I have had a few clones: I have had 1 FEG, and 3 FM-Argentines. The Feg had its share of issues. During the course of my ownership of it, everything but the barrel, frame, and slide were replaced with Browning parts... However, that couldn't solve the issue of the soft metal. I bought it used, so I don't have a perfect round count, but after ~3,500 rounds by me, the frame rails started to peen where the slide contacts during recoil.
I finally sold it and bought a 1911.
As for my FMs, I have had three (still have one), and I kick myself for ever selling them. Were they as nice as the real FN/Browning? Certainly not, but they ran like a top. I love the FMs for the role of "beater gun." Parts interchange, they're eminently reliable, they take the same mags and ammo I already use. Hard to argue against their utility.
I still have 2 Brownings and 1 FN, and nothing in the clone market even comes close to these... but "real" BHPs are pricy guns.
As far as how they compare to a MkIII, it depends which specific clone you get.
- The FEGs are basically equivalent to a early 70s Hi Power, blue finish. Some come with the old small safety, but some have an extended safety (non-ambi). No firing pin block.
- The Charles Daly is a FEG, but it has better grips and sights (XS Express sights), and matte blue finish with brushed slide flats. The ones I've seen also have the extended non-ambi safety. No firing pin block.
- The FMs have a few variations:
- Early FMs are also based on a circa~1970s Hi Power, but it has a finish that is similar to the MkIII epoxy finish, just uglier. It looks like paint. These came with the small safety. No firing pin block.
- A later model, the FM M-90, has a few changes. The "stepped" lightening cut on the front of the slide is gone, giving it a 1911 look. The finer Browning-stlye slide serrations were replaced with wider serrations (example in picture). Same paint-like finish, same small safety. No firing pin block.
- The "Detective" is the same as above, just with a shorter slide, equivalent size reduction as full-size 1911 and Officer's model.
- The latest model, the FM M-95 "Classic", also lacks the "steps" on the front of the slide (as mentioned on the M-90), and also has the wider slide serrations. This one was meant to reflect the changes of the Browning MkIIIs, so it has the same thumb-rest grips, extended ambi safety, and "3-bar" sights as the Brownings do. This model also has the same firing pin block as in the MkIII. THis one also has the paint-like finish, but they did a better job with it, as these look nicer than previous FMs.
- Lastly, there are M-95 Detective models, too. Specs are the same, just shorter barrel/slide.
It should also be noted that *almost* all of the clones come with the round rowel-type hammer.
Browning MkIII on top, FN MkIII in the middle, and FM-Argentine M-95 Classic on bottom.
I think everybody should have a beater -- and the clones fill that role nicely, but for CCW, or for something to pass down someday, get the real deal. As much as I like the FM-Argentine guns, they're still not on the same level. For an analogy, I think it's like comparing a Springfield Mil-Spec (not to be confused with the GI model) and a Springfield TRP. Both good guns, but you can see and feel the difference.
Wes
