The Commander Hi Power!

[firestar]

Well, not really. It is a FM Hi Power and they call the shorter slide a "Detective" but it is about the same idea as the Colt Commander, i.e., regular grip with a shortened slide.

It is amazing what a nice set of grips will do to a gun. I had to brighten up the pics a bit, the grips are a little darker in person and I think they are nicely figuired. They are the Navidex Rosewood palmswells that Brownells sells.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

From one HP fan to another, that is SWEET!

 

[George Hill]

"SWEEEET"

 

[sanchezero]

I've been thinking about one of them...

How does it run?

 

[bubbygator]

What's that underneath the grips on the front & back strap ??

 

[Soap]

Bubbygator- Its skateboard or stair tape.

 

[bubbygator]

Thanks, I've seen that mentioned elsewhere but had never seen it. Looks good - I had imagined something pebbly, but yours looks like black sandpaper. I may try it on my Glock too.

P.S. I went to Purdue 60 & 66.

 

[tracer]

Would you mind elaborating on the TRIGGER PULL and accuracy? I would buy one ,but have heard the trigger is pretty objectionable.
Thanks
tracer

 

[Soap]

bubbygator- Go Boilers! The tape actually works pretty well. I don't have it on my guns though since I have smaller hands and I can't hit the mag release button without shifting my grip slightly, which is tough with a very grippy surface on the grip.

 

[bubbygator]

tracer: I've posted elsewhere (I guess it was on fnhipower.com) that I just came back to shooting after a 10 year lapse (not in the slammer). I picked a used Glock-26 & a used Browning HP Standard to re-start. I was used to single-action from the Navy & also from a Colt Commander, but I had also carried a S&W 640 for about 5 years in a jewelry store. I had dry-fired a Glock-19 a little & I had some fears about getting used to the trigger also. But some pretty respectable people over at GlockTalk forum speak highly of the trigger.

Remember, "Your Mileage May Vary". My 1st day at the range, I shot (fairly fast) the Glock with 4" spread at 10 yards & the Browning with 6" spread. Certainly not numbers to claim any fame, but good enough for defense work. But I expected the results to be reversed! The Glock feels very good when shooting - I don't even notice the take-up on the trigger; it's very smooth. After shooting the Glock, I'm more than willing to carry it. The Browning will stay on my nightstand until I practice more - I must be holding wrong. I did notice the grip was loose; so I've tightened it.

Excuse the long post. I really enjoy shooting again.

 

[firestar]

Going to try and answer some questions.

Would you mind elaborating on the TRIGGER PULL and accuracy? I would buy one ,but have heard the trigger is pretty objectionable.

When I first got it, it was one of the heaviest SA trigger I ever felt, it made my trigger finger sore to shoot it. I removed the mag safety (easy job) and it made a huge improvment, it is quite decent now, a little heavy with some creep but very acceptable. Accuracy is very good. Above average by a long ways. The accuracy is one of the best features to this gun, along with one of the smallest grips on a double stack 9mm.

I've been thinking about one of them...
How does it run?

Not so good. Because of the shorter slide, the slide velocity is increased and I am having jams when I hold it too firmly, I need a heavier recoil spring to counteract this. Also the recoil excessive for a 9mm, probably due to the slide moving so fast.
I would not buy a Detective Hi Power again unless you really want the short slide, go for the standard length slide, less problems and more after market stuff available.

It is skateboard tape (sometimes called grip tape). It really helps keep a gun firmly in your grasp. I tend to have sweaty hands so I need all the extra grip I can get.

 

[firestar]

One more pic.

 

[tracer]

Firestar Thanks for your honesty! You saved me some grief I am certain.Incidentally ,I have owned 2 M43's and a 45.They are a great bargain.

 

[PCRCCW]

I love the little HP...Ive seen the Det.'s and liked them but the example I was offered at a way too high a price was not in good shape.
I played with an Arcus Compact s/a HP clone just last week. WAY WAY nicer than the Detective....Way nicer than any other HP clone Ive seen...inc. the best FEG's and FM's. It actually has a beaver tail, tight/nice fit and finish and a very light trigger.

Ive heard vicous rumors of CZ Compact recoil springs being used with success in the Detectives....cant say from experience.

Nice gun...the recoil is probably bad from high slide speed from a weak recoil spring...if its the dual setup..they go byebye very quickly....

Shoot well

 

[firestar]

Yep, its the dual setup. I bought the FM because I heard it was a quality Hi Power clone, I think it is but it just needs a better recoil spring. Also I wanted a standard length Hi Power but this one was only $185 in like new condition so I thought it would be a good way to get my feet wet in the Hi Power group without spending $600 on something that I wasn't sure if I would like.

I think I really like the Hi Power idea even though the one I have needed and needs some attention. I am not regreting getting it and I don't want to get rid of and I don't even mind the hassle or expense of having to get Wolf to make me a custom spring. If I had it to do over again, I would do what many have suggested and bought a real Browning Hi Power in the first place but I didn't know this until now. $185 for this gun is not really a mistake because when I get the recoil spring sorted out, I will have a really nice firearm for relativly little cash. I am now planning on getting a real BHP but I can wait until a deal comes my way on what I want. The good thing is, now I know what I want and I have some hi-caps and grips to put on my next BHP.

One major thing that I don't like on many BHPs and on my FM Detective is that worthless safety! It doesn't click and it is sooooo small that I would never be able to use it in an emergency. I have it unloaded and use it as a range gun only until I can get it to be reliable with my normal grip.

 

[stevec]

I think that on FNHiPower someone discovered that the CZ-75 Compact springs worked on the Detective.
The old fashion BHP safety is pretty awful ergonomically. If you are patient, and decent with tools, you can fit a C&S safety that will improve things dramatically. The C&S safety does have some edges that need to be filed down, but is well worth the effort (imo).
Another gun that gives you a lot of the BHP "feel" is the CZ-75 compact. Not as classy, but just as argonomic - and a good bit cheaper.

Steve

 

[sanchezero]

Ya, I put a C&S safety in my hi power (I also had one of those stupid pimple sized jobs) with only a moderate amount of frustration.

What a huge difference it makes. Now I need to have real sights put on...

 

[firestar]

I think that on FNHiPower someone discovered that the CZ-75 Compact springs worked on the Detective.

Thanks for that info, I will check that out. I could tell the guy at Wollf Springs that those springs may work for me and not have to get them custom made.

I have found a use for the dual recoil spring setup. Century International has REALLY cheap 9mm "blasting" ammo that was intended for semi-auto carbines but won't function in semi-auto pistols, I bet that they will function in my FM Detective as it has a underpowered recoil spring, if not, I will just remove one of the springs (probably the smaller one) from the dual spring setup and that would almost certainly work. This ammo has plastic encased lead BB shot, it could be like MagSafe ammo or something in a gun that works. I let you know how it all goes.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I always wondered if those were any good, thanks for the review.

Still a neat concept.