Thoughts on FM Detective model?

[RMTactical]

Anyone have one care to weigh in? I have heard mixed reviews. I like the smaller size but I need a reliable pistol...

Thanks!

[fletcherpistol]

I've done some minor work on a couple of these and I was very impressed with them. I thought they were a great size for a carry gun.

[craigmus]

Tough to find.

[Bald1]

Originally Posted by fletcherpistol

I've done some minor work on a couple of these and I was very impressed with them. I thought they were a great size for a carry gun.

Concur.

Here's mine (M90 model circa 1992) that I've tweaked a tad [Cylinder & Slide CS025C Duty/Carry spring kit (26lb hammer + intermediate weight firing pin springs), CS037 trigger and CS035 safety; magazine disconnector removed; Craig Spegel Madagascar Rosewood presentation grips; Hogue hex grip screws; Frontstrap, Backstrap stippled; beveled magazine well; pistol reblued]



And here you can see its size compared to a FN HP MkIII

[norton850]

sarco has them, they are ruff and crudely finished, something like a chinese 1911. Your better off getting a used SW 9mm auto alot of them out there or a used sig compact.

The FM's sold only be worth $250 in my opinion

[Bald1]

Originally Posted by norton850

sarco has them, they are ruff and crudely finished, something like a chinese 1911. Your better off getting a used SW 9mm auto alot of them out there or a used sig compact.

The FM's sold only be worth $250 in my opinion

While I can't comment on the newer M95 versions, my M90 is certainly far from crude. Have you owned one or spent a good amount of time with one, or are you just giving your distant impressions?

BTW way back when I owned numerous Nortons including one of only two full production Dunstall '70 cafe racers brought into the US.

[RMTactical]

Originally Posted by craigmus

Tough to find.

I am learning that...

[gp35fn]

I have both a FM M90 detective made in 1997 and a FM M90 detective upper slide assembly on a ex-Israeli Hi Power frame I picked up-both work perfectly and often serve as my carry piece.

[tjh1948]

I also have one as a carry piece & have had no problems with it. Not as pretty as a BHP, but decent & reliable. Mine has thin grips & a SFS trigger syetem.

[norton850]

the norton's were real junk , altough they handled well , there reliabilty and quality of manufacture were junk, the yamaha xs650 and honda 750 and kz900's were alot better bike. The japs got a bad rap about handling, but in reality there were actually on par or better than the british.

All the cycle mags of the time said how great the handling of the brits were, but in my opinion it was just advertizing BS to help the brits sell a few bikes.

[tracyballard]

Originally Posted by norton850

sarco has them, they are ruff and crudely finished, something like a chinese 1911. Your better off getting a used SW 9mm auto alot of them out there or a used sig compact.

The FM's sold only be worth $250 in my opinion

I'm afraid I have to differ with you on this one, the FM detectives be worth at least the $300 they're selling for.

[the perfesser]

Some posts hint that the Detective is still readily available for purchase. Where? Can someone give me the link or current information regarding buying a Detective?

[tracyballard]

you'll have to call Sarco to find out for sure, call (908) 647-3800, ext. 122 and talk to gun room Mike.

[Bald1]

Originally Posted by norton850

the norton's were real junk , altough they handled well , there reliabilty and quality of manufacture were junk, the yamaha xs650 and honda 750 and kz900's were alot better bike. The japs got a bad rap about handling, but in reality there were actually on par or better than the british.

All the cycle mags of the time said how great the handling of the brits were, but in my opinion it was just advertizing BS to help the brits sell a few bikes.

You puzzle me. Nothing positive to say about anything in this thread. You even trash the bikes your handle is modeled after. I suppose I could ask why, but at this point I've lost interest.

[ob3640]

I have a Detective Slide matted to a Alloy Frame FN plus it has the
SFS installed. Comes in at 24oz and it's the "best" CCW gun I've ever carried.
I have limited computer skills or I would post a pic.

