FM hipower?

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gringolet

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Bought a Browning 40S&W hipower the other day...looked great,
fit hand well...at the range a disappointment. Poor accuracy,
and plenty of FTF and FTE...being an old shooter I remember when
1911's required some TLC to function to their potential...and so,
this pistol is getting a polished ramp, tuning and a tightening of the slide,
etc. and will then try it again before I abandon it...I suspect it is a matter
of browning quality control during manufacture and assembly (in portugal)
as I am told others of this same model have been just fine. BUT...having my
doubts now about the Browning hipower..what experience does anyone have with the argentine FM hipowers? Good, bad, mediocre? I am especially interested in their detective or compact version...thanks...
 
gringolet, I'd send the pistol back to Browning for a warranty fix before doing custom work like polishing the ramp and tuning the frame/slide fit. AFAIK the FN plant in Portugal has had very good QA/QC. I'd give Browning customer service a try before you give up on that Hi-Power.
 
I heard nothing but good things about the FM. Read an article lately where the "gun rag" writer actually liked the FM better than the Browning (think it was due to the ambi safety).

I think the FM's are good pistols. I just don't need one at this time. Also, with the FN Brownings selling for the price they are now I think I would stick with them since the FM's aren't that much less.
 
At one of the local dealers, St. Nicholas Guns, http://www.stnickguns.com/, they had a Hungarian HP in 9mm for under $300, a FM 9mm HP for just under $400 and a Browning .40 for just under $700. I wish I was rich enough to buy all three and run a comparison test.

Geoff
Who is still working small 9mms, not full size. :cool:
 
thanks...

too late on the "send it back to browning"..the pistol is on the hands of a pistol guild pistolsmith now...and actually, I'd probably have had it tweaked some anyhow...was just surprised at its poor performance out of the box...
and my interest in the FM pistols is the "detective" or compact model...and the "compact kit" they sell...I am told ( but do not know) that it will mount on the browning and FN pistols...reduces barrel length about an inch...would
tuck between seat and console nicely...(9mm only)...
 
The FM Hi-Power has come in three specific 'models'. The earliest model I like to think of as the 'Military' model, for lack of any other designation, fixed sights, magazine disconnect, spur hammer and the 'stepped slide'. Most were either imprted by an outfit in Florida IIRC. Parts interchange with the FN Hi-Power.

The M90 was distinguished by the commander hammer, and the slab-sided slide. Still had the tiny manual safety. Came with wrap-around rubber grips. Limited interchangability with the FN pistols.

The M95 is the latest model on the market. Similar to the M90, but optional adjustable sights, and nicer grips. Still has the slab slide.
 
I also have an M95 and I love it. It came with a better trigger than my Belgian, I carry it regularly. The slide on mine is stamped with the same markings but they're black and nondescript.
 
I had a HP in .40 cal. I did not like it.

I have a HP in 9mm of my 12 pistols it is the best smoothest and most accurant of the lot. Just a superior pistol.

I think the HP was made for the 9mm sort of like the 1911 was made for the .45 the round is just in harmoney with the pistol itself.
 
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