I'm looking to upgrade from a Ruger p-89 and would like to get the Hi-power. How are the FM clones?

TIA!

The FM is made under license from Browning.  From what I've been told, they are excellent shooters...

that's why I have one on layaway at my local gunshop!

The older Argentine military contract ones seem to be better than the newer commercial models by most reports.  I haven't shot the newer ones, but owned an older FM.  The big advantage of the old military ones is (was?) the price - I paid less for mine than a case of good 9mm ammo but I know that has changed.  I used to have one and it was indeed a shooter.  I have always found the HP to be the most natural pointing pistol, and the FM was true to that heritage.  Per the accuracy, mine was superb, of course, it weighed as much as a solid 1911 and was only shooting 9x19, so it soaked up recoil like it was a bb gun.  Finish (machine and coating) left A LOT to be desired, but it was a solid pistol.  Generally though, had the same strengths, and weaknesses, as the original design.  It was a nice pistol that you didn't have to worry about and did the job.

Awsome. Thanks guys. I'll do it.

I'm not sure I'd call that an upgrade.  

I had an FM commercial for a few years, and in the end I wasn't impressed by it.  It was not particularly accurate or reliable, but the real problem was that every once in a while I'd have a failure to fire.  I never did track it down but I was able to confirm it by doing the pencil in the barrel trick.  One time out of 30 or so, the firing pin would not strike the pencil.  

I would be willing to try the mil-surp versions though.

A couple months ago some of my friend was talking about the Hi Power handgun.  It got me interested and I started looking for one.  I  pickup the FM M95 Detective from this really nice guy for $225 in the same state.  I didn't know much about the FM brand but bought it anyways because the price was right.  This will be my entry level Hi Power and probably move into a Browning Hi Power in the future.  

BACK FROM THE RANGE:

I went to the range today and MAN... this baby shoot well.  At first I hesitated to even buy this gun for $225 because I don't know much about FM brand.  I heard many good things about the Browning and FN brand but not the FM brand.  However, because it was my entry level Hi-Power and that it looks nice with the shorter barrel, I decide to buy it.  BOY, I got a winner!  I would have regret not buying the baby.  

It shoot as well as my Springfield XD40, however it is smaller than the XD40, it kinda looks like my CZ PO1 if you look from the top of the gun.  Also, just about the same size as the PO1.  The grip feels well, good and tight.  It came with one 13 round mag.  If you can find one for under $300, go for it IMO.  Here's some more new pics.

FM Hi-Power M95 Detective
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/tom650604/6a.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/tom650604/5a.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/tom650604/4a.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/tom650604/3a.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/tom650604/2a.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y13/tom650604/1a.jpg

Quoted: I'm not sure I'd call that an upgrade.   I had an FM commercial for a few years, and in the end I wasn't impressed by it.  It was not particularly accurate or reliable, but the real problem was that every once in a while I'd have a failure to fire.

Weak trigger-return spring would be my guess.  

G

How bout their steel? I was thinking about getting one and then I read a couple of posts reporting that the barrel lugs in the slide tend to shear off. One post was here on the EE. Gun looked good, but the seller admitting the lugs sheared off killed it for me.