Question on Hi-Power's

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dogmush

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I've sorta wanted a Hi-Power or clone there of for a while now. No real pressing use for one, It just seems like a nice piece of history and firearms design to own. I figured it would be worth about $400 to me to own one, tops.

I have a little slack in my disposable income right now so I was looking around at good pistol buys and I founds some Hi-Powers for sale, but I'm stuck in a bit of a quandry, so I thought I'd seek advice from you guys.

Sarco has a Browning Hi-Power with the older, internal extractor, in "fair" condition for $365, and a FEG version, in "exc" condition for $275.

Obviously all things being equal I'd rather have the Browning version, but I'm given to understand that the internal extractors are prone to breakage, and hard to find, and "Fair" tends to be a good bit more beat on then "exc". On the other side of the fence I called, and the guy that answered the phone couldn't tell me if the FEG was the FN clone, or the S&W style insides.

Either one, this'll be a range gun. I don't forsee carrying it and, if I like shooting it, I wouldn't be against a refinish of either one.

So here's the question:
Is a beat up Browning HP worth $90 more then a clean FEG? Which would you folks get?
 
Apples and oranges.

One thing that would sway me is that the older Hi Powers have the miniscule military sights. If this is a shooter rather than a collectible, then the FEG is probably the better buy.
 
Just look for a PJK 9 HP, mine is solid and tight shooter. Although its a big rough on the edges no problem so far. I have removed the mag safety device as well.
 
I would vote for neither and look around for an Argentine FM in good shape. You could probably find one in the $350 range if you look, they may be rough and full of tool marks but will have 100% parts interchange with an FN/Browning (at least those produced after the changeover to the external extractor in the early '60s)

It is getting hard to find find replacement internal extractors, and probably impossible to find to spare barrels for the FEGs with S&W lock-ups, plus I don't know what other parts may be different.
 
I guess while I'm asking Hi Power questions I should mention they have some Israli Kareen's as well for $275, but I've heard mixed things about them.
 
If you can actually speak to a human at Sarco, just ask if the FEG has an oval in the metal over the trigger guard. If that oval is present, it represents the crossbar/cam that the Hi Power barrel pivots against. If it is there, then it is a Hi Power system. If not, it is a S&W system.

Or better yet, just ask if somebody that works there knows something about guns.
 
I have a FEG P9M with the S&W operating system, and it is a fine gun. Accurate, reliable thru 1600 rds, it shoots every bit as good as my Brownings and/or my Argentine FM-90. I paid $330 for mine brand new in the box, and it is dollar-for-dollar the finest pistol I own. Those with the Browning style operating system are fine guns as well. For the money, I'd go with the FEG.
 
Find a used MK III Hi Power. They can be had for around $500 in great condition if you shop around a bit. It has a stronger frame, ambi safety and better sites.
 
Another vote for the Argies. I picked up an FM95 at a pawnshop on consignment for $295 -that is a screaming deal by California standards. Good sights on the 95 - very similar to the mid-90's SA Inc. Milspec I have. It's a well made pistol if a little strangely finished, and my sons love shooting it.

I was in the same boat - I felt like I should have a BHP just to have another JMB design in my safe. The Argies made licensed copies, then when the license ran out they went their own way (1911 style slide) but all the FN parts fit.

Unfortunately, it turned out I liked 9mm a lot more than I thought I would....

Regards,
Brian in CA
 
I have a FEG Hi-power clone. It uses the HP style operating system but the modified slide release. It functions perfectly, handles exactly like a real HP and is reliable and accurate enough that I feel perfectly comfortable carrying it on me. I have never had a stoppage of any kind with it using everything from cheap bulk ammo to expensive JHP carry rounds.
 
I was lucky enough to run into a Charles Daily High Power built by Dan Wesson. bought it used for $250.00 and it has been a good gun. The real choice is yours, but, if I could afford a Browning I would get one.
 
the CD's were fegs too. just with some upgrades put on my Wesson and magnum research. For 250 you did great. If I could find a CD for 300 or less I'd buy it on the spot.
 
