I just bought an Argy Hi-power...

[eodinert]

It's importer mark says 'Albatross International, Bellflower, CA', and it's new in box. I got it at a pawn shop for $200.

The box says 'militar', among other things. Does anybody know anything about this pistol? Are these currently imported in non-C&R format?

Is this the same gun as the current C&R guns like SOG has, or were there commercial versions?

The finish is a little rough, but it looks like it will make a good shooter..

Thanks..
Doug

[xtremerange]

Don't have mine in front of me but FM is still making this pistol in Argentina. Bought mine new for about $230 in 2000. I don't know if the one you have is new or old.

Great pistol. Made well and one of the best values in pistols on the market today.

[Deltaten]

OK, so here's a ? for you. If xtreme paid only $230 for his in '00 new, why are we paying $260 and up for a C&R, used Argie now? Has the retail price gone that high that the SOG price is a deal. Didn't see any at the show this w/e. In fact, I only saw one HP; an Inglis, in far condition at a princely sum of $1200, IIRC. So, we save a couple of bucks with the C&R over dealer's fees, NICS, and such; but enough to warrant the price increase?

Sure, I'd like to have one, and the price is way less than a "new" BHP, but, are we being "raped" on the C&R price just 'cause they're "collectable"?

I guess it's whatever the market will bear.

confused,
Paul

[W.E.G.]

FEG (Hungarian) Hi-Power's were $227 brand-new at northern VA gun shows recently.

[medicmike]

So how does the Hungarian HP compare to the Argie'? I looked at a used FEG at a gunshop a while back and it looked pretty rough.

[eodinert]

Mine looks a little..rough, I guess. The frame casting is not-so-hot, and the slide rails show file marks in spots. I have a belgian hi-power to compare it to, so I know what a decent one looks like. The slide lock is pretty poorly made and has some real ugly tool marks on it. The 13 round mag it came with (plastic follower) looks as good as my factory belgian mags.

I have not fired it yet, I may use it for some 'gunsmith training'; extending the beaver tail, bob the hammer, new sights and a refinish job. We'll just have to see what happens..

Are the C&R guns this rough? If it shoots good, even at $260 it seems like it would be a pretty decent buy.

-Doug

[Tokarev]

I don't know the import history on the Argentinian HP's but the recently manufactured guns for the commercial market are not as nicely finished or made as the FEG clones. Also, the first batches of FEG guns were beautifully blued with wood stocks and little sights just like a 1960's era Belgian gun. The newer ones have black plastic grips and are not as well made, but are still great guns for the money. The earlier military Argentine HP's are about as nice as you'd expect a military gun to be with some tool marks, etc. but no huge ugly flaws. I just got a surplus HP from SOG and it is in good shape. The finish is well worn and it is obvisouly used but there isn't anything really wrong with it. It'll refinish nicely! I no longer have a "new" commercial Argentinian HP to compare it with but it looks as well made as my old Inglis and my well-used Mk III.

[Tokarev]

Also, the C and R status is a mistake. SOG will not ship these guns as such. They say it was a misprint in Shotgun News.

[eodinert]

Well, I guess for $200, it's not too bad. I may have to get a hungarian one as well. If it's half as nice as my hungarian AK, it should be pretty sweet.

Thanks..
Doug