SHOT Show 2022 felt a lot like the year of the Hi-Power. Or High Power, depending on who you ask. I believe the most affordable new-retro gun of the BHP variety is this bad boy, the MCP35 made by Girsan and imported by EAA.

MSRP is just $544, at least for the more classic version seen in the lead photo. Seen above is a slightly modernized MCP35 with a nice beavertail frame.

It feels good.

It looks good with its classic, slab-sided Hi-Power styling.

While there’s only one version of MCP35 on the EAA website, they’re clearly expanding the offerings with different sights, different frames, different finishes, and likely more.

 

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57 COMMENTS

    • I’ll expand on this tomorrow in a more appropriate article and comment thread, but I’m reeling from the gut punch Front Sight just gave to its members yesterday. 25 years in business, and my own few years (and many, many hours) of training, and it looks like it’s all going to fade away. I’m reading through Piazza’s lengthy email a second time now, at a slower pace to extract the details.

      In short, memberships that have been bought and paid for are no longer “free for life” as originally promised upon purchase. There are now several layers of fees…monthly, daily, ammo, etc. You must now purchase insurance, you must now pay per diem fees for the “free” courses you already paid up front for, you are now only allowed to use ammo from their Ammo Bunker (which is always overpriced).

      Sux.

      I’ll have a clearer picture tomorrow.

      • “I’ll have a clearer picture tomorrow.”

        There was always something that struck a flat note about Front Site; something slippery. Met some people who were regularly training at Front Site. They were enthusiastic about it, but the company mailings just clanged with me.

        In my life experience, when a company makes major changes, they are likely circling the drain, or so overwhelmed by demand that they try to dissipate demand by making things more complicated, thus weeding out the non-serious client/customer. In the latter case, one wonders why an overwhelmed (highly popular) company cannot expand to meet demand.

        What you report seems to be a warning of good money chasing bad results.

        • Agreed. What was once a promising project has turned into something that is now – as you appropriately termed it – “circling the drain”.

          I calculated my available credits and mapped the new FS structure, and see that I will be able to take three more courses before I’m subjected to the prohibitive fees. I’m already enrolled in an advanced course for this upcoming week, and am therefore grandfathered in for no charge, but the next course will drain much of my account’s available credits (they even changed the former credits to something different, which doesn’t correlate). I’ll have just enough left over to pay for most of a third and final course. At that point, the classic Front Sight model will become a full PAYGO platform, and the same as Thunder Ranch, Gun Site, or any of the other major instructional schools.

          I’ll just return to the good ‘ol SoCal desert and train with my LEO buddies for the cost of only the ammo and a good lunch.

          I did enjoy visiting Pahrump while there in them there hills of Nevada, though. It’s a bit Palmdale-ish, but at least you can carry your gat on your hip. Not so much in CA.

      • Damn. Sounds like buying a timeshare. We got suckered in years ago, when younger and stupider. All about the “investment” – the low yearly maintenance fee (now up to about $1700), assured availabllity, and resale value (less than zero for a timeshare at Whistler….).

        I wish you well – Piazza’s sales pitch always sounded a bit off to me, and I knew a couple of his instructors quite well (and would NEVER share a teaching position with them when teaching an NRA class – they were that bad…).

        • I’ve been to many of their courses and definitely got my money’s worth, so I’ll be crunching those final three into the next couple of months in the anticipation that there will indeed be many lawsuits filed, and FS’s end will be brought nigh. I don’t expect it to remain open by the end of this year, which is a sad way to end a 26-year endeavor.

  3. Jeremy,

    Did you have a chance to shoot it on Range Day?
    If so, please tell us how it compares v the SA-35 and the new FN (almost) BHP.

    A “shootout” between the three would be fun to read (if you’re too busy, send them up here and I will, gladly, take the fun responsibility).

    • Haven’t shot any of ’em yet. That would be a great article, though! We’ll see if we can get all three of them here at the same time and do a comparo 👍

      • THIS so much. I’m literally torn but as of right now, it looks like I’m going to go to the secondhand market and just buy the original. Unless Jeremy S. changes my mind.

