So apparently KBI Inc, the entity behind Charles Daly, has gone tits up. If you were in the market for a low production, oddball pistol or shotgun that’s hard to get parts or service for, you’ll have to shop at Stoeger now.
I’m personally saddened by KBI’s failure to retain the marketing rights to the superb Hungarian High Power clone. I don’t know the story behind it, but it was more finely finished than the least expensive Portuguese Brownings at a third of the price. I bought mine for around $250, and now you’re lucky to find them for less than $400. In a world without Glocks, I would probably be carrying a HHP.
This is why I’m sour on guns that haven’t been around a while. If you’re looking for a sporting double, for instance, I’m of the opinion that you should shun the $4-600 CDNN specials and save up for something like a Browning Citori or Beretta whatever or Winchester 101. A gun you intend to keep and use heavily for a lifetime should be something that doesn’t make you spend hours on the phone when you need a hammer spring or a firing pin.
Likewise, if you are shopping for a daily companion pistol, why on earth would you pick something other than a gun that’s reliable and available enough to be popular in competition or win major police contracts? If nobody in IDPA or USPSA is shooting them, and cops aren’t carrying them, there’s probably a reason for that.
Canthros | 30-Jan-10 at 11:52 am | Permalink
The CD Hi-Powers, I’m given to understand, were FEGs. I’ve Read On The Internet that the FEG HP clones tended to have some problems with the frame or slide being a little too soft, which leads to damaged slides and frames.. Don’t know, first-hand.
Unfortunately, FEG went under in 2004, which is probably why CD stopped selling Hi-Powers.
The Browning HP is a fantastic gun, but, as you say, hilariously over-priced. You might check out the Arcus, which takes some liberties with the slide and frame’s aesthetics (so, in addition to being homely, can’t be used with a lot of HP holsters), but is otherwise a Hi-Power.
Tam | 31-Jan-10 at 5:38 pm | Permalink
“If nobody in IDPA or USPSA is shooting them, and cops aren’t carrying them, there’s probably a reason for that.”
The subset of gun nuts that loves them some Benelli B-76’s in 9×21mm is convinced that the only reason the world hasn’t adopted same is that department armorers are a bunch of luddites who don’t share their fine taste in advanced firearm design.
Really it’s because they pick their guns and calibers to make them feel unique and special at the range. Maybe everyone will look at them.
(”Everyone was looking at me” is the oddest common phrase found on gun boards. Every time some kid takes their Mosin carbine or .44 Vaquero to the range, they can hardly wait to get home and get on the internet to tell all their buddies how they touched off that first shot “…and everyone was looking at me.”)
pdb | 31-Jan-10 at 7:17 pm | Permalink
If everybody was looking at him because he just ripped off a sub-6 second El Prez with a service pistol, I’d be impressed. Managing to buy the wrong pistol is not an accomplishment.
Caleb | 01-Feb-10 at 11:49 am | Permalink
The reason everyone was looking at the kid is because he almost shot five or six people, muzzled the entire line, and at 5 yards holds groups on paper that could be improved by THROWING the bullets at the target.
Jay G. | 01-Feb-10 at 5:28 pm | Permalink
Okay now that’s funny right there…
Canthros | 04-Feb-10 at 2:16 pm | Permalink
Just stumbled across this, and thought it might be germane: http://feghp.blogspot.com/
pdb | 05-Feb-10 at 10:52 am | Permalink
Damn dude, that’s awesome. Thanks for sharing that.