Buds is running a special on HP clones from various manufacturers. This is not a recommendation but instead a question, what's your opinion on quality and price. I have no experience with the clones.

I bought a "counterfeit" Hi-power about three years ago. cost me 230 shipped with a new mec gar mag. I didn't do a ton a research but i believe the one i bought was produced in the 80's with the FN roll marks despite being made in israel or turkey.
Trigger was gritty and heavy but the parkerizing was nice. FTF on various fmj ammo. I've heard the feed ramp needs to be polished to accept hollow points on the older models. It's a grab bag so you may get a lemon or a very well shooting gun. Traded it, sort of wish i still had it.

Bought an FN just like that many years ago and still have it. For what I paid back then it was worth it! I don't shoot it very much but I wouldn't sell it either.
I'm still eventually going to get an original like I passed on back in 1975!

I don't know what Bud's is offering, but I can tell you that the FEG hi power clone I bought right after an Executive Order was delivered has been outstanding in ALL regards. (All of my magazines interchange.)

I have been told that all parts interchange with the clone and a real hi power.

Randy

PS. I DID remove the magazine disconnect and that improved the trigger by light years, I also replaced the plastic grips with a set of Hogues.

If it is one of the FN fakes it is a FEG made in Hungry. The story I have always heard is that Iraq wanted to buy FN HI Powers but FN Herstal would not sell them so they contracted FEG to make "clones" and they even went as far as to fake the rollmark. You can tell its a fake because the serial number does not follow any of the FN standards.

Generally they are still good clones. Your feeding problem is not the feed ramp hump. The hump found on BHPs and clones effect JHP rounds not FMJ in my experience.

My FEG, (and marked FEG) is every bit a good as my FNs. It was an Israeli police/Shin Bet pistol.

Story is that when the Germans invaded Belgium, they took the FN machinery and moved it to Hungary. Not sure how accurate this is.

No the Germans left the equipment right where they found it. They did use forced labor to produce Nazi BHPs in the FN factory. The FN Herstal workers were forced to make the guns which the. Nazis used. The FN Hi Power is the only gun to have serve red on both sides of WWII as an issued service pistol.

There are many stories about the FN workers sabotaging the pistols. I am not sure if that is true or not but they are some of the worst, in terms of fit and finish, ever produced in Herstal.

The FEG equipment is not FN equipment. The only clones made on FN equipment IIRC are the early FMs from Argentina.

The FEG Hi Power clones are good guns and are very true to the original design. They function well and at one time came with a very nice blue finish. At $350 I would consider the true FN surplus gun that is a bit more finish challenged because they can be cleaned up as others have stated. The black enamel that many of the contract FNs shipped with sucks. It is much worse than the current MKIII epoxy and is prone to chipping and flaking.

These Israeli trade ins from which are IDF guns IIRC were carried often and show a lot of external wear but generally have solid internals. If I were looking for one I would look at CDI on gunbroker he does a much better job with the import mark. 99% of the time you cannot find it. He is also very conservative with his rating. A fair gun = good gun. Good = VG etc...

For a little bit more you can get a real FN. The other nice part about CDI sales is that the pics in his auctions are the exact pistol that will be shipped to you. It is not luck if the draw like it us with Buds or AIM.

I've owned both FEG and FM (Argentina) Hi-Powers. Both were excellent guns, with the FM being astoundingly accurate.

__________________
Pisgah

For example $425 for. Good condition MKIII

Refinished in park MKII. $460

Edited to remove auction links which is stupid considering they are not my auctions and are for informational purposes only.

WVSIG posting links to active auctions is a violation of forum rules in
case you didn't know. You might want to address this situation your
self before the mods do it for you.

My understanding is that the FM pistols were made under license in Argentina. This pistol was, I believe, the issued side arm of the Argentine military and police. I almost bought one many years ago, but didn't. I understand they are good pistols, and I know they made a shorter barrel and slide known as the "Detective", which is supposedly a drop on fit for FN and FM Hi Powers. Good things come to those who wait...I was finally able to get a LNIB Browning Hi-Power at an excellent price a few years ago.

