Sw model 59 or argentine hi power

[bayouvol]

Which would you choose? And why?

[hipower]

Damn...that's a hard question for me. lol

 

But I bet you can guess my answer.

 

Actually, I own both, an argentine that I picked up a few years ago , and a nickeled model 59. I rarely shoot either, but I prefer the P35 clone more because ot the size and shape of the grip. It shoots well and hasn't given me any real troubles. Except finding that some of the argentine mags weren't real high quality and needed to be replaced. It just feels better to me than the Smith.

 

The 59 is just a bit bulky and cumbersome feeling to me, and I really should sell it, but it was one of the last guns Dad traded into and I just can't seem to let it go.

 

Just my opinions.

Edited October 17, 2015 by hipower

[Murgatroy]

I have a 469, which is the compact (subcompact?) version of the 59. It is an accurate and solid gun. I don't dislike it. But it is a bit cumbersome in the hand for a small gun. My wife picked it out because she liked the way it felt, and the price was very right.

[bayouvol]

Does the argentine use all the same parts as a regular hi Power? I have a keltec p11 so the mags would work for both the p11 and the 59.

[seez52]

I seem to recall some of the early 59s were problematic. I don't shoot my P35 much but would like to have an Argentine one to shoot.

[mikegideon]

The grip on the 59 is kinda fat, but I'm used to it after almost 40 years :). Probably can't go wrong with either. AFIK, the only problem with the 59 is that it's not safe to drop it. I have never had any trouble out of mine. Haven't shot it a lot.

[hipower]

Does the argentine use all the same parts as a regular hi Power? I have a keltec p11 so the mags would work for both the p11 and the 59.

 

The Keltec P11 mags work in the Smith model 59? I would have thought the P11 mag too small. But I don't have one to try.

[TNWNGR]

The Keltec P11 mags work in the Smith model 59? I would have thought the P11 mag too small. But I don't have one to try.

 

Actually it's more a matter of S&W M-59 magazines working perfectly in the KT P11 then the reverse. Think of the P11 magazines as aftermarket magazines which must first be field tested in your own pistol in order to be trusted.

As to which of the two pistols the OP inquired about I'd lean more towards the Argentine HP, but if a good 5906 came available would choose it hands down.  

[bayouvol]

I meant that the smith mags would fit in keltec. I am used to the Keltec so I don't know if I could get used to having a safety to swipe off. I do like the browning pistol though.

[graycrait]

I would go with the BHP clone.

[1gewehr]

Argentine HiPowers were made under license from FN on FN-provided tooling. Early ones are high quality. All parts are interchangeable with other FN HiPowers.
Later ones have some polishing that might be needed.
They are bargain HiPowers.

[hipower]

I would go with the BHP clone.

 

 

Argentine HiPowers were made under license from FN on FN-provided tooling. Early ones are high quality. All parts are interchangeable with other FN HiPowers.
Later ones have some polishing that might be needed.
They are bargain HiPowers.

 

Agree with these two post with one proviso...needs to be one of the early ones before tooling too badly worn. No telling how man guns were produced with these.

 

I have had one of the good ones and got talked out of it. The next one wasn't so good. lol

 

I did however find one of the "Detective" marked pistols from this era. It's pretty much a compact version of the Argentine HP.

 

It's a neat little pistol, and fun to shoot. Which reminds me...I haven't taken it out in a while. Maybe in a 9mm day later this week.