Browning Hi-Power... share what you've learned.

O

Oak '58

New member
I had a chance to handle one at a show last week-end, and it fit my hand beautifully! I liked the balance, grip angle, trigger reach, you name it. But - I'm a relative newbie, & I've seen a lot of references to clones & derivatives of the original design. So...

How many companies manufacture them? Which are making the best product? Or, do I need to look for a good, used example of the original? (If they can be had on a working man's salary..)

I discovered this site about 6 months back,
& I have learned so much from your experiences. Accumulated wisdom is a wonderful thing. Thanks in advance for any insights you can share on this subject.

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"Skeptical scrutiny can separate deep insight from deep nonsense."
 
I've heard a lot of good things about the FEG clone. I've got the HP practical in 9mm. I used to THINK it was the perfect pistol. Just picked up some 17 rnd South African Mags for it. Now I KNOW it is the perfect pistol.

[This message has been edited by ATTICUS (edited September 18, 2000).]
 
What it basically comes down to is money. How much can you afford? If you have the money and can afford one of the newer brownings I would go that route. If cash is hard to come by then buy the the FEG clone. I have several of the FEG clones but have never shot them. They are still in the box. They seem to be well made guns although a little "rough around the edges." Also you might check the used gun market as there are still some good deals out there on the hi-powers.
 
Thanks for the replys! OK, looks like FEG is the place to start. Where did you fellas get yours? Are they more likely to be found at gunshows or on web-sites? I ask because I don't remember seeing any at the local gun shops. But then, I didn't really know that I was looking for them :D Cost is not the only factor - I've got some pistols that were fairly expensive (but worth it), and now the thought of finding a good, reliable but maybe not-so-pretty pistol for $300 to $400 sounds like fun. And like I said, that one at the gun show sure felt sweet in my hand.

Thanks again to all who reply!
 
I own the FEG PJK-9HP BHP clone and love it. I purchased mine through a local gun dealer. KBI imports them, I believe. They seem to go in the range of $199-$250.

Those 17rnd SA mags are good, too.

Do a search and you'll find some other recent threads praising the FEG. Some fairly recent. I believe "Dr. Rob" recently gave the opinion that it is among the best values (best value? what did he say?) on the market.

Mine was accurate out of the box, and the trigger has smoothed nicely. I really like the trigger now, though it the mag safety makes it somewhat dependent on the finish of the magazine in use. Those 17rnd SA mags have a nice finish, which gives a nice trigger pull.

You'll love it.
 
Oak, take a look around. You may be able to find an actual FN-manufactured Hi-Power in that price range. There are still some Austrian police surplus Hi-Powers from the 1950s on the market.

Another knock-off you might want to consider is FM Argentina, who built Hi-Powers under license from FN. Like the FEG, it tends to be a little rough around the edges and probably not made with the same quality of metal as an FN; but otherwise a good, cheap and reliable gun.
 
Oak 58, the FN from Belgium is the original, the FM is a licensed copy (every part interchanges with a FN), FEG(KBI) and Arcus are clones. I own them all and if you can afford it go for a FN MKIII in new or used condition. After you get used to it there is plenty of time to play with a FM or clone. The problem with the FM and clones is that they do not hold resale like a FN. Regards, Richard.
 
I agree with bartholomew. Look around. Or wait a few months when FN will begin importing the Hi-Power MKIII and the HPDA. I'm not sure what the retail prices will be. But with the new inlfux of Hi-Powers, the used ones should go back down to realistic prices.
 
Oak, I have a Browning HI-Power Belgium made, that I bought in the late 60`s.

I think my handle " user name " says it all.

My neighbor bought a Browning in the Double Action, he does`nt like it nor do I.

I do not like the double action pistols at all, but that is just me. As others said check out the gun shows and you may find a real Browning HI-Power.

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"Defiance"
And yet...it moves
(Galileo Galilie)

"Spay or Nuter your Socialist Pets"
 
Guys, I need advise on the differences in features between a High power MKIII and a High power standard. Which do you think is a better buy? Comments on how a 9mm and .40 cal HP performs? Which produces more recoil? Hope you guys out there could help me ! Need to decide soon before my dealer runs out of stocks!
 
OK, now we're gettin' somewhere! This is the kind of info I was hoping for. And, as suggested, a search thru past threads has proven helpful, too. I'll start looking around now that I'm armed with more info on what to look for.

I had a rare day off today, took the opportunity to go & put holes in a stack of targets with my P99. Great gun, fits my hand well... but I keep remembering how great that HP felt in my hand. I'll have a chance to look around at another large show in Denver this weekend. Thanks again to everyone for your help & ideas - this is a great place to learn. :D

Did I see on another thread that there are TFL T-shirts available? I can't find it now.

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"Skeptical scrutiny can separate deep insights from deep nonsense."

[This message has been edited by Oak '58 (edited September 18, 2000).]
 
