colt Python, and so is the price. The last mint condition, polished blue BHP that I saw was about $1,200 and I missed out on that one. I'd pay up to $2,000 for a brand new polished BHP. But, no more than that. So, we'll see just how much the actual price is.
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If this is going to be the Wilson Combat or Nighthawk of BHP's, they'll likely be $4-5K or more.
The only thing I find surprising is the really, really obvious barrel cam; on a good BHP, that's nearly invisible. I wonder if they have somehow upgraded the cam (like making it easier to replace)?
And I like the FPS-on a BHP, that's a no-cost safety feature.
Larry
The only thing I find surprising is the really, really obvious barrel cam; on a good BHP, that's nearly invisible. I wonder if they have somehow upgraded the cam (like making it easier to replace)?
And I like the FPS-on a BHP, that's a no-cost safety feature.
Larry
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Keep in mind, what is shown in the images and video are prototypes. The video states there is more refinements to come but they stopped for the holidays. So perhaps things like the barrel cam will be dealt with on future prototypes and possibly production models.
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The hammer can use a better design, but I'm sure I can't afford one anyway, I'm still looking for a SA-35 even though I have a BHP from 1984.
FINALLY a company offers a factory BHP with checkered front strap and beavertail and they screwed both up.
When you machine the frame, leave the front strap a little thicker and put REAL 30 LPI checkering on there. That shallow checkering they use is better than nothing, but not much.
I'll admit the beavertail is functional, but it's ugly as sin.
Damn.
When you machine the frame, leave the front strap a little thicker and put REAL 30 LPI checkering on there. That shallow checkering they use is better than nothing, but not much.
I'll admit the beavertail is functional, but it's ugly as sin.
Damn.
I always just put a piece of skateboard tape on the front strap. Worked better and if you wanted to sell the gun was not permanently marred.
Been there, done that. Works well, and looks cheap/crappy as hell.
I realize this is just my personal hang up but I do not want a handgun without some kind of texturing machined or molded into the front strap. I love the BHP, the thinness of the front strap so this could not be done has always been a pet peeve of mine.
If I was this company, or Springfield Armory, I'd machine less material off the front strap area so that it could be checkered. Oh well.
Is Martha Stewart coming to take photos of it for her show?
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Personal preferences are just that, personal.
In the video, the Longthorne owner specifically explained he wanted a less aggressive grip. He specifically didn't want stipling or conventional checkering. I believe, maybe it was the earlier S&W M&P pistols were generally considered to have far too aggressive texture. The M&P EZ pistols have less aggressive texture. Personally, I don't like the light graphing on the front strap.
You think the beavertail is ugly, but I think they did a good job with it - I like it.
Given their shotguns are fully custom, I wouldn't be surprised if they offer lots of customization options, maybe including front strap texture and even the beavertail.
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I'm going with ugly. With any luck, the frame is forged that way and the tail is not an add on.
Cheers,
Tim
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I agree with you about the beavertail. I think it looks fine to me and actually looks better than the tiny nub on the original BHP. But, as far as checkering, I don't like any checkering. If checkering is needed to ensure a firm grip, then I have to say that's a fallacy. I used to believe that myth about checkering until I purchased a S&W model 657 stainless steel .41 magnum revolver. I put a pair of smooth Pau Ferro grips on it. When I took it to the range for the first time I was a little apprehensive about the grip slipping in my hands because of the lack of checkering (smooth wood grips). But, with full power .41 magnum factory rounds it was a breeze to hold onto. The smooth wood grips were also much more comfortable to hold than any checkering. So much more comfortable that I changed the checkered wood grips on all of my 1911's (all 10mm) to smooth wood grips. They feel great and shoot/handle well without any slippage.
The examples in the video do look nice. Will be very interested to get feedback from someone who actually buys one and shoots it this summer. Very curious about how he locks the trigger when the mag is released. Would consider one of the stainless ones without the engraving if that was an option.
It's a small thing, but if you are going to position yourself a gun expert in a video like this, you should be more careful with your offhand comments. He makes references to mag safety or FPS being in or out of a particular "Mark x series" BHPs and he is just not quite right. Kinda hurts your street cred with your target audience.
It's a small thing, but if you are going to position yourself a gun expert in a video like this, you should be more careful with your offhand comments. He makes references to mag safety or FPS being in or out of a particular "Mark x series" BHPs and he is just not quite right. Kinda hurts your street cred with your target audience.
I'm pretty sure that given that the guy has been operating a successful custom fine firearms manufacturing and gunsmithing firm since 2010, that both his professional and "..street cred..' as a gun "..expert.." have already been well established....which is a whole lot more 'credibility' than most YouTube gun gurus (for many the only qualifying criteria is knowing where the video RECORD button is on their smartphone).
Do you really think anyone who spends that much money will say anything but its the best gun they have ever touched? I'll be surprised if anyone who already has a HP will buy one of these, the market this appeals to is the not the current HP owner.
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Owner or shooter? There are some very expensive BHPs out there rarely (if ever) shot.
@ToddSig gave a nice list of customized BHPs in the same price range (or higher) to Wilson Combat and NHC guns. There is a high-end BHP market, albeit small.
Still, I am sure you're right in the sense many buyers will not be conventional BHP aficionados, but rather the type that drop $27K on a shotgun they almost never shoot, a few sports cars they rarely drive, etc. That is probably who they are targeting. If they do a really good job though, there's probably a few BHP fanatics that will feel they need one.
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MY favorite front straps are checkered but with the diamonds flattened sort of like this.
Like I said, it was a little thing. I am not questioning his manufacturing prowess or his ability to make high end shotguns. But . . . he was not casually misquoting the esoteric details of the proof marks of an FN inspector on a Pre 62 either. He was making very basic statements that were just plain incorrect like " . . . on the Mark II they had a firing pin safety and on the Mark IIIs they took it out again". Even the stupid wiki page gets the Mark III description right in that respect.
And being able to build high end gasoline powered sports car doesn't mean you have the same prowess to build a high end EV your first time out.
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