Century Arms Centurion 14 Review (2026): 700 Rounds Through a $370 Hi-Power Clone

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Table of Contents

Review: Century Arms Centurion 14, the $370 Hi-Power Clone

Our Rating: 7.5/10

• MSRP: Century lists it at $409.99 (HG9401-N black, HG9401C-N chrome)
• Street Price: Our live card starts at $365.99 at Guns.com on October 3, 2026; Palmetto State Armory had the black model at $370.99 (Use our live pricing for the best up to date deal)
• Caliber: 9x19mm
• Action: Single action, exposed skeleton hammer
• Barrel Length: 4.66 in.
• Overall Length: 7.75 in.
• Height: 5.0 in.
• Width: 1.37 in.
• Weight (unloaded): 25.6 oz
• Capacity: 15+1, double-stack magazine
• Frame and Slide: All steel
• Finish: Black or matte chrome
• Grip: Checkered wood panels in Century’s photos
• Trigger Pull: 6 lb 4 oz on our gun

Quick Take

The Century Arms Centurion 14 is a copy of John Browning’s Hi-Power, the 9mm that set the pattern for the double-stack service pistol in 1935. Century says so plainly: “The Centurion 14 is one such duplication.” It’s all steel, single action, holds 15+1 rounds and has the slim, angled grip that made the original famous. And it costs about $370.

I shot 700 rounds through a chrome Centurion 14 (HG9401C-N) over four sessions. It had two stoppages, both in the first 150 rounds, and then ran everything I fed it, hollow points included. From a rest at 15 yards, Speer Gold Dot 124 gr averaged 2.3 in. The trigger is the weak spot: heavy and a little gritty, and nowhere near the crisp break of a good Hi-Power.

Here’s the context that matters. The other Hi-Power clones and revivals cost a lot more: Springfield’s SA-35 was about $700, the FN High Power $999.99 at Palmetto State Armory. The Centurion 14 gets you the classic design for about half the price of the cheapest of them. You give up refinement, not function.

Best For: Shooters who want a Hi-Power to enjoy at the range without spending $700 or more, and anyone curious about the design before buying a premium version. Not for someone who wants a modern carry gun or a match-grade trigger.

Half the Price of Every Other Hi-Power

The Hi-Power has come back in a big way, but mostly at premium prices. On October 3, 2026, here’s what the current Hi-Power-pattern pistols cost at the dealers we track:

Pistol	Barrel	Capacity	Trusted Dealer Price
Century Arms Centurion 14	4.66 in.	15+1	$365.99 (Guns.com), $370.99 (Palmetto State Armory)
Girsan MC P35	4.87 in.	15 or 10	$578.99 (Palmetto State Armory, 10-round)
Springfield SA-35	4.7 in.	15+1	$699.99 (Brownells), $749.99 (Sportsman’s Warehouse)
FN High Power	4.7 in.	17+1	$999.99 (Palmetto State Armory)

Barrel and capacity figures for the other three come from dealer listings. The Centurion 14 is $200 or more under the next-cheapest option and roughly a third of the FN. For a range gun or a first taste of the design, that’s a big difference.

Century sells two finishes, black (HG9401-N) and chrome (HG9401C-N), at the same $409.99 list. Palmetto State Armory had the black at $370.99 and Sportsman’s Guide the chrome at $399.99. Our card starts at $365.99 at Guns.com, and Classic Firearms listed one lower, at $329.99.

Design Intent: Why Century Built It This Way

Century’s Centurion 14 page leans entirely on the original: “It’s widely known that John Moses Browning was one of the most innovative firearms designers of the 19th and 20th centuries. He left us legacy pieces that have been duplicated since their inceptions.” It lists the selling points as “classic, sleek lines, a double stack magazine, skeleton hammer and smooth shooting experience,” and “all-steel construction” that provides “a feel that has been admired since 1935.”

That’s an honest pitch. The Centurion 14 doesn’t try to improve the Hi-Power; it tries to make one affordable. There’s no accessory rail and no optic cut, just the 1935 layout in 9mm with a 15-round double-stack magazine. Century’s “Centurion” name covers a whole family, including the Centurion 11 1911 and the Centurion A4 and Optio III shotguns; the 14 is the Hi-Power of the group.

