FM Hi-Power
Dirección General de Fabricaciones Militares · Pistol · In Production · 1969
Also known as: FM Model 90, FM M90, FM FAP, FMAP Hi-Power, Pistola FM 9mm
Overview
The FM Hi-Power is a single-action, recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, produced in Argentina by the state arms maker Dirección General de Fabricaciones Militares at its Fábrica Militar de Armas Portátiles plant in Rosario. It is a licensed copy of the FN Browning Hi-Power (GP35); around 1969 a factory was established with direct technical support from Fabrique Nationale of Herstal, who helped lay out the plant and supply tooling so the Argentine guns matched Belgian quality. Built on a machined-steel frame and slide with a staggered double-column 13-round magazine, an external spur or ring hammer, a left-side thumb safety and a magazine-disconnect safety, it served as the standard Argentine military and police sidearm. After the FN licence lapsed, FM continued production under its own marks as the Model 90 and Model 95.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 900 g (31.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1100 g (38.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 200 mm (7.87") |
| Barrel Length | 118 mm (4.65") |
| Height | 130 mm (5.12") |
| Width | 35 mm (1.38") |
| Sight Radius | 155 mm (6.10") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Trigger Pull | 30 N (6.7 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 13 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 350 m/s (1148 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 456 J (336 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1800 m (1968 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Thumb Safety, Magazine Disconnect Safety
- Features: Single Action Only, Staggered Double Column Magazine, External Hammer, Fixed Sights
Variants
- FM Hi-Power Detective - Compact
- FM Hi-Power Model 90 - Production Update
- FM Hi-Power Model 95 - Production Update
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Argentine Army · adopted 1969
- Argentine Federal Police
Conflicts
- Falklands War (1982)
Production
Production years: 1969-present
Licensed FN production from circa 1969 until the agreement lapsed in 1989; FM continued with the Model 90 (from 1990) and Model 95 (from 1995).
Origin
Country of origin: Argentina
Designer: John Moses Browning, Dieudonné Saive
Notes
Marketed in the United States as the FM Model 90 (M90) after the FN licence expired in 1989; later FM-produced guns adopted a flat 1911-style slide that omitted the iconic Hi-Power slide cut. A shortened Detective model with reduced barrel and grip length was offered for concealed carry.
Background
Argentina first imported FN Browning Hi-Powers before arranging a licence to build them domestically. With Fabrique Nationale engineers helping plan and tool the Rosario factory, FM turned out Hi-Powers indistinguishable in function from the Belgian originals; many reached the U.S. surplus market after the 1982 Falklands War.