Springfield SA-35

[sqlbullet]

Springfield is releasing a Browning Hi-Power clone that looks very nice.  Steel forged frame, slide, barrel, no mag disconnect, CNC machined using modern techniques and tolerances, compatibility with existing BHP parts* and accessories and a sub $700 MSRP.  Looks like a huge win for everyone but guys that have been stockpiling hi-powers banking on increased prices.

The parts compatibility is *'d because of the better/tighter tolerance.  Older parts may have interference issues as they were built to a looser tolerance.  A little file work will correct this in most cases.

I love my hi-powers, so this is exciting to me:

https://www.springfield-armory.com/sa-35-series-handguns/sa-35-handguns/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNrGy6T2AzY

[fltbed]

This is pretty cool.  Looks like Springfield has taken their "Loaded model" concept and brought it to the old P-35.

I love the old Hi Power.  It was my first carry gun and I've owned several of them over the years in both 9 & 40.  They seemed to have addressed the biggest short comings of the original design being the hammer bite, thumb safety, sights and the trigger.

I look forward to seeing one in person and for the price, it looks like a winner.

Jeff

[sqlbullet]

I was both early and late in my gun life to the hi-power.  My first handgun after turning 21 was a BHP.  But I was young and stupid and didn't realize what a great gun it was.  It wasn't the Delta Elite I wanted but the gun they had available and I was unable to see past that.  I only owned it for a few months before I stupidly sold it.

A couple of years ago I picked up a dog-eared Kareen Mk 1, and was very impressed with it.  Soon after I added an FEG Hi Power clone, a Mauser 80SA hi power clone and an FN High Power. The FN was the least collectible of the three so it was stripped to bare metal and parkerized, removed the magazine disconnect, the thumb safety was upgraded and I machined the hammer to eliminate the bite.  It and my Jericho 941F are my favorite 9mm's now.

I might have to buy one of these to compare and contrast.

[Graybeard]

2 are listed on GB and bids are over $1000 so far. Brownells is listing them as out of stock for $675.

[sqlbullet]

I saw that yesterday.

Once they get out in mass and the initial buying craze fades they will drop.  I heard rumor that Brownells offered some pre-orders with a code for $625.  I have also heard that dealer cost is $510.  That leads me to believe the final street price will probably settle in around $650, which is a 20% margin for the dealer.  The occasional guy trying to move some inventory will have them at a 15% margin for $600.

Trying to decide if I will bite once the prices become sane.  On the one hand I have four Hi Power's of different flavors already.  On the other, this is a nice flavor I don't have.  I know I kinda regretted missing the out on a Zig clone, and am also on the fence about the Girsan clone that has been announced. 

[Graybeard]

I think I'd be in at $600-650. That almost sounds too good to be true for a forged frame gun. I sent them an email regarding ambi safety compatibility with current offerings. That could be the deciding factor for me.

I agree re prices coming down after the initial excitement. Doesn't seem to be much point rushing a purchase since it would definitely be a shooter in my collection. I've also learned over the years to let the bugs get worked out of the early runs, if there are any.

[sqlbullet]

Gunbroker is clearly showing that there is an appetite for a well made Hi-Power at the $900-$1000 price range.  Doesn't make sense to me.

[glennasher]

I pre-ordered one yesterday at the local pawn/gun shop, and they quoted me a price of $625 plus tax  , or thereabouts. They refused my offer to pay up front, because they didn't know when it would be deliverable.

I had noted those on gunbroker, and decided to give the local guy a chance first. I've owned three Brownings and a FEG, all of them were dandy shooters and a lot of fun, besides. I love a good Hi Power.

[gnappi]

The Hi Power is the most naturally pointing pistol I ever shot, I hope Springfield can make a go of it.

[sqlbullet]

Unfortunately, as reports flow in it is appearing that they built to the price point.  Garand Thumb, BH Solutions, and several others have reviews which show some issues if you plan to run the gun like an EDC.

Given that folks are clearly willing to pay more, it seems sad that SA didn't build a better gun that cost a bill or two more.

[Graybeard]

I was at the gunshop/range I most frequent yesterday. I've known these folks for over 30yrs and they've never steered me in the wrong direction. Their assessment of the SA-35 is that the extractor channel was poorly machined, basically too rough, and causing intermittent problems with extractor movement. That seems to mesh with at least one of the problems mentioned in the reviews.

Hopefully just another case of waiting for the manufacturing bugs to be worked out.

I agree with Sglbullet, I'd still have been really happy with an $800, high quality, Hi-Power clone. No kinks in reliability, a little nicer finish, and maybe some fine front grip checkering would make this much more attractive. Building it to a $650ish MSRP seems to have been an error in underestimating the market.

[BEEMER!]

Competition for Springfield.

[sqlbullet]

Link to webpage:

https://fnamerica.com/highpower/

Couple of thoughts:

New take down lever - Solution to a non-problem and adds parts

Giant hole in front of slide - I have read that the recoil spring well was an accumulation point for debris, so probably a win

Ambi-controls - My wife is a lefty, so ambi controls are a win at my house, but I would have rather seen an ambi mag release vs slide stop.

All-stainless construction - Personally, I think they should have gone with an aluminum frame

That backstrap - Looking at the backstrap of the gun it very much looks to me like they have a road map for interchangeable backstraps and beavertails

This is clearly a different philosophy and direction than the Springfield offering.  Springfield is offering a new but faithful Hi-Power with only small changes to address usability.  FN is looking to evolve the platform towards the modern world, while retaining the basic ergonomics of the hi-power design.

Anyone seen or heard a price?

[Kenk]

If the below is the same weapon, it looks like they will be in the 12 - 1,300 range

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/new-for-2022-fn-high-power/