Opinions Requested...

[Jay G]

Okay. Here's the scoop... Got a line on an Argentinian copy of a Browning Hi-Power. It's at a good price, the gun's in good shape, and the dealer comes recommended (it's not someone I've dealt with before, but others here have vouched for him).

What I want to know is, how interchangeable are the FM Hi-Powers with traditional Brownings? Are the magazines the same (specifically the hi-capacity mags)? Grips? I don't want to drop $$$ on nice wood grips only to find that significant modification is required.

Anyone have any experience/thoughts/horror stories? I believe this is a similar situation to the Argentinian Colts (Sistemas), and the Colts are interchangeable IIRC.

Thanks in advance!

 

[depicts]

Jay, the Argentine Hi Power I have is great. I love it, and it's everthing my Belgium Hi-powers are, minus the delux finish.

While the guns are very similar, and share many parts, I've found the ejector on the Argentine models a bit thicker than the Browning models, which prevents switching a Browing Slide with the Argentine FM slide.

Other than that, they are almost identical.

Grips and magazines fit the same. So do parts from Cylinder and Slide, a Hi-Power specialist in parts.

I think the Argentine FM's are a great bargain for the money. I'd buy one in a minute if I could find more.

 

[gene]

The Argentine model was made under license of Browning and is Identical in every sense except you may some finish does not have the quality of the Belgium model. Mine is fine but I have seen some internet chat that differs. They are supposed to be 100% interchangable.

I have the detective model and for 3 years I have fired it without any failures whatsoever. I have had some of my shooting buddies try it and it feels and shoots better that most of their own 9mm. A couple have tried to get the same gun with no luck. All metal and solid as a rock.

I have had several 9mm and nothing is better than the Argentine model and the price is much less than the Browning Belgium hipower. Great CCW and functions flawlessly and best of all accurate as hell.