Looking for info on Kareen MK III (hi-power clone)

[machinecraig]

Does anyone have recent experience with the Kareen MK III pistols being sold by Southern Ohio Gun (and probably other importers)? I've read conflicting posts on whether the MK III is built by Israelis or Bulgarians, whether it uses FEG parts or not, etc. SOG is asking $269 - which I find pretty tempting.

Anyone have one of these that can share their first hand experience on reliability and accuracy?
Would they be compatible with Browning Hi-Power parts and grips? Or are they built to different specifications?

 

[Ian Johnson]

I was actually just looking into the older kareen hi powers from sarco inc, how do you view guns from SOG's site? I cant find where

 

[machinecraig]

I believe you have to be a registered with them, not sure if you have to fax them your C&R 03 license to do that or not (I set my account up with them a few years ago).

Here's how the Kareen looks on SOG's site (just realized they are actually $289, not $269):

 

[Ian Johnson]

thanks

when I called sarco this morning they said the kareen hi powers they had were built in isreal from feg parts and that they had more resembled the older fn hi powers and most had rounded hammers

 

[HankC]

There are FEG Kareens, butt this one is actually Bugarian Arcus.

 

[Mizar]

Let me clear this issue - Kareen Mk I is a FEG with Israeli markings - it's not build in Israel. In fact none of the Kareens were ever build in Israel. Kareen Mk II & III are built in Bulgaria by Arcus company. It all started like that - first it was the Belitsa (or Belica) pistol - a true copy of Browning Hi-Power Mk II - about 700 pistols ever built (officially, with the name Belitsa on them) - how many are built with fake Browning or FN markings and sold to Middle East countries is unknown. Then came the contract with KSN Industries (an Israeli company) for Kareen Mk II & III and after the contract expired Arcus introduced the Arcus 94 - a civilian model meant for the US market.

Boris

P.S. The gun form the SOG site might be some transitional model - it bears the Mk III marking and trigger guard, but the swept down beavertail is typical for Mk II.

 

[rellascout]

Save up your money and get a real BHP... That thing is fugly.

 

[jonnyc]

I'm a real BHP lover, so I was glad to add an early FEG Kareen to my collection. Seems to be a true clone of the classic BHP. The newer space-age looking versions don't interest me.