Regards,

Dave

This is mostly true. FM at one time was a lic clone but they continued to produce them after the lic expired. The Detectives came as complete guns and as slide kits. They will work on FN Hi Power frames and FM frames. They have gotten very expensive. I should have bought one when they were sub $300 guns now if you can find one be prepared to pay $500+.

They are well made IMHO but not up to the caliber of the FN produced pistols. I believe that the BHP is one of the best made service pistols in terms of fit and finish and the price for a NIB one, $900, reflects that. The good thing is that there are tons of used ones in LNIB condition for much less.

I wish I had bought 10 when CDNN was blowing them out in the early 2000s for $399.

I enjoyed my FEG PJK9HP clone, it was utterly reliable and accurate. It was fitted with an extended safety and the mag disconnect was removed, added Spiegel panels and MMC sights.
Currently I also have an Arcus 94, also a great but not exact clone.

I have one of the almost-a-BHP clone FEGs, with the DA/SA action derived from the model 59. It has always been reliable for me, and has been mistaken for a BHP - at a distance.

The resemblance breaks down up close. The checkered wood grips look nice enough, but the finish must be the black enamel described elsewhere in this thread. It does not look as good as a blued Hi-Power.

__________________
Not in jail.

The Hi Power clones are a little complicated to describe.

The FEG Hi Powers:

The FEG P9 was a near perfect Pre-Mk II Hi Power clone and it has 100% parts interchangeability with the Browning Hi Power.

The First Generation P9M is for all intents and practical purposes a Pre-Mk II Hi Power clone, but with a revised slide stop design and larger three dot sights. That's what got it the "M" for "Modositott" which just means "Modified". With the exception of the slide release and the matching slide release cut in the slide it also has 100% parts interchangeability with the Browning Hi Power. You can however modify the larger Browning Mk III slide stops to fit if you desire.

The Second Generation P9M shares the same "P9M" model number but it's not a true Hi Power. This variant uses the S&W style barrel and locking system.

The only way to tell it apart from the earlier FEG P9 and 1st Gen P9M is the absence of the oval shaped "footprint" on the right side of the frame that is caused by the cross both being polished flush with the frame. If you can't see the foot print, it's a 2nd Gen P9M and parts commonality with a Browning Hi Power is very low - around 20%.

It's even more confusing as KBI imported all three of the above pistols as "PJK-9HP" pistols, so the KBI model number is totally meaningless.

KBI also imported the FEG FP9, which is a ventilated rib version of the 1st Gen P9M. As far as I know none of them were made with the S&W barrel system, but that's not a guarantee - you'll want to look for the footprint.

KBI also imported parts directly from FEG to manufacture the Charles Daly Hi Power (Charles Daly was their high end banner) and they are very nicely made Hi Powers. They are Pre-Mk II Hi Power clones with the exception of an extended slide release and a slide milled for Novak sights. They were assembled in the US, first By Dan Wesson and later by Magnum Research, and thus avoided import stamps. The Dan Wesson assembled guns have the slide milled for Ho Power style Novak sights, while the Magnum Research assembled pistols have the side milled for the 1911 style Novak sight.

TGI didn't help the situation either as they also imported 1st and 2nd Gen P9Ms and both models just had the FEG model number, so they are both marked "P9M". Once again, you'll need to look for the foot print to confirm it's a Hi Power clone and not a S&W / Hi Power hybrid.

There are also double action 9mm Para FEG pistols are basically a clone of the S&W Model 59 and the only resemblance to a Hi Power is in the shape of the muzzle end of the slide. Other than that they look a good bit like a S&W. The FEG P9R is the most common double action FEG pistol variant and many people confuse the model number with the P9M, and thus refer to them as "FEG Hi Powers", when they are not.

FEG also made some P9 Hi Powers for Israel and per the customer's request marked them as FN Browning made pistols. I'm not sure why it mattered to the Israelis but the end result was an unlicensed use of the trademark and a lawsuit.

The Argentine Hi Powers:

They come in three flavors.

