OK, Folks. I've just come off the blower from a good long discussion with Elaine [sales and marketing] and Jim [production] at Longthorne Guns in Northampton about their beautiful new version of the iconic GP35 pistol.

Here is the current state of play.

1. Right now, Longthorne is awaiting the return of documentation from BATF regarding the importation of the pistol in to the US of A, the first importer of choice not having proved suitable. And no, no names were mentioned.

2. Having gotten all the paperwork squared away, and another more suitable importer having been established, they are hoping to have samples on the stand at the Nationals in Dallas TX at the end of October, where they can be seen and handled.

3. The gun does NOT have a magazine safety - a serious bone of contention for many prospective buyers - but it DOES have a trigger block. Removing the magazine prevents the trigger from being operated, a feature that appeals to some, but not to others. Apparently a foreign-made firearm like this has to tick a few boxes and score safety points in order to be compliant with the rules - a trigger block/magazine safety would appear to make it somehow more compliant.

4. HOWEVER, Jim was at great pains to explain that removing this blocking pin is a couple of minutes work by the owner, and that its removal in no way interferes with the working of the trigger which, he says, is a a great improvement on the original, being both crisper and lighter.

5. He went on to add that there will be a number of down-the-road versions but was understandably tight-lipped about what form they might take.

For anybody from the UK or from Germany/Continental Europe [read IWA] reading this, apart from my friend Manta in Northern Ireland [where they can actually buy this pistol], the news, as you might expect, is bleak. Getting the documentation, passes and permits to go to Germany next year is just too much of a hindrance - so, right now, that won't happen.

Nor will it/can it be shown anywhere here in UK at the many shows where Longthorne's unique shotguns have such prominent place. So Manta, if you want one, you'll be taking it at face value.

And for you lucky people in the US of A, with lots of money, it's really coming, and I can't even begin to tell you just how jealous I am.

Prices will START around $3500 and after that move on to VERY expensive. Engraving, for those who like that sort of thing, is done in-house, and necessarily adds thousands to the base cost.

A $3500 starting price will be daunting to most US buyers, I’d guess. It’s out of my league, anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
A $3500 starting price will be daunting to most US buyers, I’d guess. It’s out of my league, anyway.

You'd be surprised. They are confident of selling large number - enough to make variants available.

A total of a thousand at $3500 each, and maybe another five hundred at anything up to $5000 - maybe more?

There are some folks where you live for whom dropping $$$$ at that rate is like me emptying out my watch pocket for change.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=332613585376715

Not sure about giving names to pistols, but then I'm not making 'em.

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:
The gun does NOT have a magazine safety - a serious bone of contention for many prospective buyers - but it DOES have a trigger block. Removing the magazine prevents the trigger from being operated, a feature that appeals to some, but not to others.

A distinction without a difference?

I wish them well, Tac. As a California resident, my chances of acquiring one are only slightly better than yours.

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
I wish them well, Tac. As a California resident, my chances of acquiring one are only slightly better than yours.

Yours with a ten-round magazine, maybe? Something I can ask next time I meet up with the company at a game fair, perhaps?

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
A $3500 starting price will be daunting to most US buyers, I’d guess.

While not an apples-to-apples comparison, US buyers regularly pay a hefty sum for high end 1911 pistols. Though it would admittedly be a niche market, I can foresee certain fans of the Hi-Power similarly stepping up to the plate to own a premium example. The engraved examples highlighted in the video are exquisite. I wish them the best of luck with their venture.

quote:

Originally posted by hjs157:

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
A $3500 starting price will be daunting to most US buyers, I’d guess.

While not an apples-to-apples comparison, US buyers regularly pay a hefty sum for high end 1911 pistols. Though it would admittedly be a niche market, I can foresee certain fans of the Hi-Power similarly stepping up to the plate to own a premium example. The engraved examples highlighted in the video are exquisite. I wish them the best of luck with their venture.

I shall be sure to pass your messages of goodwill to the company, when next we meet. Had I the option to buy one, like UK citizens in Northern Ireland, I'd happily dig deep into my granddaughter's inheritance to do so.

Very nice HP. I like the new magazine safety. Maybe a third gun to add to my grail list...

quote:

Originally posted by IrishWind:
Very nice HP. I like the new magazine safety. Maybe a third gun to add to my grail list...

Please re-read my post - the words in it are straight from the production engineer -

'3. The gun does NOT have a magazine safety - a serious bone of contention for many prospective buyers - but it DOES have a trigger block. Removing the magazine prevents the trigger from being operated, a feature that appeals to some, but not to others. Apparently a foreign-made firearm like this has to tick a few boxes and score safety points in order to be compliant with the rules - a trigger block/magazine safety would appear to make it somehow more compliant.'

quote:

Originally posted by tacfoley:

quote:

Originally posted by sjtill:
I wish them well, Tac. As a California resident, my chances of acquiring one are only slightly better than yours.

Yours with a ten-round magazine, maybe? Something I can ask next time I meet up with the company at a game fair, perhaps?

Not until they change the law in CA. Nothing new can be added to the Handgun Roster unless it has microstamping built in. Reason number 1549 I left Ca.

Maybe I missed it on the video but what kind of finish comes on the standard gun? All I heard was "black".

That's it. Black.

In shotgun terms, black is the finish that we associate with Colt or Smith & Wesson so-called 'bluing'.

Shotgun barrels in UK are not blued, they are blacked, and Longthorne is predominantly a maker of high-class shotguns of astounding innovation. I guess you might not have heard that they make an o/u with titanium barrels - all out of a single block of titanium.

Clever, that.

And costy.

You can see how they do it on TGS Outdoors channel - youtube.

I have tried to like and love the Hipower. I used to own a forged mark III 9mm and currently own a Mark III .40 cal. For $3500 I can think of several single action 9mm pistols that are far better and one a much cheaper option. I can't get over the square grip shape and too short of a trigger reach on the Hipower.

I have a s/s CZ 75, I have CZ custom convert to SAO on and work their magic on and the entire price pistol included was less than $1500. It is a far superior pistol ergonomically, accuracy wise, and the trigger rivals my Ed Brown 1911 with a higher magazine capacity.

I'd also much rather have a Ed Brown or similar 9mm 1911 over the Hipower (granted less round capacity).

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
I can't get over the .... too short of a trigger reach on the Hipower.

That's the appeal for those of us without gorilla sized paws.


FM Detective / FN MkIII

Seems like they might be looking to get some of Nighthawk's market share in the high end Browning world. Haven't watched the videos, but they sound intriguing even if they are admittedly out of my price range.