Seeking FEG Hi-power clone advice.

B

Battler

New member
My only pistols are a S&W 686 and a Glock 30.

I've been seeing these single-action 9mm FEG hipower clones around for a little over $200.

This might sound goofy; I kind of want it for a combination plinking gun/mechanical toy. I would like something I can shoot at the range with a single-action-only hammer to play with. But I would also appreciate the beauty of a browning design (the lines, not necessarily the finish quality), and get all of this without paying the big bux for either the REAL Hipower or a good 1911 that I really don't want to shell out for (right now) to get my fix.

At any rate, I've seen one at the local gun shop a while back but it only came with a single 10-rounder. What SHOULD come in the box with the gun? What should a newbie look for before buying one? I realize the trigger's hurt by the mag safety (I can kill that later); but should I look for anything else wrt. the slide, barrel, etc.?

any advice appreciated,
thanks,
Battler.
 
I saw a couple at a show this past weekend, $190 with one preban standard capacity mag. The box is plain cardboard, a ratty looking manual, mag and pistol. There are two types of FEGs, the earlier ones which have a 1911 type slide lock lever and the more recent ones that are true HP clones. Be advised that the former aren't fully intechangeable with HPs while the latter ones are. Thus your best bet is to avoid the ones with the 1911 type lever. QC seems to be out to lunch on the FEGs. I've handled some that are just beautiful, deep blue finish with a very good fit. Smooth trigger pull and the slide mating nicely to the frame. Others I've seen sport a harsh gray finish and look very cobby. My avice is to visit a show where you'll have a wider selection.

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
Mine came with two 10 round clips and a cleaning rod. These pistols are supposed to be softer metal than Arcus 94, BHP, or FM but as long as you don't abuse it you should be fine. I don't shoot hot loads in my FEG, I found some nice grips and it had a trigger job. It shoots to my satisfaction. Regards, Richard.
 
Mine is a true copy, deeply blued steel & walnut grips. Came with 2 pre ban 13 shot magazines, cleaning rod and manual with warranty card in a fitted foam box with a full color slick cardboard outer sleeve.

I paid just over $200 right before Brady passed, and the only mod I made on it was a Houge monogrip and an extended safety.

There are some visible machining marks (compared to higher priced models) but it eats anything you feed it and truthfully... I don't recall ever jamming it with factory ammunition. ALL BHP magazines made since 1935 (mec-gar, ram-line, canadian surplus etc) fit this gun so getting a hi cap magazine should NOt be a problem.

You can spend a lot more to get that Browning logo, but the functionality is all there in the Browning DESIGN.

I've owned 3 different FEG pistols now, 2 hi powers and one pa-63/ap-9 in .380. All have proven to be robust, accurate and mechanicly sound.

Good shooting,

Dr.Rob

[This message has been edited by Dr.Rob (edited February 15, 2000).]
 
I had one years back with a blue finish and walnut grips. This was when they were first being imported. I fire a variety of hollow point loads through it without a malfunction. There were a few minor blemishes in the finish. I would rate the machining as "good" quality. While it wasn't nearly the quality of the actual BHP that I later accquired it was worth the price. A $200.00 gun is exactly that afterall.
 
The cost of foreign-made products often depends on factors other than the labor that goes into them, such as how badly the country needs hard currency and the exchange rates. Still those FEGs are not bad value for the money.

Jim
 
I don't know if they're softer metal than the Arcus, if anything I'd be more inclined to go with a Hungarian FEG than a Bulgarian Arcus. While the Iron Curtain was up Bulgaria was known as a torurist destination not as a place of manufacturing. I don't think much has changed. I think you can pretty much feed anything through either pistol, both will give you good peformance with the exception that the FEG is a true HP clone.

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
I had an Argus and it was very accurate and had a stronger, better built and strenthened slide on it and it looked very nice with the tutone finnish. The argus has better sights and better safety lever. The argus, I think is a better gun than the browning and the Feg and I am telling you because I owned and shot one and I about cried when I sold it to a buddy of mine so I could get a more carry friendly gun once I got My carry permit. GET THE ARGUS you won't be dissapointed. Hell I may get another one.
 
FWIW, I looked at an FEG last weekend. The finish was good and the machining was okay. But the trigger was just awful. When squeezed, the trigger stuck, then suddenly unstuck with a jump to the rear, then ground through its final, hard stage before the hammer was released. Every time.

Clearly the quality of these pistols varies--another FEG may be fine in this respect.
 
I have an FEG and it shoots anything with the cheapest high capacity mags. I have 10 mags from every source you can imagine and all work just fine. Try that with most guns.
As for the trigger, FEG (which is an old and well established gun maker in Hungary and knows their stuff) they polished the area the mag disconnect hits and the trigger is plenty good enough. But when I switch to a mag that didn't come with the gun it rubs the mag of course and gets pretty bad. WELL, I just did what the factor did and POLISHED that area on each mag. How sweet it is.
I've shot +P loads in my for sometime with no problems. It LOVES hot stuff and I'm trying to wear it out. Heck at $200 why not? After shooting it constantly ( I hand load) it shows very little wear.
I've had my share of factory Brownings and this gun will hold its own with them.
One thing I have learned is that the design is John's best work. So easy to take down, fix, replace parts, etc. If anyone claimed they were a "factory armorer" for a Hi-Power I'd have to giggle. Light work and a short class. I'm a danger with any handtool and I've done well with these guns. Gun smiths couldn't starve if we all shot Hi-powers me thinks.
Yup, I want a REAL Hi-Power again and will
probably get one.
The Israeli clone was a STEAL and came with all the bells and whistles. They don't make junk. I missed out getting one when they were around, but if I see another I'll jump
all over it.
 