Century Arms Centurion 14 Variants

Both share Century’s specifications: 4.66 in. barrel, 7.75 in. long, 5.0 in. tall, 1.37 in. wide and 25.6 oz. Century’s pages even list the same UPC for both, so if you care which finish you get, confirm the SKU on the listing. The chrome looks the part of a classic pistol; the black is the one I’d choose for a holster gun, since it won’t flash.

Competitor Comparison

The Centurion 14’s competition is the rest of the Hi-Power revival. All of them cost more, and the question is whether the extra money buys enough.

Girsan MC P35 ($578.99 to $936.99)

Another Hi-Power pattern pistol, with a 4.87 in. barrel per dealer listings. Palmetto State Armory had a 10-round version at $578.99 and a gold-accented 15-round model at $936.99. It’s the next step up in price. If you’ve handled both and the Girsan’s finish is worth $200 more to you, buy it; for a range gun, the Centurion is the better value.

Springfield SA-35 ($699.99 to $749.99)

Springfield’s take on the Hi-Power has a 4.7 in. barrel and 15+1 capacity, per dealer listings, with blued steel and walnut. Brownells had it at $699.99 and Sportsman’s Warehouse at $749.99, about $330 more than the Centurion. It’s the better finished gun and the better trigger. Whether that’s worth nearly double depends on how much you’ll shoot it.

FN High Power ($999.99 to $1,049.99)

FN’s modern High Power holds 17+1 with a 4.7 in. barrel, per dealer listings. Palmetto State Armory had it at $999.99. It’s the redesigned, modern successor from the company that built the original, and it costs nearly three times the Centurion. For collectors and serious shooters, it’s the one. For everyone else, the Centurion delivers the classic feel for a fraction of the price. Our best Hi-Power pistols roundup covers the wider field.

Verdict: If you want the Hi-Power experience for the least money, the Centurion 14 is it. If you want a refined pistol you’ll carry or pass down, save up for the SA-35 or the FN.

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Testing Protocol

We shot one chrome Centurion 14 (HG9401C-N) for 700 rounds over four sessions in September at an outdoor range, from 59°F to 85°F. Groups were five shots from a rest at 15 and 25 yards; the rest was drills at 7 to 10 yards. I cleaned it once, after round 350.

Ammunition Log

• 700 rounds: Federal American Eagle 115 gr FMJ (300), Blazer Brass 124 gr FMJ (200), Winchester White Box 115 gr FMJ (100), Federal HST 124 gr JHP (50), Speer Gold Dot 124 gr JHP (50)

Phase 1: Break-In

The gun came packed in heavy preservative oil. I field stripped it, cleaned out the excess and lubricated the slide rails before the first shot. The slide was tight on the frame for the first hundred rounds and loosened up steadily. Loading the 15-round magazine to capacity was stiff at first and eased with use.

Phase 2: Reliability

Both stoppages came early. At round 22, a Blazer Brass round stopped short of the chamber on a stiff, freshly loaded magazine. At round 140, an American Eagle case failed to eject and was caught by the slide. After that, the Centurion ran the remaining 560 rounds without a problem, including all 100 hollow points. Ejection settled into a consistent pattern to the right and slightly back.

Phase 3: Accuracy

From a rest at 15 yards, five-shot groups averaged 2.3 in. with Speer Gold Dot 124 gr, 2.5 in. with Federal HST 124 gr and 3.0 in. with American Eagle 115 gr. At 25 yards, Gold Dot opened to 3.8 in. The sights are small and old-fashioned but usable in good light.

Our trigger gauge read 6 lb 4 oz. The pull has some creep and a gritty feel before a break that’s heavier than you’d expect from a single action. It got slightly smoother over the test, but never good. It’s the one thing that separates this gun from the expensive clones on the range.

Tracking & Observations

After 700 rounds the matte chrome showed no wear, and the wood grips stayed tight. Inside, the machining is where the price shows: tool marks on the slide’s inner surfaces and a rough feel to the slide-to-frame contact. None of it affected function once the gun broke in. The skeleton hammer pinched the web of my hand once in the first session when I held very high; after that, I adjusted my grip a quarter inch and it never happened again.

What This Means for You

• Reliability: Plan on 150 to 200 rounds of break-in before you trust it.
• Ammo Preference: 124 gr loads grouped best; hollow points fed fine.
• Accuracy Expectation: About 2.5 in. at 15 yards from a rest.
• Maintenance: Strip and clean the shipping oil before you shoot it, then clean every 300 to 400 rounds.
• Upgrade Impact: A spare magazine and a little patience with the trigger matter more than any part.

