HP Clones?

[SirPorl]

Greetings Citizens,

First off I would like to say that i am a long time listener and first time caller. Seriously though, I am looking at getting a HP variant. I was wondering who all makes a quality clone of the HP. I think that FEG and Arcus make clones of the HP. Are there any other clone manufacturers? Out of the clones, which ones seem to be of the best quality? Any information would be helpful

thanks in advance
SirPorl

 

[WonderNine]

IMO, it's not worth it to get a clone. I'd rather pay $100 more for a used real deal Belgian HP than $300 for a NIB craptastic clone.

 

[Johnpl]

Lots of info at fnhipower.com.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

IMO, it's not worth it to get a clone. I'd rather pay $100 more for a used real deal Belgian HP than $300 for a NIB craptastic clone.

I'd be real happy to find a used Belgian HP for $400. Don't see many used ones running around and when you do, they typically are collector pieces. I paid $220 after taxes for my FEG. Nice gun, accurate, characteristic crappy Browning type trigger. You could find an FM (Argentine) for around $300. Some of these have the ambi safety.

 

[Marko Kloos]

The FEG clones are very decent guns for the money. I'd buy one in a heartbeat, although I haven't seen any FEG HPs at the shows lately.

A few years back, some FEG guns came out with a Mauser logo. Mauser took a batch of FEGs, and finished them to their standards. It was called the Mauser SA80, I believe. Those are the most desirable HP clones, and IMHO equal to the Belgian HPs.

 

[BHPshooter]

Well, if it is something that you are looking to hand down, carry, or maybe sell again further down the road, you should probably get a "real deal." If you want something to shoot the snot out of, tinker with, and just have a grand old time, I'd recommend a clone. That's what I want a clone for. If you do get a clone that proves to be very reliable (which I have heard most are), you might even decide to carry it.

They don't hold their resale too well though, I've heard. Finish can be rough, and some parts may or may not interchange, but seems to be some good value in some of these clones.

If you want to spend a lot of money on a glorified clone, you could get the new Charles Daly HP, which rumor has it is just a FEG that has a little better fit and finish. But for that price, you can almost get a new Browning.

I know I've been rambling, but maybe a couple of these little tidbits will help you decide. But make no mistake, HPs are some performers.

Wes

 

[WonderNine]

The slide stop on the FEG's has shall we say "issues". Seems that alot of them tend to wear easily. The FEG's metal is reported to be softer and so is the Argentines. FEG's also tend to have some extraction issues.

 

[SirPorl]

Goodstuff here

Thanks for the replies. I am not considering this for carry. My cz100 does just nicely for that role. I am not really concerned with passing it down the generations or the overall collector's value of the gun. I am just looking for a single action 9mm with the look and feel of the browning HP that won't break my bank. I just want one to do some occasional range work with and to keep my 75BD company. As for the used BHP option, I have never been into buying things used. Nothing wrong with buying used things, just something wrong with me for having some stupid reason against it. I miss some great deals because of this little hangup of mine. Anyhow, I will checkout that website and thanks again.

SirPorl

 

[telewinz]

Over the years I owned two HP's and enjoyed them greatly but about 18 months ago I picked up a FEG HP Clone for $200. I've put at least 600 round through it without a hitch. Don't know about the supposed "issues" related by others but I chose the $200 Feg ( great blueing job) over the $600 HP with matt blue finish, glad I did. The 17 round surplus mags fit and work great as does the standard HP 13 round mag.

 

[Rittmeister]

If you go for a FEG, make sure that you get the PJK-9HP, NOT the P9M-9HP. The P9M has a redesigned barrel-to-frame lock-up, and the new system leaves something to be desired. It's not interchangeable with regular HP barrels, and in addition, the barrel peens the frame. Mine showed evidence of peening after only 200 rounds.

You can find quite a few threads about this over on www.fnhipower.com - the consensus is that a few folks have been happy with the P9M, but nearly everybody has been happy with the PJK. Speaking for myself, I sold the P9M and picked up an Argentine FM Hi-Power from SOG for $300. It's a direct clone (made on FN tooling, actually) and I've been very pleased.

 

[Spieler]

You may want to look at the Argentine FMs. Supposedly they are license-built for the Argentine military and are nothing if not utilitarian. I have had one for over 5 years now and it has been one of the best bargain guns I have ever bought. No problems in several thousand rounds. The version I have has the 'heavy slide' in that the top front end is not scalloped out and lacks perhaps that 'classic' FN Hi-Power look.

 

[NeuTom72]

ARCUS 94

Hello...

I own TWO Arcus 94 pistols and have been really pleased. Not a cheap clone of the Browning HP, but a nice quality firearm. I ordered mine through AIM Surplus. With shipping and handling plus the FFL transfer fee they came to roughly $250 each. In my opinion you can't beat an Arcus for the $$$$$!

Tom
Socialist Republic of Minnesota

 

[Tropical Z]

My FEG-FP9 and Arcus are both great guns.I would not hesitate to recommend either to anyone looking for such a gun.

 

[Black Snowman]

I was going to recommend a CZ but you already have one I've always liked the HP but I've never found one that fit me. If you have a 75BD why not pick up a standard 75 or 85 SA/DA so you can use the same mags. Might save some money that way. Just a thought. I don't know enought about the HP clones to make a suggestion in them so I'll leave it to the others.

 

[SirPorl]

All Good

Thanks again for the wonderful info. I just got a promotion at work so I might be in the market for more than just one heater. I am really diggin the looks of the Arcus. From what I had been reading they are high quality guns for a great prices. I do have some more CZs on my shopping list. Mainly the 83 and the 97. I would like to get a CZ rifle in order to keep the local, furry forest creature population in the yard from taking over. But the rifle is another thread and purchase all together. It looks like I am goin for an Arcus though. thanks again for all the wonderful info.



SirPorl

 

[KpEng16]

I also picked myself up an Arcus 94C which is the smaller of the two. I wouldnt call it compact but it is a good size. unfortunately I have only been to the range once with it so far but 200 rounds went through it beautifully. no problems at all. I am glad that I talked myself into getting it. Disconnecting the magazine safety did wonders for the trigger pull.

-Bill

 

[Dr.Rob]

Wondernine:

As far as FEG's having 'issues' I'd sure like to hear that backed up with numbers. I've got someting like 4000+ rds through my PJK 9HP and as many times as the slde stop has been in and out, if it was going to break or bend it should have done it by now.

I DID start to get extraction issues. So I pulled the extrator and compared it to a new one. Almost no difference, though mine has the sharp edges worn down. I DID also find that I had 3000+ rds worth uf powder residue, etc in the extractor channel. Cleaned it out, put it all back together and the gun hasn't acted up since. Clean it ad lube it properly and it should work flawlessly.

The newer guns have a simplified slide and stide stop, namely the machining prosess is simplified.

The barrels are the same, and I've even fired mine (old model) with my dad's (new model) barrel in it.

Mine has thinner bluing than my dad's and I have a tendency to wear the bluing off my serious pistols. Mine also has some tool marks that are NOT present on the newer models.

The New Charles Daly HP is an FEG, but the "discount" pricing is a thing of the past. However the CD guns have really nice sights.

http://www.charlesdaly.com/html/products/firearms/pistols/dalyhp/dalyhp.asp

Bottom line is when and if something drastic happens to my FEG , I might by a CD model to replace it.