Discuss the SA-35

[10mmAuto]

I really love the SA SA-35 concept, as I love the original Hi-Power. Does anyone have any comments or wish-lists? For example, I really wish they would also chamber this design in 45acp -- any thoughts?

Has anyone shot the SA-35? If so, what is the Trigger Pull stat? How heavy -- is it for EDC or more a car/truck/in-home gun?

Again, thoughts?

 

[Mr.W.]

Welcome to the forum, from Ohio.

 

[ECS686]

The issue with making it a larger caliber is beefing up everything will nae a huge difference to the looks. The 9mm is about as prefect blend of weight and balance there is especially when you look at the fact 1935 was a long time ago.

The 40 cal was not the same feel as the 9mm so I couldn’t imagine the dimensions for a 45.

The SA 35 had a head start with no mag safety but while I love the look of the hi power and it is an accurate handgun I never warmed up to it as. Carry handgun whem I had 1911’s wheelguns and Sig 220 series

That said if it fits you thwre is nothing wrong if that’s someone choice either

 

[Gunner9330]

New to the forum.
Highly ticked off at Springfield Armory currently until they correct my polished blue SA-35. They seem to have a bad batch of milling/tooling issues ranging in the 53,xxx serial number range, I've seen three with issues in that serial number range, just from lightly investigating the issue with mine.

 

[ex13F]

As I've posted here before, I have an SA-35. It feels great in the hand, is very accurate and has been without an issue but it nibbles at my hand to the point of drawing blood. I blame it on 50 years of shooting 1911s and having hands that are...well nourished.

 

[ECS686]

As I've posted here before, I have an SA-35. It feels great in the hand, is very accurate and has been without an issue but it nibbles at my hand to the point of drawing blood. I blame it on 50 years of shooting 1911s and having hands that are...well nourished.

Not sure if your grip preference but I find that a revolver or crushed grip does away with hammer bite on Browning Hi Power or the like. Thumbs forward seems to increase it while hand side can vary.

 

[Mr.W.]

New to the forum

Welcome to the forum, from Ohio.
If not done already, it would seem your pistol should return to the "Mothership" for inspection and repair, if warranted. Springfield Armory boasts excellent customer service; they've always stood behind their products. Good luck.

 

[Kir]

I did not have palm bite with my BHP Mk. III or the 'T' version, but for some reason just aiming/checking the sights for several minutes did irritate the irritate the web of my hand? So, I got a skeletonized C&S hammer and no probs thereafter. Depending on the sear which came with the new hammer, may or may not be necessary to install.

 

[BarryinIN]

I’m in love with the Browning HiPower and have been for years. The only autos that come close to fitting my hand as well are the CZ75 and Bren Ten. The shaoe if the BHP is great for concealed carry, as least for me. It blends into my clothing and fat.

I was pretty sad when Browning dropped them, but had been expecting it for years. They had done almost nothing with it. The Browning catalog that had pages of boots might give the HP half a page.

Even while Browning sold HPs I used to say we needed someone like SA to make them, and in something like a Loaded model. They didn’t exactly do that with the SA-35, but close. They gave it some things it needed, like dropping that stupid magazine disconnect, curing hammer bite (for most) and giving it thin grips.

I know whoever is making them for SA has been making them for years, so I don’t know why they had some initial extractor problems with early ones. That seems to be at least a couple of years behind us now.
That’s the only trouble I’ve heard about aside from Gunber9330’s frame contour.

When Browning dropped them, I was sad, but not too much because I had a few and thought I was in good shape.
Then my eyes forced me to give in to using red dots and I stopped carrying HiPowers.

Now I was stuck.

I wanted a HiPower with a red dot but didn’t want to have one of my Brownings ground on. When SA came out with the SA-35, I waited for the bugs to shake out, availability to increase, and price to decrease.

Once that happened, I got one, shot it a little while to test it out, then had it cut for an RMR. That was right at a year ago, and I’ve been using it since.
I haven’t shot it since yesterday, though.

So yeah, I’m happy with it.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a little more variety in the line. Stainless would be nice for those of us with sweat that eats guns. Maybe a little more beavertail would solve hammer bite for everyone. The safety is mostly well-shaped but an ambi would be welcome. An aluminum alloy frame could be nice. A shortened frame to match the 4” model similar to the Behlert mini-HPs would be great.
The new 4” one gives me hope that they are selling well enough that SA might explore more variety.

 

[Talyn]

I really love the SA SA-35 concept, as I love the original Hi-Power. Does anyone have any comments or wish-lists? For example, I really wish they would also chamber this design in 45acp -- any thoughts?

Again, thoughts?

The BHP design of which the SA-35 is a close-copy cannot accommodate the .45 acp nor the 10mm Auto because of its configuration and design features.

It would require a completely new pistol designed to accommodate those two cartridges, which would change the "BHP feel".

 

[Talyn]

I’m in love with the Browning HiPower and have been for years. The only autos that come close to fitting my hand as well are the CZ75 and Bren Ten. The shaoe if the BHP is great for concealed carry, as least for me. It blends into my clothing and fat.

I was pretty sad when Browning dropped them, but had been expecting it for years. They had done almost nothing with it. The Browning catalog that had pages of boots might give the HP half a page.

Even while Browning sold HPs I used to say we needed someone like SA to make them, and in something like a Loaded model. They didn’t exactly do that with the SA-35, but close. They gave it some things it needed, like dropping that stupid magazine disconnect, curing hammer bite (for most) and giving it thin grips.

I know whoever is making them for SA has been making them for years, so I don’t know why they had some initial extractor problems with early ones. That seems to be at least a couple of years behind us now.
That’s the only trouble I’ve heard about aside from Gunber9330’s frame contour.

When Browning dropped them, I was sad, but not too much because I had a few and thought I was in good shape.
Then my eyes forced me to give in to using red dots and I stopped carrying HiPowers.

Now I was stuck.

I wanted a HiPower with a red dot but didn’t want to have one of my Brownings ground on. When SA came out with the SA-35, I waited for the bugs to shake out, availability to increase, and price to decrease.

Once that happened, I got one, shot it a little while to test it out, then had it cut for an RMR. That was right at a year ago, and I’ve been using it since.
I haven’t shot it since yesterday, though.

So yeah, I’m happy with it.
I wouldn’t mind seeing a little more variety in the line. Stainless would be nice for those of us with sweat that eats guns. Maybe a little more beavertail would solve hammer bite for everyone. The safety is mostly well-shaped but an ambi would be welcome. An aluminum alloy frame could be nice. A shortened frame to match the 4” model similar to the Behlert mini-HPs would be great.
The new 4” one gives me hope that they are selling well enough that SA might explore more variety.

Girsan offers several models of their interpretation of the BHP with the features you list.

 

[Beagle]

I've had the sa35 for a year or so. I love mine! It's very accurate and feels great in hand. Haven't carried it because of the weight although if I were expecting trouble I wouldn't mind a little weight. The 4 inch model looks very interesting but I wish they'd cut it for a red dot. I'm just starting to get used to dots.