Girsan MCP35 PI (FM Detective Clone)

Guess I am not really sure if this can be considered a clone of the FM Detective since the FM Detective was a smaller clone of the Hi Power.

Picked one of these up the other day at a great price on the big auction site. Picked her up yesterday and was impressed with the overall look and style of it.

The Girsan variant really holds the lines of the original Hi Power and while it isn't a heirloom piece it is a nice looking handgun.
It appears to be a utilitarian tool and while the plain metal finish is not the beautiful lines of the Browning Hi Powers of the past it seems to be a solid finish. The machining is what you would expect from a budget piece but I knew that going in so wasn't surprised or disappointed in the least.

So today I took her out to the range to see how she functioned/shot/etc...

I was overall impressed with the performance and accuracy of this handgun. While it is not, and will never be (because I can't shoot that well) a tack driver, it grouped well out of the box. If I did my part and took my time it was very accurate. But I bought it for a fun range gun, and because I just thought it was cool, so where is the fun in all that precision.

I was shooting two shot strings and the rounds were grouping pretty close to one another and in a pinch I would trust my life on the accuracy. I may have to push the sight a little though as it seemed to shoot left. But that could have been me on the second shot hurrying a bit. Time will tell.

It also functioned flawless. Now I just used the white box practice ammo in 115 grain round nose, but I did not experience any type of hiccup and it functioned 100% right out of the box. Usually I give a thorough cleaning first but just didn't take the time to do so with the PI. I used Mec-Gar 15 round Hi Power magazines that I had picked up from BH Spring Solutions in anticipation of getting a Springfield Armory SA-35.

The trigger is creepy and rough but I am hoping it will work itself out somewhat over time. It does still incorporate the magazine safety and I am on the fence of getting it removed. I left the one in tact on my original Browning Hi Power but not sure I will on the Girsan.

While I still want an SA-35 to round out the trio finding an FM Detective is near impossible and very expensive. At this point I have stopped that search because I have found the alternative.

All in I am under $600.00, including tax, shipping, transfer, etc.. and could not be happier. I burnt through 7 magazines pretty quick at the range and really enjoyed shooting the PI.

I will attach pics here in a second from my phone but the target is from 15 yards with two magazines or 30 rounds. I am an average shot but I wasn't disappointed considering how I was shooting quick and double taps.

One shot of the PI by itself and the second shot is it with it's more refined and better bred Great Uncle. I may take the UM rubber grips off the Hi Power and put them on the Girsan.

If you are looking for a budget priced piece and don't mind it being made overseas I think you would be pleased with a Girsan PI.

I believe that the Turks have really figured out how to manufacture a quality firearm. The 1911 Tisas Government Model .45 I have would rival any U.S. manufacturer of 1911's in regards to fit, finish, quality, and function. I have had several Colt 1911's in the past that were not nearly as nice as the Tisas. Girsan products seem to be just as good.

Need a short butt version .... like the custom guns built in the late 70s and 80s!

With S&W adjustable sights melted into the slide!

Mec Gar could come up with a 12/13rd mag!

OP - Thanks for your review. I own a BHP and an FEG clone. I was considering a Turk HP, based on reviews such as yours. They seem like a lot of gun for the money. I notice SA has raised their price on their HP copy, which still remains unobtanium, and they are rumoured to use Turkish forgings in manufacturing their version, so...

Larry

I do love me some Hi-Powers!
I currently have 4 including a FM Detective Model. The Detective is my favorite version much like I love my 1911 Commanders.
I have considered carrying my FM Detective several times. But as OP pointed out, those are hard to find and getting real expensive. Too scarce to use for EDC.
I WILL be watching for and will likely buy the first one of these Girsans I find.

Girsan makes some pretty swell clones of a variety of firearms.

I was actually looking at their Regard MC (Beretta M9A3) clones, but ultimately decided that if I was going to get a Beretta clone, then I'd rather make it a Taurus PT92 for the frame mounted safety.

swagmeister said:

I believe that the Turks have really figured out how to manufacture a quality firearm.....

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I have found the same. Dang good steel for the $$.

I also bought one of these. On the first time attempting to adjust windage the adjustment screw stripped.

Trying to get any help for a replacement screw was a nightmare. Supposed to have a warranty, but I guess not.

Finally had to buy a complete rear sight and fit it to the slide.

I guess you get what you pay for, quality wise, but still disappointed.

Was unaware they’re making a Detective version. I’ve heard good things about them and have come close several times to snagging one of the FDE versions but haven’t yet. Maybe one of these days...

Turkish guns are far better than what folks realize. I love TDAs more than single action pistols so I had to have this one:

SAR K2 C - Sarsilmaz from Turkey - .45 ACP



I adore B-HPs, anyway, of course:

Browning Hi Power (Portugal assembly) and Israeli Kareen



Eye candy no matter what!

326MOD, do the grips on the Detective wrap around and cover the backstrap on that version? It's difficult to tell from the angle of your pic.
Any hammer bite with that shorty? Thanks!@

The grips do not wrap around the frame.

As far as hammer bite I have small hands and had a little rub but wouldn't say bite.

If I had meatier hands I could see some bite happening.

MrOverlay said:

I also bought one of these. On the first time attempting to adjust windage the adjustment screw stripped.

Trying to get any help for a replacement screw was a nightmare. Supposed to have a warranty, but I guess not.

Finally had to buy a complete rear sight and fit it to the slide.

I guess you get what you pay for, quality wise, but still disappointed.

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I understand disappointment in your customer service experience, but not in the pistol itself.

The 1st time I ever ponied up $1K for a pistol, way back in 1999 & equivalent to $1800 today, it was a Kimber Ultra Elite-the next year they changed the model name to the CDP. Less than 300 rounds in, the extractor broke; I paid plenty for the quality. My point is that ANYTHING mechanical can break.

My take from your post is that you are extremely disappointed in CS & getting the 1 sight screw replaced, than with the overall pistol itself.

Sam

Girsan P35

Two tone full size, original plastic grips changed to Hogue Goncalo Alves. The original grips were fine, just my preference for wood grips. Removed magazine drop safety to improve gritty trigger feel. Pistol is well made, nice finish only complaint was the trigger. No malfunctions with FMJ, hollowpoints. Cost $500 tax included plus grips.

Another range trip today.

Put 3 magazines through it and on the 4th noticed rounds hitting way to the left instead of usual a little left.

Looked down and sight almost all way out of the dovetail.

Guess I will need a little pushing and Loctite.

Ran great though and grouped well.

326MOD10 said:

...Looked down and sight almost all way out of the dovetail.

Guess I will need a little pushing and Loctite...

Click to expand...

You can tighten up the dovetail with judicious use of a punch and or thin shim material.