BHP Surplus or Clone?

I have a surplus FN MkIII, an FEG clone, and a Tisas BR9SS.

You really can't go wrong with any of them, or with an FM clone. I have removed mag disconnect from all three, and the Tisas got all of its guts ripped out and replaced by FN, BHSS, RDIH, and C&S parts. For range use you probably don't need to go to that extreme, but I wanted something that I could count on for carry.

I would probably look for a nice clean FEG first and see what turns up. My brother has an FM Hi-Power and while it is serviceable it could benefit with a bit of work done on the trigger and improving on those tiny sights.

Be patient and find a real deal FN/Browning. There are tons of them out there for under $1000 and you do not have to settle for a surplus gun at that price. I purchased a decent condition T series for less than $1000 and then sold it to a fellow member on this board for what I had in it because I could not use it for my Ted Yost build because the grip strap was too thin to be checkered. I used a forged MKIII commerical Browning rollmarked gun instead and did not have anywhere near $1000 in it and it was purchased off of GB after it was announce that the BHP was discontinued.

This is the T series



This is the MKIII it was stock when I got it and I swapped the grips for this pic.



It was turned into this.



I personally would not buy a clone unless you got a really good deal on a good FEG or decent vintage FM. The only clone worth paying a premium for is the FM detective. IMHO The new Turkish gun have their pros and cons but for me they do not have enough history yet to declare them good to go. I understand the appeal of the stainless steel gun but for me the unknown quality, teething issues that have already surfaced and the non-conventional sight cut make it a no go for me.

The surplus guns that are in the market are the bottom of the barrel. This does not make them bad guns it just makes them what they are. The choice guns have been picked over and sold long ago. Many of the current lots have been road hard and put away wet and they show it. That is why so many of them are being refinished before being sold. I would not buy a refinished surplus gun without seeing it in person. Most people are using spray on finishes in order to hide the imperfections in the gun. If you go the surplus route get the cleanest original finish gun you can and have a quality refinisher refinish it if you desire. You will be better off in the long run IMHO.

I will add that if you want the Tias Brownells is a goo place to pick one up. They run 10% + free shipping coupons on a fairly regular basis that work for both the stainless and the blued version. Removing the magazine disconnect will not void the warranty. If you remove it and have an issue and have to send the gun back in for repair you could always simply reinstall it to be on the safe side.

For up to $1000, you can get a nice Browning or FN. I don’t think the clones compare.

You could get the surplus HPs for $500 last year. If they still go for that I’d get one of those.

My FEG clone has been a reliable good shooter for the over 30 years that I've owned it.

earlthegoat2 said:

You could get the surplus HPs for $500 last year. If they still go for that I’d get one of those.

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It has been almost 5 years since excellent condition $500 surplus guns have been on the market. Last year there was a big spike when the word got out the FN disconitued the pistol. Coles Dist used to be the best source for them but those days are gone forever since the fire at his warehouse. Even before that the quality of his offerings had gone down. IMHO

I bought the Hi Power from WVsig and finally had a chance to shoot it today. The ergonomics and balance are fantastic, and I don't know that I've shot a better shooting gun. I see now what the attraction is to these. As soon as my gun budget recovers I'm keeping my eye out for another one.

TomJ said:

I bought the Hi Power from WVsig and finally had a chance to shoot it today. The ergonomics and balance are fantastic, and I don't know that I've shot a better shooting gun. I see now what the attraction is to these. As soon as my gun budget recovers I'm keeping my eye out for another one.

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Enjoy it

I have a Browning 1969 C, an FEG and a Mauserwerke. All are pretty decent shooters but the FEG is by far the most accurate with the Browning pretty close and the Mauser a distant third.

ilgac said:

I have a Browning 1969 C, an FEG and a Mauserwerke. All are pretty decent shooters but the FEG is by far the most accurate with the Browning pretty close and the Mauser a distant third.

View attachment 837177

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Your Mauser is actually an FEG with Mauser markings.

I recently got a surplus Israeli FN for my son; carried hard but rarely shot. Excellent gun, for any purpose, for under $500.

Sistema1927 said:

Your Mauser is actually an FEG with Mauser markings.

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That may be but there is no comparison in accuracy between the two.
My FEG is surprisingly more accurate than my Browning. With the one roll marked “Mauserwerke” much less accurate than the other two.

ilgac said:

That may be but there is no comparison in accuracy between the two.
My FEG is surprisingly more accurate than my Browning. With the one roll marked “Mauserwerke” much less accurate than the other two.

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An example of one does not make it a rule. Lots of things come into play that makes one gun more accurate than another.

ilgac said:

That may be but there is no comparison in accuracy between the two.
My FEG is surprisingly more accurate than my Browning. With the one roll marked “Mauserwerke” much less accurate than the other two.

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WVsig said:

An example of one does not make it a rule. Lots of things come into play that makes one gun more accurate than another.

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I wasn’t implying that all Mauser marked Hi-Powers are inherently less accurate than similar FEG or Browning models.

Just saying how MY three Hi-Powers compare in accuracy.

I have both a MkIIISFS and an FEG with fake FN markings. While the FEG is a little rougher, it shoots just as well and is just as reliable as the FN. It also cost around $300.

I got a hand picked Surplus recently Israel import that is marked Browning made in Belgium. It’s a good shooter and finish is not that bad really just banged up some but shoots great. I also bought a Tisas love that little gun only thing it needs is a oversized safety hate the safety to hard work small one. I took mag disconnect out of both guns improved triggers and changed grips Hi Power grips to small for me. Other than that great pistols either option good
Thanks
Roc1

About 9 mos ago I found a MKII BHP at a Cabelas Gun Library back in CO. Since all of their guns are trigger locked, I told the counter guy I wouldn’t be able to find out if I liked the trigger until after I bought the gun. I was able to knock $75.00 off the $599.00 asking price.