Argentina bought FN Hi Powers in 1960 and liked them enough that they negotiated an agreement to make them under license to FN, under the supervision of FN inspectors, and on FN tooling. They did this from 1969-1989. These Argentine Hi Powers are a clone of the 1965 model Mk I Hi Power, but with a Phosphate finish. They obviously share 100% parts interchangeability with their FN made cousins. These were made primarily for the Argentine military and police forces by Direccion General Fabrications Militaries (commonly called FM) at their arms factory, Fabrica Armas Portatiles Domingo F. Matheu in Rosario, and they were not exported as new firearms - which I suspect was a condition of the license agreement.

However, in 1990, FM began producing an unlicensed version of the Hi Power for civilian export sales and added many of the Mk II Hi Power improvements, like the straight feed ramp. They called it the "M90", based on the year they started production. They are mostly a Mk II Hi Power, but are not made under FN inspection or supervision, and there are some differences such as a 1911-style slide cut near the muzzle, the deletion of the lanyard ring, and the use of plastic grips.

There is also a later (1995) FM 95 that has an ambidextrous safety and a firing pin safety like the Mk III Hi Power as well as the three bar sights and dove tailed front sight like the MK III Hi Power.

In general the quality on these later FM 90 and FM 95 Hi Power clones isn't considered to be up to FN standards, which isn't surprising given that they sold for half the cost of an FN Hi Power.

Functionally speaking, The major fault with these pistols is the magazines, which tend to be poor quality, but factory Hi Power magazines fit perfectly and work great in them.

Humped versus straight feed ramps:


Generally speaking the Mk I HI Powers and their FEG and FM clones have a humped feed ramp that was optimized for ball ammo.

Reports are mixed on the FM 90s and FM 95s as many of them seem to also have the earlier humped feed ramp, so it may have been a case of FM using whatever they had on hand, and or being very slow in transitioning to the Mk II stye barrel.

Opinions vary on how well the humped feed ramps feed hollow points. I've had great luck with hollow points in my FEG 1st Gen P9M, but I primarily use 124-125 grain hollow points, and in particular the 125 gr Hornady XTP and the Remington 124 gr Golden Saber.

Personally I think the problem is over blown as hollow points have improved over the years as have magazines. I use both the stock FN/Browning magazines as well as MecGar magazines - and MecGar is the OEM for the FN/Browning magazines, so aside from the mouse trap feature on the Fn magazines, they are the same magazine made on the same tooling. Stay away from all the other third party magazines and you should be fine - but YMMV.

If you have issues, it's not difficult for a gunsmith to straighten the feed ramp.

My Hi Powers:

I have both Mk III and Mk III SFS Hi Powers as well as an FEG 1st Gen P9M that I converted to SFS configuration using the FN Browning parts that are sold by Cylinder and Slide.



The SFS conversion eliminates the hammer bite that can be caused by the round hammer on some Hi Powers (the FEGs come with both round and spur hammers, apparently based on the mood that day in the factory as there isn't any pattern to it based on SN).

It modifies the operating system so that the safety is applied when the hammer is pressed forward from it's cocked position. This leaves the hammer spring cocked and locks the sear, but moves the upper portion of the hammer forward down onto a hammer block. It's in Condition 1, but the hammer doesn't make it appear that way. To fire, you just move the safety level down, and the hammer pops back into position. Compare the hammer position in the top picture (cocked and locked) with the slightly lower hammer and safety positions in the bottom picture (hammer down, safety off).

The SFS system also provides for an ambidextrous safety not otherwise found on the Mk I Hi Powers.

Like any safety replacement it's not a 100% drop in conversion as some hand fitting is required, which is the norm on a Hi Power safety swap. In other words, the parts commonality between my FEG and my FN SFS parts was within the ball park for Hi Power safety parts.

The exception of course was the slide lever that came with the SFS kit. It took a little re-profiling to fit the smaller slide cut on the FEG:





Comparing the BHP to the FEG P9M:

I have found both of them to be very reliable pistols, but in dirty field conditions, I'd prefer to carry the FEG. The tolerances are a little looser and the chamber is a just a bit larger. That follows the same pattern and design preferences I've seen comparing the Walther PP and PPK/S with the FEG AP and APK clones of those pistols. The pay off is superb reliability, but at the cost of some accuracy.

