New Inglis Branded High Power

[ToddSig]

Spotted this on antoher forum, Military Armament Corp (MAC) a part of SDS of Knoxville TN will be offering what they call Inglis High Power clones. The Tacticle Wire press release states it is modeled after the British L9A1, although that was an FN pistol, and not Inglis. Is it possible MAC (or Tisas) has rights to the Inglis name in the US?? MAC has a relationship as the address for MAC/SDS in TN is the same as Tisas USA. So I am thinking?? these are Tisas produced HP clones.

Tactile Wire press release states

Inglis High Power Returns to US Market

Military Armament Corporation and Parent Company SDS Imports reintroduces Legendary firearm

Military Armament Corp (MAC) is pleased to announce the return of Inglis High Power to the US market. Through an exclusive partnership, MAC, and parent company SDS Imports will be bringing several models of the world-famous High Power to the United States, starting with the L9A1, A WWII firearm produced by Inglis. The other three models will be commercial variants, black with walnut grips, satin nickel with black G-10 grips and the last will be a color case-hardened model named the GP-35.

The L9A1 has an incredible and rich heritage among firearms enthusiasts. It was used by British Commonwealth forces from 1962-2013.

Specs:

Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.7 Inches
OA length 7.7 inches
Weight 31 oz (empty)
Single Action
Black Chromate Finish
Capacity 14 +1
Inglis L9A1- MSRP $489.99


Inglis P-35B- MSRP $549.99
Inglis P-35 N- MSRP $ 549.99
Inglis GP-35 case hardened- MSRP $649.99

“We’re very excited to be able to partner with Inglis and bring this historic brand back from the dead,” stated Military Armament Corporation/SDS CEO Tim Mulverhill. “The market demand has not been met for historically accurate High Powers. We’re planning for the L9A1 to influence the High-Power market the way the Tisas US Army did in the 1911 market.”

An electroless nickel ‘MKIII” version, and limited-edition case-hardened model in wood presentation case will also be available in 2024 to commemorate the re-introduction of this timeless brand.

Links
MAC/SDS www.milarmamentcorp.com/

Tactile Wire press release
www.thetacticalwire.com/releases/224e501a-d31d-4cc4-ab14-d6eec842d620


Link to SDS page with case hardend HP
sdsimports.com/inglis-gp-35-9mm/

Image of the "Inglis" L9A1



Case Hardened HP

[Mister Coffee]

Thanks for the post, Todd.

Every time I see news like this, I wonder if there could have been any way for FN to re-tool and keep the Hi-Power in production, even in smaller numbers than historically. Tisas/MAC, Springfield, Charles Daly, et al, must believe that there is a market that will support the investment (or are all these companies pseudonyms for Tisas?).

[cmdrcody]

I’ll wait to cheer until after I see/experience one in person. I sometimes get disappointed in the productions from the Republic of Türkiye.

[ToddSig]

Jan 14, 2024 11:52:21 GMT -5 Mister Coffee said:

Thanks for the post, Todd.

Every time I see news like this, I wonder if there could have been any way for FN to re-tool and keep the Hi-Power in production, even in smaller numbers than historically. Tisas/MAC, Springfield, Charles Daly, et al, must believe that there is a market that will support the investment (or are all these companies pseudonyms for Tisas?).

I too wonder, and I wonder if FN is wondering as well given all of the attention and sales the new clones have received. That said, not sure if FN could have matched or come close to the price points now being offered. Instead FN trys to recapture some past glory with the new High Power, which I beleive some folks like, but it does not appear to have drawn strong interest from HP collectors or those who are now buying the clones.

If you look at what CZ has done with CZ75, it makes me think what if FN had done something similar. IF you go to the CZ USA page, there are 8 versions of the full size CZ75, standard versions, shadow, optices ready, Orange, SP-01, SP-01 Tactical, TS2, plus three versions of the compact CZ75. In the last few years of the FN/BAC HP you had the epoxy MKIII and bluded standard. Really no imagination from FN.

[ToddSig]

Jan 14, 2024 15:37:50 GMT -5 cmdrcody said:

I’ll wait to cheer until after I see/experience one in person. I sometimes get disappointed in the productions from the Republic of Türkiye.

The Turkish HP clones are certainly becoming more of a commodity pistol rather than collectible or something with potential as a future collectible pistol. I dont think labeling something with Inglis or L9A1 will change that.

