High Power with SFS - Opinions?

[Janos Dracwlya]

I'm considering getting an FN-made Browning High Power with the SFS sytem and I would like to hear the opinions and experiences of others who own or have shot BHPs with the SFS.

As always, thanks in advance for your time and assistance.

 

[donkee]

It's a pretty slick system. I like mine as much as it's brother in traditional SA..

 

[huntershooter]

Falls under the catagory of "...an ingenious answer to a non-existant question........".

 

[donkee]

My 11yr old shoots the SFS at IDPA practice. When he pushes forward on the hammer and it sets the safety, I know it's on safe before he holsters it. Solves one problem for me.......

 

[BAE984]

Except for exceptional cases, like donkee's, it seems like a feel good device for those that can't trust a C&L'ed weapon. If the safety is off, it'll still fire with a SA trigger pull just like the real HP. Gotta agree with huntershooter.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

it seems like a feel good device for those that can't trust a C&L'ed weapon.

That would be me. I don't trust weapons that have to be "C&L'ed" to be effective, but I still like the feel (not to mention the incredible retro style) of the BHP.

But does the SFS actually make the weapon any safer? Does it cause any problems, like light strikes?

If the answer to those questions is "no" and "yes", then perhaps I need to look at something else.

 

[BAE984]

I can't help you there. I handled one in a gunstore, and it seemed to operate like a regular HP besides the funny hammer operation. My concern would be reliability with all the extra parts. I like to think simpler=more reliable, but I have no experience with the SFS...just an opinion ; ).

 

[meef]

I got one from CDNN a few months back and I love it!

Everything about it is class. The fit and finish is beautiful. I still can't believe it was a $450 pistol. The trigger is a joy and I've never even considered removing the magazine disconnect to improve it - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Eh?

It's been absolutely reliable and it's definitely one of the keep-forever-guns in my arsenal... uhh... collection.

I guess it's a matter of personal taste, but I'm very fond of the SFS aspect. There's never any question of whether my safety is engaged. If the hammer's down, the safety's on.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I do not have the SFS so I cannot comment based on first-hand observations. From what I've read on-line and learned face-to-face from actual owners the system seems to work. A fellow emailed me last night and is going to report how well his does or does not hold up after some shooting and 25 pistol matches. This system might also be of use to uniformed officers having some lattitude in duty weapon choices but where cocked and locked is not permitted by departmental policy. I think that the SFS system fills a niche in the handgun community.

Best.

 

[donkee]

My video showing a quick view of the SFS Hi-Power

http://webpages.charter.net/donkee/SFSInAction.AVI

 

[bobaloo]

I carry a .40 Hipower with the SFS system, and I love it.

As far as reliability, I put a little over 12,000 rounds through the gun last year. I broke an extractor at about 10,000 rounds, no other issues, the SFS system has held up perfectly.

I understand some folks are more comfortable with cocked and locked than I am, but I like to be able to check by touch that the hammer is down and the gun is safe.

 

[poppy]

Right now it is a way to get a Belgium made HP for low cost. There are still plenty of FN HP's on the market for about $400 with the SFS system in both 9mm and 40 S&W.

The only reason that I have a new HP is because of FN unloading the FN marked pistols. The best deal for me was the polished blue 40 cal model that came with wood grips, three factory drop free mags, and a cleaning kit.

I only bought the SFS model because that was what was available, but I like it fine. The only reason I have not bought the 9mm is because they seem to be available only with 10 round mags.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

I was disappointed that they are being sold with 10 round magazines as well, but, if I buy one, my dealer will throw in two factory 13 round magazines. It happens I have a couple of aftermarket 13 round magazines from the AWB days - was afraid for a while there that the hi-cap magazines would run out before I got around to buying a High Power.

I'm debating between buying the SFS High Power that my dealer has or having him order a CZ-75BD. The difference in cost is less than $20 and I want both anyway, but I can't buy both right now.

Thanks to all of you for your help. It's down to me to pick one now (and the other for later, when I can afford it)

 

[poppy]

I would recommend that you buy the HP now, because when the FN's dry up, the Browning marked HP's will be the only new ones available and will cost at lease $200 more than the FN. You can always get the CZ later at about the same cost as now.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Check this out...

