New FN Hi Power (from CDNN)

[strangebrew]

wait, did you get it used? sorry for the dumb question but i thought High powers were way more expencive. I wanted one but decided on a cz75 because that is all i can afford, but if they are only 400 i may just get one.


One other stupid question, sorry i am new to handguns and i just want to get the right thing. What does cocked and locked mean? Some people have told me to go for the cz 75b because you dont have to carry it cocked and locked, with the BHP you do. Couldnt you just decock the BHP? and why does the cz75 not have to be cocked?

Sorry for highjacking the thread, but the price of this BHP from cdnn may change my mind about getting a cz.

Thanks

 

[jason10mm]

Actually, isn't Dan Wesson making in house BHPs? Has a HUGE billboard logo on the slide, IIRC.

I already have 3 "real" BHPs and the goofy, but servicable, Arcus 94. An FN for $400 might be too hard to pass up...

 

[David N]

Arcus

Jason,

Please tell me what's "goofy" about the Arcus. I was thinking of buying one.

THANKS!
Dave

 

[Navy87Guy]

One other stupid question, sorry i am new to handguns and i just want to get the right thing. What does cocked and locked mean? Some people have told me to go for the cz 75b because you dont have to carry it cocked and locked, with the BHP you do. Couldnt you just decock the BHP? and why does the cz75 not have to be cocked?

Strangebrew -

No such thing as a dumb question!

For single-action pistols (like the BHP), you have to have it cocked before you fire. If you want to carry the pistol for defense (or competition shooting), you have to load it, cock it and engage the manual safety. That is "cocked and locked" -- the 1911 guys live that way.

For the CZ, which has a traditional DA/SA trigger, you don't have to keep it cocked because you can always fire in double action mode if yuo have to. It has the advantage that you can carry cocked and locked with the safety and shoot the first shot in single action. But it's not neccessary, like it is with the BHP.

Hope this helps!

Jim

 

[BHPshooter]

Strangebrew,
Nope, not used. Brand spankin' new.
As for the cocked and locked thing, it gets a little complicated...

There are single-action and double-action guns (to oversimplify things). The BHP is a single action, where the trigger does one thing (release the hammer). These designs have to have the hammer cocked to fire.

Double action (like the CZ-75) is where the trigger does two things (ie, cock the hammer, and then release it). These designs can have the hammer decocked [long, hard pull] or cocked [short, light pull] and the gun will fire.

Since the BHP is single action, it has to be cocked to fire. Since the gun cocks itself when you load it, and since one of the most inherently unsafe things you can do with an autopistol is to decock it by hand, you simply engage the thumb safety. Now the pistol is "cocked and locked."

Jason10mm,
Dan Wesson was rumored to be assembling Charles Daly's HPs for them. Judging from the one I handled, that's not saying too much, though. However, I suppose you can't judge on one specimen.

NeverAVictimAgain,
The Arcus is a good gun. The only goofy thing I can say about it is that the slide is square... I don't like that. Other than that, it is a top notch gun.

I'll get those targets up ASAP...

Wes

 

[strangebrew]

what would you guys sugest as my first hand gun purchase? I really like the BHP and the CZ75 but i just cant decide. Actually its my first nine millameter, i have a cz 52. If they are both about 400 dollars, then the price is right.

 

[Ford]

Never owned a CZ so I can't speak to that. You may want to consider the Hi-Power for one it is at a geat price from CDNN and two, if rumors are true you won't be able to buy them new any longer after these run out. I really like my Hi-Power. It feels great in the hand, functions flawless. I am having a trigger job done on it right now. It needs one. The trigger is a little rough out of the box.

 

[Ivy Mike]

This is looking to be a potential problem for guys who own neither BHP or CZ75.

The HP's are at a great price from CDNN and could be running out in the future.

The CZ75B is going up in price as the entire line gains more fame and popularity.

I bought my CZ75B a year ago for under $400 and would love to pick up a HP although I think I may go for one of the compact DA/SA models.
I already own two full-size guns.
one of which already happens to be from FN <--me when shooting it.

I also plan on purchasing a new FNP-40 or FNP-9 if I can't get the .40.
Fantastic guns. I bought a 9mm model for my GF and she absolutely loves it. I loved it too, but an unfortunate family event put her and her wunderwaffen back in Florida for an extended length of time.

