Update: Bought it! FM Hi-Power Detective

Grayfox

Grayfox

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Once again I come asking advice about a possible purchase. I've got a line on a FM Hi-Power Detective model and would like some opinions and an idea of prices.
The gun is in excellent shape, has the original box and papers. But, it only comes with two 10 round mags and rubber wrap around grips which I think may be factory original from pictures I've seen.
I know the slide and barrel are shorter, but I'm not sure by how much. Is it enough to make a real difference? Is the frame the same? Does it use standard HP mags and grips?
Asking price is $500. A check of GB completed auctions are all over the place with selling prices as low as $350 all the way up to $1000. :eek:
Truth is that I have absolutely no need for it. I'm just a Hi-Power fan and I have a weak spot for odd ball guns. :rolleyes:

All thoughts, info and opinions are welcome. Thanks.
 
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It's an oddball gun, all right, and they were available really cheap. This may be of interest:


Firearm Review, February 2001


I have a couple friends who have/have had them. No, three. Two had no problems whatsoever, and one had a lot of hassles with getting his running reliably. I recall he eventually got them worked out to his satisfaction, but it cost him some money.



Best of luck with whatever you decide - they sure are interesting and I was considering getting one back when they were readily and inexpensively available. I have to say that I've never regretted NOT having gotten one, but they were interesting enough that I clicked on your post the first instant I saw it.
 
FM made a good HP clone. No idea about Detective model in particular. Haven't followed HP prices lately so all I can add is that FM generally good. HP standard capacity mags not hard to find.
 
I have one, before they had DETECTIVE on the slide in huge letters they were available as both a complete pistol and a slide only from FM.
Mine works great with Mec Gar HiPower magazines, and I use a Sig 228 recoil spring as well.
Like all HiPowers, I got terrible hammer bite from it and modified the hammer to my liking.
It fits HiPower leather but is 1" shorter so instead I use holsters for Colt Commander 1911s.
Most of them had MKIII dovetailed front and rear sights, which gives you some options. Mine DID NOT lock the slide open on empty mags till I switched to Mec Gar 13 rounders.
 
I don't have the Detective model, but I do have a late production FM90. I know 15 round mags are available, but it seems that the Hi Power design works best with 13 round Browning or Mec Gar magazines. I would expect 10 round Mec Gar mags would be equally reliable for those who must live with magazine capacity restrictions.

As for the Detective model, I've read reviews, seen pictures, never actually seen one. If I recall correctly, the barrel and slide are cut back to yield a 4 inch barrel. You can find parts at:
bhspringsolutions.com
 
Hola,escribo desde Argentina pais de origen de la FM DETECTIVE.
FM significa Fabricaciones Militares, y el modelo DETECTIVE es una version mas corta de la FM 90.
La FM DETECTIVE tiene cañon(barrell) de 4" y cargador (magazine)de 14 tiros su calibre es 9 mm Parabellum el grip de goma es original de fabrica,su frame y corredera son de solida construccion,pero su mecanismo de disparo es algo aspero para mi gusto.
No se han fabricado muchos ejemplares de la FM DETECTIVE.
El precio en mi pais (Argentina) es de $300 o $350 dependiendo de su estado.
Esta pistola junto con la FM HP,FM 90 y FM 95 fue reglamentaria de algunos departamentos de policia y la vi en ser usada en camiones de caudales y por guardias de seguridad privada.
Espero que estos datos le sean utiles.
Perdon no hablo ingles.
Gracias.
 
I love HP’s!!

I have one of the Hungarian clones. Utterly reliable. Looks rough, runs great, sweet trigger.

I think $500 might be a bit high, given you can still find belgian HP’s in that range. But if it’s nice, and well cared-for, they don’t pop up every day...
 
I called the guy up and went to take a look. Honestly, I was really on the fence and ready to pass it up. I don't need it and really shouldn't be spending the money right now. :rolleyes:
But as soon as I picked it up and felt it in my hand, I was like "OH Hell yeah! I'm buying this!" :D
I paid $400, which I thought was pretty good considering you don't see these very often.
The gun is about 98% with only a couple of very small handling marks. I'm pleased. Now if the rain would just quit so I could take it to the range. :(
I borrowed these pics from the sellers ad. :rolleyes:

Rr6yrIM.jpg


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ppQa3nj.jpg
 
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"I think $500 might be a bit high, given you can still find belgian HP’s in that range."

This made me sit up straight and spit out my iced tea! I would be all over a Belgian HP at that price! I would be grateful for any leads on such a critter.
 
Bro. Dave said:
"I think $500 might be a bit high, given you can still find belgian HP’s in that range."

This made me sit up straight and spit out my iced tea! I would be all over a Belgian HP at that price! I would be grateful for any leads on such a critter.
Click to expand...

I edited my post to say there are lots of HP’s on a certain gun auction site. Just search for “Hi Power” and filter for under $600. I found between six and ten listings, all around $500 ATM. They are usually Israeli police turn-ins. They have finish problems and are sometimes mix-masters. There’s one at $475 that is mismatched and the finish has been stripped. That one speaks to me!! I think there is a lightweight model in there too... you can also get the true Hugarian FEG copies for around $325 or so-the legitimate copies that take HP parts and mags...

My brother just moved back to stephenville. I really like that little town, and so does he.
 
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It's a great small town. You need to come visit sometime. Let me know when you are coming to town. Aren't those "surplus" pistols usually mix-masters? I keep looking for nice ones, but may have become too picky.
 
The Detective......

was the 1st HI POWER I bought. In my opinion, it's really hard to find a better HI POWER than the one made by FM. They shoot fantastic.

I bought a regular size FM HI POWER next. Then I bought an alloy frame FN HI POWER. I bought an FM slide & barrel off of Fleabay & mated it to the Detective frame, took the Detective slide & barrel & set them on the alloy FN frame, threw the FN slide in a drawer.

One of my bud's has bought 4 of the FM's in the last 2 months.
Awesome guns for the money. I will buy Detectives all day long at $500

Ned
 
Bro. Dave said:
It's a great small town. You need to come visit sometime. Let me know when you are coming to town. Aren't those "surplus" pistols usually mix-masters? I keep looking for nice ones, but may have become too picky.
Click to expand...

Bro, yes, they can sometimes be mixmasters, but whoever serviced them did try to keep everything together. Sometimes I’ll see one with a different barrel. These certainly aren’t nice by collector standards but make excellent candidates for refinish or modification. They are easy to justify milling the slides for sights, adding magwells, etc... try one!
 
Hi-Power Fan

I own a conventional Hi-Power, one of the first to come in with factory adjustable sights and it's a great gun I'll never sell. Not being a collector, I didn't even know that a detective model existed. Thanks to all for the heads-up.
 
For $400 I think you did well! With the shortened slide you will need to replace the recoil spring more often than with the full size Hi Power. As with any used firearm, I recommend a good cleaning, inspection, proper lubrication, and a new recoil spring.
 
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