A.A. LTD Kareen Mk I 9mm Hi-Power-Pattern Pistol, Israeli-Made, Early “1AA” Series, Custom G10 Grips, 15+1 Capacity
This early-production Israeli Kareen Mk I combines the proven Hi-Power design with limited U.S. import history and matching numbered major parts. Built by A.A. Ltd. in the 1990s using FÉG Hi-Power components, it retains the desirable internal extractor, ring hammer, and polished blued finish of the first-generation Kareens.
Aftermarket red and black G10 grips add modern texture while the original hardwood panels remain with the pistol—offering both a custom feel and the option for factory style.
Condition
Overall Condition: Fair – Shows extensive signs of prior use and handling.
Bore Condition: Good – Clean, shiny bore with minor wear marks.
Bore Rifling: Good – Intact, well-defined lands and grooves.
Mechanical Condition: Needs Attention – Trigger assembly does not consistently function and should be replaced to restore reliable operation.
Specific Condition Notes: Slide, frame, and barrel are structurally solid. Finish displays scattered scratches and blemishes consistent with heavy carry.
What’s Included
- Pistol with red/black textured G10 grip panels installed
- Original checkered hardwood grip panels (spare)
- 2 × 15-round steel magazines
- 3 × 13-round steel magazines (Hi-Power pattern; some marked “PATENT 5,386,657” by Mec-Gar)
Assembled in Israel by A.A. Ltd., the Kareen Mk I mirrors the Browning Hi-Power’s single-action, short-recoil, locked-breech system while featuring a polished dark blued finish on carbon-steel slide and frame. Its internal extractor, ring hammer, and half-cock notch reflect the earliest Kareen configuration.
The serial prefix “1AA” places this example in the first Kareen production block and all three major components—frame, slide, and barrel—carry matching numbers. Limited importation by J.O. Arms prior to the 1996 ban adds scarcity for U.S. collectors.
Function controls remain classic Hi-Power: a left-side manual thumb safety, magazine disconnect, and standard magazine release. Fixed three-dot sights offer a familiar sight picture while the full-size grip houses a 15-round magazine—two of which accompany the pistol along with three original-pattern 13-round mags.
Custom red/black G10 grips provide a secure, modern hold and visual contrast against the deep blued steel, yet the included hardwood panels allow an easy return to factory aesthetics. Despite cosmetic wear and a worn trigger assembly, the bore is clean and the slide, frame, and barrel show sound integrity, making this a solid foundation for restoration or parts compatibility with Hi-Power components.