FEG Browning Hi-power copy in 9mm. Not the Real deal but still a good buy.

[Sharpie443]

So I've always loved the Browning Hi-power. The design is a bit out dated and it has it's problems but i still love it. It's one of my favorite guns to bring to the range and I've never been disappointed by one. So when i saw that i could get a surplus Hi-power for $300 I jumped on it.

Now the FEG Hi-power copy is not an exact clone and has some problems of it's own. The trigger isn't as good first off. It's very stiff and it seems to be that way with the three FEG HPs I've handled. The tolerances also seem a bit more loose than a Belgian HP. It's clearly not made to the same standards. My particular gun seems to have seen heavy use and abuse before it made it's way to the states. I had to have it worked on a bit before i could even shoot it.

The reason for these differences is more than likely do to the fact that it is a Copy of a real Browning HP not a Clone. It's more of FEG's take on the HP than a licensed clone. FEG was a major arms manufacturer in Hungary but they also made things like gas lamps and machined metal parts. They were not a dedicated firearms company but more of a general manufacturing plant. It's clear that they had a long history of producing copies of other companies guns rather than developing any themselves. Even so they did a relatively good job of this but the quality is not as high as companies like FN or Walther which they stole the designs from.

Having said that the gun didn't disappoint me for $300. It still feels like a Hi-power and preformed well at the range. I was able to hit a 6" steel plate just fine at 25 yards. It's not going to be driving nails any time soon but I have my Belgian HP for that. It is definitely a good buy for anyone who wants a Hi-power but doesn't want to shell out the money for the real thing.

For $300 i definitely recommend picking one up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA31v2vJ-Fw

 

[Tallball]

Good pick up! I have had mine since the late 80's and it still shoots fine. FEG made some good shooters.

Here is a bad cell phone picture of mine. The trigger is decent, and it is 100% reliable. It is not my HD handgun, but it sure could be. It is quite accurate. I paid $200 for it back in the day and have zero regrets. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[bannockburn]

A friend of mine has a two tone model, blued slide and a matte chrome frame, and while the trigger has never been anything to write home about it's still capable of some decent accuracy. Very reliable and durable gun.

 

[Sharpie443]

That sounds like a Two tone Browning "Assembled in Portugal." gun. Those are nice but like most Hi-powers they have a very crisp but heavy trigger. All it takes is a trigger job to lighten it a bit and you have an amazing shooter.

 

[kokapelli]

I have one that is now a paper weight because the barrel broke off and separated from the chamber. I have no idea why the barrel and chamber are made in two pieces and welded together, but it certainly creates a weak point in the pistol.

 

[Sharpie443]

Wow that is one hell of a malfunction. I know you could have a new Browning barrel installed but it has to be done by a gunsmith that can insure it's fitted right. Because it's not an exact clone it's not a drop in kinda thing.

 

[kokapelli]

Wow that is one hell of a malfunction. I know you could have a new Browning barrel installed but it has to be done by a gunsmith that can insure it's fitted right. Because it's not an exact clone it's not a drop in kinda thing.

Hardly worth it on a sub $300 gun and I have moved away from high powers anyway.

 

[FL-NC]

Not a bad gun. The Panamanian border police uses these- along with Hungarian AKs.

 

[Sharpie443]

Someone needs to tell them to take better care of their guns then. They are in bad shape.

 

[Deanimator]

The Charles Daly HPs were made by FEG and had a good reputation.

 

[Deaf Smith]

If they want to make the P35 now days they need to a)make it in stainless steel, b) a longer tang, c) a better safety, maybe the cylinder and slide shop style, d) more robust frame, e) a better trigger, & f) better sights.

It can still hold its own in the world today.

Deaf

 

[Deanimator]

Originally posted by Deaf Smith

If they want to make the P35 now days they need to a)make it in stainless steel, b) a longer tang, c) a better safety, maybe the cylinder and slide shop style, d) more robust frame, e) a better trigger, & f) better sights.

It can still hold its own in the world today.

I'd be quite happy with one of the current MkIII HPs.

I'm not a fan of stainless, especially matte stainless.

I've never been "bitten" by a Browning Hi Power, mine or anyone else's.

The factory safety is just fine.

