Arcus 98

[Redcoat3340]

Wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Arcus 98 DA (or the earlier Arcus 94)? I like Browning Hi Powers and have one FN and two FEG clones. Was thinking of getting the Arcus 98 DA so I'd have a HP "clone" in double action/single action.

But before I buy was hoping someone here could highlight the good and bad points. I've read the reviews and done my interwebs search but some real life reports from THR has always been very beneficial. Also, what's a good price? My LGS is asking $359 (plus tax) for a new one. On GB most are in the $325 and up range, but I have to add FFL of $25, shipping of at least $25 and WA state use tax of around $30....boosting total cost to over $400. Thoughts?

 

[guncheese]

wish i had a 94 !
these have held my interest for a while
hope some folks chime in

 

[jhb]

i own a 98 dac...the compact version.

likes......

1.solid steel gun

2.hi power mags fit

3.easy enough take down

4.cheap cost

5. for the price fit and finish on mine is quite good..on the inside as good as my cz75 and 85s. believe it or not.

6.trigger pull is consistent and light enough in s/a

dislikes...
1.downward beaver tail.....makes no sense. stops a proper higher grip that i prefer. affects my aim and bothers me in general. so bad i plan on having someone grind it off at some point. although to be fair some might like it since it keeps the barrel more level, since the gun can't really jerk upwards.... and makes follow up recovery easier.

2.wrap around grips make the grip chunky and bulky...unlike a way ahead of it's time ergo hi power. also a pain to reinstall.

3.zero holsters and accessories available without using a generic and dealing with the issues of that. doesn't fit a hi power holster...not even close in size and shape. much bigger

4. terrible trigger geometry and design. worst trigger bite i have ever gotten due to the length and design of the trigger. also a really long all the way forward trigger reset.


5. spare parts are scarce to non existent in the usa.


6.feels nothing like a hi power in shape shooting or function. granted mine is the 98 not the 94.....but i'm talking more about the feel in your hand and shoot ability. so not a good cheaper hi power replacement, imho.


i listed a whole lot of nit picking whining....to be fair the worst thing is that trigger shape and length. it pinches/bites hard my trigger finger no matter how i try to pull it. also that downward beaver tail. i truly dislike that. remember this is my whining about a low cost decent quality steel pistol. you may not notice anything that i complained about. hope it was helpful?

 

[kokapelli]

I have a 94 and it is every bit as accurate and smooth functioning as my HiPower. I carry the 94 in my car with some Argentine military surplus 17 round HiPower magazines which work perfectly.

 

[9 fingers]

You might be looking to try something new but you COULD just get the FEG DA version that only looks like a Hi Power but it is internally a copy of the S&W 59. I just got one but can't take it yet but did go to check it out and it is very nice indeed. Got if for around $350 shipped.
9 fingers

 

[jhb]

^ problem is it's kinda like the 5906 in function and looks, but parts are harder to find.

they are kinda neat though....but you can still grab used 5906's and new lionhearts or dp51's and parts are much easier to find. not really close to hi powers though....

 

[Redcoat3340]

I had a nice 5906 but sold it. Grips too thick for me with all them bullets stuffed into that magazine. Like single stacks much better...and I did get an FEG with the S&W mechanics. It's got about the best trigger of any of my pistols and that includes my 3 S&W 39 series and my 59 and 459. I've got an older "regular" FEG on the way and one of CDI's FNs at the gunsmith.
I was thinking hard about the Arcus ($359 at my LGS) but then thought maybe I'd use the money for upgrades on my HP's. But the lure of owning a brand new gun (would be my first really new pistol) it strong...hence trying to sound out some Arcus users.

 

[swede4198]

I have a 94 that has been a very accurate gun. For me the grip is very comfortable. I had a local holster company make a leather OWB holster for it so I did not have to settle for a generic due to the larger frame size. The only con I can think of is that the finish on the slide can be easily marred and the trouble in finding holsters that fit.