Adding a High Power to the Collection

[sabre452]

All,
I am interested in adding a High Power or clone to the collection. Are there any major differences between the Brownings and the FNs? Also, which of the clones are considered good buys? Thanks.

 

[Brian Williams]

The FM clone from Argentina is considered a very good copy and the parts interchange with most FN's and they can be found around $300

 

[Tropical Z]

If you could find one NIB,theres nothing better than a FEG FP-9.A semi auto with a ventilated rib-thats a shootin gun! Also check out the Arcus at Aim surplus.They are very well made and accept standard HP parts.
www.aimsurplus.com

 

[Zip06]

I believe the highest quality overall, is the Browning High Power; second would be the FN. I am sure you understand that FN makes both but from the examples I have seen the one with Browning High Power on the slide is of the higher quality. I also own both the FN and the Browning High Power and the Browning is of higher quality. I also have a FM clone, FM's are made under license from FN but in Argentina. Functionally it is perfect but the quality is much less than either of the above. The FM is a great shooter, however. I'd pass on that commie stuff for political rather than functional reasons.

 

[C. H. Luke]

Try and find a used Belgium {FN} Browning or a Belgian/Portugese gun.

The Belgium gun I have is the equal of the Portugese assembled guns.
{am not referring to the current FN or Browning Imports}

However, the Port. guns are the best bet as have the new cast frame designed to take the beating of the .40 S&W round. The example I have is very tight and extremely accurate, well made and very nicely finished.

see also: www.fnhipower.com

 

[BHPshooter]

I have both a "real deal" Browning and a FEG PJK-FP9 that Tropical Z refers to. Both are great guns. The Browning is my true love, it is a gun that I will never sell. The FEG also shoots very well. It is also very good looking, but the fit and finish is not what it is on the Browning.

If I could make a suggestion to you, it would be to go for a Browning, whether used or new. This will cost quite a bit more, but it is more than worth it.

Here are my range reports on both:
The Browning: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=52655&highlight=browning+hi+power
The FEG: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=60207

Hope this helps, and good luck with your search. The chase is half the fun!

Wes

 

[Gary A]

Zip, I have a very late model Browning MKIII with the silver chrome finish and a very recent FN Hi-Power. I don't doubt what you say about your pistols, but in my case the opposite is true. Both are fine firearms but, push come to shove, my FN exhibits an even higher level of fit and finish than the one with the Browning rollmark. Neither are for sale. I suspect tht the variations from gun to gun are greater than the variations from rollmark to rollmark.

 

[Zip06]

Gary - My Browning Mark III is a 1994 model assembled in Portugal. Its a beauty and has the fixed sights and black oxide finish. Mine has the regular hammer and is the cheapest Mark III manufactured. It is simply a jewel.

My FN High Power is an 1989 military model I bought as an Israeli surplus model when they started transitioning to their Glocks. The finish was black paint over parkerizing It is neither a Mark II nor a Mark III; I call it a Mark 2.5 and has some Mark II and Mark III features. It is also a shooter but a bit rougher than the Browning. Don't misunderstand me I wouldn't sell it but it is not of the same quality.

My FM is an Argentine Mark II made under license from FN in the Rosario arsenal. Very crude. Very reliable. This one is Falkland Island vintage.

All of these pistols are very reliable, accurate and ergonomic as can be. This is just one of those classic designs.

 

[wardog]

I just found a Browning HP, 9mm, rubber grips, matte finish, 1 hi-cap, used, but like new for $399 at my local shop. I've been looking for a while, and I didn't think I'd beat that price.

Didn't get to take it home though. Apparently Colorado's "instant check" is now taking 1 to 2 hours due to layoffs at CBI. Didn't have time to wait, so I'll have to pick it up Sat along with 2 others.

 

[BHPshooter]

Congrats, it will serve you well.

What kind of rubber grips does it have? I highly recommend the Uncle Mike's (I believe they're marketed as Butler Creek now) Checkered Rubber grips. They're cheap, they're molded from Spegel grips, and they feel great.

Cheers,
Wes

 

[samwise]

FM Hi Power

I just picked up my FM Hi Power yesterday. It's an arsenal refurb, It has FN Browning stamped on the left side of the slide. On the right it has the usual Argentine rollmark. It came with 2 13rnd mags and it totaled up to $360.00 out the door. It's parkerized and the fit on the gun is just as good as the fit on my CZ 75D, so I can't complain. Just gonna have to figure out how to remove the magazine saftey. My only gripe about the gun is the button on the slide release needs to be a bit larger.

 

[wardog]

Wes,

It's got Pachmayr grips, and I don't really like them. They wrap around making the grip larger than it needs to be. I was checking out Hogue, but I'll look at Bulter Creek too. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Zip06]

Wardog - The Butler Creek/Uncle Mikes rubber grips are conventional in the sense that there is a seperate panel for each side held to the gun by screws and there is nothing on the front strap. The grips were designed by Craig Spegel and are close to his wood ones only a little bit thicker.

 

[BHPshooter]

Yep, Zip06 is right, these are "normal" grips. I cannot speak highly enough of them. I love mine. And in addition to what I've already said about them, my BHP looks twice as nice with them on. I love 'em!

Wes

 

[wardog]

Well, got a chance to take out the new (to me) HP out for some shooting. (along with a Star BM and CZ 52). It shot great, no failures. Didn't get any of the dreaded hammer bite. Trigger is very good. Previous owner did away with the magazine safety, and may have done a trigger job as well. Mag drops free.

Glad to finally be a member of the HP cult.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, sir. Sounds good. These things can be shooters.

Best.

 

[wardog]

How about deals on pre-ban hi-cap mag's?

I am considering some Argentine Military 15 rounders from CDNN for $18.99. Anyone have any experience with these?

Any source for pre-ban Mec-Gar's?

I did a search, and turned up a little info on "KRD" 15 and 17 round mags. Are these the Argentive Military ones?

Thanks,

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. For information on various HP magazines, I've not found a better site than this one done by Mr. Bartholomew Roberts:

http://www.ont.com/users/kolya/bhpmagfaq.htm

Best.

 

[denfoote]

I have a used Herstal made gun from 1986 that is fantastic!!
You can't go wrong with a Belgium made High Power!!