SA35 HI-Power clone. (Page 1 of 2)
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Posted: 10/18/2024 8:52:42 PM EDT
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I've owned several Browning Hi-Powers since the late1960's. They are my favorite single action semi. I even prefer it to the 1911. I gave my latest Browning, a 75th Anniv. commemorative, to my son a year or two ago. I purchased a late production SA 35 ser. # HP35XXX several months back. It's a beauty. Excellent fit and finnish, very tight and smooth slide to frame. Best P35 trigger I've had probably due to the absent mag/trigger safety. Excellent sights, groups tight point of aim @ 15 yds with any ammo I've tried. Very accessable and functional safety lever. Only about 300-350 rnds through it so far and with no hiccups what so ever. I truely believe this is the best Hi-Power I've ever had |
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Glad to see this post as I've been wondering about the SA. Does anyone know if SA actually manufactures the SA35 or is is more like the Croatian XD series? Is is a really nice Turkish pistol (for instance). It seems that there was some flaw in the lockwork early on. Is that all in the past? I just moved to a free state, but when I lived in Washington, I stocked up on Mec-Gar BHP magazines just prior to their mag ban. Now I'd like to get a pistol to use them in. |
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| My experience has been the same as yours, love the SA-35. I’ve owned Girsan, FM, FN, Browning, FEG, and the SA is my favorite. I’ve been reading good things about the new Centurion though, so I may have to get one just to see how it stacks up. |
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I have 1 SA35 and 2 Girsan P35 clones. The SA35 is very nicely finished and has comfortable checkered wooden grips and a very positive single sided safety the is easy to hit with the thumb. Its trigger pull is sadly very mushy and heavy; the slide lifts noticeably when the trigger is pulled. No 1911, this one. One of the Girsans is dirt brown with black plastic grips, operates smothly and reliably. The other Girsan is hard chrome plated with gold safety, trigger, hammer and slide stop. The gold stuff makes it ugly but it is the slickest, smoothest P35 ever. The G-10 grips are ok but nice walnut would be nicer. The ambidexterous safety would be much better if shaped like the Springfield or if the grips were relieved a bit more. It requires a bit of effort to get the thumb under the safety to apply it. Trigger pull on both Girsans is clean and crisp once the magazine disconnect is removed but very heavy. Sights on both Girsans are excellent. Both the SA35 and the Girsan pistols are accurate enough for defensive pistols and are dead nuts reliable. The only malfunctions in a couple thousand rounds spread between the three guns has been ammo (my crummy reloads). They are not as accurate nor as easy to shoot as my Colt or Kimber 1911s. They do not cost as much either. |
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Out of 7 or 8 Hi-Powers I've owned, the only Browning I can recall surpassing the accuracy of my SA35 was a 1990's MKII made in Portugal/assembled in Belgium. It was phenominal and certainly a 1-off. It was also dead-butt ugly with a nasty medium gray finish and plastic grips. I tried a Girsan before the Springer and as much as I tried to like it, I couldn't get past the goofy front sight and the fact it patterned like 00BS at 20 yds. That's when I decided to fork-up the extra cash for a SA35. I'll never regret it. By the way, mine DOES NOT have a spongy trigger, as someone mentioned above. It's very light and crisp. |
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I hear nothing but good reports on the SA35. Back when he was still around, Karl Sokol and I talked about the SA Hi Power a lot. He praised it and had high regards for the SA35. I think the only thing he said needed to be replaced was the extractor or disconnector (can't remember). He worked on 3 of my FN Hi Powers and I was planning to send him an SA35 but then he passed away. 
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Picked mine up on Saturday. Was initially intending to get the modern FN-manufactured one, but when examined side-by-side, I just didn't see $500 worth of improvement. That being said, I have zero experience with these. |
And then, he arrives at the last item on his bucket list...
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Originally Posted By GySgt_D: Picked mine up on Saturday. Was initially intending to get the modern FN-manufactured one, but when examined side-by-side, I just didn't see $500 worth of improvement. That being said, I have zero experience with these. The new FN "Hi-Power" is a completely different animal. |
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Has there been any longevity issues (or theorizing, since it is so new) with the 15rd magazines? Sure seems like that last round is being forced into it in a way that makes me wonder if damage is being done... ETA> new holster came in this weekend- Attached File |
And then, he arrives at the last item on his bucket list...
