[fnbrowning]

RE: Hi-Power 13-round.

I could do a serch in google, but believe me, it's hard to sort the wheat from the chaff.

Other than from the factory, Where can I find honest-to-gawd Browning factory magazines at reasonable cost?

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. If you want them in Browning boxes, you might also check "Shotgun News."

If those from the actual maker, MecGar, are fine, you might take a look here:

http://www.mec-gar.it/prodotti/product.html

Best and good luck.

 

[Guest]

You might also try Arizonna Gun Runners for Mec-gars
http://sc.groups.msn.com/tn/47/51/RCHPpics/1/64.jpg.
They have 13 rnds and higher plus if you want the "Old" 10 round mags all at good prices.

RC

 

[Guest]

Mr. Camp -

I will be purchasing a few BHP Mec-Gars this coming week. Do you have any personal experiences with the 15-rounders? Are they really flush-fitting as I've read? In your opinion, are the 13-round Mec-Gars any more reliable than the 15-rounders?

As a side note (not to be confused with the above)...
I just purchased a FN HI Power with SFS. The stainless (unknown manufacturer) 13-rounders that function perfectly in my BHP Practical, fail to lock the slide back after the last round of the FN HP SFS. The same is true for my 17-round KRDs. Feeding from both is fine though. Interestingly, the four 10-round magazines that came with both the FN SFS and the BHP Practical all DO lock the slide back. Probably a slight difference in followers.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. The 15-rnd MecGar magazines are the same length as the 13 round and have a flat, metal base plate; it's probably the same part as on the 13 round. They fit as do the usual 13 round magazines. I've used them with no complaints and have a few laying around. I prefer the 13-round magazines. The reason is that the follower is longer and less likely to dip or somehow get into the wrong position for sure feeding. My concerns might be more theoretical than real as I've personally had no problems with them.

I suspect that the FN fitted with the SFS system is a newer FN, probably one made after FN changed the style of the slide release lever. It may be that this change is causing the problem or that that particular slide release is a bit out of spec. It's hard to say w/o seeing the gun 1st-hand. If the stainless 13 round is a Pachmayr (actually made by MecGar), I'd be concerned. There were some "counterfeit"
Pachmayr magazines being sold a few months ago.

Best.

PS: This link:

http://www.ont.com/users/kolya/bhpmagfaq.htm

is the best I've seen on Hi Power magazines and is definitely worth a look. I believe you will find the 15-rnd magazine you mentioned discussed there.

 

[Guest]

Just as a follow-up:

I purchased the 13-round stainless magazines from Numrich Arms (aka GunParts, Inc.) about 7 or 8 months ago soon after I bought my new Practical. They have absolutely no ID markings on them. The black plastic followers and the brushed look of the magazine's rear surface make them look VERY much like Mec-Gars. Numrich Arms told me that they were OEM out of Germany, IIRC. All I really know about them is that all 5 of them work perfectly in my Practical. In contrast, the KRDs are somewhat temperamental from my limited experience.

 

[fnbrowning]

Hello. If you want them in Browning boxes, you might also check "Shotgun News."

If those from the actual maker, MecGar, are fine, you might take a look here:

http://www.mec-gar.it/prodotti/product.html

Best and good luck.

Thanks, Stephen.

Yep, I'm looking for one in a Browning box.
Why some might ask, when MecGar and FN make perfectly fine products?

Because I recently learned that the mag that was included with my NIB MK II was not a factory, but a contract FN mag.

Yep, the #@% dealer did a switcheroo on me years ago, and I just recently figured it out with the help of the fine Browning Hi-Power Magazine FAQ page.

So now I'm just searching for ONE factory magazine, NIB, as a matter or pride, not practicality.

If anyone hears of any sources, let me know.

 

[Guest]

Sorry to disappoint you, but I think you're out of luck. The way I understand, there is no such thing as an FN factory produced magazine since the late '80s/early '90s, when they contracted magazine production out to Mec-Gar. If you want original FN magazines, go to www.gunthings.com. I ordered two from him recently and he has plenty left. They will *not* be NIB, however; they will be used, but in excellent shape. I think you are going to dead end if you are searching for new, unused factory magazines; FN quit making their own magazines a long time ago.

 

[fnbrowning]

I happened to call the pistolsmith that customized my Hi-Power on another issue, and I asked him about factory magazines. His name is Jim Garthwaite.
www.garthwaite.com/

Jim told me to wait until spring to buy if at all possible, as he expects the prices of all good 13-round magazines to drop as production ramps up in the new year.

I think I will take his advice.

BTW: If you go to his web site, he is having his web site redone - don't be disappointed by the spartan appearance, he is a Master pistolsmith.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. Before MecGar, another company (I forget the name) made magazines for the Browning Hi Power.

Best.

 

[Bob Reed]

Hello Mr. Camp,

I believe that companys name is/was "Sile", their also an Italian Company.

Take Care,
THE SOCKMAN

 

[Guest]

Browning factory mags...

These are made for Browning by Mec-Gar, in Italy. A Browning marked mag is probably going to be a special order from your local gun emporium.
Buy Mec-Gar and save enough, on a couple, that you'll have what you need for a third or fourth.

I have both Browning and Mec-Gar. Function wise you can't tell the difference.

Wes Howe