PI Slide on FN Frames

[ToddSig]

I recently picked up a Girsan MC P35 PI. My main interest was to place the short slide on other FN or Hi Power clone frames for a better carry experience (and because I really like the way the short barrel looks on the Hi Power frame).

I spent a little time mixing and matching Hi Powers and some clones to the new Girsan MC P35 PI slide. For the most part, the slide fits onto most frames without issue. In addition to placing the PI slide on various frames, including some customs, I also ran snap caps through them to see if it cycled. Again, for the most part, all good. I did have a few frames where either the fit between the slide grooves and the frame rails was very tight and the slide would not go on all of the way. Probably a little cleaning/sanding/light filing of the grooves of the slide would fix the issue. I also had a couple of instances where the PI slide would go on, but would not cycle back more than about a 1/2 to 1 inch or so. So tolerances on the PI slide to frames can be tight.

The slide fit on my Springfield SA-35, but the slide would not cycle all of the way back, same for a 1990 Don Williams custom. The slide was making contact with something. A couple of LWs were too tight to fit the rails, but on another LW it fit and cycled. Also had issues with a 1976 BAC sport. Slide fit, but it would not properly cycle the snap caps. Possibly with some fine tuning it would work.

I tried on one FEG, would not fit, on a Charles Daly it did.

With that, I had the PI slide on the following, all cycling with snap caps.

-1979 FN Alloy
-1964 FN Pre T
-1977 BAC Vigilante
-2004 Practical
-2016 BAC epoxy
-2016 Nighthawk custom
-Charles Daly

To me the news is pretty good if you wish to place a PI slide on an FN/BAC frame. In most instances the PI slide fits and cycles. Where it does not, probably a little work on the slide tolerances should solve most problems.

Of course the ultimate test will be some time on the range.

PI slide on 1979 alloy, which is an optimal carry combination. Looks pretty good!

[ToddSig]

A few additional images of the PI slide on various frames.

2004 Practical MKIII




2016 Browning




Charles Daly




1964 FN Pre T




Nighthawk Custom

[ToddSig]

For those who have been looking for an FM Detective slide, the Girsan MC P35 slide seems like a solid option. Of course some range testing would be in order for a final determination, but for the most part, the PI slide seems to function properly, or with a little tuning it will.

You can find the PI now for about $500/$550 plus fees. That is about the same price as recent FM Detective slides have been selling for on eBay. And, you get the full pistol, not just the slide. Seems like a good option for an excellent Hi Power carry platform.