Gun Of The Week: FN High Power
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 พ.ค. 2023
- Watch American Rifleman staff on the range to get a closer look at the new FN High Power, which is an entirely different animal from the classic sidearm of the same name that was famous throughout the 20th century.
The original Hi Power, designed with input from John Browning and finished by Dieudonné Saive, was one of the iconic military sidearms of the last 100 years, having been used throughout World War II by both sides and, later, in conflicts throughout the world. By the 21st century, though, the gun was getting a bit long in the tooth, and in 2018, FN stopped production. Over the last few years, though, there’s been something of a renaissance for the High Power, and FN decided to capitalize on the moment with a completely refreshed pistol that’s designed for the modern world. Check out the video above to watch the latest FN High Power in use on the NRA Tech Range.
FN’s new High Power has been so thoroughly reworked that it shares no common parts with its historic predecessor. It’s a much more substantial gun, weighing six ounces more than the original, and it’s longer and taller than its predecessor. And the changes don’t end there. Importantly, FN examined some of the weaknesses inherent in the original Hi Power design and addressed them. The external extractor has been moved to the inside of the slide, and what’s more, it’s been enlarged significantly to provide more reliable extraction.
FN also examined the slide lock-up, which, on the original Hi Power, used a series of recoil lugs on top of the barrel that locked into corresponding recesses within the slide. While the system worked, it wasn’t as strong as it could be, and that resulted in the Hi Power having issues with more powerful 9 mm Luger ammunition. The new High Power uses a square barrel hood that locks into the slide’s ejection port, a system found on most of today’s 9 mm handguns and is strong enough to handle +P loads.
One of the other notable changes in the new High Power is the takedown method. Earlier designs required that the user push out the slide-stop lever, which incorporated a transverse pin running through the frame to anchor the slide assembly in place. With the new High Power, simply clear the gun, rotate the takedown lever 90 degrees, pull back slightly on the slide, then allow it to slip off the front of the frame.
Shooting the new FN High Power was noticeably different than shooting a classic Hi Power, and much of that had to do with the added weight. While the extra bulk will make the gun a bit harder to carry comfortably, it sure makes it comfortable to shoot, as recoil is absorbed by its steel construction. We especially appreciated the mirrored controls, which include a bilateral thumb safety, mirrored slide-stop lever and reversible magazine release. Unlike Hi Powers of old, the gun can be loaded and racked with the safety engaged. We also appreciated the gun’s textured grip panels, and FN makes several versions available, so users can customize their pistols.
FN America High Power Specifications
Manufacturer: FN America
Action Type: recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol
Chambering: 9 mm Luger
Barrel: 4.63" stainless steel; six-groove, 1:10" RH twist rifling
Frame: alloy steel; matte-stainless PVD finish
Slide: stainless steel; matte-stainless PVD finish
Sights: drift-adjustable, steel; U-notch rear, post front
Magazine: 17-round detachable box
Trigger: single-action; 4-lb., 9-oz. pull
Overall Length: 8"
Height: 5.63"
Width: 1.30"
Weight: 38 ozs.
For the latest firearms and shooting content, please visit www.americanrifleman.org/
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It would be cool is FN actually produced these? I can't find a stainless one literally anywhere for years.
I'm glad to see people finally talking about it in a positive light. Too many people are mad FN stopped making the original, when people weren't buying them in the first place. Then I know if they went the Girsan route and basically did the match series with a higher quality, they'd call it lazy and overpriced. Good on them for doing a proper update.
Carried one as a Cobra pilot in 'Nam. After 2nd time shot down used it to get past NVA with an AK. Still have it but never fired it after that.
I have had Hi Powers for decades. They were always excellent pistols. It’s nice to see it come back. Though the ability to rack the slide with the safety on, can lead to the pistol going out of battery when holstering, which is why that was not a thing, as it is more recently. I have noticed that with my SAO Sig, my old Colt Mustangs, as well as other auto loaders, in tight fitting leather holsters. Kydex holsters appear alleviate that issue however, which is all I carry these days anyway. Not so good for the finish, or for being stealthy, but an out of battery pistol is useless. And, there appears to be no front serrations to do a press check, as becomes necessary, due to the lack of real estate on the back of the slide with the safety engaged. A feature I find worthwhile on a pistol with that safety design. Traditional frame lock safeties, with the safety engaged, do not allow the pistol to come out of battery. I guess press checks aren’t necessary, but for some reason, I still want to be able to do them. Thanks for the video.
Thanks, NRApubs-- this was the most concise , factual appraisal of the new gun I've yet found on TH-cam.
That stainless Hi-Power is the sexiest handgun i've ever seen
sadly they still haven't dropped it LOL bro i would buy it right now if they did but i guess its their lost
Had a few high powers thirty + years ago. Great, classy pistols. I want one of these updated ones. The store price seems about twelve hundred-ish. Will have to save my pennies!
Really can't say I can find anything wrong with the original hi power they're a great handgun
I am writing you from Turkey. Is boriginal FN (until 1962) with internal extractor are reliable? Some say they often has extractor problem (they brake) not as good as external extractors. To my knowledge internal changed to external due to cost issues( to reduce manufacturing cost) not due to functionality or reliability. Do you agree sir.
Thanking you in advance.
Orhan Baydar
I wouldn't trade my mid nineties manufacture for this new one.
Nice pistol.i like my old high power even though it's so weak and unreliable.😊😅
Stainless Version is Still not available, FN is a Joke...