FEG Hi Power vs. Arcus 94 vs. Israeli Kareen BHP

[HGM22]

I'm wondering first and foremost, which of these Browning Hi Power clones is most like a Browning HP? Will parts and mags interchange?

I'm also wondering which is the better pistol. I believe I've read the Israeli BHP are good but pretty worn.

 

[Schlegel]

The FEGs can get complicated. The early ones I was told were actually built with old FN tooling and are true clones, although the interior finishing was a bit rougher. But FEG made multiple variations, some of which use a modified S&W type barrel lug, so you have to check which version it is. I have one of these from the 70's, and it's exactly like a pre-Mark II High Power.

The Arcus 94 is internally like a high power, people generally report that all internal parts interchange, but the frame and slide dimensions are not quite the same, they are really thickened up and squared. The slide in particular is really thicker than a high power. They have a reputation for being able to take +P rounds very well, though, so you do get some benefit from the blockyness. I have a detective length model. It's boxy, but good. Most seem to have an extended beavertail making slide bite impossible. It's not elegant looking like the real High Power shape, but I like knowing I can safely load the most powerful ammo I might desire.

Kareens- I've not seen the Mark I, but have seen the Mark II.

All of these should use the standard High Power Mags.

The Mark I Kareen was made by FEG, and seems to generally be the exact clone like my FEG- but check carefully, cause it might not be unchanged.

The Mark II Kareen seems to have been made by Arcus (JMO from seeing one) and looks like an Arcus 94 machined closer to High Power lines. They look just a bit thicker than a true High Power, but lines are much closer to the original, more or less keeping the curves. Some have an extended beavertail. I've held one, it was solid workmanship, but not fancy or finely finished.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

There is also the FM BHPs, built in Argentina -- originally under license, and later with modifications.

The FMs, along with the earliest FEGs, are among the best copies, and most were true clones. Both FM and FEG strayed a bit, later.

 

[Schlegel]

I forgot about FM. They're the way to go if you want a detective length gun that still looks like a High Power, BTW.

 

[greyling22]

some of the Fm's have a slide that looks a lot like a 1911 slide in the nose. I don't care for those much. (aesthetically)

 

[Walt Sherrill]

A local forum (the Carolinas) has a post showing a Mauser-rollmarked HP. It apparently has a number of FEG-made components, but the level of fit and finish (attested to by the owner, but not really visible in the photo) suggests that the German company had some meaningful role in it's final form. First one of those I've seen...

some of the Fm's have a slide that looks a lot like a 1911 slide in the nose. I don't care for those much. (aesthetically)

I suspect you saw one of the "compact" Detective models, with the shorter slide.

 

[Pilot]

IMHO all of the clones can be serviceable firearms, however, if you want a Hi Power, get an FN made Browning Hi Power or FN rollmarked Hi Power. Gary Cole is selling good, Israeli surplus FN Hi Powers, and depending on price, some are in really good shape. The ones that aren't suffer more from cosmetic issues, than mechanical issues, and are priced accordingly.

 

[greyling22]

Pilot, where does one find gary cole's stuff? his old gunbroker handle gcolecoledist doesn't generate any hits.

 

[funklord12]

cdisales is his new gunbroker handle