Hello, Clarence and all! Richard had it right in my opinion when he said to go for the real Browning as it will hold its value better in the event of resale. I agree. Having said all that, while I have no experience with the FEG clones to speak of, I have found the FM licensed copies to be very good guns albeit with heavier triggers and lesser sights than the current MkIII HPs. The current MkIII is a shooter right out of the box in terms of sights. I had Novaks installed on a couple of my MkIIIs and really wouldn't spend the money again! Nothing against Novaks and they do "look better", but when shooting a Novak-sighted HP against the standard MkIII with factory fixed sights, there was no difference at the target end, at least in my hands. If you get a clone or the FM, you may wind up spending enough to upgrade sights, trigger, thumb safety, etc to have purchased the MkIII.

Clarence, the difference between the plain MkIII and the "standard" IF you are referring to currently manufactured HPs is not much. Both are actually the new MkIII design, but the standard comes with the old style wooden stocks and a bright blue finish while the MkIII comes with the "matte" finish and the nylon stocks. Except for stocks and finish, they are the same gun. IF you are referring to the pre-MkIII standard, it had the old shaped ejection port, small thumb safety, and small fixed sights. It would have been bright blued in most instances and come with the checkered wooden stocks. Depending upon year of manufacture, the muzzle end would have been either flat or had the permanent press-fited bushing that extended beyond the end of the slide about 1/16".

I suspect that the current MkIIIs will outgroup most of the clones, but do not know that to be a fact. I do know that they will group and no longer add match bbls as was the case in the early '70s. They don't need it unless you plan to shoot primarily cast bullets.

The forty will kick more or have more shove. The forty version of the HP will weigh a bit more although I don't remember how much. The slide is a bit wider. The difference is enough that I don't care for the feel, but I'm probably used to 30 years of the 9mm version. Recoil difference is not all that much between forty and +P 9mm, at least I don't notice it. The forty will have more muzzle climb. With selected handloads and factory rounds it likes, the forty will group OK. With the same criteria stated above, the 9mm will group very well and in my experience, better.

I rather like the MkIII out of the box and would search around for one of those as my first choice. If I couldn't get it, I'd try very hard for an FM (Argentine) clone and upgrade sights, etc as I needed or wanted.

Best and good luck.
 
I second Stephens remarks. The MkIII and the standard are pretty close. However, the MKIII is billed as the military version. The finish is paint over parkarized. Very durable. The only upgrade my MKIII has is a new finish (Teflon) and a barrel crown. Some people don't like the factory plastic grips, but I love em. I tried the pachmyers but they were too thick. I have yet to try Spegal grips. Many people like them. The ambi-safety is very slim. Like I posted earlier, wait until FN begins to import them. I have an email from FN director of Law Enforcement Sales stating that the 9mm will be out late this year and the 40 will be out early next year. Here's a great link for you: www.fnhipower.com.
 
Oak, if the feel is what you like best, check out the CZ75's. They seem a lot like the BHP to me, they are more "modern", and are widely available, and are relatively inexpensive.

That being said, the BHP is a classic, and as such, merits consideration. Mags are more available for the BHP, but they are not hard to get (for now, grrrrrr) for the CZ.
 
I had an Belgian FN P35 Hi-Power, made for the Buenos Aires Police. It was $350 from AIM, and looked great. Had terrible trigger lash and the trigger pin kept walking. I sold it and bought a CZ75B, nice gun, cheaper, higher capacity, and a trigger job has made a world of difference.

If I was to buy another Hi-Power (doubtfull), I'd probably either buy a slightly used Browning MKIII, or another FN contract pistol and have it worked over buy a good smith.
 
There are many good used Browning Hi Powers out there for sale. If you aren't in a rush, just shop around and wait for a deal. I just bought a '92 Browning Hi Power Polished Blue Standard in very good condition with a trigger job, Cylinder & Slide wide trigger and ring hammer for $390.
 
I was lucky..I traded a colt Gov380 in unfired condition for a NEW BHP Practical at one of the local gun-shops. I guess they guy figured that a colt would sell better. He had $485 marked on the BHP. I feel like I got a good deal.
 
The first time I picked up a HP I was hooked. They really have the feel!! I'm 70 years old and I guess that entitles me to a couple of observations: I can't remember a single time that I regretted buying a gun becous it was too expensive. But I've sure regretted a lot of the cheap ones that I've aquired through the years. It's taken a long time to figure out that I don't have enough money to buy cheap guns. (Or anything else for that matter)
 
Oat.. be forewarned shop carefully. Last show in Denver I saw an FEG for $450-250. you should still be able to get one around $225-240 via shotgun news and a dealer they use.

Yes I DO think FEG is one of the best values on the market. They can be a little "rough" around the edges but they shoot really well. An extended safety is a must but hi caps are easy to come by and a hogue monogrip makes it feel more like a 1911.. its a sweet piece at a great price.

The bluing is thick, but with repeated carry/competition I've noticed thinning on the grip, I'm considering full nickel or parkerizing of the frame in the next 6 mo.
I also plan on disabling the magazine saftey. This is a really sweet deal.

I've seen FN guns that look better.. but few that shoot better at defensive range (say to 25 yards)

Dr.Rob
 
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