SA-35 Review: Dissecting Springfield’s New 9mm Pistol

By Rob Garrett
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SA-35 Review: Dissecting Springfield’s New 9mm Pistol

October 1st, 2025

11 minute read

On October 26, Springfield shook the world with the introduction of the SA-35, an updated version of the venerable P-35 9mm pistol. The response to the pistol was overwhelming, as was the demand for pistols. As I write this article, that demand has no sign of ceasing.

A Springfield SA-35 pistol displayed in a disassembled state on a flat surface for review and inspection. The image shows the main components separated for cleaning and evaluation of the firearm’s internal design. Lighting is even and neutral to help identify machining quality and surface finish. This type of photo is common in firearm testing articles, where reviewers check fit, finish, and ease of maintenance. The image reflects the author’s hands-on process described in the Springfield SA-35 review. It gives a clear view of how the parts align and interact during field stripping and reassembly.
In this SA-35 review, the author pulls the pistol apart, thoroughly examines it and shoots hundreds of rounds through it in a range test.

Normally, when I receive a pistol for editorial coverage, I run three premium loads through it for accuracy and velocity results. Then I run a box or two of ball through it for photographs and fun. However, when I received my SA-35 I decided to do an extensive testing protocol because I was so excited about it. Therefore, this column will cover my initial impressions and the results of the tests.

First Impressions of the SA-35

Let me say that I think the SA-35 is a homerun for Springfield in many ways. First, it is a faithful rendition of the original design, with modern upgrades that make it serviceable right out of the box. Second, the manufacturing and finish on the SA-35 are not only excellent but better than some originals I have seen in the past. Let me briefly hit what I consider the high points of the SA-35.

A full, assembled Springfield SA-35 pistol photographed to show the exact handgun used for testing and evaluation in this Springfield SA-35 review. The image presents the pistol from a neutral angle so readers can see the matte blue finish, slide profile, and contoured wood grips noted in the article. Visible details include the extended safety, no-bite ring hammer, and the beveled magazine well that factored into handling impressions. This type of photo connects the reader with the real example used for accuracy, velocity, and reliability testing. It helps confirm that the performance numbers and reliability notes in the review came from a specific, author-owned firearm. Lighting is even to avoid exaggerated reflections and to accurately represent the gun’s surface and markings.
The author’s personal Springfield SA-35 used throughout testing and range evaluation. It was the specific SA-35 example the author tore down, inspected and shot.

Matte Blue Finish

Springfield gave the SA-35 a matte blue finish. While not as durable as some of the “spray and bake” finishes, it is both attractive and fits the personality of the SA-35. Some of us remember the horrible painted finishes on original guns! This gun should be blued.

SA-35 Features

The no-bite ring hammer, excellent sights, beveled magazine well, extended safety and great trigger set the SA-35 apart from the imports. The use of a proven 15-round magazine negates any trivial critiques about capacity.

A hammer-fired 9mm pistol is shown from a clean angle to highlight user-facing features such as sights, safety, and grip shape. The finish appears even and the control layout looks straightforward for consistent handling. This generalized image matches the Springfield SA-35 review by illustrating how a classic pattern can be updated with practical enhancements. The perspective makes it easy to evaluate sight height, safety reach, and the overall slide profile. Details relevant to reliability and comfort, like the magazine well and trigger geometry, can be inferred from this view. The presentation suits sections about build quality, ergonomics, and everyday range or carry use. It helps readers visualize the kind of features discussed throughout the review.
Springfield Armory loaded the hammer-fired SA-35 handgun with highly desirable features.

Springfield Armory Barrel

The hammer-forged barrel, and barrel fit, is exceptional. Bill Laughridge, of Cylinder & Slide fame, said that the barrel lock-up on the original pistol was atrocious and, in many cases, you were lucky to get them to shoot four inches at 25 yards. My SA-35 results were half of the old standard.

Contoured Wood Stocks

Kudos to Springfield for equipping the SA-35 with contoured wood stocks. The original stocks were not only thick but had no real contour on the edges. The SA-35 stocks are very similar to Spegels and taper to meet the frame with no overlap.

A full-size, hammer-fired 9mm pistol is shown with multiple spare Mec-Gar magazines placed nearby on a neutral surface. The arrangement reinforces topics covered in a Springfield SA-35 review such as magazine capacity, reload speed, and range efficiency. Clean lighting keeps attention on the pistol’s controls, the beveled magwell area, and the overall slide profile for easy visual reference. The Mecgar magazines are positioned to suggest practical carry or training use without tying the scene to a specific brand-marked accessory. This composition works for discussing reliability testing, ammunition selection, and extended shooting sessions. It also supports comparisons with classic P-35 style handguns and modernized features. The overall scene is straightforward so it can illustrate reloading drills, storage, and bench organization.
The author made sure he had a good supply of Mec Gar magazines to run the pistol with during his testing.

Slide to Frame Fit

The slide to frame fit, on my gun, is significantly better than on most original guns.

Hi-Power Aesthetics

Externally, the finish was void of any machine marks. The markings were clean and minimal. I was glad to see Springfield decided to forego their typical logo of the crossed cannons on the exterior of the gun. In my opinion, it just would not have looked right!

