"The .40 Caliber FEG Hi-Power" by JayPee

A year ago when Gary7 and I wrapped up our research for the article "Decoding The FEG Hi-Power", we were disappointed that we were unable to establish authoritatively that FEG had ever produced a Hi-Power or Hi-Power style pistol in .40 caliber. We knew that a few custom gunsmiths had converted a few of the 9mm models to .40 caliber, and rumors about a factory-built FEG .40 caliber Hi-Power were very common. But since our purpose in presenting the article was to clarify the FEG story, we decided to completely avoid the .40 caliber issue unless and until we were able to discover firm evidence that the factory had produced such a gun. We couldn't do that at the time, but now we can. The evidence came in two forms.

In one response to "Decoding The FEG Hi-Power," a gentleman told us that he owns a FEG Hi-Power style pistol in .40 caliber. Then, recently we discovered an on-line auction in which a factory-built FEG Hi-Power style pistol appeared in a photograph. It was clearly marked "FEG" "Model P9M" "Cal .40" and finally it was stamped "LIETUVA-POLICIJA". To us, that is conclusive evidence that we can take to the bank. Not only did FEG build such a pistol, it did so in large enough quantities to equip police departments with them.

FEG .40 caliber Hi-Power sold at auction on Gunbroker

Now, which operating system or systems did FEG use for its .40 caliber pistol? We will not be able to determine that until a clearer photograph becomes available. Gary7 and I both scrutinized the right side photograph of this particular pistol with separate photo editing software, and neither of us could find a crossbolt footprint in the photograph. BUT, the photo was just not of good enough quality to rule out the possible presence of the footprint. So we'll stand silent on the operating system issue until more evidence comes available. At least now we can finally prove that FEG was indeed in the .40 caliber Hi-Power business at some point in its history.

A final point of conjecture yet to be proven is which .40 caliber cartridge did FEG chamber its pistols for? It would be easy to presume that it was the .40 S&W cartridge, but until we can find a factory owners manual clearly identifying the caliber as the .40 S&W, we'll have to stand silent on that one too. The FEG conglomerate just did too many inconsistent and confusing things for us to take the caliber of these pistols for granted. So we will keep on looking. Best wishes.

"The FEG 'Luger' Hi-Power" by JayPee

Recently in an internet gun forum conversation with a gentleman in South Aftica, I was told that one of the most popular FEG Hi-Power pistols in that country is the "Luger M80." My first thought was that he was mistakenly referring to the Mauser Model 80SA, a FEG contract pistol, so I asked for and received a confirmation of the model name and number "Luger M80." The amazing thing about all of this was that even after our intensive research into the FEG Hi-Power and Hi-Power style pistols, neither Gary7 or I had ever heard of this model.

Subsequent research has shown that the Luger M80 is indeed a FEG P9 that is widely known in Europe and Africa, but remains relatively unknown in this country. I found references to a small, now defunct, importer in the deep south, and to some sales in about 2007 by Sarco, Inc. I also found quite a number of references to the gun on European and South African websites.

The Luger M80 as sold by Sarco, Inc.

The Luger M80 appears in photographs as a pure FEG P9 with the older, small sights and small safety lever, and in narrative descriptions with the improved three-dot sights and extended safety lever. The photos all show the gun to have the original FN/Hi Power slide stop. And, true to form, there were the usual erroneous references to the gun being a true FN product, which it clearly is not.

I also found references to a "Luger M90" and had a sneaking hunch it would probably be one of the double action FEG auto pistols, and I was right. Locating photos of this model showed it to look identical to the FEG P9R model so frequently seen in this country. The caliber was not given, but I strongly suspect it is the 9mm P9R with a different model number stamped on it.

So the FEG story grows even more as we continue trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. There appears to be a FEG story outside the United States that is still quite unknown to us, and, given the scarcity of good information about the FEG pistols, only time will tell how much we learn about the new story.

The most important lesson to be learned is that if someone tells you he has a Luger that looks an awful lot like a Browning Hi Power, don't tell him he's full of prunes until you see the gun!! Best wishes.