Why aren't there BHP clones in the $450 range?

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C0untZer0

C0untZer0

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I see 1911s going for $450 but I never see Hi-Power copies going for that cheap.

I even see 1911 semi-autos chambered in 9mm going for $380.00

Is the BHP design that much more expensive to make?

Is it because the low-cost copy cats would rather clone the CZ-75?

I am nostalgic for the BHP I once had, but not nostalgic enough to pay Browning $880.00 for one...
 
The kinda a hi power copy....and i mean just barely the arcus 98da and 98dac are pretty cheap. The 94 seems to be long gone from availability in the usa.

What always blows me away is the very rough and worn out mil surplus hi power beaters that get sold out fast for about half the price of a new one? I'm excluding the refinished huge batch on gun broker...as those seem to not move as fast. Anyways sure some might get a better one but most I see are beaten and worn out badly...and still pull in top dollar. I'm sure there is plenty of good reasons but I'm still always amazed.
 
The marketplace at work ... if the demand and infinite customizing options were there then there'd be 75 clone makers cranking them out and cutting each others' throats on pricing.
/B
 
If you are counting used weapons, the Hungarian copies do sell for about that. I've seen several go for as low as $320 in the last few months.

I don't think it's that they are more expensive to make than the 1911, just that there isn't as large a following for it, so it remains a more niche market.

Personally, I'd love to see more of these cranked out by an affordable quality manufacturer. But I suspect its base is split pretty well by the 1911 (traditionalists, single-action guys) and the Glock (double-stack-nine guys).
 
CZ 75 is already a clone of the Hi Power, so get a clone of that.
 
When Charles Daly was in business they sold a Hi-Power copy for about the same price they sold their 1911 copy.

While Daly has been out of business for a few years, RIA is still making the 1911 copies. However, FEG that made the Hi-Power clone is out of business.
 
CWL said:
CZ 75 is already a clone of the Hi Power, so get a clone of that.
Click to expand...

As C0untZero notes, the CZ is not a clone of the HP. In fact there's almost NOTHING about the BHP design that can be found in the CZ design -- except that both use the basic Browning locked breech short recoil system and THAT was not a BHP-original feature. The way the CZ does the short recoil process is quite different than the way the BHP does it.) The BHP is single-action only, came with 13 round mags. The CZ is DA/SA but can function in SA mode [cocked & locked] if the owner wants to, with 15-round mags.

They're totally different mechanisms internally. They share only a general shape and look. You need only download a user manual for each from the various "manual" websites to see just HOW different they are. (I have both and have detail-stripped both.

That said, the suggestion to get a CZ clone isn't a bad idea. Some of the new guns from Turkey look very good. (None of these guns are clones. Some are close copies of the Tanfoglio version of the CZ, other use CZ and Tanfoglio features. About the only thing any of them can interchange are magazines. All but these "clones" are more correctly called "CZ-pattern" guns.)
 
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They're close enough for me. IMO, it is a generational derivative.

If the OP is "nostalgic" for a BHP, then spend the money and buy the original, not a clone.
 
CWL said:
They're close enough for me. IMO, it is a generational derivative.
Click to expand...

The CZ is about as close to the BHP as a Glock 17 is to a 1911a1... Is the Glock a "generational derivative", too?

You've told us a lot more than you realize. :p
 
There is a guy on Gunbroker who sells lots of used FEG Hi Powers. Some of them are in good shape and some are beat up.
He is a real nice guy and will respond to emails. If I could only remember his name.......
 
CWL, they're not even close to one another in design.

I thought this formerly widespread misconception had finally been stamped out. Guess there's still work to be done.
 
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I have had my FEG High Power clone for about 25 years. It has always functioned perfectly. I paid $200 for it used at a gun show. I would highly recommend them.
 
Pay the money, and get a genuine FN made High Power. They are worth it. Yes, the CZ-75 has almost nothing in common with the High Power.
 
Mine was fun to shoot, I did love it, but it is hard for me to justify spending that kind of money. I'm saving up to get a Tavor, and the 9mm conversion kit.

If I could get a BHP for $450 I probably would do it, but when the price is between $880 - $900, I just think "wow, there goes my conversion kit"

If the prices stay high like they are then the Hi-Power will be on the bottom half of my wish fulfillment list. :(
 
JTQ said:
When Charles Daly was in business they sold a Hi-Power copy for about the same price they sold their 1911 copy.

While Daly has been out of business for a few years, RIA is still making the 1911 copies. However, FEG that made the Hi-Power clone is out of business.
Click to expand...
I have one of the Daly Hi Power clones. They were made from FEG parts and put together here in the States by Dan Wesson and later Magnum Research (like mine). I gave $350 for mine a couple of years ago, near new, in the box with 4 mags. I check gunbroker from time to time and I don't think the prices on them have gone up any. If you read up on them they are considered one of the better quality HP clones and they are built to the original specs so aftermarket parts will fit. In fact, I have a C&S No Bite hammer on the way for mine. It's a great shooting gun and after removing the mag disconnect I was pleasantly surprised to find a clean, crisp 5lb trigger pull. I'd buy another if I had the chance.

SDC11777.jpg
 
IMHO one of the best BHP clones is the Hungarian FEG...
Have several, and they are all excellent pistols and definitely hold their own against the 'original BHP'... for about $400!

TwoHPs007.jpg

FEGs006-1.jpg
 
I love the FÉG Hi-Powers - but only the ones that are single-action. Not that I can say anything against the double-action version except that double-action autoloaders are very much not my style.

Anyway, it's easy to tell the difference between the singles and the doubles, as the doubles have the safety slide-mounted.

The other difference, that's not as easy to tell without breaking the weapon down, is that some of them are Browning/FN clones while some use a system closer to the S&W 5906. This has pictures so you can see what I'm talking about.

Without breaking the pistol down, most of the Browning system ones show an oval (well, round-edged rectangle) on the outside of the frame where the crossbolt is. But not all, so the only way to know for sure if you don't see the crossbolt is to field strip and look at the barrel foot.

I only have experience working with the Browning copy. One had been a horrifically abused firearm, but every part that needed replacing was a perfect fit for available Browning parts. I prefer this model (typically sold under the name "PJK-9HP") for that reason.

Don't own one but really want to.
 
Ditto... The FEG "PJK-9HP" is the model to get...
Just have to be patient to get a real nice one. Was actually able to get two of mine NIB (original box and papers) at gun shows
for UNDER $400 a couple years back.
They also come up also occasionally on Gunbroker but you may have to wait awhile... but they're definitely worth it!!
 
I'm still wanting to pick up one of those battered BHP's you see on gunbroker (Cole Distributing... I think) and send it in to get real slicked up some day. Just gotta stop buying OTHER guns to put together the funds to do it.

Until then my MK III needs to suffice.
 
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