FM Hi-Power Detective Model

[Grayfox54]

Here's one you don't see everyday. I picked this up off Armslist yesterday. Its a "Commander" sized 9mm Hi-Power made by FM Argentina. These are excellent quality, licensed copies of the famous Hi-Power pistol. However. FM decided to take it a bit further by creating a compact version that's an inch shorter than the standard. These were imported and sold here in the mid to late 1990s. That was during the infamous  "assault weapons ban" and thus it came with two 10 round magazines.  

Anyway, I just thought y'all might like to take a peek. 

[TripleGGG]

Very nice. Congrats! 

[hipower]

Yes, a great find. I found one about 5+/- years ago that was as close to new as I've seen in these pistols. I'd hate to say that on the basis of these pics, but that looks really good. Almost jealous.

Mine shoots very nice and feels great to me. It's one of my "hope to never part with" pistols.

Would you mind sharing what you gave for it? I'm told they have appreciated somewhat with more shooters and collectors going for them.

[Grayfox54]

This one has been shot, but not much. It looks almost new. 

I believe I got a real good deal on this one. I gave $400 for it. 

Now if it would just warm up a bit and quit raining. 

[hipower]

25 minutes ago, Grayfox54 said:

This one has been shot, but not much. It looks almost new. 

I believe I got a real good deal on this one. I gave $400 for it. 

Now if it would just warm up a bit and quit raining. 

Thanks, Grayfox, I probably should have used the PM system for this. Sorry.

Yes I think you got a great deal on it. Condition and availability on the Detective seems to be erattic. I've heard from a few sources of some very high prices on these. Like in the 500+ range, and seen some ads that were just outrageous. Brother-in-law, who is somewhat of a freak on Browning HPs, told me he had offers to buy one of 600+. Can't verify that, just word of mouth.

I really haven't searched for anything on these for years, so my comments may be worth absolutely nothing.

I haven't found my records, but if memory is right, I paid in the 250 range from an imported/distributor back then. I know I bought in the time just after chemo and radiation treatments, so that puts it in the 2011-2012 range.

If I ever get organized, I vaguely remember some trade clippings on the history of the Argentine HPs. If I find it, I'll send you a copy, but it centered on how the pistols got to be produced there, and the different models and how they were intended to be used by the Argentine Police.

Edited February 9, 2019 by hipower