FM Browning HP Clones

T

Tecolote

New member
Posting for a buddy w/o internet access.

What do you folks think of the FM (Fabricaciones Militares) HP? Lately I've seen a few NIB for sale. Asking price is usually $300. Are these better than the Hungarian clones made by FEG? I'm looking for a HP, but I can't afford the $500+ for a new Browning. Thanks.

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
I had an fm highpower. My buddy still does. Very reliable, neither one is very accurate. The slide to barrel, slide to frame fit was kinda loose. My trigger was pretty good, his was gritty. Maybe get the feg and spend the difference on a c&s trgger and sear and a wolff spring kit. I have an arcus now and I love it. All it needed was a spring kit to lighten up the trigger. I've seen a couple on the auctions lately for around $235.
 
The FM is a licensed copy of the High-Power. This means all Belgium parts will interchange with it. I own one and it is a good pistol. If I had it to do over it is cheaper to buy a used MKIII. The sights and safety on the newer MKIIIs are good . All you have to do with the MKIII is get it a trigger job. Regards, Richard.
 
Ledbetter, I think you are offering a value judgement. I prefer High-Powers to the CZ75 and to me either the FM or the FEG serve my purposes better than a CZ75. I have yet to shoot a handgun better and faster than I can shoot a High-Power. Regards, Richard.
 
Ledbetter,

Have you had a trigger job done on your FEG High-Power clone and put descent grips on it? I have and my FEG is good!

I know my friend, Stephen A. Camp, is big on CZ75s but I am not. I especially do not think they are good pistols for newbies.

I do not like the trigger, sights, or lowering the hammer to carry it with the hammer down on a loaded chamber. It is an accident waiting to happen. I know that you can carry the CZ75 cocked and locked but at that point I might as well stick with my High-Powers.

An interesting point is that my TZ75, a CZ75 clone, will out shoot my CZ75 all day long.

Regards,

Richard
 
Richard,

Good points. I haven't had a trigger job on my FEG, and probably won't cause I don't like the gun that much, although it is very accurate. Where are aftermarket grips available for the P9 series?

I carry the CZ-75BD, which is a DA-SA model with a decocker. It's carried at half-cock and seems safe in that mode, which also shortens the double-action trigger pull on the first shot.

Ledbetter
 
Hello. Other than the post on this thread concerning an FM that did not group well, I recall no negatives on these licensed HP copies. It is true that the finish is not so grand, but one can purchase the piece and if custom work's to be done, refinishing can well be in the cards anyway. The few FM HPs I've used have worked reliably and grouped well.....with jacketed ammunition, something a tad under 3" at 25 yards from a rest. For $300, I'd be looking strongly at one. For $275, I'd likely be standing in line. For $250, I'd buy one or two, especially if they came with 2 pre-ban factory magazines. As Richard notes, I rather like CZ-75s, a point on which he and I differ. However, if I can get a quality HP for the same money, count me on the HP team. I've not really been searching for more HPs as I've got more than one MKIII as well as older ones. I've never owned an FM HP to test long term, but do own an FM licensed copy of the FAL rifle that I've used for years with utterly no complaints. Like the pistol, the finish could be better, but accuracy, reliability, and durability seem just fine. Best.
 
Ledbetter, any good High-Power grip can be adapted, with a Dremmel, to fit a FEG High-Power. I am prone to Ahrends and Spegels and prefer the former. A pair of these may change your outlook. My gunsmith, Dick Williams phone 1.517.777.1240, does excellent trigger jobs for about $35.00. Regards, Richard.
 
My buddy thanks all of you for your replies. He thought he had found a NIB FM with two postban mags for $300, but it turns out the seller is in Canada. He had found a NIB Browning Mk III with all acessories for $450. He thought about it too long, but someone beat him to it. I'll let you know what he finds.

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
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