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04-14-2018, 11:12 PM
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Hungarian FEG hipowers
Are these pistols ok?
Can be had for under $400 and thought it might be a good HP shooter.
Anybody have an opinion?
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04-14-2018, 11:21 PM
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Came across one the other day that was somewhat rough but couldn't pass up price wise. I'm not a Hi Power expert but it shoots as good as any FN-Browning I recall.
It already had mag disconnect disabled and came with a new Mecgar mag along with original FEG. The mecgar holds 15 9mm and the FEG 14 while original Browning is 13.
I think theyre a decent buy for the money especially with what some Brownings are listed for these days.
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04-14-2018, 11:24 PM
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Thanks, I've jumped on it just to have a hipower to shoot the heck out of.
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04-14-2018, 11:27 PM
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Here’s my $200 feg
ETA:
All numbers match plus shoots/functions pretty good.
Last edited by jack the toad; 04-14-2018 at 11:34 PM.
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04-15-2018, 12:31 AM
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Tremendous value! I bought two of them.....they keep my original Hi Power company and they shot every bit as well as the original.
Randy
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04-15-2018, 12:34 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jack the toad
Here’s my $200 feg
ETA:
All numbers match plus shoots/functions pretty good.
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Aww, why did you have to say $200?
Was that in the Jurassic period?
And how does it shoot?
Last edited by Jessie; 04-15-2018 at 12:35 AM.
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04-15-2018, 01:16 AM
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I love my FEG, I picked it up about 15 months ago. The young man that had it wanted some plastic fantastic, so he told me $150 and it was mine. I didn't even make a counter offer, I just paid him. It is very well made, and surprisingly similar in quality to my Belgium Browning Hi Power. Jessie and Jack do yours have the round top slide release like the original Hi Powers or is it flat top like mine? Jack, I like yours, if I found any Hi Power in shooter condition for $200 I would buy it. Jessie $400 is still a good price in todays market, I bet you could turn a profit on it unless it’s real rough.
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04-15-2018, 01:45 AM
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FEG made 3 models, starting with an excellent Hi Power clone and running through to a design that is more similar to 3rd gen Smith & Wesson pistols.
The Hi Power clones can be identified by the oval footprint of the frame crossbolt. Do a online search for "hi power crossbolt' and for examples. The first FEG version, Model P6 or PJK-9HP, are usually well made and very close - if not exact - clones.
"Decoding The FEG Hi-Power" is an excellent book by Jerry Paregien dedicated to the subject. It is less than 70 pages and usually available on Amazon.
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04-15-2018, 02:45 AM
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Zip, I have yet to come across the S&W based Hi Power. I have read about them and don’t believe I would be as interested in them. I have pictures of the other side of mine to show people what that cross bolt or pin looks like. One is my Belgium Browning and the other is the FEG. The bolt is the visible oval in the frame just above the trigger on each. You want to verify that the oval is there when buying a clone.
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04-15-2018, 08:15 AM
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I bought my FEG from a local dealer in December ‘17. The only difference that I can see between it and my 1969 Browning is the design of the slide stop.
Looks good and a good shooter as well. OTD $325.
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04-15-2018, 08:34 AM
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I've owned two over the years ( 80-90s) wish I still had them!!!!!!!
I don't carry cocked and locked so the first got traded for something else...... but was replaced by a second a few years later...... when I got my first new HP MkIII I traded off the second FEG...... "I had a real Browning HP!!!"
Both were bought used and preformed well ....... I'd love to still have them as "rough use/ truck guns"..... as both my HPs get babied.
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04-15-2018, 08:56 AM
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Now see, this is why I get sidetracked from collecting S&Ws. I will be looking to pick one up.
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04-15-2018, 09:12 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zipty6
"Decoding The FEG Hi-Power" is an excellent book by Jerry Paregien dedicated to the subject.
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I'd like to get that book. In the meantime, does it mention the FEG's being issued to militaries, PD's, etc? I'm assuming Hungarian M&P units but the story that came with my FEG from the seller was it had been issued to some Israeli (Tel Aviv PD) units. Mine shows lotsa miles but not so many rounds.
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04-15-2018, 09:45 AM
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Thanks for the info on this. It's in very good shape going by the pics and it does have the oval in the slide and it's a PJK-9HP
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04-15-2018, 10:01 AM
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I passed on a real nice one for $350. Still feel bad about it.
David.
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04-15-2018, 10:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big E3
Zip, I have yet to come across the S&W based Hi Power. I have read about them and don’t believe I would be as interested in them. I have pictures of the other side of mine to show people what that cross bolt or pin looks like. One is my Belgium Browning and the other is the FEG. The bolt is the visible oval in the frame just above the trigger on each. You want to verify that the oval is there when buying a clone.
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I have one of the ones that look like a Hi Power, but internally are much like a S&W 39 (SA/DA). Mine is an "R9" model. My only complaint is that the trigger is a bit gritty.