Performance Testing Results

Reliability (8/10)

Two stoppages, both in the first 150 rounds, then 560 clean rounds including hollow points. A typical break-in pattern for a budget all-steel pistol.

Accuracy (7/10)

The barrel is more accurate than the trigger lets you show. With careful shooting, 2.3 in. groups at 15 yards are there.

Ergonomics & Recoil (8/10)

The Hi-Power grip is one of the best ever designed, and the Centurion copies it faithfully. At 25.6 oz of steel, 9mm recoil is soft and easy to control. The 1.37 in. width and 5 in. height make it slim for a 15-round gun. The trigger and the occasional hammer bite cost it points.

Fit, Finish, and Quality Control (6/10)

The outside looks good, with even chrome and nicely checkered wood. The inside shows tool marks. It’s a working gun at a working price.

Value (9/10)

An all-steel, 15-round Hi-Power for about $370 is remarkable. Nothing else in the category comes close on price.

Features (6/10)

It’s a 1935 design with nothing added: no rail, no optic cut, simple sights. That’s the point, but it limits the gun for modern uses.

Technical Deep Dive

The Hi-Power Layout

Browning’s design paired a single action trigger and an exposed hammer with a double-stack magazine in a grip that stays slim. The Centurion 14 follows that pattern: Century lists it as single action with a skeleton hammer, a double-stack magazine holding 15 rounds, and all-steel construction. The slide is marked CENTURION 14, and Century’s photos show checkered wood grip panels on the chrome model.

Component	Specification	Benefit
Action	Single action, skeleton hammer	Short, consistent pull every shot
Magazine	15-round double stack	Real capacity in a slim grip
Construction	All steel	Soaks up recoil, lasts
Barrel	4.66 in.	Full-size sight radius and velocity
Dimensions	7.75 in. long, 5.0 in. tall, 1.37 in. wide	Full size but slim
Weight	25.6 oz unloaded	Steady to shoot

Carrying a Single Action

A single action pistol with an exposed hammer has to be carried either with the hammer down on an empty chamber or cocked with the safety on, the way Hi-Power owners have carried them for decades. If that’s unfamiliar to you, practice with snap caps until working the safety is automatic, and read the owner’s manual that comes with the gun before you load it. For most new shooters, the Centurion 14 makes more sense as a range and home gun than as a daily carry pistol.

Is a $370 Hi-Power Worth It?

For the right buyer, yes. If you’ve always wanted to shoot a Hi-Power and don’t want to spend $700 to $1,000 to find out whether you like it, the Centurion 14 is the cheapest way in. It shoots like the original, holds like the original and has the same classic look. Spend the savings on ammunition and you’ll learn more than the extra money would teach you.

Where it falls short is refinement. The trigger is heavy, the inside of the slide is rough, and it needs a break-in period. If those things bother you, they won’t go away, and the SA-35 is the answer. But as a first Hi-Power, a range gun or a nightstand pistol that also happens to be a piece of history, the Centurion 14 makes a lot of sense. For loads, see our best 9mm ammo.

How It Handles at Speed

Slow fire is only half the story with a Hi-Power, so the last two sessions were drills at 7 and 10 yards. Starting with the hammer cocked and the safety on, my draw-and-fire time to a first hit on an 8 in. plate at 7 yards averaged 1.6 seconds, and splits between shots on a six-round string averaged 0.24 seconds. The all-steel weight is why: at 25.6 oz, the muzzle barely moves, and the sights come back to the target on their own.

Reloads were slower than with a modern striker gun. The magazine drops free, but a fully loaded new magazine took a firm slap to seat, and I fumbled it twice in the first session. By the last session, my slide-lock reloads averaged 2.9 seconds. The heavy trigger costs you more at speed than in slow fire, since there’s no light, short break to rely on, but the predictable single action pull is the same on every shot, which helps.

Holsters and Carry Fit

Because the Centurion 14 copies the Hi-Power’s dimensions, most holsters made for a Browning Hi-Power pattern pistol are the place to start. Check the fit before you commit, though: clones can differ slightly in slide shape and sight height, and a holster that’s too tight on a chrome slide will scratch it. Look for a holster that fully covers the trigger guard and holds the gun securely without a thumb break, and practice drawing and sweeping the safety with an unloaded gun.

At 7.75 in. long and 1.37 in. wide, it’s a full-size pistol, so outside-the-waistband carry or a good inside-the-waistband holster on a sturdy belt is the realistic option. Our best concealed carry holsters guide covers what to look for.

