FEG Hi-Power Clones: internals and aftermarket parts

[Dr.Rob]

This subject keeps coming up so I'm going to post some photos I made comparing the old model (which is very much like the current Charles Daly) and the 'mid-production' pistol with differing machining.

If shopping for a used gun, look for an OLD model FEG PJK 9HP. It will have the small, gritty Browning style safety and the large circular shaped end on the slide stop that covers the large notch in the slide. Internally, both use 2 locking lugs on the barrel.

In this pic the MID PRODUCTION gun is on top, with factory exteneded safety and slide stop. Note the triangular cut in the slide on this model. (that's NOT standard for a hi-power) The stop is radically different than a stock one but internally it looks the same.

The lower gun is the old model with an aftermarket safety lever. The old model had more external machining marks and the bluing was thinner.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Old model is on the right, Mid model is on the left. You can see the mid model is more roughly machined, but functionally they are the same. Both barrels will likely work in either model.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Here are pics of the slide stops, removed. Again you can see that while they look different externally, internally they are the same dimensions. However, they are not swappable because of the way they lock into the slide. The "old" model is on top and is a milspec part that can be swapped with FN, FM or Browning.

I've replaced an extractor and spring with Browning parts, and grips etc fit with no modifications. All magazines I've tried marked for "Browning Hi-Power" including Ramline, FN, FEG, FM, Mec-Gar, etc. have worked.

This all being said, I'm not sure of the new internal differences between, say a WW2 Inglis hi power, and a newer Browning Mark 3 or 4.