Hello all, here is today's article posted on TheArmoryLife.com. It is titled “Ayoob: My Take on the SA-35” and can be found at https://www.thearmorylife.com/ayoob-my-take-on-the-sa-35/.
Ayoob: My Take on the SA-35
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Talyn
Emissary
#1 - Mecgar BHP mags are 15 rds. vs. 14, and are not "new" since they've been around for decades.
#2 - One of the reason that non-cast framed BHPs (pre-FN made Mk.III) broke, as per mentioned in this article is the non-Mk.III BHP has it's several idiosyncrasies, and military's had the $$ and armorers to maintain their inventories during hard use.
Hi-Power expert Stephen Camp found that while the Browning Hi-Power can safely fire +P and +P+ 9mm ammunition, it was not strictly recommended by the manufacturer FN-Herstal. Extended use of overpressure ammo will accelerate wear on the frame and slide, so it should be used sparingly.
Camp's established guidelines and recommendations for using +P and +P+ ammunition in a Browning Hi-Power include:
#2 - One of the reason that non-cast framed BHPs (pre-FN made Mk.III) broke, as per mentioned in this article is the non-Mk.III BHP has it's several idiosyncrasies, and military's had the $$ and armorers to maintain their inventories during hard use.
Hi-Power expert Stephen Camp found that while the Browning Hi-Power can safely fire +P and +P+ 9mm ammunition, it was not strictly recommended by the manufacturer FN-Herstal. Extended use of overpressure ammo will accelerate wear on the frame and slide, so it should be used sparingly.
Camp's established guidelines and recommendations for using +P and +P+ ammunition in a Browning Hi-Power include:
- Recoil Springs: To protect the frame, Camp recommended using an 18.5-lb recoil spring instead of the factory 17-lb spring. He also endorsed the use of recoil buffers if you plan to shoot hotter loads.
- Ammunition Selection: For defensive carry, Camp favored the renowned Winchester 127-grain +P+ Ranger (RA9TA). He stressed that shooters should do the vast majority of their practice with standard-pressure ammo and only test a few magazines of their hot carry load to confirm reliability.
- Frame Integrity: He noted that the Hi-Power will not explode or break instantly with hot loads, but the added pressure causes more stress. Consistently feeding the gun +P+ ammunition—which has no SAAMI maximum pressure limit—will eventually loosen the pistol without upgraded springs, and due to the structural limitations of the design.
None of the current production (Turkish-made) BHP look-a-likes are designed like, and have the stronger cast-frame of the FN Mk. III.
Annihilator
Hellion
Great information! Thanks Talyn!
KillerFord1977
Emissary
the crazy thing about an SA-35 and the Hi Power is how small they are. after shooting a lot of modern metal framed handguns from CZ, SIG, 1911's, etc, you forget how small the dimensions of the pistol really are.
Makes a great CCW size handgun.
Makes a great CCW size handgun.
Talyn
Emissary
The BHSS folks describe all the BHP idiosyncrasies, which also include all the small springs and slide stop issues inherent in the BHP design.
It's not like the near-bullet proof & stronger Glock or other "modern" pistol designs, and the 1911 is a stronger & more durable than the BHP.
IMO if JMB had not died prior to the full-development of the BHP it would be a bit different than what the "D. Saive" took it from patent approval (JMB died prior to it) to release in 1935.
Having used/owned BHPs since the mid-80's, 98.6% of the time I'd only run standard-pressure 9mm in it, and if one seriously carries one for self-defense then have some more potent stuff "only" for carry use.
My .02
An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Shooter’s Guide To The Browning Hi Power, Revised Edition
This revised edition of "The Shooter's Guide to the Browning Hi Power" is a must-have for practical users of this famous John Browning design.
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Talyn
Emissary
BTW this is the approved patent design (1927) for JMB (died a year earlier) original Grand Rendement pistol designed with a striker-firing system.
Looks a bit different than what was completed in 1935 as a hammer-fired system by completed by Dieudonné Saive (designer of the FAL) at FN Herstal.
en.wikipedia.org
Looks a bit different than what was completed in 1935 as a hammer-fired system by completed by Dieudonné Saive (designer of the FAL) at FN Herstal.
Dieudonné Saive - Wikipedia
Grayfox
Professional
I love my SA-35. To me its the Hi-Power perfected. All the most desirable upgrades straight from the factory. 
SA really hit a home run on their design for the safety lever. This old 1911 guy feels right at home with it.