A hammer-fired 9mm pistol is pictured beside polymer-coated range ammunition suitable for high-volume practice. The scene reflects the Springfield SA-35 review focus on reliability, accuracy, and manageable recoil with training loads. Even lighting makes the slide profile, sights, and grip interface easy to evaluate without distraction. Multiple cartridges and boxes suggest sustained strings, magazine rotations, and data collection across different bullet weights. The neutral background keeps attention on surface finish and control placement for readers comparing ergonomics. This type of image fits sections covering chronograph work, group measurements at 25 yards, and cleanliness benefits of coated bullets.
Federal’s Syntech ammunition is becoming a favorite for a lot of people — especially folks who spend a lot of time on indoor ranges.

Internal Examination

Breaking the pistol down, there were some chatter marks on the top of the rails and bottom edge of the slide. This is purely cosmetic and are found on originals as well. Other than that, all machines was crisp and clean. The barrel was properly throated and the feed ramp was polished.

Shots Fired: Range Testing the SA-35 Pistol

The ammo shortage has certainly changed the manner in which many writers conduct evaluations. However, I wanted to gather as much information on the SA-35 as possible, given certain limitations.

A Springfield SA-35 is displayed with a wide selection of 9mm ammunition to represent the scope of testing described in the Springfield SA-35 review. The scene suggests a mix of bullet weights and pressures, suitable for evaluating reliability, accuracy, and feeding characteristics. Multiple boxes and loose rounds indicate realistic range prep for chronograph work and timed strings. The neutral background keeps focus on the pistol’s controls, slide profile, and grip interface without visual clutter. This setup works for discussing group sizes at 25 yards, velocity spreads, and how the gun handles varied loads. It also supports notes on ejection patterns, magazine function, and overall endurance across an extended session. The presentation is versatile enough to pair with sections on testing protocol, data collection, and takeaways for everyday use.
The only way to see if a gun is reliable is to shoot it. The author did just that, with a wide selection of loads.

The first stage of the test was to evaluate the SA-35 for reliability. I dug way back in the ammo bunker and was able to gather 21 different loads. These ranged from new production Super Vel 90-gr. +P to vintage Winchester 115-gr. Silvertip and Federal 115-gr. 9BP. I also included as many current production, premium loads, as possible.

The test protocol was to shoot 10 rounds from each load. To evaluate reliability, I loaded five rounds in the bottom of the magazine, followed by five ball rounds, and then five rounds at the top. The thought was that most malfunctions either occur in the first few or the last few rounds of the magazine. This also reduced the total rounds of premium ammo needed for this part of the evaluation.

A paper bullseye target displays several tight clusters of 9mm impacts near center. Handwritten notes mark distance, group size, and the order of strings. The pattern shows minimal vertical stringing, suggesting steady trigger control and a consistent sight picture. Pasters cover earlier holes so each string can be read clearly. Clusters labeled for slow-fire contrast with slightly wider rapid-fire groups. The overall dispersion implies solid mechanical accuracy from a hammer-fired design. Point of aim and point of impact appear closely aligned at 25 yards. The target could reflect results from a Springfield SA-35 review or another P-35/Hi-Power pattern handgun. Mixed loads likely include FMJ ball and defensive JHP, possibly some +P. Chronograph velocity notes in the margins hint at careful data collection.
The SA-35 proved to be very accurate at 25 yards. This exceeds the minimum accuracy needs for defensive work.

The 10 rounds were fired from a bag rest at a B-8 bullseye target, positioned 25 yards downrange. They were also shot through my ProChronoDLX chronograph. The hottest load was the Double Tap 80-gr. TAC-XP, which averaged 1,471 fps. The Super Vel 158-gr. Hushpuppy Subsonic load was the slowest at 891 fps. I had no ammo-related issues during this phase of the test.

To evaluate the accuracy, I measured the best five-shot group. This mitigated shooter error and was a better reflection of the potential accuracy of the SA-35. The reader will note the N/A comment on the chart. There were a couple of times when I failed to replace the target between loads. As the chart reflects, the SA-35 is certainly capable of providing 2″ or better groups, with most loads.

