Browning Hi-Power clones

[COLT45SA]

Can anyone tell me what Hi-Power "clone" is the closest copy of the original FN or Browning~? When I say closest copy I mean down to interchangeability of parts~!
How close does the Springfield come~? As an owner of an EAA Girsan, I'll tell you that my opinion of them is pretty low~!

 

[Hino895]

I have heard that the Charles Daly was a well made machined hi power copy.
They quit making them after realizing that the cost of manufacturing and profit margin was too slim.

 

[shoot4fun]

I have heard that the Charles Daly was a well made machined hi power copy.
They quit making them after realizing that the cost of manufacturing and profit margin was too slim.

Charles Daly has, to my knowledge, never made a firearm. The name is currently licensed to and firearms built by Chiappa of Italy.

 

[shoot4fun]

Can anyone tell me what Hi-Power "clone" is the closest copy of the original FN or Browning~? When I say closest copy I mean down to interchangeability of parts~!
How close does the Springfield come~? As an owner of an EAA Girsan, I'll tell you that my opinion of them is pretty low~!

I would have no issue with owning one of these:

Girsan High-Power MC P35 Match | OPS - EAA Corp.

Girsan High-Power MC P35 Match | OPS Pistols 9mm Semi Auto, G10 Grips, Full Size, Steel Slide and Frame, Blue/Black Finish, Straight Trigger...

eaacorp.com

Especially at or below MSRP.

 

[COLT45SA]

I would have no issue with owning one of these:

Girsan High-Power MC P35 Match | OPS - EAA Corp.

Girsan High-Power MC P35 Match | OPS Pistols 9mm Semi Auto, G10 Grips, Full Size, Steel Slide and Frame, Blue/Black Finish, Straight Trigger...

eaacorp.com

Especially at or below MSRP.

I might be willing to sell you mine for less than you can find them elsewhere. I shot it 20 times and took it to my gunsmith. I'll know when I get it back.

 

[COLT45SA]

Charles Daly has, to my knowledge, never made a firearm. The name is currently licensed to and firearms built by Chiappa of Italy.

Right you are. If you examine the firearm closely you will probably find out who 'did manufacture it".
Miroku mad a lot of shotguns for Chas Daly. I was at a gun show last weekend and had a table holder showing me a revolver "made by Cimarron". This was his business and I had to tell him that Cimarron didn't make firearms. They are an importer. Then I showed him the bottom side of the barrel where "Pietta" was stamped in tiny print. I love people in the business that don't know their business.
Chiappa probably makes the 1911 for Daly.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

Springfield make a copy that is supposed to be decent. probaby need to run 500 rounds through it w a whole lot of lube in one outing. I would think after a bunch of shooting it may be decent. dont know actually makes it. DISREGARD, 90% SURE NO INTERCHANGEABILITY

 

[JSH]

Can anyone tell me what Hi-Power "clone" is the closest copy of the original FN or Browning~? When I say closest copy I mean down to interchangeability of parts~!
How close does the Springfield come~? As an owner of an EAA Girsan, I'll tell you that my opinion of them is pretty low~!

What was the issue?
I mean you bought a clone for 1/4 the price of real one and your disappointed.
I have a Girsan 1911 Commander, it took some finesse and a few rounds, I am happy with it for the price. Buddy bought a Tisas, he is still fighting with it.

 

[c3d4b2]

I am currently looking at the HiPower offerings and have been leaning towards the Springfield based on the online information. My opinion may change after one shows up at the local shops.

 

[wwbrown]

I have heard that the Charles Daly was a well made machined hi power copy.
They quit making them after realizing that the cost of manufacturing and profit margin was too slim.

I believe the Daly's were made by FEG and although a close copy if I recall correctly not an exact copy. What I would say is as close to an exact as you can find were made in Argentina by FM I have a couple of those and they are outstanding, they were licensed copies made using FN machinery. Unfortunately, FM no longer makes the Hi Powers. This I think would have to be the closest clone and to call it a clone since made on the same machinery is probably not doing it justice. The FMs when available are usually cheaper all else being the same as the FN's which makes them a great bargain.

