AllOutdoor Review: FN High Power – Is This the BEST Hi-Power Pistol?…

The Browning Hi-Power has a storied legacy within the firearms community because it has been in service for over 80 years as both a trusted sidearm for numerous NATO countries (50 armies) and a tremendous design for sport shooters as well. In fact, John Browning invented both the 1911 and the Hi-Power – and while the 1911 might get more attention – Mr. Browning, himself, stated in his memoirs that “the Hi-Power was his greatest pistol design ever” (paraphrasing). While the 1st Hi-Powers in history were produced by FN Herstal, the handgun model has laid relatively dormant for many years. Now, it is once again seeing a resurgence in popularity again. Springfield Armory produces an SA-35 (Hi-Power clone), EAA/Girsan has their MC P35 (Hi-Power clone), and our American brand of FN has now brought us the High Power (modern rendition of the Hi-Power). In today’s review, we are going to look at the FN High Power to answer the question: “Is this the BEST Hi-Power pistol on the market today?”… Let’s dive in!

Historical Hi-Power Coverage on AllOutdoor

Specifications – FN High Power 9mm FDE (Flat Dark Earth)

Currently, FN is offering the FN High Power in 3 different colorways with 2 sizes of magazines (10 or 17 round) that will accompany them for a total of 6 selections for shooters to choose from: Stainless, Black, and FDE (Flat Dark Earth). All of these variants punch in at an MSRP of $1,384. Within the 6 unique High Power options, you get multiple sets of grips, multiple magazines, and a set of factory blackout, low-glare serrated sights. The complete listing of specifications for the FN High Power 9mm can be read below as presented by FN:

Cartridge: 9mm
Operation: Single-action, Hammer Fired
Magazine Capacity: 17 Round (10 Round in Restrictive States, Cities, Municipalities, etc)
Weight: 40 Oz.
Barrel Length: 4.7″
Overall Length: 8″
Twist Rate: 1 in 10″ Right-Hand
Height: 5.62″
Width: 1.35″
Trigger Pull Weight: ~5 Lb.
Sight Radius: 6.37″

All of the Hi-Power handguns from the past came with 15 Round magazines. FN looked to improve upon that and squeaked in 2 more rounds for an industry-first 17+1 magazine – better than its many competitors on the market today. They also enhanced the firearm by adding in ambidextrous controls throughout.

Advanced ergonomics for maximum comfort and control mated with the classic look of High Power
Industry first 17+1 capacity in a High Power
Multiple finishes and accessory grip options
Modern design with fully ambidextrous controls

The slide boasts a strong finish with the corrosion-resistant PVD that FN chose to go with. Couple that with an oversized ejection port, and this slide can cycle even the most unique, modern hollow-points on the market today. Then, looking inside you receive a target-crowned, hammer-forged barrel plus a polished feed ramp for further improved reliability.

Slide
- Driftable steel blackout sights
- Durable, corrosion-resistant PVD finish
- Oversized ejection port cycles most factory loaded defensive and target ammunition
Barrel
- 4.7″ Target-crowned, hammer-forged barrel for unmatched longevity and accuracy
- Polished chamber and ramp for reliable feeding

The firearm itself comes with two (2) polymer grip sets, but there are G10 and wood options as well that you can get direct from FN if that is more your style. When it comes to field-stripping the firearm FN made modifications and improvements to that process as well.

Frame & Magazine
- Comes with two polymer grip pairs (FDE/ODG)
- Customizable with seven accessory G10 or wood grip options
- Rapid takedown for immediate field stripping, deletes the traditional pins and bushings to speed maintenance
- Two, steel 17-rd magazines maximize capacity

Many of the older, original Hi-Power pistols were known for having average if not extremely subpar triggers. FN was aware of those concerns and the new High Power boasts a lot nicer 5 Lb trigger pull weight.

Operating Controls
- Single action hammer, with a velvet-smooth ~5 Lb. trigger pull
- Superior ergonomics with perfect balance and grip texture tames recoil for follow up shots
- Fully ambidextrous safety and slide stop with re-versible magazine catch for left-handed shooters

Built for the modern handgunner, the new FN High Power™ reimagines the legendary 1935 FN pistol conceived by John Browning. From NATOs trusted sidearm for more than 80 years to a modern pistol designed for today’s sport shooter, the FN High Power has been enhanced to exceed every expectation. With three new frame colors and seven accessory grips, personalizing your FN High Power has never been easier.

