Arcus 94 KA-MK III Hi Power, Cal. 9 mm Luger Pistol Review, An FN / Browning Hi-Power (BHP) Clone

The Arcus 94 KA-MK III Hi-Power, Cal. 9 mm Luger (AKA 9 mm X 19 mm, 9 mm Parabellum) is a clone of the original FN / Browning Hi-Power Mk. III (BHP). The main difference between the Arcus 94 KA-MK III Hi Power and the original FN / BHP Mk. III is that the Arcus 94 is an overbuilt clone of it (in the sense that it is heavier, made to be more robust with a thicker, "blockier", and heavier slide that is reminiscent of the slide on a Sig Sauer pistol, although there is no resemblance or relation to one). This pistol is made by a Bulgarian company, Arcus (Company website: http://www.arcus-bg.com). It imported into the USA and sold in the USA by Century International Arms, Inc. (Company website: http://www.centuryarms.com).

Almost every part between the Arcus 94 KA-MK III Hi Power and the original FN / BHP is interchangeable between these two pistols. The only parts that are not interchangeable between these two pistols are the slide and the frame. Magazines, springs, grips, hammers, and all other essential parts are interchangeable. In addition to using the original Arcus 94 13-round and 15-round magazines, I have used MecGar and ProMag aftermarket 13-round magazines for the original FN / BHP on my Arcus 94 with no problem at all and without needing to modify anything. I have replaced the recoil spring and trigger spring with one made for the original FN / BHP with no problem at all and without needing to modify anything. I have also replaced the original grips with original grips for the original BHP with no problem at all and without needing to modify anything.

In this video, I go over the features of this pistol by giving a full review of it, talking briefly about the history of this gun, comparing and contrasting it with the original FN / BHP and with other popular BHP clones (particularly the Argentinian FM-90 / FM-95 and the Hungarian FEG PJK-9HP Hi-Power clones), and then going over the specifications of it. I do not field strip (disassemble) this pistol in this video. I will be making another follow-up video in the future about this same pistol, where I will field strip and then reassemble it. I also give my opinion about it and speak highly about it and highly recommend it to others who are looking for a pistol of this type.

Overall, I like this pistol very much because it is very rock-solid, the way an all-metal pistol should be, because it is accurate, handles well, has a very comfortable grip, shoots very well, has low recoil, and is very solidly and well built. Considering that I bought it used online on in May, 2011 on gunbroker.com for around $350 ($300 for the pistol itself, $25 for shipping and handling, plus $25 for the FFL transfer fee), I ended up buying a lot of pistol for the money. If one considers that an original FN / BHP goes for around $900 - $1,000 or more new or around $650 - $800 used, this represents an excellent deal and an excellent buy.

I would highly recommend this pistol to anybody who is looking for a good, inexpensive all-steel pistol that shoots very well that is chambered in 9 mm Luger or especially to somebody who wants an FN / BHP clone for a fraction of the price of the original one. I purchased this Arcus 94 pistol for this particular reason, in order to have a BHP clone without having to pay a lot for an original FN / Browning one. The main advantages that the original FN / Browning version of the BHP have over the Arcus 94 clone is that the original FN / Browning version has a better fit and finish, which looks much nicer because of this, and one is paying for the brand name, which is a brand name that has lived up to its name. However, the Arcus 94 is just as reliable, accurate, balanced, durable, and functional as the original FN / Browning version.

Update, November 23, 2012: As promised in this video, I now have a follow-up video to this one that is a step-by-step instructional video on how to field strip (disassemble) this pistol. The video is on YouTube and is called, "How To Field Strip & Reassemble an Arcus 94 Browning Hi-Power (BHP) Clone Or Any Other Type of BHP" at:    • How To Field Strip & Reassemble an Arcus 9...  .

Arcus 94 Specifications

Arcus 94 KA-MK III Hi-Power, Cal. 9x19 mm (9 mm Luger / 9 mm Parabellum) Specifications:
FN / Browning Hi-Power Mk. III Clone
Country of Origin: Bulgaria
Manufacturer Website: www.arcus-bg.com
Magazine Capacity: 13 rounds
Trigger Mechanism Operation: Single Action (SA), Recoil operated
Safety Mechanisms: Ambidextrous Manual Safety, Half-Cock Safety, Magazine Disconnect
Overall Length: 203 mm (7.99 in.)
Barrel Length: 118.5 mm (4.66 in.)
Height: 129 mm (5.08 in.)
Width: 35 mm (1.38 in.)
Weight With Empty Magazine, Unloaded: 970 g (34.2 oz.)