*** New Double Action Hi Power ***

Riflechair

Riflechair

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OK I thought that post would get your attention...

Its called the Arcus 98DA

Arcus is based in Lyaskovets, Bulgaria and has been in the business of producing small arm technologies for the last 40 years.

Pic-Arcus-98.jpg

The July 2009 edition of Guns & Ammo has a short article on this pistol and I'd sure like to hear a few CGN'er opinions on the platform.

Has anyone here had the opportunity to review this pistol?

I'm happy to see a DA design based on the BHP with an all steel frame, slide and internals on the market finally. Thery seem to be popular in the US and retail brand new between $330 and $375 USD.

FYI the only real complaint in the G&A article was around lowering the hammer on a loaded chamber as there is no de-cocker. The thumb safety cannot be engaged with the hammer down there is no option but to lower it manually.

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capp325 said:
For $350, don't expect the quality and fit and finish to be anywhere near the real Hi-Power.
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Article did state that the quality of the milling on the inside of the frame was poor but perfectly functional. He didn't think it was a concern for the most part. The exterior of the pistol seemed to have good quality milling and a durable matte phosphate finish.

From worldguns. ru

The Arcus pistol was developed by the Bulgarian company Arcus in 1994. It is another FN / Browning "High Power" (GP-35) clone, very well made and with slight cosmetic improvements. Four years later, Arcus developed a derivative of the model 94, called Arcus 98 DA. This model is identical to the 94, but has a Double Action trigger instead of a Single Action, and additional automated firing pin safety. Arcus 94 is made for civilian market and is widely exported. The Arcus 98 DA was adopted by the Bulgarian Army and Police as a standard sidearm, and also sold for export.

Both Arcus 94 and 98 are recoil operated, locked breech pistols that use tipping barrel with two lugs that lock into recesses on the underside of the slide. To lock and unlock from the slide, barrel uses a cam under the chamber, that interacts with the frame. The axis of the slide stop is also used as a takedown pin, and when the slide stop is removed, slide, barrel and recoil spring can be removed from the frame.

Arcus 94 features High-Power style, single action trigger with external hammer, manual safety, mounted on the left side of the frame, magazine disconnect safety, and a slide disconnect, that does not allow gun to fire when slide is not closed completely. The frame and the slide of the Arcus pistols are made from the steel, and different finishes are available, as well as polymer or wooden grip panels. Sights ususally are of fixed type, dovetailed into the slide, with three white dots for better target aquisition.

Arcus 98 is very similar to the Arcus 94, except for trigger and magazine capacity. Arcus 98DA has a double action trigger with external hammer. It features same frame mounted safety, with optional ambidextrous safety levers, and additional firing pin safety. Magazine capacity of Arcus 98 is increased by 2 rounds and is 15 rounds plus one in the chamber.

All Arcus pistols are reported as a comfortable to use, very reliable and durable. They may look a little bit conservative in the ages of the light alloys,polymers and other hi-tech gizmos, but reasonable amount of conservatism will never hurt, in my opinion.
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Kind of odd geometry for the 'beavertail' on the lower pic. Doesn't look like it would be too comfortable, or allow you to get the gun down between your hands very well.
 
Riflechair said:
Article did state that the quality of the milling on the inside of the frame was poor but perfectly functional. He didn't think it was a concern for the most part. The exterior of the pistol seemed to have good quality milling and a durable matte phosphate finish.

From worldguns. ru

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Have you ever read a negative review of anything in Guns and Ammo? After all, it's the magazine that recommended Remington 710 as a perfectly fine rifle.

Anyway, I'm not saying Arcus makes crap guns (though I do hope that they shoot better than they look). What I am saying, however, is that you will not get FN Herstal-level quality at that price point.
 
I have and always will carry my Hi-power cocked and locked. I have many double action Smith autos but what question does this pistol really answer?

Scott
 
Lots of us love the ergonimics of the BHP. For many of us its the most comfortable small to medium sized hand grip design ever invented.

Lots of us want this in a DA pistol design but have not been able to source one very effectively and still have that "BHP Feel".

This might be an interesting opportunity for a great pistol - or a complete let-down. Either way the pistol interests me and possibly a few others.

As for bringing these pistols into Canada thats where the lobby power of CGN comes in. If we want it the retailing community will provide for us. Action only comes when a market is identified though. Its worth a discussion at least.
 
Clobbersauras said:
Why do you need a double action?
P.S. Pay respect to the BHP and don't buy this abomination:D
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rolls eyes - here we go again.
I have a BHP and yes I do respect them

abalas said:
for $350 I'd rather go for Norinco. At least I get forged steel and chrome lined barrel.
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These Bulgarian pistols are made of forged steel. I don't know about chrome lined bores though. Just because something is inexpensive does not make it an inferior product. Your argument of buying Norinco makes my point exactly. Perhaps the Bulgarians have got it right with this pistol? The yanks sure seem to like Arcus products.

These replies have a narrow perspective and opinions of new'ish things you know nothing about. I am very interested in hearing from people that have first hand knowledge of these pistols.
 
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Riflechair said:
Wow you guys sure have a narrow perspective and opinions of things you know nothing about. No wonder John at Marstar gets annoyed.
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Really? I guess a differing opinion is not good enough for you?

Then let me tell you what you want to hear:

I'm sure the fit and function will be perfect, especially since it's such low cost. I'm sure it's the answer to all your pistol needs.
 
From what I read, the Norinco BHP's are complete junk, and this has about the same price-point as the better Norinco pistols. If the quality is acceptable, I can see these selling. Especially to all those people who want cheap guns but don't want to buy Chinese (which is completely understandable).
 
Riflechair said:
These replies have a narrow perspective and opinions of new'ish things you know nothing about. I am very interested in hearing from people that have first hand knowledge of these pistols.
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Thanks for NOT allowing me to have my own opinion. You are like those damn liberals who assume that if "you don't think as I do, then you're wrong", or "if you are not with me, then you are against me". I merely stated my own opinion that I would rather go for Norinco since their products are on Canadian market for a while now and opinions are generally very positive. That Bulgarian gun is ugly in my own opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with me.
 
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