Still, the FEG is capable of fine combat accuracy and unless you're planning on using the pistol for centerfire class bullseye competition, an FEG should serve you as well as an FN Hi Power.

My Mk III SFS Hi Power has a very disable painted finish, that has held up extremely well, but it's not what people associate with the finish on older Hi Powers.

My FEG 1st Gen P9M has a very nicely polished and blued finish that is apparently found primarily on the early P9Ms as the later ones seem to have a matte finish.

FEG P9. The trigger isn't too good, even with the mag safety removed. Shoots accurately and reliably, though.

To refer to the FEG Hi-Power as a "fake" does it an injustice. The FEG is a high quality "reproduction" of the FN Hi-Power, even though not licensed by FN for production as is the case with the Canadian Ingliss and those manufactured in Argentina ( which BTW command premium prices)

__________________
John

I had two used FEG's over the years.... nice guns, worked well and the price was too good not to "give them a try".....

..... wish I still had them..... but once I got a MkIII Browning and my second Smith 915 the last FEG got traded.

There are FEG clones of the BHP and then there are fake FN Hi Powers which were produced by FEG. These fakes have FN rollmarks which were faked. Faked Belgian proof marks, and poorly faked FN serial numbers. There is no injustice calling these particular FEGs fakes.

I've been thinking about giving the Hipower another shot. The first, and only one I had, was a complete failure. It was a commercial MKIII .... I think. The S# was from mid 80s or so. Anyway, it wouldn't shoot for anything. Couldn't get through one mag without at least half a dozen failures with a combination of new and used mags.

Now I'm looking ant the Israeli ones and kinda tempted to try again but I'm put off by the work I'd have to get done to it. A good quality ambi safety that actually has some meat on it to engage/disengage, and cut for Novak sights.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

The sights are a fast quick job. You can send the slide to Novak and gave it back in a week or so. Sending just the slide saves $$ on shipping.

As for the ambi safety the factory OEM is considered by most to be the best ambi on the market. Oddly the C&S unit is the worst. The best versions are custom bespoke ones made by guys like Yost, Garthwaite and Williams.

This particular one is from C&S but I'm just using it as an example.


Something like this .....closer to what a 1911 is. The original ones are to slow for me. Not to mean that I'm naturally super duper fast and awesome but this safety slows me down to grandpa speed. But a 1911 style has more contact area and it's just naturally faster. Where is the original is very flat and I'm almost looking for it by pressing my thumb into the slide with some good pressure and sliding it down until I feel the safety, then pushing down on it. With the more contact area my thumb naturally land on it as I move it down. Hopefully that explanation made sense


Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I shoot my MK III SFS Hi Power in practical pistol matches and it's been extremely reliable and isn't picky about ammo. One thing to be sure to do however is replace the recoil spring if you don't know the round count as the springs wear out and when they do it affects the slide over run time and sold velocity which can cause feed issues.

Also, stay away from +P loads with a Hi Power, and unless you've got a really good reason, don't substitute heavier springs in them.

Finally, avoid the temptation to put a buffer in them as that reduces the slide over travel and can again cause reliability issues.

The SFS safety is great as it is both very positive and ambidextrous - much better than the standard mushy feeling Hi Power safety.

The problems happened the first time out. Shooting fmj range ammo. Mags used were new McGar bought by me and used that came with the gun. I don't add anything to guns unless it's absolutely needed. For instance if the gun had no sights I would add a set. Otherwise I don't gunsmith, don't do addons, don't take things off, don't do trigger jobs, no logo stickers, no filling in letters ...etc...etc. I either like it the way it was sold to me or I don't buy it. So this one would consistently jam for about 2 boxes worth of ammo. I'd pick up those that fell out and re use them. Eventually it fired all the ammo. May have been the recoil spring but it was a very clean gun. Didn't look to be shot much at all

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

I have had several of their imports, and never had a bad one. The FEG HiPower copy was so well made Israel got it's spare parts from the FEG factory for it's combat pistols...and this same pistol was stamped with the Mauser banner logo and sold as a Mauser pistol for some time. I have had 3 FEG PJK Hi Powers, and sold them all...took me years to find the one I have now because FEG is long gone, as the importers Krassnar's. Parts interchange with the Browning/FN. IMO the Hungarians have a better trigger and finish...and really nice wood grips.



