Opinion on F.E.G. handguns, please?

I would like to apologize in advance for the sacrilege in advance, but I need some opinions.

I have always had a fondness for the Browning Hi Power, but they were always financially beyond my reach, but now that I am a disabled single parent, the Browning will most likely never be within my reach.

I have recently learned that F.E.G. makes/has made a clone of the Browning Hi Power. The pictures of the clones I have looked at show rough finishes, but the finish can be dealt with. I am more concerned with the quality of manufacture and durability of the arm.

Can anyone share their opinions or experiences with the F.E.G. Hi Powers? Can the vital parts (springs, hammer, sears, extractor, etc.) be exchanged with parts for the Browning Hi Power? I realize parts may need to be fitted. Should I purchase a F.E.G. clone, will I ultimately be purchasing an orphan that won't be able to be kept in service?

Thanks in advance!

lrrifleman said:

I would like to apologize in advance for the sacrilege in advance, but I need some opinions.



I have always had a fondness for the Browning Hi Power, but they were always financially beyond my reach, but now that I am a disabled single parent, the Browning will most likely never be within my reach.



I have recently learned that F.E.G. makes/has made a clone of the Browning Hi Power. The pictures of the clones I have looked at show rough finishes, but the finish can be dealt with. I am more concerned with the quality of manufacture and durability of the arm.



Can anyone share their opinions or experiences with the F.E.G. Hi Powers? Can the vital parts (springs, hammer, sears, extractor, etc.) be exchanged with parts for the Browning Hi Power? I realize parts may need to be fitted. Should I purchase a F.E.G. clone, will I ultimately be purchasing an orphan that won't be able to be kept in service?



Thanks in advance!

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I've checked on FEG and Argentina hi powers. I settled on the Argentine one because it was a copy of a browning. Browning parts fit and if I'm not mistaken they were manufactured under FN licenses. The Hungarian FEG is not a good copy and parts don't interchange. At least that's what I've read. I've no personal experience with FEG.
I currently have an Argentine browning and it has browning parts on it. It's a great copy I bought NIB for $400.


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Don't rule out the Arcus. Out shoots most Browning HP,s and can be picked up for $300.00 or less. Uses HP mags. Many parts interchange. FM from Argentena another good choice. Made on FN tooling. Alot of FEG's had soft parts in them.

The FEG Hi Powers are all over the place here in Canada. I had one briefly that I never even fired, sold it to a buddy who had nothing but problems with it. That being said, there are many who say they are a good bang for your buck copy.

Beyond that I can't help. I hope to have another HP some day, but I will hold out for the real deal even though prices have risen over the last few years.

Good quality. There are two types. One is a hipower and the other a combination of hipower and S&W 59. Israelis used Hungarian hipowers.

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The second worst thing about FEG Hi-Powers (I forget FEG's model names) is that, as reflected in this thread, they get minimal respect and friends at the range who own more expensive pistols will not want to shoot your FEG. Early ones had a rib on the slide. I'm not sure but I think it was ventilated. Later ones did not have the rib. I bought one without the rib new for about $250 in the later 1990s. At 25 yards it grouped tighter than I've seen Browning Hi-Powers group and it was reliable. Likely part of the reason for grouping tighter is that Brownings have .358" grooves and FEGs have .355" grooves. Like most FEGs mine needed a trigger job. Through the time period when mine was made FEG Hi-Power parts were 100% interchangable with Brownings. Mine had a very nicely polished bright blue. Back in the 1990s they were popular to use as base pistols for building custom Hi-Powers on a budget. The worst thing about FEG Hi-Powers like the one I had is shared by most Hi-Powers. The original 1935 style hammer eats flesh off the web of my hand. There were two fixes. Either grind metal off the spur creating an ugly gun or buy a Browning hammer for over $50. That was over a 1/4 of what it was worth as a used gun so I parted company with it. I doubt that I put over a thousand rounds through it so I can not from personal experience refute the claims of short service life made above but they contradict all that I read.

A few years before buying my FEG Hi-Power I bought what Arik called FEG's cross between a Hi-Power and a S&W Model 59. It uses different magazines than Hi-Powers and probably no parts interchange. It has nicely polished bluing, pretty checkered wood, groups tighter than the vast majority of pistols, hits to point of aim and is reliable. It's single action is a bit heavier than most owners set their 1911s up to but not bad at all. Its double action is such a challenge that I do not fire the gun in matches. I mostly do not use its DA. I only use the pistol for casual target shooting. Its value for that is higher than the peanuts it could be sold for so I still have it. I fired thousands of home cast lead bullets and a few hundred Wolff FMJ cartridges through it with no signs of wear.

