Which Browning pistols (cheaper brands)

Which low end browning design?

  • Arcus Hi Power Clone (Mainly 98 DAC)

    Votes: 6 15.4%

  • RIA 1911 in 9mm

    Votes: 14 35.9%

  • FEG Hi Power

    Votes: 19 48.7%
  • Total voters
    39
  • Poll closed .
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robinkevin

robinkevin

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Ok so I have decided to get a steel frame pistol either SA or DA/SA and really have taken a liking to the Hi Power but also still like the 1911 design (who doesn't?). Anyhow I can't afford a top notch pistol so that leads to my question...

Which would be better a lower end Hi Power such as a FEG or Arcus (really leaning towards Arcus after reading good reviews) or a cheaper 1911 in 9mm such as RIA? I have heard good things about all three of these but I don't know which would be best?

EDIT: I am also keeping my eyes open for used pistols such as CZ 75B and others that a just a tad high on my budget new.
 
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Just a word of caution. When I was originally looking to purchase a handgun several years ago, the money was somewhat tight, so I was looking for a relatively inexpensive gun. I investigated Arcus in depth, and everyone said it was a great gun. I ended up not buying a gun anyway. So when I was finally ready to buy, Arcus was very high on my list. However, there's been several complaints on the net about them now having quality issues, IIRC the locking lugs are wearing on some guns due to poor hardening. I even found a post from some guy who claimed he was from Bulgaria, was very familiar with Arcus parent company, and knew first hand that their quality was suffering due both to the cost cutting measures, and over-expansion. Now, I don't know if any of it is true, but I will strongly advise you to look for as much info as you can before buying a new Arcus. (The ones produced a decade ago are supposed to be fine).
 
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I have heard a little about this on the Arcus as well... but then again I have heard some sort of horror story on every make and model out there. It does make me wonder however and is something I would look deeper into before popping on it. Thanks for the advice.
 
Wanderling,
What was your source on the metal being soft. I have been searching and reading like crazy and the main issue I have found is people complaining about the front sit "dot" falling out. Which to me this is no biggy.
 
robinkevin said:
Wanderling,
What was your source on the metal being soft. I have been searching and reading like crazy and the main issue I have found is people complaining about the front sit "dot" falling out. Which to me this is no biggy.
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robinkevin,

I did this research on Arcus some time in late August or early September, most reviews were glowing (except many said that finish didn't last), but then I hit on several recent threads regarding wear issues, with one reply from some Bulgarian dude (or so he claimed) saying they had recent material quality / wear issues. I don't remember where it was posted, may be I can find it. At the time it was enough to make me doubt the gun, my price range was higher anyway so I went with G17 (after first considering CZ75B).
 
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I had a feg hi power for years. Shot almost as good as a real hipower. A very accurate gun and good quaility too. I regret selling mine. Sold a few handguns for and s&w m&p15. Found out i hate ar's now. Missing those guns pretty bad
 
Wanderling,
For whatever reason I just can't find any of those that you saw. I would like to read more on those and hopefully see some pictures of what they are talking about.

Robbins290,
Kinda like trucks and cars, I think we miss most of the firearms we end up having to let go. Sadly most of us can't keep them all and have to sell some. I have been thinking about selling my .243 to fund my handgun but .243 was my first firearm next to my bb and pellet rifles so its hard to part with. Just never really gets shot so who knows...
 
The RIA 1911's are a great gun. If you like the CZ75, you could probably find an EAA Witness clone in your budget.
 
rule303 said:
The RIA 1911's are a great gun. If you like the CZ75, you could probably find an EAA Witness clone in your budget.
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The witness is nice but I may end up carrying this in the winter months and the witness seems to have a thicker slide than the CZ 75 which kinda turns me away from it. Then again it could just appear that way as I have not held a witness in hand yet (no stores close have them).
 
Robinkevin

Just food for thought. The 243 isnt costing you anything by sitting in the safe. Seems like everytime i sell a gun a month or year later i regret it. So i try to get another firearm by not selling any. It will take alot longer. But no regrets later.
 
What is your budget? I have seen used CZ's for 350+. I would rather have that than an HP clone. Or look around and find a surplus HP for the same money+. RIA does not have enough used 9mm's on the market yet to make them "cheaper" to buy.
 
Robbins290 said:
Robinkevin

Just food for thought. The 243 isnt costing you anything by sitting in the safe. Seems like everytime i sell a gun a month or year later i regret it. So i try to get another firearm by not selling any. It will take alot longer. But no regrets later.
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Completely understand as I said I have been thinking about it but I have sold 2 trucks in my life and miss both of them. I can only assume I would miss the rifle as well even if I do only pull it out once a year and give it a look over. As you said isn't costing me anything.
 
viking499 said:
What is your budget? I have seen used CZ's for 350+. I would rather have that than an HP clone. Or look around and find a surplus HP for the same money+. RIA does not have enough used 9mm's on the market yet to make them "cheaper" to buy.
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Honestly my budget is $300-$400 but trying to keep it closer to the $300 as I know I can save that up with out too much trouble. I like the CZ 75 and 85 but the low profile slide I am not crazy about. I can get a RIA 9mm 1911 from Buds for right around $400.
 
I've read about the Arcus issues but have not read one report in the states about any problems except for the one about the front sight falling out. The guy from Bulgaria that mentioned the lug problem said it was due to the barrel lug being shaved on one side to accommodate the trigger bar. I looked at mine and there is about 20% less material on the side of the lug then a regular Hi-Power. Arcus states that they test the barrel before it leaves the factory. "Barrel and muzzle are subjected to post production tensile strength testing to 4.500 lbs."
So I don't know if the lugs are gonna fall off or wear out.

My FFL ordered a couple for me from Century and it was about $330 a piece out the door.

I plan on buying a 9mm RIA next year just to have :)
 
According to Arcus they have pretty good QC department, also they give a 2 year warranty which I would think allows enough time to see if its wearing out or if it will be just fine.
 
Have you ever handled or shot a CZ? I currently have 4 CZ 75's. I did have a HP, but sold it to pay for another CZ..........

RIA has the best warranty out of the bunch......
 
I have yet to get my hands on a CZ.. I did get to handle a Hi Power which felt nice but was a Browning and out of my price range. I live kinda out in the boonies so short of over an hour drive there is no easy way of getting my hands on a good selection of handguns. I went to Buds one day but being the weekend the place was packed, didn't have time to wait around till someone could help me.
 
I have several Browning Hi Powers, a FEG clone, an Argentine clone (FM M90), and an RIA 1911 in 9mm. My vote went for the RIA only because it is the only gun in the OP's list that is both widely available and still in production. Arcus and the Argy Hi Power clones aren't widely available, FEG is defunct, and RIA's are quite common. With that said, my FEG P9M has been flawless thru more than 1500 rds and my Argy is a solid pistol as well. I don't think you could go wrong with any of the three.
JD
 
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