The newer cast frames are just fine. Making the gun heaver would remove one of its fine qualities.

Once you remove the odious magazine safety the trigger pull is quite good, even with no other work.

The Mark III sights are fine. Novaks are better.

I've got a pre-Mark III with the improved safety lever and the old sights. I paint the back of the front sight with a white paint marker.

When I get around to making a holster for it (I sold all of my M1911 sized holsters with a Norinco a couple of years ago), I'll start carrying it periodically again.

 

[bannockburn]

Deanimator

Like you I have never had a problem with any Hi-Power hammer configuration. I prefer the newer safety found on the Hi-Power Mk.II to that of the original model, as well as the improved sights. The trigger on my gun was fine right out of the box; didn't need to remove the magazine safety to improve it. Only thing I didn't care for was the grips which was easily fixed replacing them with a set of Pachmayrs.

 

[Deanimator]

Deanimator

Like you I have never had a problem with any Hi-Power hammer configuration. I prefer the newer safety found on the Hi-Power Mk.II to that of the original model, as well as the improved sights. The trigger on my gun was fine right out of the box; didn't need to remove the magazine safety to improve it. Only thing I didn't care for was the grips which was easily fixed replacing them with a set of Pachmayrs.

Your gun is virtually IDENTICAL to mine with the exceptions of:

1. Mine is highly polished blue (which I prefer).
2. Swap your slide with a pre-Mark II slide with the old rounded front and small rear, which was replaced with a Pachmayr adjustable.

It's the best 9x19mm handgun I've ever owned. I like my Glock 19, but it's not a BHP.

The only way I could do better would be with a SIG P-210... at the cost of five rounds.

 

[bannockburn]

Deanimator

I remember reading an article about the "new and improved" Mk.II Hi-Power (I think it was "Combat Handguns" magazine, sometime during the summer of 1985), and promptly went out and bought one. My previous Hi-Power had been a 1966 vintage T Series model that while it was beautiful on the outside with it's high polish bluing and walnut grips, had the absolute worst trigger I have ever encountered on a Hi-Power. It also had MOB (Minute of Barn), accuracy with a very loose fitting slide to frame and barrel to slide fit.

While I wasn't thrilled with the finish (still not sure if it's a matte blue or a parkerized finish), it's held up very well over many years of constant use. What really sold me on the gun was it's fantastic trigger (at least for a Hi-Power), the improved ambi safety, and the high visibility sights. Slide to frame fit was surprisingly tight as was the barrel to slide fit. Overall a very well built gun (just a little cosmetically challenged), which translated into being an amazingly accurate gun.

I will take great performance over great appearance every time.



P.S.-To the OP: sorry for the thread drift!

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have three FEG's. Two are real clones that take Browning parts, one is a late model with mfg changes. They are great pistols once you take the magazine safety out of them.

 

[Husker_Fan]

I have a Charles Daly. Mine was assembled by Magnum Research from FEG parts. It is a true Hi Power clone. I got it lightly used with the mag disconnect already gone for $300. Mine has a very good trigger.

 

[jhb]

I have 2 surplus fegs and a handful of hi powers as well. The fegs aren't bad but mine are rough. Surplus and all. Shoot fine. One came with the mag safety removed. Its trigger pull is a bit better but the regular trigger with the mag safety is not that bad. Its like hi power owners are finest of trigger nitpicking conesseurs. Same goes for 1911 guys. Btw i own many of both, but a bad trigger is more like a p11. Even its not that bad if you think of it in terms like a double action revolver. The hi power is a combat gun. Started out that way has stayed that way. For fine target shooting you need to pick a purposely built target gun. I also find it humorous that so many combat guns have become favorites of competition shooters who nitpick triggers to death rather than just buying a gun built from the ground up to target shoot. Way too much nitpicking of hi power and other guns triggers imho.

 

[KevininPa]

I bought my.....

.....FEG to hold me over until I could afford a BHP. Ended up being satisfied enough with it to hard chrome it and put a Sprinco buffer in it.




Sorry about the bad cell pic.

 

[mongoslow]

I bought one in 94 and kept it about 6 years before trading it for something else,not a bad pistol at all I could hit playing cards with it at 25 yards, I gave $230 for it and I wouldnt hesitate to spend $300 on one now