Everybody wants a Cadillac for the price of a Chevrolet, but to get the quality parts, fitted and finished as a HP is done, then imported into the USA you have to pay the price. You want to save a few bucks then get one of the clones. Top end products from major manufactors demand premium prices. Economy models exist, but lay them side by side to the top end models and compare the two. You see where the extra money goes.
what is the deal with Hi Powers and $$$$
- Thread starter axeman_g
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BHPshooter
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(emphasis mine)
Therein lies the problem. My experiences so far with my FEG can be read about here: http://www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65227 .
For those lazier (like me), I'll copy it here.
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I don't have the PJK-9HP, I have a PJK-FP9 which is a Hi Power clone with a vent rib running along the top of the slide.
I have had it for a while now, so I know how it compares to my Browning pretty well. First let me say that if you can afford it, you should definitely go for a Browning or FN.
Now that that's aside, I'll tell you about the FEG. It had a very pretty, deep blue finish. After a little while, it started to get a little surface rust, even though I was keeping it wiped down and well oiled. The rust wouldn't come off with anything but a stainless steel brush, so now the finish isn't as pretty as it once was in some spots.
The interior machining is not very good. When cleaning it, the jagged edges catch the cleaning cloths, and the smaller parts seem to be made out of lower quality materials. My prime example of this is the firing pin retaining plate -- when I was taking it down a couple of weeks ago, the FP retaining plate broke. The break wasn't a crack, it was a "crumble," which leads me to believe that it was a pot-metal part. Upon closer examination, the channel that the FPRP rides in was machined too big (front to back) which allows the FPRP to be battered when the hammer drops. I'm still working on this problem.
I've also had some sear creep problems with the safety engaged, and the hammer has a dimple where it smacks the firing pin (soft metal -- you can see casting lines in it). Last night I even had the hammer follow the slide when chambering a snap cap.
The mag release is very gritty, and quite hard to push in. The Browning is like butter in this area.
On the good side, the frame seems to be of decent quality -- machined well on the outside, mediocre machining inside.
When I bought my FEG, I bought it because I wanted one to tinker with (I wasn't willing to do that to my Browning). Well... I got what I wished for.
If you want one that you're going to work with, you might want a FEG, since you would probably want to replace all of the small parts (everything but the frame, barrel, and maybe the slide) with FN parts. If you want a gun that can truly communicate what a rewarding design the P35 is, then get a real Browning.
Just my two coppers, of course.
Wes
P.S.: the PJK-PM9 that you refer to will not interchange all parts, and is quite different in the barrel/slide lockup system.
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Of course, the FEG, up to this point has been completely reliable at the range (when the parts weren't broken). I used to believe that reliability was the pillar of requirements for a pistol, but I have learned that reliability doesn't do you much good without longevity.
If I do keep this pistol, it's going to undergo a couple of transplants with Browning parts. As I said in the copied post, I think I'll keep the frame and the barrel. I might keep the trigger, maybe not.
Of course, I know that there's a major price difference, but IMO it's just not worth the headaches. I stand by my opinion: get the real deal.
Wes
PCRCCW
Member
Shoot well...........
BHPshooter
Member
LOL! I'm afraid I don't know what you're saying...
Wes
manwithoutahome
member
I have the FM-95 which is a FN licensed pistol. The finish isn't as good as the original Browning FN but I can live with that... especially since it only cost around $250 (we don't have tax or "registration" here, only NICS and the shop included that in the price).
Oh, and if you get one, I would recommend Stephen Camp's Hi-Power Disassembly guide (and his Shooters guide to the Browning Hi-Power, in the middle of it now) so you can remove the mag disconnect.
M
Oh, and if you get one, I would recommend Stephen Camp's Hi-Power Disassembly guide (and his Shooters guide to the Browning Hi-Power, in the middle of it now) so you can remove the mag disconnect.
M
The High Road's own Yoda...
Axeman, the venerable C. R. Sam (where's he been??) gives some of the best gun shopping advice I've ever heard: "Have patience, carry green." Following this wisdom, my used-but-like-new BHPs, one each in 9mm and .40s&w, cost me less than $440 each just last year. With two factory mags and the boxes both times, as I recall. Gotta be willing to beat the weeds long and hard for bargains, and sometimes make your own luck.
Axeman, the venerable C. R. Sam (where's he been??) gives some of the best gun shopping advice I've ever heard: "Have patience, carry green." Following this wisdom, my used-but-like-new BHPs, one each in 9mm and .40s&w, cost me less than $440 each just last year. With two factory mags and the boxes both times, as I recall. Gotta be willing to beat the weeds long and hard for bargains, and sometimes make your own luck.
axeman_g
Member
always good advice ...
