opinion on FN Hi-Power or SA XD9

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Ford

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I am trying to decide between the FN Hi-Power or a Springfield XD9 with 5" bbl.
They are two very different guns I know. I have an XD40. The only thing that worries me about the Hi-Power is I figure I will have to dump another $100-$200 into the gun to get it how I want it. Trigger job, beaver tail /or have the hammer modfied as to eliminate hammer bite. I can get the FN for about $30 or so dollars more than the 5" XD.
 
Both are great guns but between the two I'd get the HP 1st anyday.

It is the grandfather of all double stack full-size 9mms, and still probably does it better than most. It is probably the most compact in the grip of all the double stack nines, and it is pretty narrow througout, and thus IWB it would be relatively concealable. They seem to have a reputation for reliability and accuracy. While the trigger may not be to 1911 standards it will blow away any DAO or striker fired gun pretty much anyday, and probably will be better than most DA/SA triggers, and with some work the triggers can be quite nice.

I don't have one yet, but the BHP is one of my "must have guns", the XD is quite nice but is just one of many guns that would be nice to have.
 
Another vote for the FN HiPower. They won't be available at CDNN's current price forever! IF you like the XD setup what's to change on the FN? I mean its got as nice sights & ambi safety. I wouldn't wory about hammer bite until it actually happens to you with a particular gun.

--wally.
 
The XD9 is pretty nice out of the box. Are you intending to carry the weapon or just use it for shooting? I'd say try and fire both if you can. You might consider what kind of trigger action you prefer. The XD will probably be a bit lighter, but that may not matter to you.
 
the gun will be just a plinker. I have handled a Hi-power but that is it. No one has any to rent. I am about 90% sure that hammer bite will be an issue. I know I prefer a single action trigger but I don't think I have ever heard a good thing about the HP's SA trigger.
 
The BHP is one of the finest pistols ever made. There are literally millions in service throughout the world. Don't buy all the garbage about "fixes" to the HP. Shoot a few thousands rounds through it and if it works well leave it alone. Mine doesn't like lead bullets so I shoot JHPs and FMJs.

Everyone who has every shot my BHP has fallen in love with it. It sets up beautifully and is very light to shoot. My wife wants to steal mine for her purse gun because she shoots so well with it. There's a reason for this.

Think about how many manufacturers have literally copied this gun. You can make a car look like a BMW or Mercedes but it still isn't one.

I like my HK USP 40 slightly better because I love the big grips but the BHP is a vey close second!
 
Of course, I have to interject with a suggestion.

How about a CZ 75B SA? It'll probably cost $2-300 less than an FN.

I tried out one with a decent trigger job the other day and was simply blown away how smooth that thing fired. I may have to get the job done on my 75BD soon.
 
If you can afford to have the trigger job done, then don't look back and buy the Hi Power. I just bought one for $400 from CDNN and sent it to Don Williams at Action Works. I dropped as much as I paid for the gun on custom work from Don, but I didn't think twice, b/c the Hi Power is such a sweet gun.
 
I have an XD-40 and a Hi-Power...I'd never trade either one!

Are you SURE a Hi-Power WILL bite your hand? I have never expereinced hammer bite at all from 6 years of shooting my Hi-Power...never. Again, some get it...some don't. Its no guarantee that everybody gets bitten.

Another complaint I hear sometimes is about reliability of the HP, but again, my 1994 FN made piece has been 100% reliable from day one. I have not fed every hollowpoint made through it, but enough to knw it will feed the most popular ones and it is also deadly accurate and no other hi-cap 9mm feels this good in the hand.

Second, the only other significant change needed to make the Hi-Power a great shooter is to remove the mag safety and smooth up all the internal trigger parts. Thats all I did to the internals on my Belgian Beauty and it almost has a 1911-ish like trigger pull. Most people either shoot a non-modded HP or dry fire a dead-stock HP in the store and it turns them off totally from this platform. Shame, because with a small amount of work - the HP can have the best trigger pull of any hi-cap 9mm out there...no doubt about it.