With improvements to ergonomics and fire control design, shootability and accuracy bests any clone of the original FN High Power, pointing naturally with driftable steel sights and shooting with pinpoint precision, thanks to the smooth, single action trigger. FN adds an industry-first 17+1 capacity in a High Power.
At 40-oz., the robust design keeps the signature rake of the dust cover and long arm slide release, adding ambi-controls for instinctive operation. An extended beavertail and raised hammer fit perfectly in hand. The FN High Power takes down instantly for maintenance, deletes the magazine disconnect, and ensures that most modern factory loads feed smoothly over the polished ramp of the cold hammer forged barrel.

Field Use – FN High Power 9mm FDE (Flat Dark Earth)

The new FN High Power 9mm has all of the makings to be a great gun, but does it shoot?… I was afforded the unique opportunity to test this firearm with FN before its release in Georgia as well as an extended period of time back in my home state of Minnesota. While in Georgia I got to experience their taste of weather with a hot, humid downpour for several days. Through muggy weather and lots of rounds down range in Georgia, the High Power ran like a top. I did not experience a single failure of any kind nor did anyone else (that I was aware) that I was shooting with. Moreover, it was impressively accurate. We performed a lot of drills from varying distances, and as long as the shooter did his/her part, you nailed exactly what you were aiming at.

That same accuracy followed me home once I got back to Minnesota with a review copy of my own. I, similarly, did a lot of A-Zone shooting on paper and cardboard targets as well as some steel silhouettes at distances of 10 – 30 yards. The FN High Power cycles fast, ate any type of ammunition I pushed through it, and was as accurate as you could hope.

I never busted out a calipers to measure definitive group sizes (I usually do not do this for handgun reviews) because there are too many negative variables affecting a potential group size. If any handgun I review performs poorly in the accuracy department it’s likely due to my caffeine intake, lack of caffeine, fatigue from being an on-call firefighter, or simply the fact I’m a bad shooter some days. Plus, I like to shoot handguns as intended: off-hand, unsupported, and performing realistic drills. Bench shooting from a Ransom Rest is extremely unrealistic in my opinion, but I digress (thanks for attending my Ted Talk).

In the hot, sticky weather of Georgia I appreciated the stippling/texturing on the grip panels and front strap of the High Power. My personal preference would have been to have it be even more aggressive, but it survived the deplorably humid weather of Georgia for this Northern man. I found all of the controls to be easy to manipulate – slide lock, manual safety, magazine release – and although I am right-handed and don’t need ambidextrous functions I respect that FN added that into the pistol as well.

My experiences over the course of the last year testing the FN High Power – from humid Georgia to frigid Minnesota – have left me impressed. The only negative remarks I can say about the FN High Power are the iron sights and magazines. Black-on-black iron sights are difficult for even young shooters to see in varying light conditions so I would have liked to see a white dot or even fiber optic sight set. Thankfully, you can always order and install sights to your liking because there are aftermarket options available. Then, with the 17+1 magazines, FN did something really cool by affording us an additional 2 rounds into our magazines, but the wizardry they performed means the FN High Power does not take any of the old school Hi-Power magazines. The FN High Power is a pistol unique unto itself.

Final Thoughts – FN High Power 9mm FDE (Flat Dark Earth)

So, what are my final thoughts on the FN High Power 9mm?… Moreover, to answer our original question: Is this the best Hi-Power model on the market today? Overall, I do believe this is the best Hi-Power clone you can buy on the market today. The MSRP of $1,384 suggests it should be and the FN High Power lives up to that asking price. It shoots like a dream, it has the highest capacity, ambidextrous controls, is accurate, and a breeze to disassemble and clean. If you want what is the best Hi-Power out there, get a High Power from FN.

In closing, I want to say thank you to FN for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their FN High Power 9mm FDE (Flat Dark Earth) pistol. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the FN High Power 9mm FDE (Flat Dark Earth) pistol is something worth spending your money on? Would you deploy one for concealed carry? Take it hunting? Shoot a league with it? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Adam Scepaniak