[norton850]

I owned them all triumphs, nortons, bsa, ariel, worked on them, restored them for 30 yrs. Oil leaks, bad electrics, poor quality metal castings, bad engineering, primitive design. I can go on forever.

Brit bikes were equal in quality to all the competition up to about 1965. The japs copied various designs made all over the world and took the best designs of each bike in there early hondas around 1965 on. These designs are better than anything the USA,BRITS or Germany produced and in 1969 honda came out with the DOHC CB750, nothiing could equal this.

The rest is now history, one other interesting note is that kawasaki produced and almost exact copy of an early preunit construction 650 enfield called a W650 kawasaki look it up.

While brit bikes are interesting to own I gave up working on them and owning them 15 yrs ago. I owned 10 up till about 1995 and they were all restored and even though they are restored they still deteriorate and need constant attention. It was costing me about $2000-3000 a year to keep them all mainatined and road worthy, problems rubber rotts, seals go and electricals go,all his costs alot of money. Sold them all off and have a 100hp sportster, xb12r buell, 07 gsxr1000 and 2 old xs650 for tinkering and bussiness. I'm in power sports industry.

[Stephen A. Camp]

Let's please get back on topic and thanks in advance.

[sjstill]

I bought a CD Hi-Power from a buddy and never could get it to work right. Out of desperation, I called SARCO an ordered a Detective top end. Runs great on the CD frame. Very accurate and reliable.

[norton850]

just look at the fm pistol compared to a used $250 feg hp, The feg is alot better finish and fit. If you can get the FM for less than $300 OTD its not a bad price any higher is to much. You can get a high power for $400-$500 if you look around so why pay $400-$500 for a FM that will be worth only $200-$250 used. The browning will always be worth $400-$500 as long as it doesn't get rusted or pitted

[craigmus]

I checked with SARCO and they will not be getting any more guns or kits in for the detective model. Any other suggestions as to where I can obtain one of these? I have the fever....

[tracyballard]

Originally Posted by craigmus

I checked with SARCO and they will not be getting any more guns or kits in for the detective model. Any other suggestions as to where I can obtain one of these? I have the fever....

dang. looks like the ship may have sailed. look for one on gunbroker, at an inflated price I'm sure, if you really want one.

[roe45]

Have an older model and love it. Never a problem.

[Spad 2008]

Thanks for the update on the Detective status from Sarco. Spad

[57jeeper]

Back in the spring I was in NJ to pick up my son from school and took the opportunity to stop by Sarco to get the GI parts to eliminate the full length guide rod on my Taurus PT1911. I saw the "commander version" of the BHP and knew that I had to have one.
I had it shipped to my local gun store in Pa. and I have to say that I couldn't be happier with it.
The fit and finish is very nice, although there are some sharp edged on the inside that I did clean up with a stone, nothing functionally, just to make handling the parts easier when field stripping. It has the baked enamel over parkerizing and doesn't have any visible tool marks or poor fitment.
It's a little heavier than it looks due to the side cuts not being performed, but it does help with control.
Strangely, there is a full length guide rod that protrudes when the slide is in full recoil, but it's to ensure functionality due to shortening JMB's design. The ambi safety is worlds better to use than my old BHP and it snaps on and off like my 1911's.
My only issue is that the grips have a shelf on both sides which I found uncomfortable, so I picked up a set of walnut grips for $7.50 while I was there and replaced them. I snagged a few spare mags for less than $10.00, but the Peoples Republic of New Jersey laws prevented me from buying any 18 round mags. Being from Pa. they could sell them to me but they had to mail them as I wasn't allowed to possess them in the state of NJ.
In SE Pa. even a junker BHP goes for $600.00 + if you can find one, so a new Detective model for 1/2 that is a great deal.
BTW, Sarco has parts and part kits for any old military weapon. check out their site. I've been buying parts from them for 30 years and they always have what i need.
http://www.sarcoinc.com/