[SpecialEd]

I'll direct this question to Charlie but if anyone knows please feel free to jump in. This was lifted from the FNHIpower board:

Quote:
Unlike most FN handguns, the HP-SFS is actually built in Belgium. (Most FN handguns are actually manufactured in the US, in South Carolina.) It is basically a civilian version of the Hi-Power, chambered for .40 Smith and Wesson as well as 9mm Parabellum. It has additional safeties and equipment to make single action use impossible and to make it safer in the hands of amateurs.


Can anyone confirm this statement?

The HP-SFS is of course, the same as the FN marked Browning Standard HP. I know that all FN/Brownings are made in Herstal but what are they making in SC if anythng?

Ed

 

[Charlie Petty]

FN has had a plant in Columbia, SC for many years. It was built originally to manufacture M16-A2 rifles under terms of the contract which required them to be made in the US. They also make M240 and 249 belt feds.

I haven't been there is several years but the "FN" series of 9mm and 40 polymer frame pistols were assembled there. IIRC barrels and slides were made there but the frames were from a vendor.

 

[SpecialEd]

Thanks Charlie, I knew you'd have an answer.

Ed

 

[LIProgun]

At the NRA show this past weekend, Dean and I took a look at the FN offerings, including the HP-SFS. I particularly recall Dean mentioning that the slide markings indicated Belgian manufacture.

 

[SpecialEd]

Yes the HP-SFS is the same as the Browning Standard only it is now rollmarked with the FN logo (First time in years that an HP has had the FN Rollmark apparently) and marketed under FN's name. I am lead to believe that they are being assembled in Belgium now too and not in Portugal anymore. (Is that what you meant?)

Ed

 

[LIProgun]

Right - Belgium, not Portugal.

 

[SpecialEd]

Oh no, that means one more HP to buy! (Gotta have 'em all!)

Ed

 

[LIProgun]

Take a look here:

http://www.fnherstal.com/html/SFS.htm

 

[MikeO]

I've got 3 of the single action HPs. They are made and assembled in Belgium, imported by FNMI in SC.

They do make some pistols in SC, the FNP/Browning Pro9, maybe the Forty-Nine too.

 

[SpecialEd]

No HP's from South Carolina. And no matter how hard places like CDNN might try to bend it, if it isn't single action, it isn't an HP!

Ed

 

[MikeO]

If FN calls it a HP, it's a HP.

That includes the HP-SFS, HP-DA, HP-DAO, HP-DAc, and HP-DAOc...

 

[SpecialEd]

If FN calls it a HP, it's a HP.

That includes the HP-SFS, HP-DA, HP-DAO, HP-DAc, and HP-DAOc...

I agree...

But as far as I know, other than the SFS which is a single action HP, none of the other designations are preceded by HP. They might have been at one time, especially in the European market but no longer so.

Ed

 

[Charlie Petty]

I've lost track, but variants of the original P-35 design can be either SA, Da or DAO because the basic concept of slide and frame with a tilting barrel is the same. To the best of my knowledge no P-35s are made in SC.

The "assembled in Portugal" markings usually mean that unfinished metal was sent there from Herstal to be polished, blued and put together. With the change to bead blasted or unpolished metal the whole gun can now be completed there. They have recently added finishing facilities that can (IIRC) do both anodizing and black oxide finishes.

 

[MikeO]

Still callin' 'em all HPs.

http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/hg_hpseries.htm

 

[SpecialEd]

Still callin' 'em all HPs.

http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/hg_hpseries.htm

Blasphmey!