Who makes the best hi power clones?

I checked browning's website and they suggest a retail price of over $700.00 for a brand new hi power without any modifications!

If you had to buy a hi power clone, which would it be?

 

As long as CDNN still has FN HiPowers for $399 why mess around with any clones!

I've had the FEG and FM clones for quite some time. The FEG has much better finish and overall machining quality but a very heavy yet crisp trigger. The FM has better sights but a creepy yet lighter trigger. Both are good shooters and have been reliable, but the FN I recently got from CDNN blows them both away for little over $100 more.

--wally.

 

Personally, I've heard good things about the Bulgarian Arcus series. Improved (IMO) aesthetics, but a little trouble with mag compatability. Aside from that, should be about the same.

Some links:
Max Popenker's site and writeup: http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg110-e.htm

$290.00, but currently out of stock: http://www.impactguns.com/store/HG1016-N.html

Manufacturer's site: http://www.arcus-bg.com/products/firearms/1_singe_action/1_arcus_94/print.html

Similar thread on another forum, with helpful info: http://www.pistolsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=13781&sid=096cf417c1a10526d68305a15d044bcc

Hope these help...

 

I am the proud owner of a BHP Practical but well before I found that - I bought a FEG.

All in all I considered that very good value - forget exact price but it was well OK. I always consider the metallurgy to be inferior to ''real thing'' and so do not punish it excessively but that said - it is for me a sweet shooter and I even briefly used it for carry. In value terms I think it is good.

 

Arcus is hands down the best and is frequently available at www.aimsurplus.com
FEG is #2

http://www.arcus-bg.com/

 

I had an FM Highpower, which I traded off like an idiot, and currently have a full-size, single-action Arcus which I bought to atone for selling the FM. Both were and are very reliable. The Arcus sports excellent fit-and-finish and accuracy for a service pistol. With the exception of its clunky-looking slide, the Arcus compares very favorably with the original High Power. I don't plan on selling mine any time soon.

 

I also am very pleased with my FM (not to be confused with FN). Its not jammed, burped, or hiccuped in well over 1000 rounds. Trigger was decent even with the mag safety in, and got even better when removed. For $300, it was a steal to me.

 

The FM worked for me, just not as finely finished as a Browning.

 

With as many 1911s and CZs as I've owned, it's amazing that I've never owned a BHP or clone. I've almost bought severall and I've had the Arcus on my short list of guns ever since Duane Thomas (whom I don't like) gave a fairly glowing review on way, way back. Matter of fact, I went to a gun shop specifically to buy an Arcus after that review and ended up buying my first CZ75.

Overall, I'd go for an FN from CDNN or an Arcus if found for about $325 or less.

 

Has anyone here purchased a Browing Hi Power Practical 40 cal? seems like the perfect frame for the 40cal. approx. 39 ounces.

 

Wingman,

Yes, I have a BHP in .40 cal. It's a nice gun but I prefer it in 9mm. The 9mm is a little thinner and besides, the 9mm was made for the HP. I also like the hi-capacity options the 9mm provides.

Don't let this stop you from buying one in .40 cal. Just look at them side by side first, touch and feel them both.

 

OH yea, to the original poster. Go buy a FN Hi Power, same gun, lot's less $!

 

$700.00? Over $800 for a 'Standard'.
A CZ75 is a BHP clone. However, the trigger placement is forward of a BHP's trigger placement. I'd have had a CZ-75 twenty-five years ago when they first came into Canada, but it doesn't fit my hand. If you can't find an Inglis High Power and the CZ-75 fits your hand, it would be hard to beat. No need to remove the mag safety either. Or anything else. Good sights. Reasonable trigger.
"...the 9mm was made for the HP..." Other way around.
"...without any modifications!..." There's few needed. Get rid of the useless mag safety and change the springs. The 'Standard' is ready to go otherwise, but not at over $800. Look around for a used one.

 

I've been really happy with my arcus 94c. It was $239 at aimsurplus.

 

They're both steel, full-size 9mm semi-autos, but beyond that I don't see how you could call the CZ-75 a clone of the BHP. They might look similar, but the internals are very different.

 

That was news to me too.

 

The CZ is anything but a BHP clone. The original lines/shape of the CZ were INSPIRED by the BHP but thats where the similarities end. Nothing of the guns is even close past that point.

IMO, the Arcus is the best of the clones. The ones Ive shot had great accuracy, recoil absorbing qualities and were just great guns. The FEG's are good also..the FM's Ive played with and shot were looser in fit and reminded me of 1911 WW2 1911's.

Shoot well.

 

I have an FEG P9R and I have always loved it. It is extremely accurate but the downside is that BHP mags don't fit it.. It is a Hungarian copy of the Hi Power but it is DA/SA . I saw one for sale used in a shop last week for 200.00

 

Pick up one of the CDNN FN Highpowers at $399 if they still have any left. I bought one and it's a great gun. If I had the money, I'd buy a second. At that price, they're a steal.

The only way I'd buy a FM or a FEG is if the gun was under $250. And, even then, I'd only get it as a training gun for my students so I can keep the FN for me.

 

I have a Wilson Highpower, Arcus and a Feg.

I puchased the Arcus after the lug broke off of the barrel of the Feg.

The Feg wasn't a bad pistol, but the IMO the Arcus is a much better pistol than the Feg although not as good looking.

The Wilson BHP is of course the best out of the three.

From the top, BHP, Arcus and Feg.

 

The P9R is a clone of the S&W 59 so that's why HiPower mags don't fit. S&W mags would work except the mag catch is located differently in the frame so they don't lock in. They probably would have sold a lot better if they took S&W 59 series mags.

--wally.

 

I've heard glowing reviews of the Arcus, but if they weren't so darn blocky and non High Power looking I'd might buy one. I passed at $200. One gun writer said he liked it better than current high powers(he must have been on the payroll at that company).


Been looking for a FEG, they tend to have nice bluing too, at a cheap price, I like the one with a vent rib for some perverse reason. Sold for years at $200 in my area. Saw one at $250 or so with no mag and mag disconnect removed, I passed.

Would take an Argentine, it is made under license after all, but I have been at myself to avoid cheaper guns in the collection unless dirt cheap and I will hold out for a real Belgian to keep my 40S&W one company.

The tangent sight one that looks like the sight on some milsurp rifles intrigues me too, especially with the shoulder stock.

 

My FEG FP-9 takes regular Hi-Power mags.