  4. EAA weapons are not known for their quality. But it will sell if it goes bang consistently and of course the price is cheap which is what people look for first. Most people these days do not know what quality is anyway because most have never owned or even seen a quality gun and that includes an original High Power.

    • EAA is an importer/distributor and manufactures nothing. They handle the Girsan pistols and shotguns, there don’t seem to be many unsatisfied users. They also handle Weihrauch handguns, which I’ve read are accurate and durable but with horrible triggers. Up until recently they also sold Tanfoglio CZ-type pistols branded as Witness. I have a Witness 45 that shoots great.

      • I had a very early TZ75 9mm. The front sight fell off and the hammer would follow the slide down. It was fking junk.

        • darcydodo…Cease whinning and take your problems with firearms to someone who does not whine and knows how to fix problems…Otherwise you may hurt yourself or much worse hurt someone in the vicinity of your never ending stupidity.

        • dacian ,

          That sounds a lot like a ‘you’ problem and not an ‘us’ or ‘they’ or ‘we’ problem.

    • EAA is like Browning in that they are an importer and have never manufactured a single gun.

      Guess what. The original FN produced Hi-Powers have varied in quality significantly over their production run. I own about 70 or 80 FN built Hi-Powers or clones and have 35 to 40 thousand dollars worth of service parts for them in stock. I can tell you from experience that the absolute best built Hi-Power ever made with the most consistent quality is the stainless steel Tisas variation. This isn’t just my opinion, Bill the owner of Cylinder and Slide has the same opinion.

      As soon as the new HP clones become readily available I will buy a few and see if they are worth a darn. When the Tisas clones came out I was floored with what could be bought so cheaply with so few minor and easily correctable flaws. With any luck all of these new Hi-Power clones will have a decent quality.

  5. I don’t understand any enthusiasm for any products made in Turkiye Cumhuriyeti. But the real question is how is it that suddenly, randomly, unexpectedly, uncoordinatedly several companies inaugurate Hi Hi Power clones virtually simultaneously?

    The second question, why is it that even FN couldn’t manage to re-issue the actual 1935 Hi Power?

    Then, again, Colt didn’t really re-issue the Python, did they?

    Nor Ford the Mustang.

    • I’ve been saying for a few years that if a person wanted to start a firearms manufacturing business, the 1911 and the Hi-Power are both solid handguns with a following, on which the patents have long since expired. I’m surprised there are not a few more companies offering Hi-Powers. In my mind, the enhancements make all the difference. I’d definitely want the beavertail and would probably go for the rail whether I plan to use it or not.

      I agree, skip the EAA and go for either the Springfield or the FN. The FN holds a couple more rounds than the Springfield, but at twice the price, that’s an expensive upgrade.

      Anybody know where the Springfield is manufactured? If it’s stateside, I’d say my decision is a lock.

      • It’s made in the USA. USA carry has a review of the SA-35 on their website & they note made in U.S.A.

        • In the past Springfield has had some weapons made in Turkey. I have heard two stories this time. The more reliable story is that the new High Power is made in Turkey. It might be assembled here or maybe not. At the low price they are asking I would make an educated guess that there is no way in hell its made here in the U.S.

    • Well Sam…I cannot count the times Turkey has been denigrated by individuals using devices that were Made in China.

      When it comes to getting the job done “Where something is made” is neither here nor there. What matters is you finding a better product and a better deal and laying your find on the table for scrutiny.

      When.purchasing a firearm it should be about its ingredients and potential to make it run its best. By all accounts this particular Girsan is in it to win it.

      • “When it comes to getting the job done “Where something is made” is neither here nor there.”

        Actually….yes, where something is made is crucial.

        China, Russia and N. Korea could produce the best firearms in the world, and I would not buy one. (not buying anything from China at all is a whole ‘nuther discussion) It makes no sense to spend money to support nations that are your enemies (Turkey is not a western nation, not a democracy, not an effective part of NATO). It is true that alliances are not friendships, but partners with aligned interests (which are never constant). But one member of the western alliance of nations has a fundamental disagreement that cannot be overcome: Turkey is a majority dominated muslim nation and government, a separation between east and west that is completely unstable.