Actually, in Belgium it could be called a wunderwaffen, arme de merveille, or wonder wapen. (they have 3 official languages there)

Then again, the FNP line is made in South Carolina, so I guess that would make it a fancy plastic pistol.

 

[strangebrew]

yeah, i am totally torn between a cz75b and an FN BHP. They are both excellent guns from what i hear and are both reasonably priced. I am leaning alittle bit more towards the cz75b though, since ive wanted one for awhile and I wouldnt have to carry it "cocked and locked"

So it is not safe to manual decock the BHP but it is for the cz? If you rack the slide on the CZ how can you not carry it cocked unless decocking first?

 

[Ford]

IMO I would not manually decock a Hi-Power to carry. It is safer to carry cocked and locked than to lower the hammer on a round.
for the CZ I am assuming that it has a decocker on it. It would be a lever that in the up position it would be a safety similiar to that on the Hi-Power but if you press the lever all the way down it would decock the weapon. This is common for DA/SA weapons.

 

[thowell]

The decocker on a CZ is a decocker only, not a safety.
I have two CZ's, a P-01 and a 75BD and recently got a CDNN FN Hi-Power.
In my opinion, the Hi-Power is a much better $400 pistol than the CZ's are.
The FN just feels slimmer and better balanced in my hand. It carries more comfortably in an IWB holster for me as well. It's been 100% reliable so far, (but so have my CZ's) and is fun to shoot. The interior on the FN is finished better than the interior of the CZ's as well.

I guess it boils down to value. The CZ is a great value when compared against a $600 Hi-Power, but at $400, the equation is changed significantly while CDNN's supplies last.
$400 FN HP > $400 CZ-75 > $600 Browning HP

I was under the impression that FN was just discontinuing the FN Hi-Power, but would be continuing to make the Browning Hi-Power?? But I'm not sure where I read that.

 

[Trebor]

for the CZ I am assuming that it has a decocker on it.

No. The standard for the CZ-75B is SA/DA with a safety that allows "cocked and locked" carry. To decock, you have to lower the hammer carefully to the half-cock notch by hand.

The CZ-75 BD has a decocker instead of a safety. Youy can not carry this pistol cocked. (Well, you could, but you'd be an idiot...)

I'm not sure how the smaller CZ-P01 is set up. I think it's only available in a decocker model. I think.

 

[PorkFat]

...a tad low (about 1.5") for elevation with 115-grain bullets.
With 124-grain bullets however, that turns into about 4 inches low.

Heavier bullets should hit higher since they stay in the barrel slightly longer during the recoil process. How far away are you shooting? My PT92 was hitting low with 115gr. @ 25 yards and it was killing me trying to figure out what it was. I almost butchered it with gawdy adjustable sights until I tried 124gr. and it fired to point of aim beautifully.

 

[axeman_g]

FN HP and CZ P01 owner here

Love them both, just like apples and pears.

HP is great, but I am not a SA carry fan. HP is slimmer in body, yet grip is as bulky as my P01. P01 is decocker DA/SA and is not as lengthy as the HP, therefore not uncomfortable (to my fat a55 standards) to carry IWB in a car or sitting. They are both very accurate, both had average triggers to start and both smoother nicely, the CZ is better, but I have never polished my HP mags sides or removed the mag safety.
Quality on both guns are great, only quibles were grip screws on the P01 that lost there black coating instantly an the horrid plastic grip panels shipped with the HP. Buy the fancy CDNN grips if you can or a pair of rubber grips asap if you get the hp.
I shoot the CZ more consistently and use it in IDPA matches. I personally think the FN HP from CDNN is a steal, but feel the CZ P01 is a better everyday gun for me.

GET BOTH. Its just money.

 

[Tecolote]

Thefumegator,

Thanks for the reports.

CDNN FN owners-Would you recommend these as a buy? Browning marked HPs are going for $200 more than CDNN FNs. That's a big chunk of change difference.

 

[DHart]

Tecolote.... the $400 FN Hi-Power is the "real deal for a steal". Snooze and you will lose... enjoy!

 

[Tecolote]

I take that the CDNN FNs can use any grips made for the Browning marked HPs? In the pic posted by Thefumegator the left grip panel looks different from grips that I've seen on Browning HPs.

