I recently visited one of the gun stores in town. They had an Arcus 94C brand new in the box, so I checked it out. Slide to frame fit was very nice. Decent trigger. Weird silver finish on the frame, but durable. Overall, the gun looked good for the price, so I bit.
Before taking it out, I field stripped it, cleaned it, and took it to the range the next day, and put 40 rounds of Federal Hydra Shok JHP 124 gr, 50 rounds of Federal Expanding Full Metal Jacket EFMJ 105 gr through it, without any hitch. Cleaned it that night and the next day put 100 rounds of Federal American Eagle 124 gr. FMJ. Very accurate, no glitches, small 3 dot factory sights.
O.K. I like the gun so far. I really like the 4" barrel, and I also really like the build on the gun. It is built like a tank. One thing I noticed that is really cool about this version of the classic Hi Power is the barrel lug. It is a separate part that is set into the frame and held into place with a roll pin. If it breaks, it can easily be removed and replaced, assuming that Century Arms (the importer) has spares, or that Arcus of Bulgaria has damn good customer service.
But I don't really worry about the barrel lug, because the gun seems to be machined from high quality steel. The fit and finish of the gun is great, especially the fit.
I didn't like the factory Hogue wanna be wrap around grips, so I put the real thing on. Much better still.
And today, I recieved my package in the mail from Cylinder & Slide. The FN distributed SFS trigger system manufactured in Belgium by RDIH, for FN. I have this system on two of my Hi Powers. One was a factory installed system on an FN Hi Power from CDNN. I liked it so much for concealed carry, I had the system installed on my Browning Belgium/Portugal Hi Power by my local smith.
So I am a little more confident now, and I installed the SFS system tonight on the little (but weighty) Arcus.
If there is any question about whether the Arcus dimensions are compatible with Belgian, or Argentinian, or Charles Dalyan, or any other Hi Power parts, the question can end here. I am here to tell you that the SFS system dropped into the Arcus like they were made for each other. All holes lined up perfectly. The SFS system requires that you use the factory ejector and ejector pin. All other parts come in the SFS package, including sear, hammer system, ambi safety, hammer strut/spring and sear spring. The factory ejector and pin worked perfectly with the SFS supplied parts.
My only complaint is with the top of the SFS hammer, which is small and "finger-like". The serrations on the top of the SFS hammer are difficult to get to due to the beefy and angular build of the rear of the slide. Once I get some rounds through the gun and am confident in the current configuration, I will probably file down the rear "point" of the slide to reveal more of the hammer so that manual cocking will be more easily facilitated.
Two more items of concern: First, I am not in love with the finish. It is of high quality, but is very industrial. The frame is very "matte", and is difficult to clean. My Shooter's Choice "Polymer Safe" cleaner seems to dry quickly, leaving streaks of grit and grime and cleaner that will eventually rub out after final assembly with a cloth, but it definitely doesn't clean up like any of my FN or Browning poly finishes.
Secondly, I am going to pack this baby, and I have a feeling it is going to not be easy finding a holster. Hopefully my boy Eric Larsen at H.B.E. can accomodate. I don't want no Sig or H&K holster, or anything else for this gun. I want an Arcus 94C holster. In black. IWB shiny black.
Yeah, I'll keep you posted.
Before taking it out, I field stripped it, cleaned it, and took it to the range the next day, and put 40 rounds of Federal Hydra Shok JHP 124 gr, 50 rounds of Federal Expanding Full Metal Jacket EFMJ 105 gr through it, without any hitch. Cleaned it that night and the next day put 100 rounds of Federal American Eagle 124 gr. FMJ. Very accurate, no glitches, small 3 dot factory sights.
O.K. I like the gun so far. I really like the 4" barrel, and I also really like the build on the gun. It is built like a tank. One thing I noticed that is really cool about this version of the classic Hi Power is the barrel lug. It is a separate part that is set into the frame and held into place with a roll pin. If it breaks, it can easily be removed and replaced, assuming that Century Arms (the importer) has spares, or that Arcus of Bulgaria has damn good customer service.
But I don't really worry about the barrel lug, because the gun seems to be machined from high quality steel. The fit and finish of the gun is great, especially the fit.
I didn't like the factory Hogue wanna be wrap around grips, so I put the real thing on. Much better still.
And today, I recieved my package in the mail from Cylinder & Slide. The FN distributed SFS trigger system manufactured in Belgium by RDIH, for FN. I have this system on two of my Hi Powers. One was a factory installed system on an FN Hi Power from CDNN. I liked it so much for concealed carry, I had the system installed on my Browning Belgium/Portugal Hi Power by my local smith.
So I am a little more confident now, and I installed the SFS system tonight on the little (but weighty) Arcus.
If there is any question about whether the Arcus dimensions are compatible with Belgian, or Argentinian, or Charles Dalyan, or any other Hi Power parts, the question can end here. I am here to tell you that the SFS system dropped into the Arcus like they were made for each other. All holes lined up perfectly. The SFS system requires that you use the factory ejector and ejector pin. All other parts come in the SFS package, including sear, hammer system, ambi safety, hammer strut/spring and sear spring. The factory ejector and pin worked perfectly with the SFS supplied parts.
My only complaint is with the top of the SFS hammer, which is small and "finger-like". The serrations on the top of the SFS hammer are difficult to get to due to the beefy and angular build of the rear of the slide. Once I get some rounds through the gun and am confident in the current configuration, I will probably file down the rear "point" of the slide to reveal more of the hammer so that manual cocking will be more easily facilitated.
Two more items of concern: First, I am not in love with the finish. It is of high quality, but is very industrial. The frame is very "matte", and is difficult to clean. My Shooter's Choice "Polymer Safe" cleaner seems to dry quickly, leaving streaks of grit and grime and cleaner that will eventually rub out after final assembly with a cloth, but it definitely doesn't clean up like any of my FN or Browning poly finishes.
Secondly, I am going to pack this baby, and I have a feeling it is going to not be easy finding a holster. Hopefully my boy Eric Larsen at H.B.E. can accomodate. I don't want no Sig or H&K holster, or anything else for this gun. I want an Arcus 94C holster. In black. IWB shiny black.
Yeah, I'll keep you posted.