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207303
From your Post below:
Janos, you're right...The responders, particularly one, had no idea what this is all about? "Ignorance is Bliss"....If I don't find the elusive Daewoo .45, then I will have one of my .45's converted to the SFS...

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

It seems that the idea was not, in general, well received on The Firing Line.

 

[glockamolee]

It is a P.C. solution so that non-gunner won't get scared at seeing a conditon one (cocked and locked) auto.

That being stated, I've had mine for over a year and love it. Not having cocked and locked for ccw (as compared to open carry) is a benefit as the SFS hammer, when down, will not Snag on your clothing (as compared to cocked & locked). I think cocked & locked is better for open carry.

 

[Brian D.]

Last time I was at the defensive training school in my region, a student was using one of those SFS Browning/FN pistols, can't be sure but think it was a 9mm. The gun had a cycling issue or two during the day, but apparently this was due to shooter rather than equipment "malfunction".

So far I think this is the first SFS that has been through their school, so I'll keep an ear out for updates when they've seen more of them on the firing line.

Also anxiously awaiting Stephen A. Camp's report on the shooter who is going to use his SFS in all those matches! Should be very telling.

As for ol' 'Condition-One-lovin' me, this gizmo would be too hard to get used to. Deliberately pushing a hammer forward--ugh, that gives me the heebie jeebies!

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Rest assured that when the gentleman fills me in on how it performs, I'll post it, be it good or bad.

Best.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

Took the plunge...

I went by my dealer's shop this afternoon on my lunch break, and after agonizing over whether to drop the money, I bought an FN Hi-Power with SFS. It came with three 10-round magazines and my dealer threw in two factory 13-round magazines. All for $444 and odd change.

I hope to get out to the range Saturday to try it out.

Many thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences and opinions.

 

[ugaarguy]

Nice purchase Janos, let us know how it shoots.

 

[meef]

I'll give odds - you will NOT have any regrets....

 

[orangeninja]

You certainly won't regret it. I love mine, though it is still new. About the only complaint I have is that the trigger gets hot when the gun gets hot. I shot 150 rounds in about a 15-20 time span and that sucker was hot.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

I took my new Hi-Power with me when I went to a Cowboy Action match yesterday and shot it before and afterwards. I need to polish the feed ramp, which is a little rough. The trigger is very crisp, and it is probably the best gun I have ever owned in that respect. I put about 90 rounds through it and, in general, it shot wonderfully. I had one possible light strike and several failures to chamber when reloading (closing the slide after inserting a fresh magazine, but I was using after-market magazines most of the time and those magazines also wouldn't just drop free without the gun being shaken).

I will be taking it out to shoot again just as soon as I can.

 

[wardog]

I think it is neat, but I believe the way it operates simply gives the illusion of being "safer". (That is of course if you feel that hammer down carry is safer)

This is just my observation of the system, I do not own one, yet.

After the gun is cocked, when you push the hammer forward, there is a little spring tension. This tension is released when you take the safety off and the hammer springs back to the rearward position, ready for firing. The whole time the hammer is forward (on safe) the hammer is actually under slight tension to go rearward and strong tension to go forward. So, while the system is neat, I don't really see a benefit, except maybe for the no snag issue mentioned above. Plus, it seems like more small parts to go wrong at a bad time. Maybe not though, I'm not bashing it, I may still buy one someday cause it's neat

Someone posted in another thread about why he/she purchased this gun/system. He/she preferred the Hi Power to any other pistol, but was not allowed by his/her superiors to carry a "cocked and locked" pistol. This pistol fit his/her needs perfectly. A nice SA trigger pull, while not appearing to be "cocked and locked" in the holster. (Although I think if his/her superiors examined the gun closely they still wouldn't allow it to be carried since the hammer is under forward tension)

I wonder why no one has expanded on the HK P9 system. I think a double action trigger pull with a frame mounted thumb cocker would be a great system. Or a SA trigger with the same thumb cocker would also be good.