Century Arms recently announced a new addition to its pistol line-up that is sure to spark the interest of students of martial weaponry. The new Centurion 14, from Century Arms, is an all-steel, faithful recreation of the Browning Hi-Power pistol. Manufactured in Turkey this quality 9mm pistol possesses the legendary Hi-Power reliability and a suggested retail price that makes it too good to ignore!
Hi-Power History: Century Arms Centurion 14 Bonafide’s
John Moses Browning is generally credited with developing the Hi-Power pistol. In fact, Fabrique Nationale contracted him to design a higher-capacity pistol for a French military contract. Browning worked with famed FN designer Dieudonné Saive, who historians credit with designing the double-column magazine used in the pistol.
Browning died in 1926, and it was Saive who refined the gun to what we know as the Hi-Power. The gun is often referred to as the P-35, going into production in 1935.
Throughout WWII and the Cold War, Hi-Power pistols and their licensed and unlicensed copies found their way into more military holsters than any other sidearm. During WWII, it was used by both Axis and Allied armies.
It remained popular during the Cold War and was eventually adopted by elite teams like the British Special Air Services (SAS) and the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) because of its reputation for reliability.
Before the polymer Austrian pistol hit our shores, law enforcement officers equipped themselves with the Hi-Power during the Cocaine Wars. It provided an edge in capacity over the 6-shot revolvers they’d been issued.
Browning discontinued the gun in 2018, to the disdain of those still hoping to buy one of these iconic guns. This unfilled demand was the impetus for Century International to start importing the Centurion 14, a no-frills version of the Hi-Power.
Centurion 14 Details
If you’re a military reenactor or just crave a standard-issue appearing pistol, the Centurion 14 should fit the ticket. The gun wears a serious matte black finish and black synthetic grips.
Century’s only concession to updating the design was to dovetail the front and rear sights and give them a higher profile. The magazine release, thumb safety, and slide stop all retain standard dimensions without extensions.
With a suggested retail price of just over $400, you’d think that Century found a way to cut corners to reduce the gun’s cost. Happily, this is not the case. Its frame is machined from forging, and the slide is from bar stock.
All components display an extraordinary degree of fit and finish. Examining the inside of the slide and frame, I found the parts to be devoid of tool marks. The slide-to-frame fit is much better than any wartime Hi-Power I have examined. Likewise, the manual thumb safety can be engaged and disengaged without shifting the firing grip.
Century outfits the Centurion 14 with a rowel-style hammer, which prevents hammer bite, which often occurs with Hi-Power, and clones equipped with a spur-style hammer.
A Typical Hi-Power Trigger
Trigger pull on my test sample registered at 4.5 pounds. It is lighter than most military versions I have examined, but it does possess the typical Hi-Power creep and grittiness. Much of that can be attributed to the magazine disconnect safety that Century chose to include on the Centurion 14.
This design feature is often found on European pistols. It was designed to prevent the errant troop who removed the magazine but failed to clear the gun’s chamber from accidentally discharging the pistol.
When the magazine is removed from the gun, the spring-loaded disconnect safety moves the trigger lever out of engagement. I personally own several Hi-Power guns, and the ones I have used for competition and carry have had the magazine disconnect safety removed.
I am not advocating the removal of a gun’s safety. This is a decision you’ll have to make for yourself.
Shooting a Higher Power
I decided to test the Centurion 14 with a variety of ball ammunition that closely resembles military loads ballistically. Because this gun is a full-sized service automatic, I tested the gun for accuracy at 25-yards.
All groups were fired from a seated rest. I used a DOA Tactical portable shooting bench and rested the gun’s dust cover on a Ransom Rest Multi Cal Steady Rest. I fired five shots to a group and three groups with each ammunition. The tightest group is recorded in the accuracy chart (below).
Sights on the Centurion 14 are definitely an upgrade to the original small iron sights of the military guns. I was able to get a very decent sight picture with enough light on either side of the front sight. They wear the ubiquitous 3-dot pattern.
As I mentioned earlier, the trigger does possess some creep and grittiness. It took all of my concentration to keep the sights aligned while working through the trigger press.
My previous experience with Hi-Powers and clones was that they generally produced 4” groups at 25 yards. Century’s Centurion 14 averaged just over 3” at this distance with ball ammunition.