        I refuse to buy Canik, Dan Wesson, or CZ products for similar reasons.

        And when Beretta is made by the Russian colony of Italy, I will give up my 22LR space gun.

        • Well Sam you had a lot to say about your problem with the locations of firearm manufacturers but what you failed to note is where the device you used to post your reply was manufactured? And perhaps you should mention where every item surrounding you was made? Otherwise you’re not being honest with yourself or this forum. And I’m waiting to see your better deal.

        • BTW Sam…Italy was once fascist and close pals with Nazi Germany. They also had wacky ideas for denying the Freedom to Paticipate. Cease waiting on Russia and rid yourself of your Beretta to display your unwavering across the board untainted purity.

        • @Sam I Am

          You are gonna freak when you find out that a lot of large gun companies today have employees and/or contractors and/or alliances/holdings that are in/from the very countries you mention.

          For example, Beretta: Beretta Holding S.p.A. also called the Berretta Holding Group, is headquartered in Gardone Val Trompia near Brescia, Italy. It is an Italian holding company for the famous Italian industrial group and holds direct or indirect participation in 26 companies including their famous Beretta firearms lines. Among their holdings is Turkish firearms manufacturer and distributor Stoeger Silah Sanayi in Istanbul, distributor Russian Eagle in Moscow, NightLaser Technologies in São Paulo and WanCai optical company in Chongqing China. In addition to its operations in Italy, Beretta Holding also holds several European companies.

          In their holdings is, for example, Beretta U.S.A. and their Gardone Val Trompia factoryin Italy employs Chinese and Russian contractors for the design and manufacture of Beretta firearms here in the U.S. and Italy.

          Your “22LR space gun” wasn’t manufactured in Russia or China – Beretta bought Russia and China to their factories to manufacturer them there.

        • @Sam I Am

          And in addition, another example…

          The Beretta 3901 used barrels made in Turkey by the Berretta Holding Group company Stoeger Silah Sanayi in Istanbul, U.S.A. and Italy all using engineering and development from Stoeger Silah Sanayi in Istanbul. Today, all barrels for all Beretta/Benelli use the engineering and development from (licensed and contracted) Stoeger Silah Sanayi in Istanbul Turkey even though the barrels are physically made elsewhere.

        • @Sam I Am

          and in addition, today Stoeger Silah Sanayi in Turkey supplies parts or development or engineering or rebranding manufacturing services to Beratte, Benelli, Franchi, and Burris (among several other foreign firearms products suppliers). Also among Beretta Holdings are Benelli, Sako and Steiner all of which use parts or development or engineering or rebranding manufacturing services from either Stoeger Silah Sanayi in Turkey or through WanCai optical company in Chongqing China.

          Almost 87% of the raw materials used in all firearms and accessory manufacture marked “Made In U.S.A.” or “Made in America” in the U.S., that raw material is imported from China and then sourced in the U.S. from U.S. suppliers. Its pretty likely you have already ‘financially supported’ China, Russia, or Turkey indirectly with a firearms or accessory (e.g. just about any firearms optic supplied in the U.S. including the top selling higher priced models like AimPoint and EoTech) you purchased even though it may have been put together in the U.S. and stamped “Made In U.S.A.” or “Made in America”.

        • Dan Wesson is made in America.
          Just like Colt.

          Are you going to black ball Colt now too since CZ owns them as well as Dan Wesson?

          I bet you buy Springfield.

  6. I already feel guilty about how many guns I’ve purchased in the last 6 months.
    Of course I’ll buy one of these! I only regret the guns I didn’t buy.

  7. Jeremy S.: “It looks good with its classic, slab-sided Hi-Power styling.”

    Sorry, man, but it looks plain WRONG without the classic BHP taper.
    Clunky is not a good look.

    • That description applies to the first photo as noted by the author. Below that is the more custom model having Match stamped on the slide right side.

  8. @I Haz A Question
    “I’ll just return to the good ‘ol SoCal desert and train with my LEO buddies for the cost of only the ammo and a good lunch.”