I picked up a 1911 in 10 mm with an extended slide (6 inch barrel) made by Girsan through gunbroker for a little north of $400, I had my bid on the same pistol for 6 months just bid placed another bid at the same amount every time I lost. I have used that strategy on gunbroker to great success when I am patient. My experience with Girsan is limited to that one sample but I really like the pistol, I have had it to the range once and it went through 100 rounds without a single failure.

Given my experience I would not hesitate to buy another Girsan, I understand others have had bad experiences and am not trying to undermine their advice or experiences.

FN is back making an updated Hi Power it is not an exact copy of the original and if I recall the Springfield's and Girsan's aren't either ay least one of them has an extended beavertail which is a great addon as the Hi Power is known to slide bite the web of your hand, at least I have gotten bit by mine.

The Hi power has been a military side arm on as many hips as the 1911 and to a lesser extent the Cz-75, one of my favorites. I bring the military use up because their is an active market at times in the surplus world. I have never bought a surplus HP but a friend bought two that were used by some branch/group in Israel and has been happy with them, they will last a long time, parts are available and folks know how to work on them so the surplus route might work for you. I myself have no problem buying and keeping used guns.

I hope this helps I have probably made some mistakes so research what I say before making a decision to buy just off the cheap advice I gave you.

wade

 

[nakneker]

I have the Springfield. My understanding is some of the earlier Springfields had an issue or two but that was resolved. Mine has over 2.5k rounds, mostly 147 grain. Both factory and hand loads. Zero issues. No failure to feeds. The more I shoot it the more I like it. I’ve owned a couple hi-powers from the 80s era, this pistol compares nicely to those. I wanted to handle a Girsan too but the local gun store had this one on sale and I couldn’t pass it up..

It has a well done matte finish and quality walnut grips. The pic is not my pistol, just a stock photo.

 

[moondog]

Mine I got from my Dad when he passed.
I think it's technically a practical? Really like it.

 

[bluealtered]

One of the better copies of the Hi Power that I came across when I was into them years ago was the Argentine Detective model version , it was about an 1" shorter and carried very well.

You can find a very good write up on that and the other models made there at the American rifleman magazine, the article is "Argentine FM FAP" (this old gun) printed 11/22. At that time I had a half dozen Hi Powers and all of them shot well, however some were made better than others.

 

[Doug Casner]

I had a browning I traded for a sig 226. One of the best trades Ive made. Have a buddy thats got a F.I.E. whatever that stands for. Dont know much about it. It looks like a hi power. Doug

 

[COLT45SA]

What was the issue?
I mean you bought a clone for 1/4 the price of real one and your disappointed.
I have a Girsan 1911 Commander, it took some finesse and a few rounds, I am happy with it for the price. Buddy bought a Tisas, he is still fighting with it.

The issue was that after firing, ejecting, and loading new round into the chamber, the sear wasn't reset. Happened repeatedly, so now spending money to have problem fixed by a gunsmith. It has a lifetime warranty but taking advantage of that warranty still costs money for shipping and the aggravation involved with shipping.
Won't buy a Tisas either so will probably step up to bat and buy a decent Mark II Browning Hi-Power.
If you can be happy with a third rate piece of junk, good for you. I would be wondering what was going to fail next every time I took it out.

 

[ebb]

At the last gun show I visited I saw a Mauser miliary rifle. It was WW2 German KAR 98 and the bluing was perfect, the stock looked as if it had been dragged from Germany to Russia and over the elusive land bridge to Alaska and south to the West Palm Beach gun show. I asked if it was an arsenal refinish? of some sort that included no attention to the wood? He insisted that it was an all original 98. I asked why the wood was so bad and the metal so perfect, He says that they are all that way. Whaile he was still talking I was on my way.

 

[dontpanic]

The FEG is parts compatible. FM clones were also parts compatible(except the detective model)
I have a Girsan Match and I know the trigger parts switch out.(BTW it is a great pistol? Not only for the price)
I also just found out Girsan makes a compact(like the FM detective). Probably my next pistol purchase.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I read recently in American Handgunner magazine that the writers SA-35 slide would fit and function perfectly on an original FN BHP frame, and reverse. Don't have any personal experience, as I don't own a SA-35. Just thought I'd pass the tidbit on here. I have no idea if any of the other internals are interchangeable.

My T-Series FN BHP after a trip to Novak's for 'real' sights and a complete action job:



That Girsan Detective model has peaked my interest too. Everything I've read about it has been positive.