[sams1]

I agree with ToddSig on these low cost (quality?) clones becoming commodity pistols. It seems like the Turkish weapon industry is bent on taking on the US market by flooding it with many clones of popular pistols/rifles/shotguns models. The Girsan HP35 "Hi-Power" is another example. From what I understand Tisas, Girsan (and the rest of Turkish companies) are majority owned (or controlled) by the Turkish government. That, plus very dirt cheap labor rates in Turkey make it possible to come in to the US market with such low prices...

The big unknown is what the influx of these is going to do the value of the original FN/Browning HPs. ...or for the good old FEG HPs for that matter.

Thoughts?

[cmdrcody]

Low value clones normally never have an effect on value of higher quality firearms. Most clones don’t have high resale value.

Example I bought a used 95% plus SA35 for less than $400 at Cabela’s and a similar condition Girsan MC35 for around $300.

They’re nice shooters and lessening my use rate for my non clones which is why I bought them.

[ToddSig]

Jan 14, 2024 20:15:59 GMT -5 cmdrcody said:

Low value clones normally never have an effect on value of higher quality firearms. Most clones don’t have high resale value.

Totally agree with you.

Many who are buying these new clones are not HP collectors or even HP enthusiasts. In my opinoin they are gun folks, who had an interest in the HP platform, but never wanted to pay the price of an FN Hi/High Power. If you read some of the other forums about HPs, some have turned primarily into forums on these new clones. There is less and less discussion on the history of the HP and on FN manufactured HPs. Many are not passionate about the HP, buying the clones to try the platform and as basic shooters like a Glock and not as a high quality handgun. As I mentioned, I think the new HP clones are commodity firearms, while the FN HPs remain as quality handguns with collector and enthusiast interest.

Perhaps some of these folks will turn into HP collectors and enthusiasts and increase the base, but in my opinion most will not. It has been about two years since the Springfield SA-35 and Girsan MC-P35 hit the market, I dont think they have impacted the FN HP market as far as value is concerned. Most Girsan buyers are not looking at FN HPs. Just different demographics and interests for each.

BTW, I have clones, including FEGs, Girsan, Springfield, and Charles Daly, so I am not a clone hater.

A good discussion.

[cmdrcody]

Todd I totally agree with clones have use and can be fun shooters. I’m sort of new to the clone world (about 3 years), while my first Browning was purchased over 40 years ago showing how I’ve aged. I found it a solid firearm like my Colt and Remington Rand 1911A1’s. I bought a few late 1960’s hi-powers 69C and 68 T.
I like the Springfield as it’s like the FEG and Charles Daly but without the mag safety.
I like the Girsan as it’s like the MKIII including the sear lever and controls. But it means I’ve had to remove the mag safety.

I can’t tell much difference in appearance from Girsan’s Gray HP and my silver chrome practical.
.

[ToddSig]

Nice comparison of the Girsan clone to the .40 cal HP. They both look great. I agree, some clones are rather impressive. I have some FEG HP clones and the blued finish rivals some of my better FN blued HPs. Nice deep dark color. That said, they are clones and not the real thing. In my mind an HP clone will never rise to the level of an FN HP.

While for the Hi Power, there is the original FN production over the years with various models and changes, and then on a secondary level are the various clones. For 1911s there is the original Colt, but also other manufacturers, and while I am not a 1911 collector or enthusiast, many makers of 1911 can be considered as good as, if not better than the original. I am not even sure if many non-Colt 1911s are considered clones.

In my opinion, the HP clones have not yet gotten there.

[cmdrcody]

I figured you would catch that HP was one of my .40’s.

I actually had a FEG MOD.GKK-45 .45 ACP in my possession for a few hours the other day. I paid $150 for it and was thinking of keeping it, but I was looking at it a a friend asked me “What sort of high power is that?”
I said it’s a FEG, but a Smith & Wesson based 45 ACP. He wanted it so I let it go for $210. Not a lot for something I had almost 2 hours.

[ToddSig]

A good video from SDS at the Shot Show on the new Inglis High Power clone. Regarding the name, in the video the SDS rep said they found the Inglis trademark was availalbe, and SDS is now using the Inglis brand to sell the new line of High Powers. Antoher video I saw the SDS rep stated the new Inglis Hi Powers are not manufactured by Tisas, but did not say who it was.

Worth watching