 

[Ford]

Would I recommend it. At $400 I would. I have put 200 rounds through mine. It functioned 100%. I did not care for the trigger. 300-400 more rounds and it would have smoothed out a little more but still probably not where I would want it. So for $50 more I am getting a trigger job done.
The only other gun that I would currently recommend that is in the $400 price range would be a Springfield XD. Though they are more like $480 +/-
I have always wanted a Hi-Power because of the ergonomics and because they are a peice of history.

Yes any grip made for a Hi Power should fit the FN. A FN and a Browning are the same thing. Brownings just have a different rollmark and a distributed more in the US.

 

[DHart]

FN manufactures BOTH the Browning HP and the FN HP... the only difference is the name brand stamped into the slide... the quality is the same, the gun is the same.

The FN's are being wholesaled through CDNN for $399 to clear the supply channels of FN-branded Hi-Powers.

FN (which owns Browning, by the way) has decided to sell Hi-Powers in the USA only under the Browning brand, so they decided to clear the USA pipeline of FN-branded HP's at a reduced price. When the supply of new FN's which are currently in the USA are all gone, you will only be able to by Hi-Powers in the USA under the Browning brand (starting at around $650 or so)... and even that availability is dubious, as there has been mention that FN may discontinue making the Hi-Power entirely.

The Browning/FN Hi-Power is quite arguably the finest semi-auto pistol at $400... many would argue that it is one o,f if not THE finest semi-auto pistol ever made. Just shoot one sometime and you'll see why. In fact, just hold one in your hand and it should be obvious.

The FN Hi-Power for $399 from CDNN is too good to pass up. I think the supply is nearing the end.

 

[BHPshooter]

Sorry for the absence guys, been terribly busy.

Thefumegator,

Thanks for the reports.

My pleasure, Tecolote.

CDNN FN owners-Would you recommend these as a buy? Browning marked HPs are going for $200 more than CDNN FNs. That's a big chunk of change difference.

I would absolutely recommend these as a buy. Exact same as a Browning (excluding very minor details, like rollmarks and grips) for about $200 less.

Like I said, the only grip I've got is that mine is shooting low... someday it will end up with Novak sights, so It won't be permanent, but as a carry pistol, it's still <a touch> irritating.

Heavier bullets should hit higher since they stay in the barrel slightly longer during the recoil process.

That's been the opposite of my experience... my friend's Taurus 24/7 .45 was shooting about 8-6" low with 230-grain loads, until we we found 165 grain loads, which were nearly dead on in that gun. I'm no expert, but that's what my experience has been.

I take that the CDNN FNs can use any grips made for the Browning marked HPs? In the pic posted by Thefumegator the left grip panel looks different from grips that I've seen on Browning HPs.

Yes, the FNs will use any properly sized Browning HP/FM/FEG/aftermarket grips. Frame dimensions vary, so fit may also vary, but most should work to your satisfaction. The grips that come on the FN are quite different than the "thumbrest" grips that come on Brownings -- the problem is, I can't decide which I like better. Seriously -- we've got a problem here!

I did not care for the trigger.

I didn't expect to like mine at all, but was oh-so-pleasantly surprised. It is VERY crisp, and lighter than I thought possible with the magazine disconnect intact. The problem with that system is that the trigger pull and creep depends on how rough the magazine is.

I'm Going to attempt surgery today and see how nice I can get it.

Wish me luck!
Wes

P.S. Pictures of the targets will come today -- I promise!

 

[BHPshooter]

Sorry guys, amid the Pioneer Day festivities (that's Utah's State Holiday), I got distracted. Fireworks here, a barbecue there...

Anyway, here are the targets. All shooting was done standing with a two-hand hold from approximately 7-8 yards. The targets are NRA B-3s. These groups, for my skill level, are excellent (that says a lot about the gun).

I purposefully omitted the third target, because half of the group was shot by my friend, and the other half of the group was the 124-grain bullets... it was indistinguishable which holes were from which shooter.

Wes

 

[BHPshooter]

Oops, those targets are inverted... The first one you see is the second one shot, and the lower one was the first one.

I was able to get the group to "move north" a little bit when I figured out that the six o'clock hold didn't work out as well as for my Browning.

You get the idea.
Wes

 

[P95Carry]

Nothing wrong there Wes - glad you are liking the gun!

 

[Tecolote]

How has your FN HP worked out? Any problems?

 

[Trebor]

Mine runs fine. I've had a couple hundred rounds though it so far. The only problem was when my wife limp-wristed it and a case failed to eject. She can do that to almost any gun though. It's a gift.