Thanks for the advice and suggestions.

In the end I went with the Browning. I thought about it for a while, and while I'm going to shoot this (at the range) It's mainly because I want a "Hi Power" in the collection. While I'm sure the FEG's are fine weapons I just figured that if I had a chance to get the real mccoy, and didn't I'd want wish I had. If I end up loving this design so much I need to carry it I can always pic up a clone, or updated model, later.

Numrich has the extractors in stock, so I ordered a couple as spares in case they get harder to find, and I'll probably look at a bit of a restoration job after the a function test. I should end up with a pretty cool old gun though.

I'll post pics when it gets here.
 
Hey Dogmush. I probably would have done the same as you. I have a 1983 Browning that I bought NIB a few years back and while I do shoot it once in a while it mostly resides in my safe. If I was only going to have one Hi Power it would have to be an FN/Browning.

That said, I recently picked up a FEG for less than 1/3 the price of my Browning. To me the FEG (HP system) is a "real" Hi Power in every way with 100% parts interchangeability, or so I'm told. I shot it for the first time yesterday and I would be hard pressed to differentiate it from my Browning other than that it tends to shoot a little high. The sights are better than minimal as the front is a white dot. The finish is rough (a CAI import) but that is okay as the gun is a shooter and not to be babied like its cousin sitting in my safe. This one even has the lanyard ring which is something I don't often see with FEGs. IF the FEG is in any way inferior to the FN/Browning it is, at least my gun, in terms of finish and possibly accuracy, which I will be better able to judge after more work with the gun.

Overall I will most likely get more use and enjoyment from the aesthetically challenged FEG, but, if I didn't have the Browning I would still have to have it. The way that I see it you will have the best of both worlds with your Browning, a Browning that you can shoot and will not have to baby as the wear is already there.

Enjoy.
 
Every once and a while I toy with selling my FEG to get the "real thing" Browning. But my FEG has such an awesome trigger, is accurate, and I have never had any reliability problems with it. I really can't justify replacing it.

Fit wise it is excellent, and every bit as good as Brownings I have held. However, the finish is not as good. Its finish quality and bluing is uneven. Some portions are perfect satin deep blue/black. Other portions...not so much.
 
But guys, when it comes down to the nitty grity, at the end of the road, there is nothing that can take the place of a gin-u-wine Browning High Power.:)
 
But guys, when it comes down to the nitty grity, at the end of the road, there is nothing that can take the place of a gin-u-wine Browning High Power.
Click to expand...

I can't disagree with that as I already said it :D

Also, as to the FEG, the trigger on mine before removing the mag safety was like dragging a body over ten feet of riprap. After removing the safety it's now super smooth with a trigger pull that is on the crisp side. I was originally going to lighten the hammer spring but now see no need. A 100% improvement. With my Browning, on the other hand, I have decided to leave the gun in original condition. The trigger with magazine saftety isn't all that bad, nowhere near what the FEG was.
 
But guys, when it comes down to the nitty grity, at the end of the road, there is nothing that can take the place of a gin-u-wine Browning High Power.
Click to expand...

Browning is an import stamp for FN guns sold in the US commercial market. The gin-u-wine gun is an FN Hi Power. :)
 
Gosh Kodiak Beer, all my life I thought Browning was FN, and FN was Browning.If was sold in the US it was a Browning and if sold in Europe it was a FN, Do you mean I have to call my Browning High Power by it's European Name of Model 1935 or perhaps Grand Puissance, I can't call it a Browning High Power anymore:D:D:D:D
 
Years ago I bought a brand new Charles Daly High Power clone, which came equipped with those XS Big Dot sights, for around $300. For the price it's reliable and a decent shooter, although no where near as "cosmetically pleasing" as the real things! Pistolsmith Jim Garthwaite does great customizations on the High Power, which are certainly worth the cost of admission for those looking for something extraordinary. -LG
 
Browning is a US marketing conglomerate which doesn't manufacture anything. I just like to point that out once in awhile because a lot of people think Browning makes guns.
 
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