Hi-Power question

[Rittmeister]

I purchased an Argentine FM Hi-Power from SOG several years ago. I was mostly happy with it; it was reasonably accurate, went bang every time I pulled the trigger, and in general didn't do anything strange. After installing a C&S safety and sear, and bobbing the hammer, things got even better.

The one thing I didn't like was the tiny, military-style sights. My eyesight is lousy, and I wanted bigger sights, preferably with a three-dot option. My cousin, a budding gunsmith, sold me on a budget set of night sights from Brownells, and installed them for me.

I wasn't particularly happy with the result (which had nothing to do with my cousin's gunsmithing, he did a fine job, it was the sights themselves). The new sights sat pretty high off the slide, and the rear sight kept coming loose under firing.

So, a few weeks ago I purchased a spare slide from Gunbroker, that has all the small parts - extractor, firing pin, etc. I installed it on my FM, using the FM barrel and spring assembly. The new slide is a true Browning slide, and as far as I can tell is a MkIII-style slide (I base this on the sights that were included).

My question is - having not fired the Frankenstein pistol yet, is there anything I should be concerned about? It goes fully into battery with standard FMJ ammo, extracts and ejects a full mag of rounds when I hand-cycle the slide, and actually seems to lock up tighter (i.e. it doesn't rattle now) with the new slide.

Any opinions appreciated.

 

[owlhoot]

If the headspace is correct, you should be good to go. You don't have the link problem with the HP as you might with a 1911. Now, purely to avoid the legal traps that such a question always entails, I suggest you have it checked by a qualified gunsmith.

 

[jaydubya]

I suggest you have it checked by a qualified gunsmith

+1

By the way, Herr Rittmeister, is your last name Von Richtofen?

Cordially, Jack

 

[Rittmeister]

Nope. It's Stine. Not even the traditional German spelling, though I'm near 100% German heritage on both sides... we're not sure when or how the spelling was changed, but there you have it.

How would I check headspacing, or is that something I can't do on my own? Would the gun still hand-cycle the rounds properly with bad headspacing?

 

[jonnyc]

It will operate perfectly. Watch the barrel and slide lugs over time for any undue wear.

 

[belus]

I'd have shot it by now, based on your description.

I've put different barrels and slides on my Browning frame without any problems. The gun has the simplest internals I've ever seen on a handgun, there's not a ton that can go wrong if it's locking up tight.

Hand cycles and the barrel isn't loose in the ejection port = good to go, by my standards.

 

[Cliff47]

Sounds like you have gone the same configuration I have on my favorite HP (FM frame, FN slide, small enhancements to reliability, accuracy). My Frankenpistol has the laceur on the frame with a blued frame and some wear marks (character marks??) to add tothe patina.

 

[Rittmeister]

Any other thoughts? If not I'm going to the range with it this week...

 

[Rittmeister]

This just in - the pistol ran flawlessly today through about 200 rounds of WWB and Blazer Brass FMJ. Best of all, it shot right to point of aim.

Thanks for all the input!