Ammunition Performance Results

AmmunitionVelocityEnergyGroup Size
DoubleTap Tac-XP 80 gr HP1,405 fps351 ft-lbs1.5″
Federal HST 124 gr JHP1,180 fps383 ft-lbs1.0″
Federal Hydra-Shok 147 gr JHP980 fps313 ft-lbs2.5″
Federal Premium 115 gr JHP1,148 fps337 ft-lbs1.5″
Federal Punch Personal Defense 124 gr JHP1,189 fps389 ft-lbs1.37″
Federal Syntech Defense 138 gr JHP1,081 fps358 ft-lbsn/a
Hornady Critical Defense 115 gr FTX1,160 fps344 ft-lbsn/a
Hornady Critical Duty 124 gr FTX +P1,208 fps402 ft-lbs1.88″
Remington Golden Saber 124 gr BJHP1,130 fps352 ft-lbs1.5″
Remington Golden Saber 124 gr BJHP +P1,179 fps383 ft-lbs1.0″
Speer Gold Dot G2 135 gr GDHP1,122 fps377 ft-lbs1.0″
Speer Gold Dot G2 147 gr GDHP1,022 fps341 ft-lbs1.37″
Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection 124 gr GDHP1,156 fps368 ft-lbs1.75″
Super Vel Mk144 Mod 0 Subsonic 158 gr891 fps278 ft-lbs2.0″
Super Vel 90 gr SCHP +P1,572 fps494 ft-lbs2.0″
Super Vel 115 gr SCHP +P1,241 fps393 ft-lbs1.25″
Super Vel Subsonic 115 gr1,093 fps305 ft-lbsn/a
Wilson Combat TAC-XP 95 gr HP1,282 fps347 ft-lbs1.75″
Wilson Combat TAC-XP 115 gr HP +P1,101 fps310 ft-lbs2.0″
Winchester Silvertip 115 gr JHP1,164 fps346 ft-lbs1.5″
Accuracy at 25 yards, the best five of 10 shots measured from center to center.

Pushing the Handgun Farther

The second round of tests involved evaluating the extractor and ejector, the reliability when shooting with a less than firm grip, and functioning with mixed loads left over from the first test.

About 100 rounds in, we did notice that the rear sight retention screw had worked loose. This was a quick fix with the proper wrench. This was the only issue we had with the actual pistol.

A range-side photo shows a person firing a full-size 9mm handgun as part of a controlled review. The grip is high on the backstrap with the support hand locked in, aiding recoil control and faster sight recovery. The front sight appears centered, indicating focus on sight picture and predictable alignment. Spent brass is captured in flight, hinting at steady extraction and ejection angles. The pistol’s profile aligns with a Springfield SA-35 style, a hammer-fired design with traditional ergonomics and contoured wood grips. The shooter is working through timed strings and slow-fire groups to document accuracy and reliability. Environmental details suggest a structured session with targets at measured distances like 25 yards. Smooth trigger control and minimal muzzle rise point to a well-fit slide and proper barrel lock-up. A beveled magwell and extended safety would support efficient reloads and safe handling. The overall scene reflects typical procedures used in a detailed Springfield SA-35 review.
The author shot the Springfield Armory SA-35 with a broad range of ammunition loads during testing.

To evaluate the extractor and ejection pattern, I fired 15 rounds of 115-gr. ball. Each round was fired without having a magazine in the gun. All rounds landed at three to four feet, between 3:30 and 5:00 from the pistol.

The final test consisted of an extended 20-round magazine dump to heat the gun up, followed by three 15-round magazines, shot rapidly. The three magazines contained a mixed selection of the loads tested for accuracy. These loads were all considered premium personal defensive loads.

A standard bullseye sheet captures several five-shot clusters concentrated in the black. Each group is annotated with notes on ammunition type and string number. The tightest cluster sits directly over the aiming point, indicating good sight regulation. Slight lateral spread in a separate string hints at shooter input rather than mechanical drift. Tape patches separate earlier attempts so later holes can be evaluated cleanly. The uniform hole shape points to consistent ammunition and proper feed and lock-up. Markings reference 25 yards and list a mix of FMJ and JHP, with one string flagged as +P. The layout suggests a full-size 9mm pistol like the Springfield SA-35, derived from the Browning P-35. Trigger control, grip stability, and follow-through appear well managed across strings. The overall picture is of dependable accuracy suitable for defensive loads and training ammo.
Who wouldn’t want to shoot groups like this one? This Springfield 9mm was capable of very accurate and precise shooting.

During this test, we had one failure. On the second magazine, one Super Vel 90 gr. +P JHP hung up on the feed ramp and failed to feed. It should be noted that the overall length of this round is extremely short as well as being loaded to +P velocities. This was the only malfunction we had in the entire test series.

We finished on the day popping plates and ringing steel, with leftover loads, and the total round count for the day was around 450 rounds. We did not clean or lube the pistol during this process.

Wrap Up of the SA-35 Review

I consider the information that I gathered during this testing to be significant. With the exception of the aforementioned Super Vel load, the SA-35 was 100% reliable with all of the relevant personal defense loads. An examination of the frame, slide, and barrel, showed no excessive wear or peening. This was a pretty intensive test for one day of shooting, with an extremely broad range of bullet weights and loads.

The only negative comment anyone had during the test was that top edges of the backstrap were extremely sharp and somewhat uncomfortable during shooting. This is an easy fix for Springfield on future guns.

Thanks for coming along on the trip. There will be more to come.

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Springfield Armory® recommends you seek qualified and competent training from a certified instructor prior to handling any firearm and be sure to read your owner’s manual. These articles and videos are considered to be suggestions and not recommendations from Springfield Armory. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Springfield Armory.

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Rob Garrett

Rob Garrett

Rob is a career law enforcement officer who retired after 38 years of service. He holds multiple POST certifications including Firearms Instructor, FBI Firearms Instructor, and POST instructor. He started his editorial career with Harris Publications with his first article being published in 1984.

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