Argentine M90 Hi-Power

[Black Blade]

These are listed as "excellent" condition Argentine Hi-Power clones of the Browning Hi-Power that recently became available from the usual vendors. The Hi-Power license for the Argentine manufacture ended in 1989 and those made before 1990 can be considered as true Hi-Power handguns. These are Hi-Power handguns made after 1989 and are designated as M90 (for guns made in 1990 and later).They are made on the same equipment and from the same parts (thus the stamped "Hi-Power" on the slide.

They are a little finicky but are excellent shooters. I found them to be a little tight and require a little strength to rack the slide. The trigger on one is a little stiff, however, the other is excellent (I didn't measure the pull but it wasn't excessive). I may yet do a trigger job on them and polish the ramps.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/ca1368f61297d1edc22bd6e7bc58d29240a99d25_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/ef61651dd7c2d2b8dcee14f77916aa8dba144d34_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/97726841d5d2dc63db6b14d4b3ba7a53b3dcffee_r.jpg

I went to the range to test them out. It was partly cloudy, about 70F and a slight left to right cross-wind. I was most interested in how the guns functioned. I fired from 15 and 25 yards using the cheapest ammo possible (Blazer, PMC, Independence and Winchester):

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/e8a26ec1d6dc8c40d6cb54db59762f65be40b2f6_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/14e16019d9c8d6bcdfbfbbfdb7d5605a3806c47f_r.jpg

At 15 yards the grouping is more than acceptable.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/a71262214cd59cfcda2bcad24020f32aed285f40_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/c0726e5164d8fc70de1becd2acaadbd3f76fae56_r.jpg

At 25 yards it gets less accurate but then I didn't concentrate on accuracy. Still, it doesn't look to bad at all.

I like the way the guns fit in my paws and although I did have two "fail to feed" in one gun, it could have easily been the magazine or the cheap ammo. Regardless, I recommend these handguns as less expensive alternatives to John Browning's Belgian made Hi-Powers.

- Black Blade

[big country]

pictures show up as red X's for me

Good review though, I was unaware there were "other" hi-powers. I'll have to check them out.

[Black Blade]

Strange that they don't show up but this site has had its moments for posting. Here are the links to the pictures:

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/ca1368f61297d1edc22bd6e7bc58d29240a99d25_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/ef61651dd7c2d2b8dcee14f77916aa8dba144d34_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/97726841d5d2dc63db6b14d4b3ba7a53b3dcffee_r.jpg

At 15 yrds

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/e8a26ec1d6dc8c40d6cb54db59762f65be40b2f6_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/14e16019d9c8d6bcdfbfbbfdb7d5605a3806c47f_r.jpg

At 25 yrds

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/a71262214cd59cfcda2bcad24020f32aed285f40_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/c0726e5164d8fc70de1becd2acaadbd3f76fae56_r.jpg

[willie pete]

I used to have a Belgium Browning Hi-Power, beautiful pistol, but it was EXTREMELY finicky, it would not chamber hollow points with reliabilty, only FMJ, I traded it for an HK, also didn't like the fact it was SA only

[AOW]

Thanks for the great report!

[Black Blade]

Well I like the first two so much that I bought two more. These I also bought from J&G Sales except these were the "very good" condition (the first two were "excellent" condition". To tell the truth I don't see any difference between the "very good" and "excellent" condition handguns except the price. From what I know now, I wouldn't spend the extra money for the "excellent" condition - that said, I am happy with my choices as they are a pleasure to shoot and feel comfortable to shoot.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/Survive/BH2a.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/GunClub2a.jpg

This afternoon I went to my gun club with a couple friends and decided to test out some recent acquisitions. It was mostly cloudy with a slight northwest cross-wind and approaching storm coulds over the mountains.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/Ammo-Nine2a.jpg

I had originally thought about calling it "The Day of the Nines". (left to right 9x17, 9x18, 9x19 and 9x23) but didn't have enough time.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/Hi-Power1a.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/Hi-Power2a.jpg

I found them all to be fairly consistent ate about 25 yards. I typically shot slightly low and to the left before getting accustomed to my aim.

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/Hi-PowerTarget1a.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll287/jhwarner1/SheridanGuns/Hi-PowerTarget4a.jpg

I still recommend these over getting a Belgian Browning Hi-Power considering the price. I don't really see that much difference but I would recommend having the mag saqfety disconnect removed to get the "drop free mag" capability and to lighten up and smooth smooth out the trigger (although I find one of the new guns has a light tigger pull resulting in some inadvertent "double taps" out of the box). Overall I was quite impressed with these guns and given the that the price is right - I give them two thumbs up.

- Black Blade

[Black Blade]

UPDATE:

Well a recent shipment of FN Belgian Hi-Powers came into the US as "Police/Military Trade Ins" and the prices range from $450 and higher". Considering a NIB commercial Belgian would be almost twice as much, these are a relative bargain. I got one with an ambi-safety that has been nicely refinished.

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/75a269d133d9fc7fd75b4fd77483b2b9557b84e0_r.jpg

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpg/94f26fb13bdd7c36df4bf6db5423853fa0063481_r.jpg