Here's mine before I even wiped it down after getting it home last year...

__________________
Liberals made the USA

I've been happy with my true BPH clone FEG...shoots and feeds well and has a pretty decent trigger (after removing the mag disconnect).



Just not a purty as the real thing...



Roe

They are good pistols but when the price is so close between a FN Hi Power and a FEG clone I will always choose the FN Hi Power. The finish of the FEG varies just like the finish on the FN/BHP. I like the FEG blue more than the FN/BHP epoxy although the epoxy on the MKIII is much more durable. However I would take a T series, C series or pre T FN/BHP over any FEG in terms of fit and finish. YMMV. Out of the box triggers will vary from gun to gun but in my experience most FN/BHPs have nice smooth triggers but sometimes they ship with too heavy a pull. Sometimes they are a bit gritty but a few passes with a stone and removal of the mag disconnect normally takes care of it.

I am not knocking the FEG and I believe they made a lot of sense when they sold for $200 but now that surplus guns run $350 and a FN surplus gun goes for $425-$475 I would take the FN.

I have a P9M with the S&W inners, it has always functioned with out a hiccup and is quite accurate. I got it for a range gun and shoot reloads using Unique and 115gr LRN bullets.

About a week ago I picked up a Kareen MK II at a local shop, I just couldn't pass it up for $250. It looks as new, in it's blue plastic box, with manual, cleaning rod and extra mag. Imported by J O Arms in Texas. I have searched the internet and found a little bit about it, there is an old ad for it on YouTube that is quite exciting, to say the least.

Any one here own one and how do you like it? I have not had a chance to shoot it yet.

The MKIIs from Kareen always looked odd to me but they have a decent rep. The early ones the MKIs were FEG parts assembled in Israeli and are pretty straight FEG clones of the BHP. The MKII and MKIIIs diverged a great deal in-terms of aesthetics.

The came out about the same time that the Acrus guns and some people speculate that the Kareens are Acrus frames and slides with Israeli small parts and barrels. They resemble the Acrus in the aesthetics but the angle of the beavertail is different. IIRC

Kareen


Acrus

I have one of Buds FN's coming.
Should be here Tuesday.
Only "Fair" condition.
Sold my Belgium FN over 20 years ago for some reason....

__________________
Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I agree completely. Is a Wilson 1911 any less of a 1911 because it's not a Colt?

My Rossi 92 is another of JMB's best inventions. It's not a Winchester, but, like FEG, Rossi did a good job with one of JMB's designs.

The FEG is a true reproduction. I believe the scientific word would be "clone".

Most don't know that FEG (I'm not typing the full name!) has been in business since 1890-something, and they made more than just firearms. I think the quality overall is pretty decent, and I wouldn't hesitate to own another.

In the case of FN roll marks on a FEG, that clearly could be called a fake, but counterfeits are a whole 'nother subject!

I would like to add something to BB57's excellent summary above, regarding magazines and humped/modern feed-ramps. I have posted this before, but I believe it bears repeating, so bear with me. I have three BHP magazines in front of me. The first is an original from a mid-70s C-series (which has the older-style ramp). It looks just like all the High Power magazines since FN changed to plastic followers way back when. The second is a Mec-Gar, purchased about four years ago. Aside from the shiny blue finish, it is identical with my old FN magazine. The third is a "mousetrap" version, purchased about eight years ago. Made by Mec-Gar, it came in a Browning box. Other than the mousetrap spring, there is one SIGNIFICANT difference between this one and the other two. The follower is ever-so-slightly altered so that it presents the cartridge at a slightly higher angle, thus hitting the feed-ramp just a bit further up. I'm guessing that this was done to aid in feeding hollow-points. I've only shot FMJ through this C-series High Power, so I can't say whether it makes a difference, but if I had to stuff some untried ammunition into this gun for serious purposes, these are the magazines I would use. I had to actually put the magazines next to each other with dummy rounds in them to see the difference. The other BHP Mec-Gars are fine mags as well (and a lot cheaper), but owners of older High Powers should be aware of this difference.

