Can't quite identify my BHP

[pdx1953]

I picked up a beautiful HP last night but am puzzled by the model name on the case = 'Vigilante'. I called Browning & the historian & product manager are on vacation but the gentleman I spoke to said the s/n translated to 1999 production but had never heard that model name.

I was at my LGS to see if they could order another gun for me when I overheard a sales person on the phone with the gentleman who had his gun on consignment. I took one look at it & since I hadn't bought any guns yet this month I jumped on it. It's super clean, has two mags, the correct box and I was able to talk them down another $50 so I left in a real good mood. 

Is anyone familiar with that model name? If so was it something special? My gun looks just like every other beautiful BHP & when I field stripped it today it was surgical ward clean. I can't find a nick on it & would love to know what the value is. I won't reveal my purchase price yet but I think I did pretty well. If I didn't I'm still happy because it's such a nice gun.





I also own a FM M-95 Detective that I believe was unfired when I got it. I installed an extended safety & slide release as well as removing the magazine disconnect. It had black plastic grips which I gave to a friend to use as templates for custom grips and I installed a set of Aluma-Grips. Like my two other HPs it has that terrible long pre-travel & if that was corrected I'd consider it for EDC. I'm currently carrying a 12 rd 9mm Para Hi-Cap Hawg which has a very short grip. 


Can anyone recommend a gunsmith who can get rid of the ridiculously long pre-travel? I own 17 1911's of various brands & am used to a much shorter take up & would like to have at least one of my HPs tuned up.

[rock185]

 What we would call a standard blued MKIII in the US, is called the Vigilante in Europe.  A 1999 production gun would be a cast frame, and should have serrations on the bottom of the grip frame. That is a beauty by the way. 

  As to the trigger issue, you might contact Don Williams, Ted Yost, Jason Burton, Cylinder & Slide or Novaks,etc.

[che]

I have a local BHP smith that I use in San Gabriel, CA.

Don Williams and the others are legendary if you do not mind the turnaround time.

That is a beauty and thank you for sharing.

[tomb]

A cast frame especially in the early years of their production didn't always have serrations on the bottom on the mag well, but most if not all do have a casting imprint high up inside the mag well. Easiest seen when the slide is removed and looking down into it.

[rock185]

Yeah, I had a '93 transitional cast frame gun. No serrations.