Winchester’s 115-grain FMJ Target & Practice ammo produced the best 5-shot group, clustering the rounds under 2.5”. Sights were perfectly regulated, and the point of aim and impact coincided.
Ringing Steel with the Centurion 14
There were no surprises during the field testing of the Centurion 14. Shooting on steel targets, I found the sights easy to find and align. However, I did miss the small thumb safety several times as I brought the gun up on target.
Keep in mind that most militaries that used the Hi-Power dictated that the gun be kept holstered with an empty chamber and loaded magazine. So, when action dictated that the gun be used, the soldier simply racked the slide to chamber a round. There was no need to disengage the thumb safety.
For the last couple of decades, I have become accustomed to shooting the 9mm round in a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol. Shooting the Centurion 14, with its all-steel construction, was a delight. The extra weight helped minimize the already light recoil and muzzle flip, making shooting the Centurion 14 lots of fun.
I’m happy to report that during my 300-round range session, the Centurion 14 was drama-free. Using the same rounds mentioned above the Hi-Power clone didn’t stutter once. It displayed the legendary reliability that made it the choice of so many militaries years ago.
I’ll not waste your time detailing the disassembly process of the Centurion 14. It is fast and easy and follows the same process as the Hi-Power. No tools are required, and it can be accomplished in just seconds.
Galco Thunderclap Holster
Coinciding with the arrival of my Centurion 14 test pistol, Galco announced that its Masterbilt series of holsters now included the Thunderclap model. It is constructed specifically for the Hi-Power and its clones.
Galco’s Masterbilt series is its premier grade of leather holsters. It uses the finest quality leather and is assembled by the company’s most experienced craftsmen. One unique feature of this line is that the holsters get their final drying on a solid form. That means there is little—or no—break-in required for the holster.
Examining my Thunderclap it’s easy to see the holster received plenty of attention in the form of hand boning of the fully lined premium steerhide to fit the leather to the Hi-Power’s contours. Other details like burnished edges and flawless stitching are a testament to Galco’s commitment to exacting attention to detail.
The holster features a mild forward cant for a fast wrist-locked presentation. It also has a molded in sight tunnel. So, the front sight won’t carve leather on every presentation. Galco also reinforces the holster mouth, so it won’t collapse after the gun is removed making re-holstering easy and certain.
The metal-reinforced tunnel-style belt loop provides the rigidity needed for carry and presentations. Likewise, its trailing belt slot pulls the gun against the body for maximum concealment.
Galco’s Thunderclap is a great-looking holster that should last a lifetime. If you take pride in your gear and appreciate the great cosmetics and security of quality steerhide holster, you owe it to yourself to check out the Thunderclap and the rest of Galco’s Masterbilt series.
Final Thoughts
Century Arms Centurion 14 is more than just a tribute to Browning’s iconic Hi-Power. Its all-steel construction, excellent fit and finish as well as its accuracy and flawless reliability make it a great choice for home defense and carry use.
While time and manufacturing processes have given modern militaries more practical options, the Hi-Power’s, and Centurion 14’s, dependability is timeless!
For more information, please visit CenturyArms.com.
Century Arms Centurion 14 Specs
| Model | Centurion 14 (Browning Hi-Power Clone) |
| Caliber/Capacity | 9mm, 15 + 1 |
| Overall Length | 7.75” |
| Height | 5.0” |
| Weight | 25.6 Ounces |
| Width | 1.37” |
| Barrel | 4.66” |
| Grips | Black Synthetic |
| Finish | Matte Black |
| Safety | Manual Thumb Safety, Magazine Disconnect Safety |
| Hammer | Rowel Type |
| Sights | 3-Dot, Dovetailed |
| MSRP | $409.99 |
Performance
| AMMO | VELOCITY | ENERGY | GROUP |
| American Eagle 115-grain Syntech | 1171 | 350 | 3.50” |
| Federal Military Grade 124-grain FMJ | 1207 | 401 | 3.38” |
| Federal Syntech Training Match 124-grain TSJ | 1191 | 390 | 2.84” |
| Winchester 115-grain FMJ Target & Practice | 1195 | 364 | 2.46” |
| AVERAGE | 3.05” |