At this point I have to ask did you read longbow14s post about his counterfeit FN or read my reply? I did not refer to FEGs as fakes I stated that if he has a "fake" FN which he referred to as counterfeit then it was made by FEG.

Please explain to me how that is a inaccurate statement doing a "injustice" to FEG BHP clones. The word "fake" was introduced into the discussion speaking directly to counterfeit FNs which I guess makes it a whole other subject. LOL

My apologies!

I should have read a little closer.

But it was late, and I'm in Vegas!

No problem! Hope the tables are being kind to you!

Purchased several years ago in very good plus condition for 200-dollars in local pawnshop. Started researching the data available along with several range sessions and found, just like the P-35, it digests hard ball 9's better than hollow points. A superb semi-auto pistol with a deep blue finish. Mine came with black rubber Hogue Grips and one magazine. I had a spare "Browning Hi-Power" magazine that worked fine with my FEG HI-POWER. This is a serious combat pistol for serious combat missions or Law Enforcement SRT use. Of course, my idea of a great (.45) combat mission semi-auto is the 1911 and my idea of a great combat application 9X19 Pistol is the P-35. I thank all of you here for these wonderful HI-POWER posts. These are truly great guns with much craftsmanship involved in the production process.

David

For Brownings and copies, you may want to try Federal's No. 9BP load, a 115 grain JHP at std. velocity. Won't beat up the gun and has a good street rep. If it feeds in your gun, worth a try. I think it's a good deal in Beretta 9mm's, too, although I use Federal 124 grain HST or Speer 124 grain Gold Dots in moderation and load them for defense.

I think the long-established No. 9BP ammo is good on coyotes and the like. Anyone here used them? I'd use the hotter Plus P loads mentioned on larger animals.

My son found 9mm NATO ball effective on men in Iraq, but he said that good placement was needed, as with any pistol bullet. But it killed well if well placed. That said, now that he's out of the Army, he certainly prefers the Plus P JHP ammo mentioned here. And that's what I use.

The two Brownings that I owned were made about 1968-69. One jammed some; the other was flawless. My son has had a commercial MK III that was superb and the MK III with a Parkerized - like finish that he used as a security contractor in Iraq also worked perfectly, but he had only military ammo available. An Argentine FM that I used briefly on loan from the importer worked well and was accurate, if not as much so as the MK III's. It had a gray military type finish. As I recall, it had more tool marks than a real FN product, but not too bad. I thought it was a good deal for the price then, about 1990. I think the firm wanted about $350 retail for them.

This is a great thread!!! I bought my wife an FEG and removed the mag safety and replaced the grips with Uncle Mike's grips. It didn't like to chamber reloads but worked with ball and similar shaped HPs. It really felt good in the hands.

Here's a picture of my BHP clone. Not an FN or an FEG, but made for the Chinese, just never got there. The rear sight is a mite optimistic, but it will hold them all on an E-type silhouette...eh! Inglis was building Brens and High Powers in Toronto then, now they are building washing machines in Mississauga

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Is it an Inglis? I cannot see enough detail in the pics to tell. It looks like the rollmarks are Inglis. If it was a true FN Chinese contract gun it is in amazing condition. Most of those were rode pretty hard. Either way nice pistol! Is the stock original to the gun?

I would agree that it's most likely an Inglis

__________________
John

Serial 3CH9959 would put it at 1944 production according to some sources. It probably served with the Canadian Forces. The armourers have kept it repaired in decent military rack condition. The magazine is Cold War era issue. Despite what the seller claimed, the stock is in all likelihood a replacement and not original to the gun.

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If it is a reproduction be careful. I believe if it is not original to the gun it would be considered a SBR. That photo could get you in trouble.

The stock is correctly marked and appears to be Canadian manufacture, but you may be right.

