Oh yeah it's back

[pjk9hp]

You're not dreaming anymore. It's really back.

[Mister Coffee]

Good news (if they do things right).

[CXM]

You beat me to the draw...


www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNrGy6T2AzY


The thumb safety seems to be based on the late production FEG thumb safety... IMHO a significant improvement over the original gun. In addition, Springfield has dropped the internal magazine interlock that has screwed up trigger pull for more than 80 years...

With the modern 15 round magazines this gun is a serious competitor for the Glock 19 and other "modern" guns.

It would be nice if at some point in the future Springfield would offer a "Detective" size HP and an alloy frame gun.


V/r

Chuck

[jonnyc]

I was surprised to see the "Made in the USA" ID. I figured it was of Turkish stock. I wonder where the major components came from. Price point is good. If I was younger, and didn't already have 9 HPs, I might consider getting one. Looks like a real shooter.

[ToddSig]

Oct 25, 2021 21:29:02 GMT -5 jonnyc said:

If I was younger, and didn't already have 9 HPs, I might consider getting one. Looks like a real shooter.

Johnny, you should consider getting one, 10 is a good round number and a new Hi Power will also make you feel younger!

[Mister Coffee]

Are the specs on the new Springfield the same as the Browning? I ask because, in one of the pictures, the grip looked a little fatter and the gun is being sold with a 15-rd. mag (not that 15-rd mags won't run in a Browning).

[Bob Reed]

Hello, Mister Coffee,

Springfield advertises the width at 1.375" (which would be across the grip area) and I would think/hope/imagine that the grip area of the frame is close (like within a few thousands) of a FN HP, but the Springfield grip panels do appear to be quite thick, and thick enough that they could easily be .0625" thicker per panel than the Navidrex Thin Combat Micarta Panels. FWIW: My Navidrex equipped Browning's measure anywhere from 1.230" - 1.250" across the grip panels depending on how much fitting was required to achieve a nice, flat fit.

Edited to add: Follow the link and scroll down to where they show a caption of the rear sight and you can see how thick the grip panels are in the center - center as in, the center-line of the panel from top to bottom.

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

[Mister Coffee]

Bob, I was looking at the front strap (the frame thickness not including the grips), like in the first pic in your link. Seems a little thick. But it may just be the photography. Or my poor eyesight.

[Bob Reed]

Mister Coffee, I'm sorry sir, I thought you were talking about the width. And yes, I noticed the front strap looked a bit thicker too - and I wouldn't be surprised if a 'few' thousands of material wasn't added. Actually, it would be a welcome to those seeking some front strap checkering, not to mention a relief to the guy doing the work. But, like you say, it may just be the photography...

Like many, I already have a standing order for at least one SA-35 and I can hardly wait to disassemble, inspect and do some measuring.

[ToddSig]

Recoil online has an interesting review, comparing the new SA-35 to an FN and an upgraded FEG. Regarding compatibility and parts interchange Recoil states

"The Springfield Armory SA-35 doesn’t have 100-percent gunsmith-free parts compatibility, nor does any Browning Hi-Power or clone. This also means that Springfield Armory was able to take some leeway and beef up and modernize some parts.


As it stands, from our limited testing, it means a Springfield Armory SA35 part is more likely to fit in a legacy BHP or clone, but the reverse isn’t true. We were able to put SA slides and barrels on a FEG and FN, but not the reverse. Modern barrels from Lone Wolf will also have to be custom fit.

All told, expect that at least some fitting may have to occur when you start mixing them all together. We strongly suspect that this is far from the last SA-35 design we’ll see from Springfield Armory."


www.recoilweb.com/review-springfield-armory-sa-35-the-modern-browning-hi-power-171049.html


Regarding the front strap, here is a good comparison image with an FN (I believe and not the FEG) and the SA-85. There does appear to be a bit more metal around the grip curvature, esecially the front corners. Keep in mind the SA-35 has a bevel to the magwell, so you dont see all of the edge width.

[ToddSig]

Another image, from AllOutdoor of the beveled magwell. Edit, followed by an image of the magwell from Heirloom Precisions facebook page

Bob, do you think there is enough metal on the front grip strap for checkering?

[ToddSig]

A detail strip image from Heirloom Precision Facebook page. This looks like a really well made Hi Power clone.

Heirloom Precision

[Bob Reed]

Todd, if it's as thick as it looks, I think it'd be fine.

[ToddSig]

Oct 28, 2021 8:51:08 GMT -5 Bob Reed said:

Todd, if it's as thick as it looks, I think it'd be fine.

Thanks Bob, that should increase the interest for enthusiasts and collectors for custom builds and give more options beyond stippling.

Also, a review on the Guns and Ammo site has an image of the underside of the slide. No firing pin block safety.

Also, look at the front of the barrel foot, a slightly different shape. Perhaps this is why the Recoil review stated "We were able to put SA slides and barrels on a FEG and FN, but not the reverse. Modern barrels from Lone Wolf will also have to be custom fit."

[Mister Coffee]

@ Bob @ Todd: I'm happy to see this pistol come to market, but if the modifications and improvements alter or affect the original Hi-Power's ergonomics, then we lose a little bit. My concern about the front strap was that the grip would feel bigger in the hand.

You guys will have to do the field testing on this because I won't be able to buy one. They don't sell guns in California anymore.