The XD-9 is probably as good as the XD-40, but the feel and potentially better trigger pull that can be had form a Hi-Power should put it ahead of the XD-9, for considerations sake.

Get the Hi-Power...and soon, you'll be asking yourself the same question I always do..."why do so many other people buy other hi-cap 9mms, when this is available?"

-Brickboy240
 
hmm, tough call. The hp is a classic, and can be made into a nice gun. I must say, however, that all of the stock hp's I have shot havehad really crappy triggers that probably largely contributed to not being able to shoot worth a damn with them. In my experience, the xd generally actually has a better trigger out of the box, and is more accurate. I'm am by no means anti hp when I say this--I have more 1911's than anything else and love a single action pistol. But while 1911's often have decent triggers out of the box, hp's rarely do (actually never in ones I have handled, but its conceivable there's a good one somewhere). That having been said, hp triggers can be MADE very nice, and just removing the mag safety can do alot. As far as trigger bite--i'd try one out first, I've personally never had a problem with that with hp's or 1911's, so try before you assume that will be a problem for you.

Either one should be a great gun, but in my experience the hp is likely to need some tweaking first.
 
I am starting to lean toward the FN Hi-Power. thanks for the replies. I have almost bought one several times. I just cant ever seem to pull the trigger. ( pun intended) I have just been leary of them, I guess because I know that it is going to need some work done before I like it. There is a new pistol smith in down that seems to do good work so that is kinda helping in my decision now to maybe go ahead and pick one up.
 
Depends, if I was going to every carry the weapon, I'd have to say XD. I've never liked the way a HP felt in my hands...it's really a personal choice.
 
I would pick the Hi Power without thinking twice. I might suggest you fire one, if possible. The feel of the gun would tell you more about how you like it.

The Hi Power is the most ergonomic pistol, to me. You really don't have to put a lot of money into one. They work great the way they come and you can always do some minor changes later, if you want (ie: if you want to remove the mag disconnect, file the hammer spur a tad, etc.) The hammer doesn't bite me, so I haven't had a problem with them.

They have good sights out of the box. They are SUPERBLY reliable. They point GREAT. They have the best grip shape of most any pistol. Mags are very reasonably priced.

Hope this helps.
 
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I own both the XD and Hi-Powers, Browning and FN. They are all very nice guns. The trigger on the Hi-Power has a bad rap from those used to a 1911 trigger or equal. It's single action and better than a whole lot of the DA guns that are so highly thought of. Don't assume you'll have to mess with the hammer either. I have three of these things and have never been bitten by any of them.

Go to a dealer and find a BHP or FNHP, get a snap cap and dry fire it, see what you think. The CDNN price is a great price and as someone else said, it won't be there forever.

Edit:

Let me re-word that. The trigger probably doesn't have a bad rap, because it truely isn't the best trigger around. But, it's portrayed worse than it is. Oh yea, some are better than others. I felt a BHP MKIII one time in a dealer case that was horendous. The one I bought the next day was twice as good.
 
just ordered an FN Hi-Power from CDNN. $409 with shipping. I have to pay a $50 transfer fee to my FFL though. Still $459 is about the best price I have seen.
 
yep, I bit the bullet. My wife may shoot me with it though. :what: My second gun in 2 weeks. Not counting the rifle I bought last month. :neener:
Now I am online shopping for some nice thin wood grips.
 
Ford, ya done good! I got one from CDNN, as well as the grips. I have no idea who made the grips, but they look great on it. Also, I too was worried about hammer bite as I get it on 1911s, but it did not happen on my HP.

And don't worry about the trigger feel, it will be gritty on the takeup due to the mag disconnect rubbing against the magazine, and with the KRD mag inserted it will worse, due to the finish. I have removed the disconnect, and it has taken that away, and feels like it has lightened the pull as well.

You WILL love the HP. It is firearms elegance personified.
 
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