By the way, FEG made shorter barreled versions of both pistols.

I'm no expert on Hi-Powers but I hope reading my experience with two FEGs helps you decide.

Arik said:

Good quality. There are two types. One is a hipower and the other a combination of hipower and S&W 59. Israelis used Hungarian hipowers.

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What he said. I have one of the DA/SA models based on the Smith 59, but it looks just like the SA HP clone. From a distance, it has been mistaken for a Hi Power, but up close, is obviously not finished as nicely. It is a decent enough gun, though, has always been reliable, and is more accurate than I am.

FEG Hi-Powers varied in build quality widely. Some were very well finished and would take Browning parts. Others were rougher and were hit or miss on parts. Steel quality usually wasnt an issue, it was fit and finish. There are some good articles on FEH Hi Powers, google is your friend.

IMHO, if you really want a BHP, save up and get one. Otherwise you won't really be happy.

Like you, I had wanted a Browning Hi-Power for a long, long time, but lack of enough "recreational" funds prevented me from buying one. Then I found one at a nearby Cabelas - looked like it was unfired since it left the factory. Still with the original box with all of the factory goodies - price was $800.00. I noticed a small spot of rust on one of the rails - yes, I asked the clerk to field strip it for me. The clerk struggled and struggled with it, and I finally stepped in and field stripped it for him. Immediately, he started treating me like I was some kind of expert. I asked him what was the absolute best price he could make me on it, and he said "...how about $500.00?" I restrained the urge to fast draw my wallet, and said "out the door...right?". Yep, I got a (appears to be) a NIB Browning Hi-Power Mk III with factory box and goodies for $500.00 OTD. I don't have any experience with a FEG, and if I were in your position, I'd probably look at one of the Hi-Power Israeli turn ins, or an Argentine FM (made under license from FN) than a FEG.

Good luck,

Dave

Interesting FEG variation. If it weren't for the oddball alpha numeric serial number and lack of Belgian proof marks, it looks pretty much like a military contract FN, and is often mistaken as one. The history of these guns is not entirely clear. Hungarian made guns, but marked as FN High Powers. One story is the Communist regime, wanting hard currency, made them for one or more Arab countries, most notably Iraq, in order to get around various arms embargoes in the 1970s.

These guns have come into the U.S. as a part of a large number of High Powers that were sold as surplus by Israel into the U.S. market in the past decade. Some of them are very nice and very well made, if you got a good one you have a VERY good gun.

The FEG HP clone to look for is the P9M. Although the finish varies over production runs, virtually all Browning or FN parts are interchangeable. But, as with those Brownings and FNs, replacing parts sometimes requires a little fitting, same as with a S&W revolver.

The biggest part of a "trigger job" on these pistols (including Brownings and FNs) is the removal of the magazine safety. This will get rid of virtually all of the gritty feeling in the trigger and will allow the magazine to eject freely when hitting the release. (Sorry, I won't argue with any of the barracks lawyers out there who will want to demonstrate their acumen concerning the legal ramifications of this "modification".) There may be a little creep, but the trigger should break nicely.

I have owned a number of Hi Powers and currently own two FEG P9Ms, one with a deep-blued finish and machining equal to any of the Brownings, and another recently acquired, which is obviously a well used import, that I am planning on soda blasting and Parkerizing. They are both as accurate as any I have owned, and at a much friendlier price. And... they are the most natural point shooting pistols that I've ever handled. I'll buy any of them when I run across them... at the right price, of course.

I've had two of the FEG clones of the HP. The actual clone, not the P9 SA/DA variation, which is not a clone.

I liked them both. The first one I traded to my dad, the second one I traded off after I bought an actual FN.

At the same time I had my first one, my friend had an Argentine HP and the parts interchanged.

The finish was as nice as I've seen on a clone (although still below FN quality), and they both shot flawlessly, as does my FN. I saw one recently at my LGS, and have considered getting it, just because.

I have a FEG Hi Power clone, it is the PJK 9HP and was purchased in the early nineties. Looks exactly like the FN Hi Powers. Finish was not bad and is a decent copy of the originals. Hate the magazine safety and no matter how much pounding on the pin will not move. My father had one of the earlier models with the vent rib which ran between the front and rear sight. Someone did a lot of work milling off the rib on it and they removed the magazine safety. Kinda ugly but it shot nice and was reliable.

