high power or baby eagle

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greyling22

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so I've got the itch for a new gun. I'm looking at the a Hi-power or a steel frame baby desert eagle. both in 9mm.

Used Browning, vs. clone (daly, FEG) hi-powers vs. baby eagle. 3 fairly different guns, different prices, different features. which way does your dollar want to go. (keeping in mind that the economy is tight and so are the finances. obviously a brand new solid stainless steel browning with gold inlay that shot silver bullets would be nice, but economically unfeasible)

do clone HP's need so much work I am better off with the real deal? are baby eagles vastly superior? I will be using the thing as a range gun shooting reloaded lead ammo.

if you have all 3, which gets the most range time? which do you shoot best? and which brings the biggest smile to your face?


***NOTE:***I have plenty of other guns so I'm not really looking for anything else. so please keep the glock 1911 xD sig phaser slingshot or whatever your pet gun recommendations are to other threads. I most likely already have one or don't want one at this time for whatever reason.

thanks.
 
CZ 75 SAO, with a trigger worked by Angus/Mink/Charland/ETC.

IMO, it's all the great parts of a Hi-power, with a better trigger and controls.


I realize you were wanting to stay within the three; but the baby eagle is largely considered a CZ clone. While there isn't anything wrong with it, I see the CZ SA being similar to the BE, and perhaps a better compromise between the two.
 
The Hi-Power is a classic, but the Baby eagle is a more robust pistol with better ergonomics. You can't go wrong with either, but I'd spend my money on the Baby. I did, in fact, and my full size BE is my favorite 9mm.
 
I've shot many guns. I own many guns. I love my BHP the most. I love my CZ but the High Power is just smooooooth. You WILL need a trigger job on new BHP's. But I think CZ's could use one too.....atleast for DA. (I've owned two CZ's and still own one....the P-01)

BHP gets my vote.
 
It is true that the BE is a more robust pistol. But it feels preety front heavy, heavier than it really is. Its grip and trigger reach is very comfortable for small hands and short fingers, but sometimes it rotates in shooters hands during agressive shooting. If you can get an '' F '' version, you will also get a cocked and locked option. I personally do not like the standard 941 version with the safety / decocker mounted on the slide. Its polygonal profiled barrel is much easier to clean. It does not have the damn magazine disconnect safety disturbing the trigger pull, and which also prevents the empty magazines falling free from the mag well.

BHP is a much more slimmer pistol, especially for the ones planning to carry a service size pistol. BHP triggers are not among the best ones out of the box, but can be fixed easyly. SA Only trigger is much more easier to master than a DA / SA platform if you don't have cocked and locked option with the pistol. BHP has a lower bore axis , sits lower in the hand, but also suffering from hammer bite issue for the beefy hands. The epoxy baked on resin based finish on the MKIII pistols is one of the most durable ones on the market, other than holster wear on the edges, it is hard to wear it out.

Among the two pistols, my choice will be the BHP.
It fits me away better than the BE.
But the BE is also a kind of pistol that you can not go wrong.
Regards.
 
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I've got one of the Daly HP's and would buy another in a second. I see no point in paying the higher $ for a browning. The Daly has the accuracy and the commander style hammer, a good trigger (after removing the mag safety), and good sights. It'll also take 1911 replacement sights I am told if you want something different, though I haven't confirmed this.

John
 
Owning both a 9mm Baby Eagle and a 9mm FN Hi Power I'd say that an important question is whether you want a SA/DA (Baby Eagle) or a SA (Hi Power). If the trigger type isn't an issue I'd say go with the Hi Power, it's a true classic. If you need that double action trigger then the Baby Eagle is the way to go.

You will be well served with either gun.

Forget the clone Hi Powers. In the long run you will be much happier with the real thing. You will own the FN/Browning in ten years while the clones will probably be long gone.
 
Get a BHP.

bhps004gj4.jpg
 
There's a vast difference in ergonomics between the HP and the BE. Most likely one will fit your hand better than the other. HPs don't fit me at all.

Forget about the FEG clone unless it is really really cheap.

BE and a real HP will be about equal in terms of accuracy and trigger. BE will in the long haul be a more durable gun, but that's kinda pointless as we're talking 40-50k or so rounds before that difference should become evident ($5k-$10k worth of ammo). Hipowers aren't the most robust pistol ever made.

I'd pick the BE, but that's simply because Hipowers really don't fit my hands.
 
+1 on the FN (or Browning) roll-marked High Power, though I agree with atblis about picking the one that fits your hand better. I'm also a big fan of the CZ75 and it's derivatives, but for me, personally, the High Power is almost perfect.

HighPowerMkIIIS.jpg
 
The difference

While I have felt Hipowers with decent triggers, the BE will MORE likely come with a good trigger OTB - better than CZ also.

The BE grip feels VERY good, BUT the slide decocker is a pain to me.

The Hipower will have a TON of easy to get accessories, mags, parts, and holsters, etc. Not so with BE.

Now, IF the BE had a MANUAL safety, all bets are OFF. (Some do, but they are RARE).
 
what exactly is the difference between the BE with the safety on the frame versus the slide? does it affect the trigger pull?

and general opinion is that a browning HP is 2 to 3 times the gun a clone is? because they certainly price it as such.
 
I vote for the BE, but you can't go wrong with either. I wish I hadn't sold my HP, but I couldn't turn down twice what I paid for it only a couple months before.

I really do like the CZ/Witness/BE better though.
 
They both have a "sexy" factor. They both have good ergos. Both have solid reputations.

BUT.....the HP has a nifty SA trigger. If you don't have a 1911, the BP is a must. If you HAVE a 1911, the question seems to boil down to--do you want another slick SA trigger, or a more "all around" pistol?

Alternatively, Baby Eagles might, depending on president-elect, get scarce soon with their large magazines; methinks BHPs and their mags could be easier to find later on in life. Plan wisely.
 
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