I'm thinking of trying to find a beater Hi Power (CDI's Israelis?) and having some work done on it: C&S Trigger; no-bite hammer and sear; new 18.5 recoil spring and wide/extended safety; plus FO sight on front or Novaks all around as well as all new springs, all around and maybe a cerakote or duracote.

Of course the challenge is finding an "inexpensive," HP Mk. III.

So I was wondering, if I'm going to replace all that stuff, maybe I should consider an Arcus 94c (I like the "compact" idea) instead.

Anyone have any experience with the Arcus? It gets good write-ups, is supposed to be a total clone of the BHP at least internally (so no fitting to make parts work) and, yes it ain't a BHP, but when I get done neither will an original be a "real" BHP.

I want it for possible carry, but more for the range.

Any thoughts, opinions?

I am unfamiliar with the Arcus, but I do own a Hungarian FEG PJK9HP, which is an exact clone of the HP, and is very well made, just as nice as my real HP. They can be found for a lot less than an FN made HP. Might save you the money on refinishing, as there is no need to buy a "beater" HP when these are available at good prices.

Larry

If you want to do a build on a non Browning/FN look at a FEG or a FM. They will be better than the Arcus. IMHO

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Use should dictate gear!

Have a similar plan.
Would like a good comparison of some I've been checking out online.

Have seen Mauser, Kareen, FM, FEG.
Already have a Browning - it's too nice. It deserves a plain-as-a-shoe sister.

Appreciate any wisdom imparted.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Well, thoughts: Were I considering spending money on gunsmithing, I'd hold out for a genuine FN/Browning Hi Power, Should you ever decide to sell the gun, an Arcus, FEG, or FM will never be worth what an FN/Browning will. With an FN/Browning you might even recoup the cost of gunsmithing. With one of the clones, I wonder if you'd recoup any more than what a decent standard version of the gun would sell for?.....ymmv

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

I have a friend who collects BHP. He has over 50 of them. He said only one of his BHP will outshoot the several Arcus that he has. I have had 5 or 6 of the Arcus and can tell you never a problem. Might not rule out the FM but the FEG is known to have soft metal parts.

I bought my son an FEG, and it has been flawless. It has better sights and a better safety than my Belgian Hi-Power, and set me back a whopping 250 bucks.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

I agree. As nice as my highly polished FEG PJK-9HP is (and it has some INCREDIBLE bluing) and as well as it shoots, it will never hold the value of an FN Browning HP. I bought 2 of these last century for $199 a piece (less than half what a Browning cost at the time), but those days are gone, and even a beater FEG will now run you $300+.
I say spend another 1-2 hundred and get an FN for a base gun.

If I was going to spend the money to re-do all the internals, sights and re-finish on a BHP I'd start with an FN Browning. Even disregarding resale, a custom Browning HP is a custom Browning HP.
Don't get me wrong. The quality of my KBI import FEGs is comparable to any FN I've ever seen, but Browning will always be the original.

I never understand people who use Non-Browning/FN guns for custom builds. Look at what you want to have done to the gun.

The C&S hammer sear and spring kit $ 105
C&S or Garthwaite Trigger $65
C&S wide safety $55
Sights after cuts will run $70
Novaks with night sights will cost you $150

So you are at $345 if you are going to install the parts yourself. Then on top of that $150+ to refinish the gun. So if you are using a smith you are talking about a $700 job.

Why put $700 into a $400 gun? You can get good condition BHPs off of gun broker and other places for $500 in 2018. You have to be patient but they can be found.

This is a $500 BHP MKIII with shipping and transfer.



Some people like the clones. I am not a big fan of the clones. I do not find them to be made of better materials. In my hands they don't shoot any better and I have always been able to find good BHPs at decent prices. The only clone I would be interested in would be an FM Detective.

I have done a few custom BHPs over the years. I have purchase other customs complete. My advice is to be patient look for the right gun at the right price and proceed from there. The results when done right are stellar.