I think I have only cleaned it twice.
| 550 rounds through mine in a single range day and I’m very happy with it. It is my first BHP so there was a learning curve for me. I kept unintentionally locking the slide open by forcing the safety up into the takedown notch while shooting. Also, the SA35 beaver tail REALLY chews the web of my thumb up. I attribute this solely to my modern shooting grip. Neither of those issues are the guns fault. Well, maybe Springfield could have dulled the edges of the beaver tail a bit… |
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Originally Posted By Semper_Firearms: 550 rounds through mine in a single range day and I’m very happy with it. It is my first BHP so there was a learning curve for me. I kept unintentionally locking the slide open by forcing the safety up into the takedown notch while shooting. Also, the SA35 beaver tail REALLY chews the web of my thumb up. I attribute this solely to my modern shooting grip. Neither of those issues are the guns fault. Well, maybe Springfield could have dulled the edges of the beaver tail a bit… A Cylinder and Slide detent and spring will help reduce bumping the safety into the takedown notch during shooting. I had the same thing happen with mine early on. The detent is more pointed and the spring is a little heavier giving the safety a 1911-esque ‘snick’ when enganging or disengaging. |
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Mines an early one. I bought the spare extractor and spring . Still running the factory one. Mines extremely accurate. 500 or so rounds of Winchester white box. Maybe one stoppage. No regrets. Attached File |
The voices in my head say I’m just being paranoid
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Originally Posted By wildearp: Yes, very nice trigger. I handled a EAA/Girsan at a LGS this weekend. It had a flat trigger and the trigger pull was horrible. Mine: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/41996/SA_35-3177893.jpg This is why the trigger in mine was so bad.  |
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Just picked up an SA-35. Never had any experience with a HP before but it's pretty nice. A little rattly, but not bad. Finish is smooth. Trigger isn't bad, but 0 reset. Biggest gripe I have is the beavertail portion is sharp as fuck, I mean shave your face sharp. Will shoot it a bit, then probably get a dawson FO front for it. Also, 1 mag is dumb. |
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@wildearp -- What grips are those? |
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I bought my NIB SA35 from my best friend for $500. I have not shot it yet but will try to next week. I had BHPs in the past in .40 and they were fantastic. Very accurate and balanced. I am planing to order some VZ G10 grips for it. Not a fan of wooden grips. |
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I finally bit the bullet. Local shop had a sale going on.  I bought the grips a few weeks earlier. Gotta agree with others, that beavertail has some really sharp points. After shooting it and if it does cause problems I’ll stone those edges down and cold blue them. Already ordered a couple of extra mags as well. |
The voices in my head say I’m just being paranoid
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I’ve been thinking about picking up a 9mm 1911 to carry, but I’m starting to wonder if I wouldn’t be better off with one of these since I get 50% higher capacity and it’s 7oz lighter. Any of you guys carry one? ETA: How about function with JHPs? |
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I think the best comparison between a Browning Hi Power clone and a 1911 is to use an alloy frame Commander in 9 mm. A flush base plate mag in 9 mm is 9+1 and extended base plate 1911 mag is 10+1. The ergonomics between the SA 35 and 1911 is personal choice as are the particular sights. The 1911 wins with a better thumb safety and a little thinner grip if you’re concerned about concealment. The trigger on a 1911 is superior to the SA-35 IMHO but the SA-35 is very shootable but lacks a defined audible reset. My 1911 pistols have a short reset which is tactile and audible. Some users experience hammer bite with the SA-35 and other HP clones. The hammer bite can be more easily mitigated with the 1911 by changing the grip safety. My Grisan MC P35 is a clone of the Hi Power Mk III which incorporates the firing pin block safety. My MC P35 trigger is just as good as the SA-35 once I removed the magazine safety from the Girsan MC P35. I have a RIA 1911 A1 FS in 9 mm and a Grisan MC P35 and I can shoot the 1911 more accurately but really not enough to matter in most self defense encounters. In competition I could probably get as many A zone hits with either the 1911 or MC P35 but my group would be tighter with a 1911. I really think it boils down to personal choice and the specific pistols being compared considering the sights, trigger and ergonomics. A LGS has a used Springfield SA-35 for sale I got to inspect and it is really a nice pistol. I like the SA-35 sights but for the difference in price I like my Girsan MC P35. In full disclosure the Grisan MC P35 and my RIA 1911 A1 are range toys and I don’t carry either for defense. I trust both pistols but have other handguns I carry concealed. Grisan MC P35 Black Cerakote  Rock Island Armory 1911 A1 FS 9 MM  . |
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Originally Posted By metalmelter: I know a guy that can make perfection better.  https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/472009/IMG_6857-3368544.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/472009/IMG_6953-3368542.jpg @metalmelter thats what I would want in a high power. What did that run you? Does your gunsmith take in work? Hi power gunsmiths are dwindling. As time goes by, theres less and less hi power gunsmiths. |
