When FN Herstal announced that they would be discontinuing production of the Hi-Power pistol under both the Browning and FN names in 2018, it marked the end of an era for a legendary pistol…or did it?
The Browning Hi-Power, famous for being John Browning’s last firearm design, is one of the most successful semi-automatic pistols ever produced. It has been issued as the standard sidearm for more militaries than any other handgun ever made, and it has been closely replicated and copied a near countless number of items as well.
While used FN/Browning Hi-Powers command a premium price on the market, there are several close clones and copies floating around that are much more affordable. Some of these clones and copies were introduced before the FN/Browning guns ceased production, while others appeared after to help fill the void for new Hi-Power pistols.
Here are fifteen pistols that either directly copied or were heavily inspired from the Browning Hi-Power:
1 – Argentine FM FAP
In the 1960s, the Argentinian military was looking to replace the M1911A1 .45 ACP pistols that they were producing under license. They turned to John Browning’s other famous pistol design and ordered several Hi-Power pistols directly from FN. To save on costs, the Argentinian government later requested to build the Hi-Power under license from FN in Argentina. FN actually helped set up the factory and provided much of the tooling and resources as well. The newly designated Argentinian FM FAP became one of the most faithful Hi-Power ‘clones’ ever produced.
2 – Springfield SA-35
The Springfield SA-35 was released in 2021 to provide shooters with an option for a new Hi-Power pistol. The SA-35 is a faithful reproduction of the original Hi-Power but with some improvements, including a standard 15-round magazine (compared to the Hi-Power’s 13-round magazine), better sights, and the elimination of the magazine disconnect safety of the original Hi-Powers (where the trigger would be rendered inoperable if the magazine was removed).
3 – EAA Girsan MC P35
The EAA Girsan MC P35 is a Turkish-made Hi-Power clone that is also very affordable compared to some of the other new Hi-Power reproductions that the market has to offer. The MC P35 is available in two-tone, FDE, and all-black finishes. Despite being considered a ‘budget pistol’ the MC P35 still comes with an ambidextrous manual safety, which is not something that all of the FN-made High Powers came with. The MC P35 is also available in a Match configuration with an improved grip, trigger, beavertail frame, and tactical rail.
4 – Girsan MC P35 PI
The MC P35 PI is a compact variant of the Hi-Power that EA makes as well. It comes with a full-size grip but a shorter barrel and slide, akin to what a Commander-sized 1911 is to a full-size 1911. The MC P35 PI is also available in an ‘Ops’ configuration with an extended beavertail frame, superior grips, better trigger, and a tactical rail for adding lights and lasers.
5 – FN High Power
In 2022, FN announced that they would be re-introducing the Hi-Power pistol due to popular demand. But the pistol they released was not a Hi-Power, per se, but rather a ‘High Power.’ In essence, the High Power was inspired by and resembles the original Hi-Power but is in fact a different design. It comes with a much simplified field stripping method, reversible magazine release, ambidextrous slide lock, and a 17-round standard magazine.
6 – Tisas Regent BR9
Another Turkish-made Hi-Power clone was the Tisas Regent BR9. Previously imported into the United States by LKCI Limited, it was available in either black cerakote or matte stainless steel finishes. The BR9 is overall a very faithful reproduction of the original Hi-Power, with a small difference being that it does not use an active firing pin block safety like the FN-made pistols did and has a slightly larger ejection port as well. It has since been discontinued.
7 – Inglis No. 2 Mark I
After the FN plant in Belgium fell to the German Wehrmacht in 1940, Allied production of Hi-Power pistols moved to Canada where they were built by John Inglis and Company in Toronto. Inglis produced two versions, one with fixed rear sights and another with adjustable rear sights and the ability to add a shoulder stock. The Inglis Hi-Power was issued to British and Commonwealth forces in 1944 and 1945. Production resumed at the FN factory in Belgium after the war.
8 – Indian Ordnance MK1A
The Indian Ordnance MK1A is a licensed copy of the Inglis World War II-era Hi-Power made at the Indian Rifle Factory in Ishapore. They began production in the 1970s and remain in service with several Indian military and law enforcement units today. There is a little bit of contention surrounding these pistols, as some claim that the guns are built using the original Inglis tooling and machinery, while others claim that they are not.
9 – Arcus Model 94
The Arcus Model 94 is a Bulgarian-made pistol that was heavily inspired from the Hi-Power. While it looks somewhat different on the outside, the internals are almost identical. Introduced in 1994, the Model 94 is also available in a more compact variation called the 94C. It accepts the standard 13-round Hi-Power magazines.
10 – Charles Daly Hi-Power
The Charles Daly Hi-Power was offered for a brief time in the early 2000s. The components for these guns were made by FEG in Hungary and then imported into the United States by KBI Imports, who were based out of Pennsylvania. The pistols were then assembled and finished by Dan Wesson and later Magnum Research before being sold under the Charles Daly brand name. KBI’s intent with this gun was to offer an ‘American-made’ Hi-Power on the market. The Charles Daly Hi-Powers were soon discontinued because they were more expensive to import and put together than to sell, but they earned a good reputation for quality.
11 – FEG P9
One of the most successful Hi-Power clones was the Hungarian-made FEG P9. These guns were imported into the United States and around the world by several importers, including CAI, Kassnar, and TGI. The photo above is of a Kassnar-imported FEG P9 with the model number of PJK-9HP. The FEG Hi-Powers were produced until the mid-2000s and are fully compatible with most Hi-Power parts and components. They are a common presence on the surplus Hi-Power market today.
12 – FEG P9R
The FEG P9R is a double-action/single-action semi-automatic pistol that can best be described as a hybrid between a Hi-Power and a Smith & Wesson Model 59 pistol. In essence, FEG borrowed the double-action design of the M59 and mated it to the Hi-Power. The front part of the gun closely resembles a Hi-Power while the rear part displays the S&W influence. The P9R takes proprietary 14-round magazines and is not compatible with the standard Hi-Power magazines.
13 – Mauser 80SA
In the early 1990s, Mauser was looking to get back into the handgun market. They initially asked FEG if they could produce a new pistol that could be sold under the Mauser name. Instead, FEG offered to provide the components to the P9 pistol, which were then imported into the Mauser factory in Germany. Mauser finished the components with bluing and assembled them before selling them as the Mauser 80SA. Close to 10,000 Mauser 80SAs were produced in total.
14 – Mauser 90DA
As part of the same agreement, FEG also supplied Mauser with the components to the P9R pistol. As with the 80SA, Mauser applied the bluing work to the parts and then assembled them. The resulting gun, sold by Mauser as the 90DA, was made primarily for the European commercial market, but some found their way to the United States as well. Over 20,000 units were made in total. The 90DA was also available in a Compact version, but these are much more rare and collectible.
15 – Kareen Hi-Power
The ‘Kareen’ Hi-Power was an Israeli-produced Hi-Power clone that was widely utilized throughout the Middle East. It’s generally believed to have been produced out of a mix of components made by FEG and the J&O Israel Arms & Ammunition Ltd. Plant. They are widely available on the Hi-Power surplus market for generally affordable prices.