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Use should dictate gear!

A local shop as had an Arcus 94 marked at $225 as I recall for 6-8 months. It needs a good cleaning but otherwise seems well worth the asking price. May need to try and bring it home this weekend.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

I have a FEG and my brother has a Kareen. These are basically identical to the FN, other than a slight flare at the base of the magwell. If you are far enough away that you don't read the stampings, you really can't tell either is not "authentic".

It took awhile for people to accept Filipino and other 1911s, but now many sing their praises. I think that will occur eventually with the other HP-style guns.

I'd hesitate with the Arcus, simply because it doesn't look quite the same; I'd have no qualms about doing something with my FEG.

Wonderful guns. I personally think the Hi-Power is the greatest military handgun in human history. The originals are much better than the clones as well. Congrats.

Buy the Browning and do not look back.

Get a used CZ for under $300, then put another $300 into it and you will have a gun that will resell for $600.

Go with the Hi Power. I purchased this Israeli (IDF)surplus 1985 MKII about 5 years ago for a little more than $300. Mechanically it is excellent. However, I replaced the springs, gave it some Hogues and refinished it with black engine block high-temp. paint ( yes you read it right). I opted to keep the MKII rear sight. It is my favorite range shooter. Accurate and boringly reliable; and not too shabby to look at.

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John

No you won’t and these days a $300 CZ 75B is going to look like it was dragged behind a truck. The days of cheap VG-LNIB CZs is as gone as the days of cheap Israeli BHPs. Also what work are you getting for $300?

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Use should dictate gear!

If you are considering doing some extensive customizing on a gun, then the future resale value of it shouldn't even be considered.

Most projects like this are done for personal enjoyment. If you are doing it for that, then cost and resale value shouldn't affect your judgment.

If changes in value after the project are a concern, then don't do the customizing to begin with.

For $200 you could get it hard chromed/nickel plated high polished; if you do the polish work yourself for $140. Get a set of grips (alum or exotic wood) for another $80, or less if you find the right thing used. Spend the rest of the money on whatever you like most (hammer, trigger or sights) and install it yourself.

If money is no object, just buy one already tricked out and why are we having this discussion. If not, you have to do the work yourself and you have to start with things that look bad.

Who is doing hard chrome for $200 with breakdown and polish of the gun? Most people will not do cerakote at that price.

Metalloy= $315
APW Cogan= $235 + $55 for breakdown of the pistol
Fords = $300

The only one with a good national rep that is less is Mahovsky's Metalife which might get in under $200. The other prices are matte not polished.

You also did not answer the foundational question. Where are you getting a functional CZ 75B for $300 OTD these days that is not beat to hell. I see some pre-B guns here and there in the $350 range but I would not go with one of those for any sort of custom work.

Working on a CZ sear cage is a lot different than other guns. IMHO It is no as easy as a Sig or 1911. It is an overly complicated design IMHO. Sights without install will cost you $80+. A upgraded package like CGW will start at $280 and you have to know how to install it. I just can't get your numbers to work.

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Use should dictate gear!

And then you answered your own question, and that's exactly who I was thinking of.
I did. And now welcome to my ignore list.

Funny how asking you to illustrate how you got to your numbers caused you to put me on your ignore list. What I love even more is you felt the need to tell you did it. LOL

With Mahovsky's you will pay $155 for their Metalife. You add to that overnight shipping to the vendor or paying shipping plus transfer back to you via the FFL. So lets call it $50. Then shipping from Mahovsky back to you another $50. So you are at $255 to complete the job unless you are local. That is still a good price for quality hard chrome but it is not $200. They also have a somewhat spotty rep. I would go with the others I have mentioned before I went with them to save a few bucks. YMMV

When and where did you purchase your $300 75B. What was its condition when you got it. I used to buy CZs NIB for $350 but like I said those days are gone because the cat is out of the bag.

Oh well it was fun talking to you while it lasted.

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Use should dictate gear!