Browning hi power clone jamming

Currituck Kid

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Hi all,
So I have my father's hi power clone and I'm running into a issue that it always seems to jam up on me after the first or second shot.
I have three magazines all are old.
I've looked online and seen some possible causes but my question is will a hi power magazine fit a clone? Or do I need to find a specific magazine.
 

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That's an FEG Hungarian Hi Power... they are usually of the lowest quality. Some shoot well, some don't. I have had three, and sold 'em all because they didn't feel as slick as a FN or even an FM Hi Power.

They all use the same magazines, with a few exceptions. What brand are your magazines?

They say the most common cause of failures to feed is the magazine, and the culprit is usually a worn out magazine spring.

Specifically, how does it jam?
 
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I think the point is that Arcus is The Lowest Quality, lower than FEG. I forgot about Arcus. I am not a fan of BHP clones, except Argentine FM Hi Powers.

Kid, you can buy a 13 round Mec-Gar for $20.23 plus S&H from Cheaper Than Dirt. That would tell you if it is a mag problem (which is likely). I suggest 13 rounds, because that is what is supposed to run in a Hi Power. Once you get it running well, try Mec-Gar 15 round mags.

Or, sell that FEG and buy a Browning Hi Power for less than $1,000 while you still can!
 
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My story with my actual hi power was grime.

I tried shooting it before cleaning it. Multiple stovepipes. I gave it a thorough cleaning and my problems went away.

A lesson learned for me almost 20 years ago.
 
I had 2 different Arxus 98, both ran flawless. They would would run HP mags with no issues
My bias is unreasonable, but strong. My FEGs had no issues, but the low quality was palpable... I felt much better after they were sold. I was the problem.
 
Some of the early (if not the first) FEG Hi-Powers imported to the U.S. -- the Model designated PJK-9HP -- were reasonably high quality, very close clones. Later models less so. (The PJK designation on the early ones was the initials of the importer's wife...)

I've seen several of the PJK-9HP models that were nicely fit, and had a deep, deep blued finish. Other FEG HPs were less nicely done. That said, I don't think I ever heard anyone calling them junky, unless someone had "bubba'd" the gun after purchase.

Some of the problems described in the first post sound as though they can be fixed pretty easily, with new mag springs or new mags. (Double-feeds? if one of the cases is empty [i.e., a stovepipe] or an empty hasn't been extracted, it might be an extractor problem. Otherwise, focus on the magazine.)

The ARCUS single-action guns mentioned above are, internally, based on the HP design and are apparently pretty good guns. I don't think they're considered clones, but some parts are apparently interchangeable.
 
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Thanks, answered the question I needed. I'm just trying to get it to shoot. Not really interested in getting a real hi power as I'm not a fan of the exposed hammer. But still want it to be shootable if it's in the safe
 
That is odd... is the mag spring so weak that second round is dragging the one below it along for the ride?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
That is odd... is the mag spring so weak that second round is dragging the one below it along for the ride?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
I believe that to be the case.
All three mags are from the early 90s when he purchased the gun. I remember shooting it as a kid but that was 20 years ago.
I'm going to purchase a new mag next paycheck and see if that fixes the issue.
 
it will extract the empty and then two live rounds will try and load.

Sounds like one is jumping the magazine when the slide hits the frame, then when the slide runs forward, it picks up one from the magazine.

Weak magazine springs are the first suspect. Damaged or misshapen feed lips would be the next thing to look for.

Is it always at the same point in the magazine?
 
Sounds like one is jumping the magazine when the slide hits the frame, then when the slide runs forward, it picks up one from the magazine.

Weak magazine springs are the first suspect. Damaged or misshapen feed lips would be the next thing to look for.

Is it always at the same point in the magazine?
Not sure, I've only attempted shooting it a handful of times. Each time with a different magazine (my dad's cleaning up his garage and gives them to me as he finds them)
 
I've seen similar behavior caused by a filthy magazine. If the follower can't move freely due to crud, corrosion or deformation you can have the top round in the magazine bouncing around during recoil. What happens next varies from gun to gun but it's never good.
 
Some of the early (if not the first) FEG Hi-Powers imported to the U.S. -- the Model designated PJK-9HP -- were reasonably high quality, very close clones. Later models less so. (The PJK designation on the early ones was the initials of the importer's wife...)

I've seen several of the PJK-9HP models that were nicely fit, and had a deep, deep blued finish. Other FEG HPs were less nicely done. That said, I don't think I ever heard anyone calling them junky, unless someone had "bubba'd" the gun after purchase.

I'm glad Walt spoke up for the PJK FEG Hi-Powers. I've had a couple and still have this one. I'm no smith, but I've found the fit and finish to be pretty darn close to the Belgian Hi-Powers I've seen. I just traded a military surplus Israel Kareen (built with FEG parts) that was clearly well-used but it never missed a beat during my ownership. Currituck, get yours clean and lightly lubed, try a MecGar magazine and I think you will like it.
FEG Left.jpg
 
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