    Good on ya’, mate.

    Stiff upper lip, and all that.

  9. I was on the hunt for an SA-35. Yes … I know …. Springfield.

    The FN release at shot show is interesting but doesn’t have the lines of a Hi-Power. Plus, FN is pricey.

    I still think I will own an SA-35 if feels and functions like I hope.

    I imagine the Girsan is as good or better the crappy Fegs in the 80s.

    But since SA is 699 retail, I can’t see buying the Turkey gun.

    • can address crappy fegs directly. the true clones i.e. pjk-9hp et al are tremendous values. unbelievably crappy sights; ct laser grips fixed that.
      more rounds through this one than anything else.
      the slide serration machining is a bit wonky, the bluing tremendous.
      it was 350 new.

      • I can as well. Shot 3 different copies in the late 80s, early 90s. Pieces of crap.
        Barrel peening affected functioning within 3 or 4 hundred rounds. Finishing matters little if the steel is trash. Don’t know if they improved later on and didn’t bother to look.
        Everything looks good when it new.

        • i could believe material variations in hungary.
          i’ve had one since ’90ish. still runs hard.
          there were a number of variants.

  10. All of you complaining about Turkey are really not going to like the government that succeeds Erdogan”s, but keep complaining. I’ll take a look at the “updated” Girsan Hi-Power clone if they bring it along to their booth at the Great American Outdoor show in Harrisburg next month.

    I’m honestly tempted to buy the new FN High Power in FDE just because it seems to irritate the internet the most.

    • “All of you complaining about Turkey are really not going to like the government that succeeds Erdogan”s”

      Not that it mattered, but I was opposed to Turkey in NATO and the EU long before the current dictator.

      “I’m honestly tempted to buy the new FN High Power in FDE just because it seems to irritate the internet the most.”

      Can’t think of a better reason for that decision.

      • avatar Geoff "A day without an apparently brain-damaged mentally-ill demented troll is like a day of warm sunshine" PR

        Why in the Hell we haven’t pulled out our nukes from there I will never grasp.

        Rule #1 – You don’t hand an Islamist a fucking nuclear weapon unless you want it used on *you*… 🙁

        • That is only failure #14,576 of the US Govt in the recent past. It’s much easier to ask, “What has it done right?” Answer: Nothing.

        • “Rule #1 – You don’t hand an Islamist a fucking nuclear weapon unless you want it used on *you*… ”

          It is curious that a NATO ally buys Russian air defense systems.

      • Try again…I purchased 7 Sar9s and led many others to the light. You’ll have to do much better than purchasing one measly handgun. Really…you are scraping the bottom of the barrel trying to defend the indefensible.

        Let me throw you a lifeline because you’re ship is sinking…My hunter brother purchase a nice Remington .270 huntin rifle from one of his huntin pals and it had a crappy scope so my brother finds a deal on a scope for half price. The Box said, “Vanquish.” I’ve never heard of a Vanquish Scope so I assumed my brother got taken. Well he also asked me to set it up and bore sight, no problemo. After reading the fine print on the box it said, “Vortex.” OK my brother got a deal on a nice 3-9 scope that functions and appears well made, etc. Got the rifle all set up and on the bottom of the scope was a little label that said, “Made In China.” Did I or my brother give a yippee, yippee f? No and hell no. Why is that? Because everyone no matter where they are from has a right to lay their product, idea, etc. on the table in America. It does not matter if it’s a song or a firearm they will be welcomed to participate come hell and high water. Capice?

        • “Because everyone no matter where they are from has a right to lay their product, idea, etc. on the table in America”

          Not so. No other nation has a “right” to sell products in America. Selling into America is a privilege than can be terminated. Besides, we are not talking “rights”, only “choices”.

          Your money; your choice. My money; my choice. Not all that complicated.

  11. “…but what you failed to note is where the device you used to post your reply was manufactured?”
    @Debbie W.
    Nope. Re-read the last sentence.

    “And perhaps you should mention where every item surrounding you was made?”

