From: bobd@marune.acs.ohio-state.edu (Bob DeBula)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: 9mm: Which *not* to buy?
Date: 9 Oct 92 17:21:18 GMT
Article-I.D.: magnus.1992Oct9.123049.27529
Organization: The Ohio State University

In article <1992Oct8.210403.9979@news.eng.convex.com> cash@convex.com (Peter Cash) writes:
#In article <1992Oct8.052300.20914@netcom.com> messina@netcom.com (Tony Porczyk) writes:
##danbri@danbri.Auto-trol.COM (Dan Brigham) writes:
#
#[ on Browning High Power Clones ]
#
###Why get a clone when you can get the real thing? The real thing 
###is what built the reputation.
#
##Just to play the devil's advocate here for a while: Maybe.  However, 
##I played with the lastest Browning High Power, and they all seem to
##have the nice "action shooting" safety lever, large, clicky, and
##light.  Well, it may be great for the mortal dangers awaiting one from
##the hands of paper targets at a local range, but I for one much prefer
##the small, non-clicky, smooth to unlock and heavy to lock safety on
##the Argentinian clone of the High Power.  It seems designed for
##real-life use.  
#
#Surely you jest. I assume you're talking about the larger safety lever
#that's on the Portuguese-assembled-from-Belgian-parts Brownings (the only
#"real" Browning High Powers that are made these days). This new safety is
#an _enormous_ improvement over the tiny stub featured in the original

I certainly have to second Peter's opinion in regards to the 
new FN safety design. It is an enormous improvement. The original
design is ridiculously hard to operate for a combat pistol.
Also, the new Browning High Power Mk III has an ambidextrous
safety as well (at least the early Belgian models do -- pre
Portugese assembly). Most of the old safety design High Powers
I have experienced have a very stiff (in addition to small)
manual safety.

#
##Also, it shoots great and costs *much* less than
##original.  
#
#MUCH less? The Portugee Brownings seem to go for around $300 at local gun
#shows. Are you getting the Argentine clone for box-tops, or what? 
#

Agreement here too. I would definitely spend the extra 
bucks to get the enhancements which come standard on the Mk III.
I would also change the grips to Pachenmeyers (sp?).

##I would be happy to learn of any negative experiences
##with it because I intent to buy it, so any factual warning will be
##appreciated. 
#
#I have no experience with the Argentine clones--people have told me they're
#OK. But I _know_ the Portuguese Browning is superb, and I wouldn't trade
#it for anything else. (The matte black finish seems to be virtually
#indestructible, by the way.) 
#

I have heard that the Argentine clones of more recent importation are
OK. *But*, I remember when they were first imported as the "FM" (with
an enamel finish -- maybe they still have that I don't know for sure)
they certainly didn't have a good rep. One of my friends bought *two*
when they were first imported and *both* were thoroughly unreliable
(neither would reliably feed *any* ammunition). He sold both in disgust.
I would definitely steer clear of any "FM" which you suspect of
being an early import. Glowing reports have been reflected here in r.g.
regarding the currently imported Argentine High Power clone. I have
not seen or heard any bad reports at all regarding the Portugese
assembled Mk III HP. In fact the only reports I have seen or heard
regarding the FN/Portugese HPs have been extremely positive in nature.

Another personal observation or two which I have on High Powers.
I have found the Mk III (again my experience is with the Belgian
manufactured & assembled models) seem to be somewhat more reliable out
of the box than the older non-lanyard hammer HPs with which I've had experience
(not that I'm saying that the older Belgian non-lanyard hammer
models are all that unreliable).  I've also had a *lot* of problems with 
original *Belgian* magazines.  The Mk III Belgian came with a magazine which had
"made in Italy" stamped upon it. This Italian magazine seems to work well 
in any High Power in which I've tested it.  One of my friends has related 
similar experiences.

Personally, I am somewhat of a High Power (and to a lesser extent
FN in general) fanatic. I find their High Power Mk III to be their
best combat pistol offering yet and would highly recommend it.
Unless, of course, you want to spend megabucks (and they're darn well
worth it) on a SIG P-210 (I *wish* I had the resources to purchase
a SIG P-210-6). From a practical standpoint though,
the money is probably better spent on the higher capacity High
Power Mk III and lots of practice ammo (or loading equipment such
as a Dillon 550B or 650XL and reloading supplies). 

Of course, these things are all my *opinions* (and well all know
that just like certain anatomical attributes everyone has one :-).
You don't find many folks who speak ill of the FN/Browning High Power (or the
older CZ-75s for that matter). At least that has been my experience.
I hope this helps the original poster.
-- 
==========================================================================
              Disclaimer: These are my views, not the U's

        "If it's in the paper it must be true!" --- D. Doright