Ayoob: My Take on the SA-35
- Thread starter Mike H.
- Start date
Annihilator
Hellion
Having had a new, Browning P-35, many moons ago, that was traded soon after because of the "Magazine disconnect" trigger, I appreciate Mr. Ayoob's review.
Now having a Springfield SA-35 that will just have to be inherited by my son, I was amazed by how well my issue with the original P-35 was addressed and corrected by the Springfield, SA-35. MECGAR mags were also a problem free enhancement.
An octogenarian.
Now having a Springfield SA-35 that will just have to be inherited by my son, I was amazed by how well my issue with the original P-35 was addressed and corrected by the Springfield, SA-35. MECGAR mags were also a problem free enhancement.
An octogenarian.
I feel double sorry for you!
I would buy one in 4" barrel, polished blue if it would be made.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/.
I carried a P35 on and off for many many years, alternating with a Combat Commander in God's Caliber. Never had any issues with ANY of my HiPowers, with NONE. Used all kinds of ammo, some so old it was cringe-worthy... including some "sub-gun" ammo. Belgian, Argie, and Inglis made pistols..
Have since pretty much retired all my JMB-designs in favor of various Glocks for personal use, as I retired some years ago and no longer "agency carry".
Have since pretty much retired all my JMB-designs in favor of various Glocks for personal use, as I retired some years ago and no longer "agency carry".
You need to stay off the caffeine when you’re going to type…….
Who says it was caffeine!!!!!!
I’ll do better next time
tomhorn1913
Alpha
When I was inspecting SA-35s prior to purchase, I found the safety (dis)engagement wasn't as positive as on some examples I had previously handled. I was in a somewhat forced situation, on sale & I had a gift card for the vendor, so I took the best of the lot. After a bit of online searching, I found Cylinder & Slide's BHP safety detent upgrade kit. It included the detent pin & spring - for the princely sum of FIVE DOLLARS! I ordered two! Admittedly, the price had increased to $8 per kit, but I'm still marveling over where C&S gets the itty-bitty lathes to turn those little tiny detent pins? Regardless - the upgraded pins are not rounded like the factory part. They have a spire point which completely changes the personality of the safety operation. Think: "1911."
My SA is now my perfect 9mm.
My SA is now my perfect 9mm.
"The great gun guru Jeff Cooper, who considered the 9mm impotent, once said that no gun fit his hand better than the High Power, and it was a shame it was not chambered for a caliber of consequence."
As a matter of fact, BHP's were manufactured for a couple of decades in .40 S&W. Apparently someone listened.
As a matter of fact, BHP's were manufactured for a couple of decades in .40 S&W. Apparently someone listened.
Oldjeeperchris
Alpha
I too am living in Kalifornia.
Please!!! Make a version for sale in our miserable state.
Please!!! Make a version for sale in our miserable state.
Be sure and try out the EMP 4" CC. Not a double stack, but light and sweet.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!
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/.
The Ranger +P+ is certainly a serious step up from standard 9mm. Obtaining that load is perhaps difficult for many shooters. The SA-35 is 9mm excellence.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/.
I will stick with one of my 1911 units, .45, running hot
230 grain, hollow points.
I bought my SA-35 because my Browning High-Power is too pretty to be a carry piece. I bought it back in the 1980's. It's a Fabrique Nationale (FN) made unit and was $550. It came as a limited edition chrome mat finish unit, with factory adjustable combat sights, Pachmayr grips and the famous gold trigger. I've fired everything out of that gun, wadcutters, semiwadcutters, FMJ, Hollow Points, with topped off magazines and it has never once failed to feed a round or jam.
I really like my SA-35 and the only thing I intend to change in the future is the grips to Pachmayr's. I really do need to get to the range more with this gun.
I really like my SA-35 and the only thing I intend to change in the future is the grips to Pachmayr's. I really do need to get to the range more with this gun.
I stopped carrying my Brownings because vision forced me over to red dots, but I came up with a workaround. I was still carrying an iron sighted one three maybe four years ago, usually a MkIII Practical I bought then had Ted Yost work his magic on.
It was my dream BHP, set up exactly how I wanted. After a year or two, I had it Melonited (like S&W M&Ps) and I carried it like that for a long time.
I take the same low-light/night shooting class every year. One year around three or four years ago, I found I could not see the sights on my custom BHP when using a handheld light in certain conditions. I knew that day had been coming, but I didn’t know it was there.
The class is held on a Saturday night. Monday I bought a [mumble mumble] with a red dot from the factory. This was the easy button to a red dot gun.
I knew of one or two places mounting red dots on BHPs but had never seen one to examine it. For that matter, I hadn’t even seen good pictures. That’s what I wanted, but I wasn’t going to risk sending one of my Brownings to a place I knew next to nothing about.