BrianD I know what you mean ...
I have usually gotten very good deal on a gun, never thought I overpaid. I guess that is why this situation chaps my a55!
I saw one today, one mag, fixed sites, dual tone Browning, skeleton hammer, no box, 90% .... $500.
I am going to keep looking.
BrianD I know what you mean ...
I have usually gotten very good deal on a gun, never thought I overpaid. I guess that is why this situation chaps my a55!
I saw one today, one mag, fixed sites, dual tone Browning, skeleton hammer, no box, 90% .... $500.
I am going to keep looking.
ok well i don't know anyting about FN Hi Powers.
you say they are so expensive but i am lookig at the CDNN catalog and it says:
Belgian FN Hi Powers $339. for SA/DA $299 for Double Action?
so what is the difference between the ones you are speaking of and the ones CDNN has? excuse my ignorance but these are guns that i am interested in learning more about.
you say they are so expensive but i am lookig at the CDNN catalog and it says:
Belgian FN Hi Powers $339. for SA/DA $299 for Double Action?
so what is the difference between the ones you are speaking of and the ones CDNN has? excuse my ignorance but these are guns that i am interested in learning more about.
axeman_g
Member
CDNN
The FN products offered there are slightly different animals. The HP Sa with SFS is a hipower with a extra feature, the Safety First System, a cocking lever mechanism. The gun can be simply decocked by pushing the hammer forward.
The DA/SA models are different from the HP, more simlar to a Browning BDM. These are built to appeal to the LEO market. They do not take standard HP mags.
Same with the compact model.
Have fun looking ... If your right handed you should have no problem finding a suitable model. Since I am looking for a HP with ambi saftey, it is a little harder. Look at the ingliss and FN versions for affordability. Plus, if you find an ingliss, it might have seen service somewhere exotic. Always fun trying to find the history.
The FN products offered there are slightly different animals. The HP Sa with SFS is a hipower with a extra feature, the Safety First System, a cocking lever mechanism. The gun can be simply decocked by pushing the hammer forward.
The DA/SA models are different from the HP, more simlar to a Browning BDM. These are built to appeal to the LEO market. They do not take standard HP mags.
Same with the compact model.
Have fun looking ... If your right handed you should have no problem finding a suitable model. Since I am looking for a HP with ambi saftey, it is a little harder. Look at the ingliss and FN versions for affordability. Plus, if you find an ingliss, it might have seen service somewhere exotic. Always fun trying to find the history.
Black92LX, think of the Hi-Power as the the original 1911. Over the years it has been modified, cloned with original specs, and cloned with variations. The most popular and sought after models are the original design. A very good alternative are the clones with the original designs such as the Inglis. A long and varied line of Hi-Powers have been put on the market in it's almost 70 years of existance.
Good luck in your search for one. There are plenty of good examples and the prices can range all over the spectrum. There are some very good deals around, you just have to keep your eyes and ears open. You will see, as you are finding out now, there is a lot of history in the pistol. Any time a good design comes along it will in time be copied by others with manufactoring differences. You just have to sort thru the pile to find one that fits your needs and wants.
Good luck in your search for one. There are plenty of good examples and the prices can range all over the spectrum. There are some very good deals around, you just have to keep your eyes and ears open. You will see, as you are finding out now, there is a lot of history in the pistol. Any time a good design comes along it will in time be copied by others with manufactoring differences. You just have to sort thru the pile to find one that fits your needs and wants.
axeman_g,
Didn't you say you wanted a FN HP with SFS?
Quote:
ok ... I made a big mistake some time last year and sold my FN HP with SFS to a very nice gentleman (he is a member here ...) and have regretted it ever since.
Isn't that what CDNN is (was?) selling?
I was a little intrigued by the SFS system. Decocked single action, thumb off the safety, and viola, instantly cocked. But after reading about it, it doesn't seem to me that the pistol is actually decocked when the hammer is forward, but just looks like it's decocked since the hammer isn't back.
If that's the situation, then I think it's probably just more delicate parts to fail.
Is this accurate?
Didn't you say you wanted a FN HP with SFS?
Quote:
ok ... I made a big mistake some time last year and sold my FN HP with SFS to a very nice gentleman (he is a member here ...) and have regretted it ever since.
Isn't that what CDNN is (was?) selling?
I was a little intrigued by the SFS system. Decocked single action, thumb off the safety, and viola, instantly cocked. But after reading about it, it doesn't seem to me that the pistol is actually decocked when the hammer is forward, but just looks like it's decocked since the hammer isn't back.
If that's the situation, then I think it's probably just more delicate parts to fail.
Is this accurate?
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