Wprovence said:

I've checked on FEG and Argentina hi powers. I settled on the Argentine one because it was a copy of a browning. Browning parts fit and if I'm not mistaken they were manufactured under FN licenses. The Hungarian FEG is not a good copy and parts don't interchange. At least that's what I've read. I've no personal experience with FEG.
I currently have an Argentine browning and it has browning parts on it. It's a great copy I bought NIB for $400.


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I have a FEG, and recently gifted another to my brother.

The statement I quoted is proof of a misunderstanding on the part of some internet readers;
FEG is (was) a large company, and they made multiple models of guns.

They did make a true HP clone, and it IS a clone. Parts DO interchange with the Brownings.

They also made a near-HP, and those don't interchange, no more than parts from a CZ, HP, and S&W would with each other.

The key to it is simple- go research the HP as much as you can, so you know exactly what it looks like. Then, go find a FEG if you can, and examine it... if it doesn't look right, it isn't. If it does, then ... it is.

As for quality and such, FEG made fine guns. They made Walther PPs and Walther near-clones, they made perhaps the most desired Tokarev.

Mine


Here's a tip to help in your search: notice the oval (a slight discoloration) above and slightly behind the trigger, on the frame? Have to look close... that's a cross bolt or whatever you want to call it. Piece of metal, tightly fitted into the frame. That's your "true Hi Power" design, and FN and Browning labeled guns have it too. If that's there, you're good to go. If it isn't, you don't have the true clone. It's very faint, but it's there.

I own a 1960's Browning HP, and a FEG PJK 9HP. The quality of fit and finish is about equal. This is the model that is a true Browning HP copy, with complete parts interchangebility. I have put at least several thousand rounds thru my FEG with complete reliability and very good accuracy, and would highly recommend one.

As others have said, FEG made several versions of the HP. Some had a locking system similar to S&W, some were DA/SA, some had the vent rib, etc. Finish could vary, depending on the importer and specific model. Mine was imported by KBI, about 1997, and the bluing is as nice and polished as my Browning original.

If you want an exact replica of the real HP, the PJK 9HP is the model you should be looking at. I would just make sure I either physically looked the gun over first, or looked at detailed pictures, as the quality of bluing could vary, with the KBI imported models starting with "B" prefix serial numbers usually having the bright, high polish blue.

Larry

There are those who disparage the FEG as a "cheap copy", made in a "crappy Commie country" (Hungary was Communist). They say there's an inherent lack of quality...

Those who do, should go look up the Walther PPK/E. Walther apparently thought enough of FEG's work, that they contracted with them to make that pistol and slap Walther stamps on it.

Also- if you do a little research, you will discover that "Hi Powers" from Charles Daly were actually FEGs, as were Hi Powers sold with the Mauser label. Additionally, there are Hi Powers coming out of Israel that have Kareen stamps; these ALSO carry the same FEG serial numbers, and have the FEG swell at the magwell. That's because they were FEGs, and Kareen first imported them complete, then imported and assembled them, before eventually moving on and making their own (which aren't as close to the FN as the originals were).

The FEG is a quality clone of the Browning Hi Power. Not a "licensed-by-FN" version as is the fine Argentinian FM, but highly respected by Hi Power folks ( over on the 1911/Hi Power forum you'll find all kinds of threads and posts regarding all three -FN-FM-FEG)

Arik said:

Good quality. There are two types. One is a hipower and the other a combination of hipower and S&W 59. Israelis used Hungarian hipowers.

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Ditto......... I've owned 2 of the FEG HP clones....... great guns IMO.... after I got my 1st Browning I sold the 2nd FEG...... wish I'd kept them both.


As an aside...... I don't carry cocked and locked so they were/are range toys..... sold the 1st one and regretted it ....... came across another and bought it...... Browning introduced the Mk III w/ better sights and safety.......so I upgraded to one....... currently have 2 HPs Mk. IIIs.

scoobysnacker said:

There are those who disparage the FEG as a "cheap copy", made in a "crappy Commie country" (Hungary was Communist). They say there's an inherent lack of quality...

Those who do, should go look up the Walther PPK/E. Walther apparently thought enough of FEG's work, that they contracted with them to make that pistol and slap Walther stamps on it.

Also- if you do a little research, you will discover that "Hi Powers" from Charles Daly were actually FEGs, as were Hi Powers sold with the Mauser label. Additionally, there are Hi Powers coming out of Israel that have Kareen stamps; these ALSO carry the same FEG serial numbers, and have the FEG swell at the magwell. That's because they were FEGs, and Kareen first imported them complete, then imported and assembled them, before eventually moving on and making their own (which aren't as close to the FN as the originals were).

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Thanks for the info. You've got me looking closer at FEG now.


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