| If I remember right it was around $1300, I don't really remember. I had the sights, sear, trigger, and hammer fitted replaced, front and back strap stippled, and the beavertail installed. After all the work it was reparked. I may be forgetting some stuff but I'm on the road and that pistol and invoice are at the house. "19Charlie Tactical" on facebook is about the best way to get hold of him. His website is 19Charlie Tactical Mine is probably going back to him one day to have the trigger guard undercut, I should have done it and now regret it. |
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Originally Posted By Sputnik556: I’ve been thinking about picking up a 9mm 1911 to carry, but I’m starting to wonder if I wouldn’t be better off with one of these since I get 50% higher capacity and it’s 7oz lighter. Any of you guys carry one? ETA: How about function with JHPs? I have had the same thoughts. Every one loves the 2011s but the hp got it right a long time ago. I have a colt and bul armory 9mm 1911. I have a Turkish hp. If I had to carry one it's definitely the hp. |
The voices in my head say I’m just being paranoid
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Originally Posted By cb69: I have had the same thoughts. Every one loves the 2011s but the hp got it right a long time ago. I have a colt and bul armory 9mm 1911. I have a Turkish hp. If I had to carry one it's definitely the hp. Originally Posted By cb69: Originally Posted By Sputnik556: I’ve been thinking about picking up a 9mm 1911 to carry, but I’m starting to wonder if I wouldn’t be better off with one of these since I get 50% higher capacity and it’s 7oz lighter. Any of you guys carry one? ETA: How about function with JHPs? I have had the same thoughts. Every one loves the 2011s but the hp got it right a long time ago. I have a colt and bul armory 9mm 1911. I have a Turkish hp. If I had to carry one it's definitely the hp. Darn, I use Trijicon HD night sights on my carry guns but it doesn’t look like they’re available for the SA 35. |
If you aren't representing Jesus in a way that makes people want to hang out with you, you're doing it wrong.
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Originally Posted By Sputnik556: Darn, I use Trijicon HD night sights on my carry guns but it doesn’t look like they’re available for the SA 35. Doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of non standard HP aftermarket made for it yet. Only threaded barrels I could find were pushing the $400 price point and they were not Springfield specific. I understand it’s like one of those little metal link puzzles to get the longer barrel to go in. Since I have a 9mm can, first thing I went looking for was a barrel and suppressor height sights. |
The voices in my head say I’m just being paranoid
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Originally Posted By ScottsGT: Doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of non standard HP aftermarket made for it yet. Only threaded barrels I could find were pushing the $400 price point and they were not Springfield specific. I understand it’s like one of those little metal link puzzles to get the longer barrel to go in. Since I have a 9mm can, first thing I went looking for was a barrel and suppressor height sights. Originally Posted By ScottsGT: Originally Posted By Sputnik556: Darn, I use Trijicon HD night sights on my carry guns but it doesn’t look like they’re available for the SA 35. Doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of non standard HP aftermarket made for it yet. Only threaded barrels I could find were pushing the $400 price point and they were not Springfield specific. I understand it’s like one of those little metal link puzzles to get the longer barrel to go in. Since I have a 9mm can, first thing I went looking for was a barrel and suppressor height sights. Hopefully Springfield give the Hi Power the same treatment they’re giving the rest of their lines and start offering them with upgrades like optics cuts, maybe the aftermarket will take off then. |
If you aren't representing Jesus in a way that makes people want to hang out with you, you're doing it wrong.
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Yes. A long time ago. It was the first run that had problems, and production was halted. When it came back, it was fixed. My pistol is in the 24,000 serial number range, a couple years old and has never failed to extract a round. It has become one of my favorite carry pieces. |
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Originally Posted By wildearp: A lot of mag brands need the last round forced in and have no issues. As it turns out, it was shipped with a defective magazine. The fifteenth round wasn't even visible at the inspection hole. Surprised that I was able to shove that many in... |
And then, he arrives at the last item on his bucket list...
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Originally Posted By Dissident: I have no use for a SA-35, but I really really do want one. Well, duh! That’s exactly why I’m here! First time I got to hold one at the toy store I knew I needed it just to scratch that itch. Waiting for better weather to make it out to the range now. |
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If you believe the internet, Springfield gets its forgings from Tisas. They make a stainless HP. It is just not imported anymore. Here is mine with a few upgrades. Great woods gun.Attached File |
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