ltwguns.com

Would someone be so kind to clue me in on the difference between the MkII and the MKIII. It seems the MKII is prefered for custom work, but why? Is the new two tone an ok starter?

Do you have to maintain them like a 1911? Are there any "must-do" mods to make it run well?

I don't ask people do hold my hand too often, but this is one of the times!

description of MkII and Mk III differences:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Diff ... dMkIII.htm

Stephen covers the differences pretty well on his site.

I have not seen that any particular gunsmith prefers Mark II over Mark III guns for customization. Where have you gotten that impression?

In terms of maintenance? Not sure exactly what you mean by having to maintain a 1911 but the only thing that I've ever done with hi-powers is keep them reasonably clean and lubricated and keep the springs relatively fresh and they run and run and run.

This seems like another urban myth type question of the 1911 and BHP.

I think I saw it maybe in a for sale thread a while back. Perhaps I just misread it.


I am just wondering if I can abuse it like a Glock, or does it need to be cared for a little while being abused like a 1911

I'll throw my $0.02 in...or more...

I would vastly prefer to build on a cast Mk III because of the perception of added durability. I've had built and built a few on forged Mk III frames and had no problems but I don't feel that I abuse firearms, either. Proper maintenance is always foremost in mind. If I ever want to abuse something, I'll pick up more police trade-in Glocks and not feel bad about it.

Plenty of people who like custom hi-powers build on Mk II or Mk III without preference, it seems. Not sure what the gunsmiths say, in general, but most of those with whom I've spoken on the issue echo my sentiments (or maybe I'm echoing theirs).

As far as maintenance? Honestly, I don't understand the position that some people take on this. I change springs out with regularity, sometimes before the round count even gets near the recommended number. Other than keeping the gun relatively clean, lubed, and freshly sprung, I don't do anything. Perhaps to some this is more maintenance than they want to do. I have a friend who trades around on vehicles at least yearly and never, ever changes oil because he doesn't want to pay for it and is too lazy to do it himself. I think that some people are like this with guns.

Honestly, a hi-power is one of the best handguns out there, as far as I'm concerned. A Mk III will feed and extract pretty much any ammunition you want to feed it, will run when relatively dirty, is accurate enough for a handgun, is reliable to an extreme...I prefer them to almost anything else, though I rarely recommend them to anyone because they are more of an afficianado's gun nowadays. Most people are better served with a Glock or Sig. My only complaint with a hi-power is the trigger system and, hopefully, my next custom hi-power will have that problem solved and I will be able to stop in my decade and a half hunt for the perfect hi-power.