I never really liked that polymer gun, but unlike the BHPs, I could see the sights 24 hours a day so I put up with it.
Somewhere along in here… come to think of it, this might’ve happened later in the same month of my buying the dot gun… SA introduced the SA-35. I wanted one but didn’t make it a priority because they weren’t red-dot-ready either.
After carrying that polymer frame dot gun for a couple of years, I was at an FNRA banquet and found myself seated next to a local gunsmith I had been hearing good things about. The first thing I asked was if he had milled a BHP or SA-35 for a red dot. The short answer was that he hadn’t, but was willing to try. The SA had been out long enough that the early bugs seemed to have been flushed out, so I was willing to try it also.
So that’s how I came to get an SA-35. I had one, and a new Trijicon sight, within three weeks of that banquet and left it with my new pal. The result was fantastic, and I’m still carrying it daily. I shot it earlier today, and will probably use it as I help with a class/match tomorrow.
I used to say I wished another US company sold HiPowers, and would do like SA and Kimber did with 1911s: Start making them factory equipped with better safety levers and sights, and no magazine disconnect. Maybe a little stippling, and variations like stainless and a Lightweight model. If SA did it, they could call it the Loaded HiPower.
That’s almost what they’ve done. They’ve given it a good thumb safety lever and sights. The silly magazine disconnect got ditched. They are starting to make some variants, but not as wide of variety as I’d like. I’d really like to see stainless steel and a model with a lightweight aluminum alloy frame. The 4” would be a lot more interesting with a LW frame.
Dot-ready would be nice, but I have a local connection to fix that now.
I know people will say they would be a hard sell up against polymer-framed striker-fired guns that weigh and cost 2/3 as much. I see the point, but the original SA-35 has been out for a little bit now and the LGS still sells every one they get. And this while I wouldn’t say they were selling a ton of guns these days.
It was my dream BHP, set up exactly how I wanted. After a year or two, I had it Melonited (like S&W M&Ps) and I carried it like that for a long time.
I take the same low-light/night shooting class every year. One year around three or four years ago, I found I could not see the sights on my custom BHP when using a handheld light in certain conditions. I knew that day had been coming, but I didn’t know it was there.
The class is held on a Saturday night. Monday I bought a [mumble mumble] with a red dot from the factory. This was the easy button to a red dot gun.
I knew of one or two places mounting red dots on BHPs but had never seen one to examine it. For that matter, I hadn’t even seen good pictures. That’s what I wanted, but I wasn’t going to risk sending one of my Brownings to a place I knew next to nothing about.
I never really liked that polymer gun, but unlike the BHPs, I could see the sights 24 hours a day so I put up with it.
Somewhere along in here… come to think of it, this might’ve happened later in the same month of my buying the dot gun… SA introduced the SA-35. I wanted one but didn’t make it a priority because they weren’t red-dot-ready either.
After carrying that polymer frame dot gun for a couple of years, I was at an FNRA banquet and found myself seated next to a local gunsmith I had been hearing good things about. The first thing I asked was if he had milled a BHP or SA-35 for a red dot. The short answer was that he hadn’t, but was willing to try. The SA had been out long enough that the early bugs seemed to have been flushed out, so I was willing to try it also.
So that’s how I came to get an SA-35. I had one, and a new Trijicon sight, within three weeks of that banquet and left it with my new pal. The result was fantastic, and I’m still carrying it daily. I shot it earlier today, and will probably use it as I help with a class/match tomorrow.
I used to say I wished another US company sold HiPowers, and would do like SA and Kimber did with 1911s: Start making them factory equipped with better safety levers and sights, and no magazine disconnect. Maybe a little stippling, and variations like stainless and a Lightweight model. If SA did it, they could call it the Loaded HiPower.
That’s almost what they’ve done. They’ve given it a good thumb safety lever and sights. The silly magazine disconnect got ditched. They are starting to make some variants, but not as wide of variety as I’d like. I’d really like to see stainless steel and a model with a lightweight aluminum alloy frame. The 4” would be a lot more interesting with a LW frame.
Dot-ready would be nice, but I have a local connection to fix that now.
I know people will say they would be a hard sell up against polymer-framed striker-fired guns that weigh and cost 2/3 as much. I see the point, but the original SA-35 has been out for a little bit now and the LGS still sells every one they get. And this while I wouldn’t say they were selling a ton of guns these days.
Elfego Baca
Operator
OnePingOnly
Alpha
FWIW, I was a hostage there for most of my life since age 4. No more, we moved out-of-state about 5 years ago. I won't be back. Such a beautiful state, great people. Disgusting Govt. And sadly, where I am now isn't much better....
Elfego Baca
Operator
You let them go a mile they will go 50!