I love the Hi Power. I've got one from FN with the SFS system in it and Spegel grips. I had a "stipple" done to the front strap as well as the removal of the mag safety right after I got it about 10 years ago. He was also supposed to do a trigger job, but darned if I can tell it. I'd like to send it to someone that could put a decent trigger on it with the SFS system in place. I'm guessing that C&S would be the only ones that would gladly do it as many others would probably tell me that since it has the SFS system in it that they wouldn't want to work on it.

I like the SFS system. I hate the looks of the hammer though. I wish they could use one of the C&S Round hammers in the SFS system. That would be awesome. It ain't gonna happen though.
I think if more people would have the chance to try the system, they too would like it and want it on their Hi Power or 1911.

I also wouldn't mind having a clone in nice shape to customize on my own. I've never done any work on one though, but I'd give it a try if I could find one for a good deal.

I got one from Buds, FN, Made in Belgium, assembled in Portugal on the frame.
Buds has it as FAIR. My GS said was GOOD+.
Bore cleaned up nice.
Beat up a little on the front and rear sights.
Magazine has a small crack on top, so just ordered one 13 round on GB.
Will see how it shoots this weekend.

__________________
Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Would love to see pics...

Here is a great place to get mags. 15 round mecgars work great and are cheap!

BROWNING MEC-GAR & FACTORY MAGS. : Greg Cote, LLC

This.

Spring replacement at proper intervals should be considered as much, possibly more, of what constitutes proper maintenance of any pistol.

BHSpringsolutions is rapidly making a name for themselves over on the Browning High Power forum, where most of the most knowledgeable collectors and shooters appear to be congregating these days. Excellent source for all BHP springs, not just the standard and heavy recoil springs. Link to the thread that gives the complete story and feedback from users as they entered the market. Wolff springs have been raising questions (in the BHP) of late, but in my opinion it is mostly concerns from some heavy users, nothing accepted as being conclusive.

https://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=497276

I will agree with the first part, only because when you look at the 9mm service ammunition available today, choosing +P ammunition in hopes of achieving improved performance over the standard pressure offerings is mostly an exercise in picking fly poo out of pepper.

On the other hand, the Canadians (as one example) have been running 9mm NATO ball through their Inglis HPs for 70 years now. That would be the same 9mm ammunition they used in their Sterling submachine guns, and now their MP5s and SIG Sauers. In fact, the current Canadian 9mm ball is used as NATO's reference standard 9mm round. It's not exactly mild 9mm ammunition.

The Inglis pistols in near-daily use in training the troops rotating through their Battle Schools have been digesting that ammunition for decades, using nothing but the standard springs. If using heavy ammunition was a death sentence for a HP under regular use, the Canadians would have had a steady shipment of new Inglis pistols going to those Battle Schools to replace the dead ones. What they do do, however, is the gun plumbers regularly check the springs and replace them if the length is outside of spec.

The Canadian spec for the main spring on the Inglis is replacement at 101.85 millimetres (4.10 inches here). The Canadian pams do not specify the weight of the Inglis main spring; only that it is NSN 5360-21-103-5539, Main Spring, Helical Compression, 34 Coils.

I have been running heavier springs in my first and every day carry HP for most of the 40+ years I have owned it. I have no idea of how many rounds I have poured through this pistol during that time, but "lots" sounds about right. The 69C is a somewhat more elegant and slightly weaker HP compared to the Mk III. I don't use +P any more, although I certainly shot buckets of that kind of reloads through it back in the late 70's and early 80's, where the feelings were "hot" was the key. Running a heavier spring has not been a negative in any way, and a lot of long time service users of the BHP recommend the heavier spring, Stephen Camp among them. That HP is still in excellent condition, and I imagine still will be when I take the long dirt nap.

In my case, on arrival at the range the 17 lb spring comes out along with the carry ammunition, and the 18.5 lb spring goes in. Reverse the process when leaving; should take less than 30 seconds either way.

The HP/Inglis service pistols were not designed to be fragile, and they haven't shown themselves to be whether in the hands of the Brits, Israelis, Canadians, etc. Common sense maintenance, including spring replacement, is the key.

I have both an FN made Browning and an KBI marked FeG. The finish on the FeG is nicer than that of the Browning. I've never had a problem with the FeG.