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04-15-2018, 11:02 AM
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The trigger on my Hi Power was gritty until the magazine disconnect safety was removed.
George
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04-15-2018, 11:34 AM
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The FEG P9 is a very close copy of the Pre Mk II Hi Power.
The first generation P9M is nearly identical to the P9 except for a 1911 style slide release lever, larger 3 dot sights and an extended safety. It's arguably a better shooter given those refinements.
The second generation P9M is not a Hi Power at all as it uses a S&W style locking system.
Unfortunately KBI imported all of them as the "PJK-9HP" and TGI imported them all as the "P9M".
I talk about them in more detail in this post, along with the Argentine FM Hi Power, and the "Kareen" version of the FEG Hi Power in its different forms:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/139648096-post31.html
Gratuitous FEG P9 porn:
Last edited by BB57; 04-15-2018 at 12:31 PM.
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04-15-2018, 11:36 AM
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I have a FEG Hi Power made in the 1980's. Picked it up in a trade about 25 years ago; think I might have $120 tied up in it. Overall, very faithful to the original Hi Powers. Major parts (barrel, slide, etc) readily interchange with the Belgian Hi Powers. Good shooter and very reliable. My understanding is that these were made under license from FN.
I have seen several of the later FEG's and, in my opinion, quality went downhill pretty badly.
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04-15-2018, 11:37 AM
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I bought one of the double action FN/59 cross breed clones fegs at the last cave city gun show, it was in 100% arsenal refurb condition with 2 mags and a plastic case I liked the way it looked and felt in the hand, liked the fact that it could be carried with the hammer down for a double action first shot.
I bought it for a shooter so I could enjoy it, but then the guy with the 98%+ 2in model 15-3 smith walked by and wanted to trade to the auto pistol, so I never got to shoot the feg,
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04-15-2018, 11:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jack the toad
Here’s my $200 feg
ETA:
All numbers match plus shoots/functions pretty good.
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I own the twin to this gun, but I changed the grips. The slide/frame fit is so poor that the slide visibly lifts as you pull the trigger. Still minute of bad guy or better at 10 yards, so I have not had it "adjusted".
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04-15-2018, 12:01 PM
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Sounds like an early model would be a dependable gun.
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04-15-2018, 12:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LoboGunLeather
I have a FEG Hi Power made in the 1980's. Picked it up in a trade about 25 years ago; think I might have $120 tied up in it. Overall, very faithful to the original Hi Powers. Major parts (barrel, slide, etc) readily interchange with the Belgian Hi Powers. Good shooter and very reliable. My understanding is that these were made under license from FN.
I have seen several of the later FEG's and, in my opinion, quality went downhill pretty badly.
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The Argentine "FM" Hi Powers were made under license with FN inspectors involved in the process from 1970-1990, if I recall correctly. However after that FM made it's own non-licensed copy of the Hi Power with some changes and with no involvement with or approval from FN. Most notable among the changes was the 1911 style treatment to the front of the slide.
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FEG Hi Powers were never made under license. In fact, FEG sold some forgeries to nations in the mid east that were under embargo. The idea being that new FEG P9 or P9M Hi Powers showing up would make it obvious the embargo was being broken, while FN marked "Hi Powers" in the older pre-Mk II configuration would make it less obvious.
FEG also made the P9 and P9M in both military and civilian variants. Those intended for commercial sale or ordered by importers for commercial sale were very nicely finished. Those produced for military sales were usually finished to a lower level of polish and then parkerized or blued.
Many of these military contract pistols have seen hard use before being been bead blasted and then re-parkerized, prior to being re-imported. Consequently, the current finish is no where near as nice as the original finish, and often you'll finds pits in the metal under the re-finish.
You also find a great deal of variation, more than just normal "transition" between models. For example, the P9 I showed above has the P9 slide release, but the larger sights and the extended safety of the first generation P9M. I'll call it a "P9" as the slide and frame can't be easily changed, while the small parts can be easily substituted, but that's not to say FEG did not have some left over P9 frames and slides and sent it out with a commercial contract for what were otherwise first gen P9M pistols.
As a commercial pistol, it was probably made up with the parts on hand at the time, and since both military and commercial pistols might specify different sights, slide releases, safeties or a spur versus round hammer, at any given time FEG was likely to have parts on hand for various sub types.
You can still find nice commercial P9s and P9Ms in the $400-$450 range, but they are a lot less common than they were 4-5 years ago.
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Charles Daly contracted with FEG for the Charles Daly Hi Power with the idea of producing a hi quality Hi Power to compete directly with FN in the US market. Charles Daly imported the parts from FEG, which were then finished and assembled in the US and thus were not considered imports. KBI/Charles Daly lost money on every one of them and they were only about $125 less than a FN Hi Power at the time.
Unfortunately, both FEG and KBI/Charles Daly are gone. With FN dropping the Hi Power there'd be a decent market for a well made clone. I would not be surprised to see one go back into production again on old FN, FM, or FEG tooling, once the current supply of surplus Hi Powers is gone.