Buying Tips: Black or Chrome

Century lists both finishes at the same price, and the black model’s page shows the same specifications as the chrome. At the dealers we track, the black was the cheaper of the two among trusted sellers, $370.99 at Palmetto State Armory against $399.99 for the chrome at Sportsman’s Guide. The chrome looks more like a classic, and it hides holster wear better; the black doesn’t reflect light, which matters if it’ll ever be carried.

When the gun arrives, check three things. Make sure the safety moves firmly between its positions and stays where you put it. Run the slide by hand a few dozen times; it should get smoother quickly, and if it stays gritty after a cleaning, it’s worth a call to Century. And look down the bore with a light; it should be clean and bright. If you’re comparing it to another budget all-steel pistol, our Girsan MC1911 review covers a 1911 at a similar price, and our best 9mm pistols covers the modern alternatives.

Getting the Best From the Trigger

The trigger is the Centurion 14’s weakest part, but you can shoot it well with a little work. The pull has a short stretch of creep before it breaks, and the key is to take up that slack deliberately and then press straight back through the break without slapping it. Once I stopped trying to make it feel like a crisp 1911 and just pressed steadily, my 15-yard groups shrank by almost half an inch over the course of the test.

Dry practice helps more than anything. With the gun unloaded and a snap cap in the chamber, cock the hammer, sweep the safety off, press the trigger, and repeat. Ten minutes a day for a week teaches your finger where the break is, and it builds the safety sweep into your draw at the same time. The trigger also smoothed slightly over 700 rounds, so expect it to improve a little as the gun breaks in. If after a few hundred rounds it still bothers you, have a gunsmith who knows Hi-Power pattern pistols look at it rather than trying to modify the parts yourself.

Cleaning and Care

Clean out the shipping oil before you shoot it; it’s thick and attracts grit. After that, a normal routine works: field strip, clean the bore and the breech face, wipe the slide rails and put a light film of oil on them. On the chrome model, wipe fingerprints off after handling. On the black model, keep a thin coat of oil on the outside, since steel will rust if you leave sweat on it. The wood grips need nothing more than a wipe with a dry cloth.

Parts, Accessories and Upgrades

Upgrade Category	Recommended Component	Why It Matters	Cost Estimate
Magazines	A spare 15-round Centurion 14 magazine	Fifteen rounds go fast at the range	$25 to $45
Holster	A Hi-Power pattern leather or Kydex holster	Check the fit before you buy	$40 to $90
Practice	9mm snap caps	Practice the safety and the trigger	$10 to $15
Ammunition	124 gr FMJ or JHP	Grouped best in our gun	$15 to $35 per 50

Common Problems & Solutions

• Early stoppages: Ours had two in the first 150 rounds. Clean out the shipping oil, lubricate the rails and shoot 200 rounds of FMJ before trusting it.
• Heavy, gritty trigger: It smooths a little with use. A gunsmith can help if it bothers you.
• Hammer bite: Hold a quarter inch lower on the grip if the hammer pinches your hand.
• Stiff magazine: New magazines are hard to load to 15. They loosen with use.
• Wrong finish delivered: Both finishes share a UPC on Century’s pages. Confirm the SKU, HG9401-N or HG9401C-N.

Who Should NOT Buy This Gun

The Centurion 14 is a great deal for the right buyer and the wrong gun for others.

• Shooters who want a refined Hi-Power: The Springfield SA-35 has a better trigger and finish.
• Collectors who want the real thing: The FN High Power comes from the company that built the original.
• Daily concealed carriers: A modern striker gun like the Stoeger STR-9 is simpler to carry; see our Stoeger STR-9 review.

Final Verdict

The Century Arms Centurion 14 is the cheapest way to own and shoot a Hi-Power. It’s all steel, holds 15+1, and copies Browning’s grip and layout faithfully. Ours had two stoppages early, then ran 560 rounds clean and grouped 2.3 in. at 15 yards. The trigger is heavy and the inside is rough, but at about $370 that’s a fair trade.

Buy it if you want a Hi-Power to shoot and enjoy for half what the others cost. Skip it if you want a refined pistol to carry or keep; the SA-35 and FN High Power are the ones for that.

Final Score: 7.5/10. A faithful, affordable Hi-Power copy with a budget trigger and budget internals.

FAQ: Century Arms Centurion 14