I really want one of the new 4" guns. But I'm gonna hold off for a while as I really, really hope SA will come out with a lightweight version. That would be my perfect 9mm carry gun.
Didja read that Springfield? Are ya listening? Make a lightweight 4" Dammit!
SA really hit a home run on their design for the safety lever. This old 1911 guy feels right at home with it.
I really want one of the new 4" guns. But I'm gonna hold off for a while as I really, really hope SA will come out with a lightweight version. That would be my perfect 9mm carry gun.
Didja read that Springfield? Are ya listening? Make a lightweight 4" Dammit!
BruceMc
Elite
When I picked up the SA-35 it just felt right and I had to have it. I read a few of the write-ups and knew it was a good pistol. I've several hundred rounds through it without problems, giving a mulligan to the broken extractor on the first range trip. I've carried it concealed in the same iwb holster I use for my 1911s. It's a great pistol but it's not a 1911.
Biggfoot44
Professional
And then there was the Missing Link , and sweet spot . The FM Hi Power .
Made under license by Fabrique Militar in Argentina , and heavily imported into US for several years .
Essentially , a circa 1972 Browning in configuration . Except reliable with all types of JHP . Good triggers , mid sized but usable sights . Spur hammer that somewhat reduced hammer bite .
I don't know if any were issued to Argentina Mil / LE , but for commercial export , a " Detective Model " , with shortened Bbl & slide , and full size grip .
And at the past weekend's gun show , saw an interesting piece of Hi Power rarity . An FEG Hi Power ( Hungary) .
Not a " great gun " , but the engineering was fascinating .
Imagine Hi Power frame , but with DA/ SA internally copied from two digit S&W autos . With slide mounted safety .
Made under license by Fabrique Militar in Argentina , and heavily imported into US for several years .
Essentially , a circa 1972 Browning in configuration . Except reliable with all types of JHP . Good triggers , mid sized but usable sights . Spur hammer that somewhat reduced hammer bite .
I don't know if any were issued to Argentina Mil / LE , but for commercial export , a " Detective Model " , with shortened Bbl & slide , and full size grip .
And at the past weekend's gun show , saw an interesting piece of Hi Power rarity . An FEG Hi Power ( Hungary) .
Not a " great gun " , but the engineering was fascinating .
Imagine Hi Power frame , but with DA/ SA internally copied from two digit S&W autos . With slide mounted safety .
Grayfox
Professional
I have one. Stumbled across it several years ago LNIB. Great gun, but these days worth too much to carry.
I also have a Girsan MCP-35 PI LW which is basically the same gun in a lightweight. I will carry that one.
BUT I STILL WANNA 4" SA-35 IN A LIGHTWEIGHT! YA HEAR ME SPRINGFIELD!
KillerFord1977
Emissary
I have one. Stumbled across it several years ago LNIB. Great gun, but these days worth too much to carry.
I also have a Girsan MCP-35 PI LW which is basically the same gun in a lightweight. I will carry that one.
BUT I STILL WANNA 4" SA-35 IN A LIGHTWEIGHT! YA HEAR ME SPRINGFIELD!
Definately not worth to much to carry
Prices on those are same as about any avg gun these days in $500-700 range. The FM is not a collectable comodity no more than any other clone . They are perfect size to carry.
And why put a price on protection.
UC_Guy 1971
Custom
I really like my SA-35. I would buy another if it were the 4" model, equipped with a rail and cut for an optic.
ex13F
Custom
I have one but I know I haven't shot it in at least 2 years because it nibbles my hand. Tried to sell/trade it a couple times to some younger fellas (Glockheads) but they say, "It's too heavy". I actually forget I have one until somebody brings it up on a forum saying how much they love theirs. It's a well made, accurate pistol, it just doesn't like me.
By nibbles is the sour hitting ykur hand slightly? If so try a revolvwr aka crushed thumb grip on it. (Where both thumbs are locked down) That changes your hand (the meaty part) ever so slightly enouhh it eliminates hammer bite with most people.
ex13F
Custom
I've tried that as well and it still draws blood after 2 magazines. It will start the process about halfway through the 1st one. As much as I like feel of it in my hand it simply isn't for me. Thanks for the suggestion.
It's like my ex-wife. Nice to look at, put together real well and felt good to hold but didn't like me and in just a short amount of time will draw blood.
Perhaps some slight milling of the sour or different hammer can do the trick. Not sure if Cylinder and Slide is still going but them and Novak use to do some awesome Hi Power Voodoo