Last edited by BB57; 04-15-2018 at 12:58 PM.
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04-15-2018, 01:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amazingflapjack
Sounds like an early model would be a dependable gun.
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Absolutely. I have a P9 and a first gen P9M and owned another first gen P9M that I sold to a friend. All three shot as well as either one of my FN Hi Powers.
As clones of a pre Mk II Hi Power they have the humped rather than straight feed ramp. Some folks report issues feeding some hollow points. However, I have never had any issues with mine using hollow points that varied from the truncated cone shaped Hornady XTP to the RNFP shaped Golden Saber.
If you do have issues, a competent Hi Power gunsmith can remove some metal to give it the straight configuration.
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04-15-2018, 01:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BB57
The FEG P9 is a very close copy of the Pre Mk II Hi Power.
The first generation P9M is nearly identical to the P9 except for a 1911 style slide release lever, larger 3 dot sights and an extended safety. It's arguably a better shooter given those refinements.
The second generation P9M is not a Hi Power at all as it uses a S&W style locking system.
Unfortunately KBI imported all of them as the "PJK-9HP" and TGI imported them all as the "P9M".
I talk about them in more detail in this post, along with the Argentine FM Hi Power, and the "Kareen" version of the FEG Hi Power in its different forms:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/139648096-post31.html
Gratuitous FEG P9 porn:
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Thank you. Your older post is one of the ones I was searching for but did not find.
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04-15-2018, 01:31 PM
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I bought one for my son for last Christmas. It was $225 (I think) at a police supply place and was probably an evidence gun that was traded in.
It has been flawless for him. The sights and safety are better than a legit Browning Hi Power.
I’m keeping the next one I come across.
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04-15-2018, 01:41 PM
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I've been keeping my eye out for a nice FEG at a good price. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.
As it is, I have a Kareen that my local enabler sold to me for $250 about three years ago. I like it a lot.
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04-15-2018, 02:56 PM
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For an overview of FEG style HP pistols go to Manowar's Hungarian Weapons & History and peruse Manowar's Hungarian Weapons and History. The is a list of HP style pistols with photos and comments
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04-15-2018, 03:00 PM
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Are any of these Hi-power twins curio & relic status? Only would have to be 50 years old.
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04-15-2018, 03:00 PM
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I found stock pics of the S&W like version of the FEG Hi Power. As you can see it has a number of subtle external changes. Notice the slide mounted safety like most Smith’s of the day and it is SA/DA. There is also a S&W type step in the frame just forward of the trigger guard and a different shape to the top rear of the grip panel. Plus, as noted above it has a varying number different internal changes from the Browning design. I am surprised that this was ever thought to be a Hi Power clone. Aside from an attempt to make similar grip panels and the shape of the front of the slide that is about the end of similarities.
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04-15-2018, 03:47 PM
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Mine is a DA/SA version, with action derived from a Smith 59.
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04-15-2018, 09:54 PM
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I bought 2 of these on a whim in 1998 when they were $199 from CDNN, and still have both of them. They have been, in every way, the quality analog of an actual FN Hi Power.
The bluing on the KBI imported guns is truly "python-esque".
If you can find one at an agreeable price I say jump on it!
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04-15-2018, 11:21 PM
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FEG P9. I think it spent some years in Israel.
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04-15-2018, 11:52 PM
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Oh sure... ya all are gonna drive the prices up, now!!!
Good thing I already have a pair of them.
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04-15-2018, 11:56 PM
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I bought a PJK-9HP new back in the late 90's. It was a good gun, never had any complaints. I sold it a few years ago to help finance another revolver buying spree, wish I still had it. The next decent example I run across I'll probably buy.
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04-17-2018, 02:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big E3
I found stock pics of the S&W like version of the FEG Hi Power. As you can see it has a number of subtle external changes. Notice the slide mounted safety like most Smith’s of the day and it is SA/DA. There is also a S&W type step in the frame just forward of the trigger guard and a different shape to the top rear of the grip panel. Plus, as noted above it has a varying number different internal changes from the Browning design. I am surprised that this was ever thought to be a Hi Power clone. Aside from an attempt to make similar grip panels and the shape of the front of the slide that is about the end of similarities.
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That's the double action P9R. It is indeed an S&W 59 clone.
However, the second generation P9M looks like a Hi Power, but has the S&W locking system. Externally you can tell them apart from the P9 and first gen P9M by the lack of an oval in the right side of the frame, above the trigger. If it doesn't have that oval, it is not a Hi Power or Hi Power clone.
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04-23-2018, 12:32 AM
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Nowadays,with the machinery they've got,they just have to punch in the numbers and they can copy any gun's blueprinted part.As long as the steel is of good quality,it'll spit out a good part.
Heck,last week,I got my Colt Gold Cup outgrouped by a $400 Norinco.I tried it(the Nork)afterwards and while I must admit my trigger was a little nicer,I think I can bring the Nork's trigger as nice as my GC.
I was stunned and I think Mr Sam L.Colt was!
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