24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 295
T
Campfire Member
OP Offline
Campfire Member
T
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 295
I friend of mine recently bought an Argentinian licensed copy of the Browning Hi-Power. He loves it. I was wondering a few things what have people's experiences been with the gun? Are these still made? and, who imports them to the USA?

BP-B2

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,150
D
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
D
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,150
I have one, but there are different variations that make one more desirable than another. They are still made, but different information surfaces from time to time concerning their availability.

If the gun has the slide identical to the original Browning, i.e. the sides are scalloped toward the front, it is more desirable. If it has the slide flat over the entire surface, i.e. the 1911, it is less desirable. That's not to say it's not desirable, but there are questions about its durability relative to metal softness.

I have one of the early ones and it resembles a military spec Browning in detail. The metal is very hard based on the home gunsmithing I've done to it. There is no evidence of unusual wear or peening after several thousand rounds.

A friend had the other version and ended up selling it in an unservicable state due to the barrel cam having broken in two pieces. To be absolutely fair, Brownings can break here as well and custom Browning pistol smiths offer repairs as a regular part of their service...so one has to assume all P-35s are subject to this problem occassionally.

Dan


"It's a source of great pride, that when I google my name, I find book titles and not mug shots." Daniel C. Chamberlain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 49
M
Campfire Greenhorn
Offline
Campfire Greenhorn
M
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 49

Joined: May 2007
Posts: 7,766
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 7,766
Doesn't Vanimrod have one? I think I recall that.
Never heard anything bad about them thats for sure.

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
V
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
V
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
Not an Argy. I have an FEG.

Both Argies and FEGs are very good, though, honestly, the Argy may have the edge.




IC B2

Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
I did a review of the Argentine Hi Power�s a few years ago for American Handgunner; the one�s without the slide scallops. On the subject of metal hardness and quality, the factory rated them okay for +P and after firing over 100 rounds of the stuff and closely examining the pistol, I couldn�t see the first hint of any lug setback whatsoever.

Overall, the pistol is a mix match of Browning features, from the 1963 model and the MK I & II models. It has a baked on enamel finish that�s pretty tough and the �Cycolac� plastic molded grips. The ambi safety is exactly like the FN Browning. Sights are similar to the MK II and there is a serrated rib down the top of the barrel to reduce glare. My only complaint was the use of a pre-1980 style barrel feed ramp, which is most often referred to as the humpback feed ramp. Still, with a wide variety of JHP�s I couldn�t get the pistol to mis-feed in any way.

I also reviewed the shorter barreled version called the �Detecitive� and found it to be quite serviceable as well. I think for the money, they�re very hard to beat when talking a quality service pistol. Remember, these are real military service pistols, not wannabe�s; with several South American nations, some pacific nations and a dozen or more police forces using them. I�d say all in all, the Argentine Hi Power is a well proven pistol.

All Argie's have proven to be pretty accurate, with groups around 2.5-3" at 25 yards. To the last, they all seem to have somewhat long and gritty triggers, but keep in mind; this is a military pistol, and there are a lot of militaries that find a long, stiff trigger a desirable feature when handing a handgun to a 3rd world conscript.

Although the earlier ones with the lightening cuts on the front of the slide are much more pleasing to the eye, I have encountered feed problems due to the humpback feed ramp design with those. I really can�t explain it, but the shape of the �hump� is different on the later models. While I can�t for the life of me figure out why they would change the shape of the hump, rather than just going to the very proven post-1980 design. I have to admit that whatever they did...it worked out very well.

As for gunleather, the newer ones without the lightening cuts on the front of the slide, will slip right into your favorite 1911 holster, or even a better fit if your holster is cut for a Commander.

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
V
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
V
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
Yank that damned magazine disconnect, and the trigger goes light-years forward.




Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 24,634
Originally Posted by VAnimrod
Yank that damned magazine disconnect, and the trigger goes light-years forward.
Preach it Br'er Sean!

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,150
D
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
D
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,150
Be a little careful when removing the mag disconnect. I removed mine and for some reason there wasn't enough tension on the spring that held the sear lifter in place in its groove on the inside of the slide. Occasionally, it would come out of position and the weapon would have to be stripped to make it servicable again. Never had that happen with a Browning. But nothing I tried corrected the problem, until I returned the disconnect parts to the weapon. Still and all, the trigger work I did paid off even with the disconnect in place. It has a very crisp trigger now and I don't even miss having the disconnect removed.

Dan


"It's a source of great pride, that when I google my name, I find book titles and not mug shots." Daniel C. Chamberlain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 780
B
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
B
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 780
I don't know if it was Kevin's review or not that originally piqued my interest but after handling a FM M90 Detective at my local gun shop 15 years ago (yes, 1994) I bought it. It has proven utterly reliable and quite accurate.

Not being one to leave good enough alone, I tweaked mine by installing a Cylinder & Slide CS025C Duty/Carry spring kit, CS037 trigger, and CS035 safety. I removed the magazine disconnector, beveled the magazine well, smoothed the trigger action, and hand stippled the frontstrap and back strap. Finished things off with a set of Craig Spegel Madagascar rosewood presentation grips secured by Hogue hex grip screws. Had the gun re-blued too (not something I do at home).

[Linked Image]


My Detective mates well with my home customized Mk III smile
[Linked Image]



-=[Bob]=-
IC B3

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,150
D
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
D
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,150
This photo has been posted here before, but this is my Argy after a little home tweaking. I really like the gun.

Dan

[Linked Image]


"It's a source of great pride, that when I google my name, I find book titles and not mug shots." Daniel C. Chamberlain
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 17,124
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 17,124
I have one I bought in 87 In Pensacola Fl. The finish, sights and trigger is nothing to write home about but it's been reliable for several thousand rounds so no complaint for the $250 I paid for it. Mine has the scalloped slide but no ambidextrous safety.

It was my sidearm during Desert Storm vice the issue .38. The Navy was a bit looser about those rules then! (well, and we didn't tell them that most of us carried our own weapons. grin )

Last edited by Pugs; 05/23/09. Reason: add details

If something on the internet makes you angry the odds are you're being manipulated
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,965
I
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
I
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,965
Are Argentine Hi-Powers still imported?

Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
V
Campfire Kahuna
Offline
Campfire Kahuna
V
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
Originally Posted by idahoguy101
Are Argentine Hi-Powers still imported?


Yep, if you can find them.





Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
224 members (12344mag, 160user, 257 roberts, 257robertsimp, 257 mag, 10Glocks, 24 invisible), 1,871 guests, and 851 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,728
Posts18,400,793
Members73,822
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.096s Queries: 14 (0.002s) Memory: 0.8554 MB (Peak: 0.9650 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-29 10:35:11 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS