Mini Hi-Power???

J

Jack19

New member
I was at a gunshop yesterday afternoon, researching my need for a smaller "backup" weapon when, from behind the counter, the owner says, "Have you seen one of these?"

It was a DAO mini version of the FN Hi-Power, with FN markings chambered for 9mm. Smaller than a Glock 30 but probably larger than a 26. The hammer looked exactly like the SFS hammer marketed by Cylinder & Slide.

The grip felt exactly like a HP but was shorter and the mag was made to take 10 rounds, not a neutered 13 round mag.

I'm going back to take a second look this afternoon. Anyone else seen, or shot, one of these?
 
Sounds to me like a variant of the FN HP-DAc. If so, I have one, although mine is SA/DA rather than DAO. Including the large finger rest on the mag, it's almost exactly the size of an Officer's ACP, although a little thicker in the grip. According to my dealer, only 2,000 compacts were made.

For the most part, the HP-DAc seems like a good pistol, although I think FN is stretching a bit with the HP nomenclature. For instance, none of the HP-DA pistols will take a BHP mag.

The only real problem I've had with mine is take-down. I have to manually hold the slide about 1/2 inch to the rear, while at the same time pushing out the (resistant) slide stop from the right, while simultaneously lifting up slightly on the rear of the stop on the left, while trying to keep it from scratching and marring the painted slide and/or frame as it comes out. IOW, the stop can be a pain to get out--and a worse pain to get back in.

Also, the DA trigger pull felt sticky at first. But it got smoother with wear and a little gun grease in the right places.

HTH. :)
 
There's a review in SG news on a similar pistol (maybe the same).
I don't have it handy to tell you for sure. I seem to remember that it was VERY VERY expensive though.
 
Too true about the price. Mine was $639. That's more than it's worth, but I figured this was my only chance to get one, and I didn't want to kick myself later for not doing so. :rolleyes:
 
Yeah, there's a review of a custom-made compact HP by Peter Kokalis in the February 18, 2002 issue of Shotgun News. It looks like a really, really nice piece of work.

It should be, the pricetag is $1,950, and that's after you provide your own gun. :eek:

The work is done by Leckie Professional Gunsmithing in PA.

Leckie webpage
 
Fpound them on FN's website....not much info just a price:

Retail Law Enforcement
HP-DA (10rd) L.E.: $648 $552
HP-DA (10rd) L.E.N.S: $753 $642
HP-DA (15rd) L.E.: $648 $552
HP-DA (15rd) L.E.N.S.: $753 $642
HP-DA c L.E.: $648 $552
HP-DA c L.E.N.S.: $753 $642
HP-DOA (10rd) L.E.: $648**** $552
HP-DAO (10rd) L.E.N.S.: $753 $642
HP-DAO (15rd) L.E.: $648 $552
HP-DOA (15rd) L.E.N.S.: $753 $642
 
I've been asking myself the same question as to whether I'd buy it again. There's something about the appearance or feel or mechanism of the HP-DAc that--good or bad--I haven't resolved in my mind yet. So I haven't come up with an answer.

I guess that if my primary personal defense gun were a full-size HP-DA, then the HP-DAc would make a lot of sense as a backup. Otherwise, there are other guns that are as good a shooter as the HP-DAc for a lot less money--and with easier take-down.

OTOH, if it's true that only 2,000 of these guns were produced, it may have collector potential. To me, this makes it more interesting for its own sake. Plus, it has a rightful place in Hi-Power history, which appeals to me as a BHP fan, even though IMHO it isn't really a BHP.

I'll figure it out one of these years. ;)
 
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