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Helwan 9mm

Jgreen
SOG has some new Helwan 9mm pistols that are copies of the Beretta 1951. Anyone have any experience with these pistols? The price is right, but I can't say that I know much about these pistols made in Egypt. Any info appreciated.
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • rsnyder55
    When we sold them they were very roughly finished. Tool marks everywhere, but very few were returned.
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  • mag
    What is their price?

    mag
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  • Jgreen
    I believe $150.00
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  • mark christian
    My own opinions are very much like Mr. Snyder's. I purchased a few of these from Interarms about ten years ago when they were marketed as the Brigader. The over all appearence of these pistols were simply AWFUL. I addition to tool marks on places I would have thought impossible, there were all sorts of very sharp edges and the grips were flawed having gaps all over and were very uncomfortable. Handling charactoristics of the pistol were poor and outdated (which is why Berreta discontinuted the Model 951 decades ago). The trigger felt like mush and broke at around 7 pounds. I cared nothing for the sights and found that the pistol pointed high for me no matter how I tried to grasp it and accuracy was so-so. On the other hand the Helwan functioned very well and even shot hollow points without much fuss (although FMJ worked much better). Although I would not purchase another Helwan, I would not tell you not to go ahead and buy your own; the pistol has plenty of flaws but it does work.

    Mark T. Christian
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  • mag
    I bought one off GB that looked basically new for about $125. Like the others have said, the metal detailing leaves a lot to be desired. I did a bunch of detailing of the rails in the slide and frame being careful to not screw up the external finish. On mine the slide would wedge to the rear if you pulled the slide smartly back with the recoil spring out. The area that the frame rails engage the slide needed some work at the front. It jams regularly but I think it would get better with some more shooting, just needs breaking in. I bought it to expand my 951 collection. I have an Italian commercial from 66, an Italian made Egytian contract from 55 and now the Helwan. I would like a Tariq and an Israeli marked gun to finish out the group.

    I have heard that the Helwans have trouble with their locking piece cracking when shot a lot.

    If I was just looking for a cheap 9mm I would get one of the Star's. I had a Mdl B back in the 70's and really liked it.

    mag
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  • cookies
    I had the chance to sample of couple of the Helwans a couple of years ago. Both had jamming problems and one had the rear sight fall off. I would stay away from them completely and second the suggestion for the Star for an inexpensive but solid 9mm.
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  • lrarmsx
    I have handled the Helwan series of pistols since the 1980's. Initially I found them to be an acceptable gun. After many years of customers that actually shot them, I found that they do in fact have a problem with their barrel locking blocks. They tend to break, mash, and/or just go out of alignment and seize the slide. Their trigger pulls will vary, machining is crude, parts can be difficult. I would have to go with the others and recommend the Star pistols over the Helwan.

    I got my first one of the Stars over 2 decades ago and still find them to be a good gun, not just for the money, but a good gun in general. Their systems are more traditional with the placement of the safety and the mag release, plus I have not encountered the cronic problems with their lock work, as I have with the Helwan.

    Just for reference, I am not repeating the standard hype on the Helwans, I have personally had in my hands, over a half dozen that have had function failures due to the barrel locking block. Surprisingly it hasn't been the exact same problem each time. I have seen several forms of how it can fail or cause problems. That in itself concerns me.

    LRARMSX
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  • captkirk3@dslextreme.com
    I had problems with the barrel locking Block myself! Finally figured that to cure the problem, Pull the Block, Polish Same...then Case Harden Block!... No More Problem...

    Captain Kirk, Tech Staff
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  • warcrob
    I bought one a few years back and within 6 weeks and the first 200 rounds, I was cleaning it after a shooting session one day. I noticed that the inturnal rails on the slide were showing signs of battering.
    It is my opinion that the MADDI CADET, HELWAN is not a well made pistol. Somehow in the manufacturing prossess someone forgot to heat treat certain parts of the pistol.
    I sent mine back to SOG. they wouldn't give me my money back but they did replace the dammaged slide and barrel block.
    I finnally sold it some time ago and bought one of the hungarian highpower pistols. Much better quality.

    If you ain't got a sense of humor you got no business bein here!
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  • Herb Fredricksen
    I have the same question JGreen asked but I'll state it differently:

    Does anyone have any experience with the New Helwans SOG is selling?

    The old problems are well documented, I wouldn't buy an old one, but if the new ones have been improved I'd buy one at that price.

    Herb Fredricksen
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