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carguychris · July 12, 2011, 05:34 PM

The FEG P9M or PJK (the model names seem somewhat interchangeable) is a Browning Hi-Power clone with a fair to middling reputation in stock form. I'm sure some folks will jump on me for being so negative, but a few others may accuse me of being too charitable.

The reason for the differing safety levers is that FEG made several substantial changes to the pistol's design during the production run, confusingly without changing the model number(s) or really documenting the changes in any definitive way. This has caused some deal of confusion amongst Hi-Power fans. The earlier pistols supposedly hew closer to the classic Hi-Power mold, while the later guns are internally quite different despite a very similar appearance. I don't know enough about these pistols specifically to tell you if the one in your picture is an earlier or later version.

The Browning Hi-Power (often abbreviated BHP) is an all-time classic pistol, although it has some drawbacks from a modern standpoint, namely a tendency for the hammer to "bite" the shooter in the web between the thumb and forefinger, and a somewhat mushy stock trigger that's caused by a flawed mag safety design. Both problems are fixable and you'll find lots of references online. OTOH these pistols are like 60s Camaros; ones that are actually used are usually modified extensively, while bone-stock examples are generally owned by collectors who rarely take them out of the house.

OTOH I think you can make a much better choice for a first pistol than an FEG. My stock advice for anyone looking for a 9mm pistol on a budget is to check out a used Ruger P95 or S&W 3rd-gen 59-series pistol (these are identified by a 59xx or 9xx model number format and a wraparound plastic grip).

July 12, 2011, 05:34 PM	#4
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 7,523	The FEG P9M or PJK (the model names seem somewhat interchangeable) is a Browning Hi-Power clone with a fair to middling reputation in stock form. I'm sure some folks will jump on me for being so negative, but a few others may accuse me of being too charitable. The reason for the differing safety levers is that FEG made several substantial changes to the pistol's design during the production run, confusingly without changing the model number(s) or really documenting the changes in any definitive way. This has caused some deal of confusion amongst Hi-Power fans. The earlier pistols supposedly hew closer to the classic Hi-Power mold, while the later guns are internally quite different despite a very similar appearance. I don't know enough about these pistols specifically to tell you if the one in your picture is an earlier or later version. The Browning Hi-Power (often abbreviated BHP) is an all-time classic pistol, although it has some drawbacks from a modern standpoint, namely a tendency for the hammer to "bite" the shooter in the web between the thumb and forefinger, and a somewhat mushy stock trigger that's caused by a flawed mag safety design. Both problems are fixable and you'll find lots of references online. OTOH these pistols are like 60s Camaros; ones that are actually used are usually modified extensively, while bone-stock examples are generally owned by collectors who rarely take them out of the house. OTOH I think you can make a much better choice for a first pistol than an FEG. My stock advice for anyone looking for a 9mm pistol on a budget is to check out a used Ruger P95 or S&W 3rd-gen 59-series pistol (these are identified by a 59xx or 9xx model number format and a wraparound plastic grip).