Argentine Hi Power?

[PaleRider]

Mydad taught me everything I know about guns and he has always wanted a Browning Hi-Power in 9mm. Now that I am
(somewhat) of an adult I wanted to get him one just to say "thanks" for all he has taught me over the years. I ran across a few Argentine HP's recently and I love the price( $300) and understand that they were manufactured undel license from FN. Does anyone have one of  these and if so , what do you think of it? How do they compare to the belgian HP's?  Comments PLEASE!

Thanks

Skip

[Mikey]

PaleRider:  They're OK.  I had a newer one a few years back. I think the parts were made by FN and then shipped to Argentina for assembly.  It was a good'un.  I liked it.  Unfortunately, my buddy liked it better and talked me out of it.  I would buy another if I was going to buy a working 9mm.  If you can get one for $300, better get there before I do.  Mikey.

[HappyHunter]

I shot an Argentine that a friend had (he paid $250 plus freight, plus transfer charges), then handled a 1980 Belgiun.   I am here to tell you there is a substnantial difference.  The fit and finish of the Belgium gun is perhaps the best of all my handguns.  I paid $475 at a gun show it is in 99% and am very pleased with the purchase.

Always consider the future value of your gun.  Someone pointed this out to me on this sight.  What will the Argentine gun be worth in 10 years...how about the Belgium?  A little more $ now to get the right gun is always my vote, even if you need to wait (did I say that?) longer.

Good luck
Fred

[TScottO]

I've looked at these guns and I've heard good reports on them. They seem pretty decent. To me there is no substitute for the Browning. If you shop around you may find a good deal on a used hp. The last one I bought I found it used for $350 and the one before that was a Belgum made used for $400. The used Belgum was like new in the box condition. I go the used Browning route first.

Scott

[Dan Chamberlain]

Rider;

I recently picked one up from a friend.  I have owned both the Browning and now the clone so I'll speak of both.

They are totally manufactured in Argentina under license with FN.  Their quality of materials is first rate.  The steels are appropriate for the function and properly applied.

There are several models of this pistol and the one I have is an almost perfect copy of a military issue.  It has the scalloped sides of the front slide.  I have compared parts with the Browning and they appear identical.  I don't really like the models that have straight slab sides without the scallop, as they appear to be renditions rather than copies.  

The fit and finish of the Argentine is the only technical detractor.  Of course the Belgian will be prettier and better finished.  Does that make it worth the extra cost?  That's a personal question.  I shopped around and got mine for $200 so I would have to say I have a great shooter for a great price and that alone makes it worth the purchase.  Better deals would be rare, but certainly they can be found.  

Mine will group on par with the Belgian.  It has not jammed to date.  I found that allowing crud to collect under the frame mounted trigger/sear connector could cause a malfunction of the triggering mechanism.  A good flush with a spray solvent during cleaning has ensured this hasn't happened.  Suffice it to say this could happen with the Browning as well as the two guns are identical in this mechanism.  

After market accessories that fit the Browning will also fit the Argentine.  

I dare say, if the gun were polished and blued, there would be little fault one could find with them.  

The aspect of resale is only important if you are in the habit of buying and selling guns.  For me, I prefer they be considered heirlooms.  For this reason, a gift to your father will undoubtedly one day return to your possession and the memories it engenders will make it more valuable than it's paper value.  

If money is the prime consideration, I'd say go for the Argentine and have a blast shooting it with your dad.  

Regards;

Dan C

[HappyHunter]

You have some good responses.  I wish you luck building memories with your father.

Does anybody have any experience with trigger work on the High Power?  

I would like to improve the trigger, and was wondering if anybody was aware of a spring kit or another remedy?

Thanks.

Fred

[Dan Chamberlain]

Because the Belgians increased the mag capacity from John Browning's original designs, they had to modify his trigger design with one that would navigate up, over and back down!  It was technically a rediculous system.  That it worked at all was a wonder!  John Browning's 1911 design would not work with the oversized magazines and mag well.  But, it does work and rather well, but it makes trigger work difficult to accomplish.  One way to make the trigger better, which is the quickest and easiest, is to remove the magazine safety.  That's the safety that makes the gun safe if the mag has been removed.  After that has been removed, the trigger isn't normally too bad.  Mine breaks very cleanly, though a tad heavy.  There are some web sites for custom smiths who work on the Browning.  Also, if there is a spring kit in existence, you should be able to find it at www.brownells.com

Good luck.

Dan

[kciH]

Happyhunter,
as Dan stated, trigger work on the HP is a little more complicated than the 1911.  If you want to pay to have it done, go to www.cylinder-slide.com/ , this is who I would recomend.  I don't think there is any dispute these guys are the king's of HP work.  You will, however, have to pay, and wait, for the experience and quality.  It may be worth having a look if you want some 1st rate work done on your HP's trigger.  When I moved to Nebraska, which has proven to be an error, this was the only really good thing I found in the area!  

[Mikey]

Fellas:  I've owned, enjoyed and shot a few of them.  Many were old military clunkers found in weapons lockers in our A-Team units, but the last two were newer.  One a beautiful new Browning and the last a used Argentine without the magazine safety.

Beyond a doubt the Argentine had the nicest trigger because the safety had been removed but I wanted a new barrel and sent it to a smith - he sent it right back because the mag safety had been removed and he wouldn't work on a modified gun due to liability.  I then sent it to Brwoning who replace every part that had been removed,including the magazine safety and the resultant trigger pull was pretty stiff.  I called and asked why they had replaced parts I did not ask for and they said liability.  

A shooter might also face severe liability issues with that magazine safety removed, so if you know a good smith who can get you the trigger pull you want without removing that safety I would go that route.  Otherwise, there is both a liability and possibly a safety issue and you might wind up looking like a cowboy.  Be careful.  Mikey.