Hi-Power clones?

[shep854]

The BHP v P5 thread has gotten my curiosity up; what has been the experiences of the members with the various copies/models of the Hi-Power?

I once owned an Argentine copy (the only licensed copy, IIRC). I didn't shoot it much before selling it, but it worked fine when I did. It also had a spur hammer, rather than the rowel, which tended to bite. I want to get another HP-type, and am looking at price as well as make.

The range is hot!

 

[Dorrin79]

My Argentine hi-power (an FM model) needed a little bit of work to get it running 100% (new extractor spring, some detail cleaning)

Since I put that work into it, it's gone 300 rds without a hitch.

It's not nearly as pretty as a real FN or Browning gun - it's parked instead of blued, and the slide-to-frame fitting is kind of loose.

On the other hand, it has a good trigger, and is surprisingly accurate.

All in all, a very good deal for $300.

 

[Tropical Z]

I have a FEG-FP9 and an Arcus 94.Both are well built,quality guns.

 

[gggman]

I was just looking at an FM model in a gunshop last week. I thought the gun looked rather crudely made, with lots of machining marks and sharp edges. Maybe they shoot good, but cosmetically it couldn't hold a candle to a genuine BHP.

 

[mainmech48]

Saw where Charles Daly is supposed to be making a BHP clone with some minor mods, but haven't seen or fired one as yet. Should be in the same retail price range as the Argentines, and might be worth a look. Said to come with XS sights, extended thumb safety, "ring" hammer and rubber grips.

FWIW....

 

[RatFink]

I have a FEG PJK-9HP that I paid $300 for. The trigger was a little rough at first, I just polished all the surfaces and the trigger is now very nice. The pistol is beautiful and functions very well but I have one major complaint. I hate the sights, I can't shoot this pistol easily with the stock sights which are the same as would be found on one of the older BHP's and very similar to the MIL-Spec 1911 sights. the front post entirely fills the rear which for me made it very tough to quickly acquire a good sight picture. My fix was to open the rear sight with a file, just enough to see a sliver of light on either side of the front sight post. This has made a big difference for me, but I'm still thinking about replacing them entirely.

Over all I would say the pistol is very well built and impeccably finished, the blueing is as good or better than most. I just don't get along with the stock sights.

 

[dogngun]

I have experience with the FEG HP as well as several other FEG pistols, and would recommend them. The 9HP is probably the best pistol FEG makes, and it's very good. I have heard about 98% praise for the Arcus as well, and I recommend you check the Hipower site for information on these and other pistols.

fnhipower.com/modules.php?

Good luck with whatever pistol you purchase.

Mark

 

[telewinz]

Having owned several Browning Hi-Powers over the years I picked up a FEG FP9 2 years ago. Better blue job on the FEG but other than that they are about equal except for cost. The trigger was so-so but when I applied some teflon lube....it was an easy, effective and cheap "trigger job." The 3 dot site picture was a plus for me and although I favor ajustable sites the fixed sites pretty much shoot to point of aim with my 125 grain lead reloads. I have heard that FEG's use a softer steel but no documentation was offered. Having fired about 600 rounds the slide and frame show no signs of peening. Maybe the "soft" steel belongs in the "urban legend" file.

 

[Dave R]

Sure do like my FEG PJK-9HP.

 

[WonderNine]

The Charles Daly is made out of FEG parts.

 

[RatFink]

The Charles Daly is made out of FEG parts.

Yup, which is why FEG PJK-9HP's are harder to find and the price is going up.

 

[sigma 40ve]

All in all ,IMO, the Arcus 94 is the way to go. Just removed the mag safety, "stoned" a few burrs, and polished the feed ramp. Shoots like a dream. Very little felt recoil. Must say it is my favorite 9mm ahead of my SA XD9, Steyr M9, and Star BM.

 

[BHPshooter]

I have a FEG FP9 (which is now essentially a PJK-9HP after the slide swap), and I like it.

It's not the equal of my Browning, but it is a good beater. Very reliable. Most of what I didn't like about mine has now been fixed or replaced, including the slide (with the sights), and the hammer. They're fun to tinker with, and if you do mess up, you're not out $600.

Wes

 

[RatFink]

They're fun to tinker with, and if you do mess up, you're not out $600.

My FEG was the first pistol I've ever stripped completely and practiced Home Gunsmithing on.

 

[magsnubby]

FEG HiPower. Do an action job on it and it's a really nice shooter. I bought mine NITB, took it home,field stripped it, cleaned it and headed for the range. 250 rounds later,without one malfunction of any kind, i was impressed.

 

[BHPshooter]

My FEG was the first pistol I've ever stripped completely and practiced Home Gunsmithing on.

Me too. It's actually turning out to be a very nice piece. Once I get one or two other things done to it, and have it sent to a gunsmith to make it work with a Browning slidestop, I think I'm going to have it bead-blasted and parkerized.

Wes

 

[shep854]

Well, it's not a BHP, but...

Yesterday I stopped by a gun shop on my way to the range (just to look, you know ) and wound up with a new Buck-Mark.

One sweet shooter! It shot high at 10 yds, but I was able to ring a steel plate at 100, using eyeball corrections!