Belgian-based FN Herstal is teasing a new full-sized 9mm pistol, intended to be the heir to the vaunted Hi-Power, the HiPer. The Hi-Power was the default military sidearm for most of the Free World from World War II until the Glock 17 came around and dethroned it in the 1990s. Fully designed, developed and manufactured by FN Herstal, it brings together the best globally proven solutions and a package of innovative patented FN features. The FN HiPer® is the perfect choice for both Armed Forces and Law Enforcement. Legacy stocks of Hi-Powers soldier on in the militaries of Australia, Canada, and India, among others.
“Since its inception over 130 years ago, FN Herstal has continuously brought innovative, small caliber oriented solutions, with most of them becoming world references on the Defense and Security markets,” noted the company in a statement on Tuesday. “One of the most legendary examples is the FN Hi-Power, which was the reference pistol for military and law enforcement for a long time.”
FN Herstal’s brand-new 9x19mm FN HiPer® combines in a single handgun utmost ergonomics, reliability and safety. Speeding past any mention of this year’s new High Power, unveiled at SHOT Show in Las Vegas in January by FN America, the Belgians this week released a 42-second sizzle reel showing off elements of the FN HiPer to include a magazine capable of holding at least 15 rounds, a very slim straight grip, forward slide serrations, an optics-ready slide, and what appears to be a sliding magazine release. The overall profile is much different from current FN models such as the FNX or 509 series.
Fabrique Nationale Herstal (French for ‘National Factory Herstal’), trading as FN Herstal and often referred to as Fabrique Nationale or simply FN, is a leading firearms manufacturer based in Herstal, Belgium. It is currently the largest exporter of military small arms in Europe. FN Herstal is owned by the Herstal Group holding company, which is in turn owned by the regional government of Wallonia. The Herstal Group also owns the Browning Arms Company and the U.S. Repeating Arms Company (Winchester). FN America is the U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, which was formed by the merger of FN’s previous two American subsidiaries – FN Manufacturing and FNH USA. A United Kingdom based manufacturing facility, FNH UK, is also in operation.