I've had my FEG for a year now and love it. The only thing I've done is add a Hogue Monogrip--the was close to perfect right out of the box. Not crazy about the mag safety and might get rid of it; it doesn't exactly help trigger feel. Other than that, no complaints! Beautiful finish, accurate, and feeds everything I've fed it even with crappy aftermarket 13-rd. mags. A for $225. I've also heard good things about the Arcus and am considering picking one of those up before the prices get ridiculous. I don't think you'll regret buying either the Arcus or the FEG.

Sic semper tyrannis

freedomlover
 
Got lucky on my BHP($300 from a friend who ran into bad times). It's a Belgium made ARgentine assebled model MKIII. The slide shows machining marks. You can feel them, they are pretty deep, and the front of the slide seems to slide a little more than I would like, but it is as acurate as my Sig 226 and just as reliable. I feel that the Arcus is on par when comparing the cosmetic and visual aspects. Hell for $200 it's a damn good gun, just like CZ's. Here's another loop. Would you buy a HP clone for $200 or early (circa 1950) BHP's for 250? They say there is a smaller safety, don't really know what they are reffering to.
 
I bought an ARCUS-94 last year and have put over 2500 rounds through it so far. I can say that this is a very nice pistol. I have had no failures of any kind. I like it as well as my Browning HP and to tell the truth, I shoot better with the ARCUS. The added weight of the beafy slide makes it easier to re-aquire the target.

My choice ammo:
Speer Lawman 115 TMJ
Speer Gold DOT Standard pressure
 
I bought an FEG (PJK-9HP?) 2 months ago. My experiences are pretty similar to others here. The trigger pull is acceptable with the mag that came with the gun (polished where the mag safety hits it) and pretty darn good with a used Browning mag that has been polished through wear(!). Trigger is bad with a Pro-mag mag, though. Accuracy is good. I can put 4" groups at 25 yards, and I'm a newbie. Reliability has been good. I had some early failures to feed, but my fault. A range buddy advised me to stop resting the bottom of the magazine on my left hand, and FTF stopped. I guess I was pushing the mag up a little and dragging on the slide? Anybody know if this is a common failing?
 
jetrecbn,

It's a Belgium made ARgentine assebled model MKIII.

Do you mean assembled in Portugal? FN didn't make any parts in Belgium to be assembled in Argentina. They did, however, make pistols for the Argentine government under contract, hence Argentine Contract HPs that places like SOG are selling. If you mean the HP made under license from FN by FM (Fabricaciones Militares) in Rosario, Argentina, well that's a horse of a different color. The Argentine FMs are quite cobby, but they have a well deserved reputation of reliability.

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
I own them both and prefer the looks of the FEG. I haven't had a problem with either but my Arcus needs new sights whereas my FEG came with descent sights. My gunsmith did a trigger job on both and his opine was the Arcus had better metal in it. I hated the grips on the Arcus and put a pair of Eagle Grips on it. That helped. My FEG has a set of target grips I found at a Lauderdale gun show and they are great. It is a short life and you won't go wrong with either. Regards, Richard.
 
I love my FEG. I've put over 1000 rounds through it with no problems. It is more accurate that my Ruger 95 or Tauras 92. It will take even the least expensive reloads I purchased at the gun show. It feels like a Browning, shoots like a Browning, and the trigger is what I have become accustomed to. At $200 it is a great buy. Happy shooting!
 
YOU ALL ARE NOW ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE FEG HI-POWER.BEST WEAPON FOR THE COST....I KNEW WHEN I ASKED MY LOCAL GUNSMITH POLISH THE RAILS HE SAID"DOING THAT IS LIKE POLISHING A TURD."WELL I PLAN OUT SHOOTING HIM IN THE NEXT THREE GUN MATCH.
 
I have about 500 rounds through my FEG PJK-HP9 now. The PJK is accurate but the trigger is a bear, very heavy. Also I had trouble with Russian Wolf 115gr. ammo. The case expanded in the chamber and jammed the FEG. I no longer buy any steel case ammo :eek: although my other 9mms liked the stuff. Another consideration, if you have large hands like me, my little finger touches the toe of the mag floorplate interfering with the mag safety and trigger. I must be careful how I hold the PJK, hammerbite or trigger interference if not held just so...I am aware I can but haven't cared to disengage the mag safety yet.
 
I had one and I loved it. I eventually sold it to get another gun and I really miss it. The only thing about it was that it didn't like certain hollow points such as the golden sabre otherwise it was a nice gun and was quite accurate and reliable with ball ammo.

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"what gives a government that arms the whole world the right to disarm it's own citizens?"
 
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