    Addressed that too, in a parenthetical remark.

    • If you cut the crap and addressed your failures to answer questions truthfully sans your song and dance routines perhaps you’d see your hypocrisy. Once again…Are you using a device Made in China to post here Yes or No? If No what are you using pray-tell? Do you own and use products that were made in countries that rub you the wrong way or should rub you the wrong way like the Beretta you own that was manufactured in a former fascist country?

      I have made it clear to you and those like you who have problems with product origins…specifically firearms. I have zip, NADA, nothing in my being that Black Balls a product based on its origin. I base my decision to purchase on what is there to work with. It would be a cold day in hell before I assume the role of a snot nosed spoiled brat using lame excuses to zero in on any product because of its origin. Frankly the thought of you and your attitude designing and manufacturing a firearm better than a Sar, Canik, etc. and bringing it to The Shot Show is amusing.

  12. Debbie W.
    “BTW Sam…Italy was once fascist and close pals with Nazi Germany.”

    That was then; this is now. The firearm sources I listed are now. Italians surrendered quickly to US and British, then overthrew their government.

    There is no purity involved. As noted, trying to avoid Chinese products is beyond almost insolvable, but when presented with alternatives I choose not-China. For instance, I can always avoid products from Vietnam, and a host of other non-democratic nations.

    One of the most vexing propositions is that China is the source of so much digital equipment, such as the laptop I use. While I cannot prove it, I do not doubt that China has embedded capability to monitor everything to and from this laptop.

    No one is absolutely “pure” in anything, but that does not invalidate a preference to avoid certain sources of product when possible.

    You want firearms from hostile nations? Fine. It’s your money. I am not required to agree with your choice, or approve of it. I just don’t understand not avoiding certain producers when they obviously are hostile to our culture and nationality.

    • agreed.
      ya does what ya can, oft left with no choice.
      please explain how the czech republik poses risk. only their shotties are levant, afaik.

      • “please explain how the czech republik poses risk”

        CZ = Czech Republic; former province of Russia, current political target of Russia. There is a not insignificant faction in CR that still favors Russia. All the former Russian client states will be re-absorbed into the evil empire. When Russia re-establishes its empire, all the US money spent in CR will benefit Russia.

        No Thanx.

  13. Thought FN did a great job with the new pistol. fixed some issues with the old design. People are stuck on one model with all the problems of it is wrong. how many time has the 1911 been redesigned and upgraded? people want beavertails, safety humps, rails, better sights, double stack mags. Should the HP be relegated to being the same ole one? nah. Even the Sig 226 has evolved. So has the over worn Beretta 92.

    • Geoff: Oookaaay. For moment there I thought Leslie Nielson was portraying a former CB Radio truck driver from the nineteen seventies, but now I guess not. (Giggle.)

  15. @.40 cal Booger

    Globalization makes it very difficult to entirely avoid entanglements with unsavory world actors. One cannot 100% determine who is who, and what is what. However, one can refuse blatant sources as often as possible (as noted, China presents a real difficulty in that regard).

    Refusing to buy firearms from certain countries who claim manufacture is something that can be done to a degree. And it is extremely disheartening that the US Chamber of Commerce (and other US trade groups) continue to lobby for removing “country of origin” requirements for product labeling.

  16. @busybeef

    Dan Wesson is owned by CZ. CZ America is not a stand alone corporation, but a subsidiary of CZ, meaning money flows to the top; the Czech Republic. Same now with Colt.

    I do not buy SA products; too expensive. I bought what I could afford (the .22cal). The space gun just looks cool. If the Neos was available in .22mag, I would trade for that.

    As noted in the beginning, I am not opposed to people buying what they want. I just don’t understand the fascination with firearms produced by/through countries that are hostile to the US (or will be so easily co-opted by nations that are hostile).

    No one is obligated to explain their choice; I just don’t understand that choice.

  17. Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls (and them that ain’t to sure)….

    I did not intend to hijack this thread with my throw-away musing about choice of firearm manufacturer. However, I do appreciate those who took an interest in the comment.

    Now, back to your regularly scheduled program.

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