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Post by tnorris on Dec 17, 2021 22:48:06 GMT -5
Congrats Tim, on being one of the "Early Birds" of the SA-35! How is the metal finish? Machining marks inside and in particular outside surfaces? Thanks much for all the good feedback!
The exterior finish is fine. No weird machine marks. So far there are no machine marks in the interior. I'd rather the final finish was a highly polished blue but maybe I can do that after ALL the other problems are solved.
I have never had a problem with a High Power before. At least nothing that couldn't be corrected with new springs and a good cleaning. I only have 12. The SA-35 is number thirteen. I was thinking about that while filling out the paperwork this afternoon. Unlucky?
The EJECTOR is binding in its channel in the slide. The slide is extremely difficult to put back on the frame. No pins are blocking the slide. Four other slides have the same problem to different degrees and the SA slide fits better on 3 of the 4 other frames. I think the ejector his way out of spec on this one.
If I had to give a final review right now, I'd say its a hard pass. Yet, perhaps it's my lack of sleep. I'm gonna take a deeper look tomorrow. I may have a spare EJECTOR in my parts kit. I'll swap it with one from another pistol if I don't. I wonder... if the ejector was out of spec, would it work in an FN pistol?
I bought this one to play with. It looks like that is what I will be doing before I can shoot it. There is absolutely no way this pistol will function properly in its current out of the box today condition.I cannot believe they let it out of the factory.
If you have any thoughts, please share!
* The magazine release is quite stiff and the magazine does not drop free any easier than most High Powers.
Time for a beer...
Cheers,
Tim
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Post by ToddSig on Dec 18, 2021 9:18:24 GMT -5
What a disappointment, especially with your comment that your recommendation is a hard pass. Sorry to hear you got an SA-35 with multiple issues, but from all of the early purchases, many seem to have problems. You would expect a new pistol from a major US manufacturer like Springfield to work out of the box, especially a Hi Power platform which has been around for so long. Over the years there have been so many surplus High Powers being sold, many in what appears to be rough shape, and in most cases, all seem to function fine, yet a brand new SA-35 comes out and has multiple issues. It will be interesting to see if Springfield ever comments on what is becoming a rather embarrassing roll out of a pistol having such high demand and interest.
Keep us posted Tim as you continue your evolution.
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Post by tnorris on Dec 18, 2021 9:53:57 GMT -5
What a disappointment, especially with your comment that your recommendation is a hard pass. Sorry to hear you got an SA-35 with multiple issues, but from all of the early purchases, many seem to have problems. You would expect a new pistol from a major US manufacturer like Springfield to work out of the box, especially a Hi Power platform which has been around for so long. Over the years there have been so many surplus High Powers being sold, many in what appears to be rough shape, and in most cases, all seem to function fine, yet a brand new SA-35 comes out and has multiple issues. It will be interesting to see if Springfield ever comments on what is becoming a rather embarrassing roll out of a pistol having such high demand and interest. Keep us posted Tim as you continue your evolution.
I still have hopes that this can be easily fixed. At some point during the BHSS testing, I began to think that a new High Power really costs $1500. SA has delivered one for $700... perhaps it's like a 90% finished gun and you must take it to your favorite shop for finishing?
In that sense, it's a hard pass if you want a gun that works right out of the box???
I think mine will go to BHSS for that finishing step but I need to play with it for a while and see if I can make it work, see how well I can make it work. I live only 130 miles from Springfield. Perhaps they would allow me to bring mine in for warranty service along with a couple working pistols. We could both learn something and maybe they'll give me a tour, do some shooting, show me where they forge the pistol.
If I wasn't a troubleshooting sort of a High Power Geek I might be upset. I am not!
Cheers,
Tim
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Post by Slav on Dec 19, 2021 13:18:00 GMT -5
You have no idea how right you are The main thing in the Hi-Power design are the tolerances. Reverse engineering is a great Chinese and Turks tool (I'm speculating here of course ) but if you want the thing to go tick-tock, much more is needed. I certainly hope SA will find a way out of this situation. BTW this is how our guinea pig looks at the moment. We decided to auction it at GunBroker and all proceeds from this Auction will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. www.gunbroker.com/item/919265865
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Post by tnorris on Dec 19, 2021 13:59:09 GMT -5
You have no idea how right you are The main thing in the Hi-Power design are the tolerances. Reverse engineering is a great Chinese and Turks tool (I'm speculating here of course ) but if you want the thing to go tick-tock, much more is needed. I certainly hope SA will find a way out of this situation. BTW this is how our guinea pig looks at the moment. We decided to auction it at GunBroker and all proceeds from this Auction will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. www.gunbroker.com/item/919265865
Seasons Greetings, Slav!
If you and Mark get a chance to look at my post on another forum, I have posted some photos of a possible EJECTOR problem. I hope to play with my SA-35 sometime after Christmas or after the New Year.
If you guys have any thoughts, please share! Of course... the same goes for all of the rest of you High Power Fans.
Merry Christmas to all!
Tim
*Eventually this pistol is going to BHSS for the full treatment.
I want to further my education first!
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Post by ruber on Dec 20, 2021 1:24:25 GMT -5
Thank you Tim for sharing your thoughts and photos of your sample, much appreciated.
Hope you get it running to your liking!
Merry Christmas! -Chris
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Post by Slav on Dec 20, 2021 11:13:25 GMT -5
Merry Christmas Tim, I saw your post in the other forum but I'd prefer to answer you here. Not in the mood for bashing and reading BS from haters. The SA35's ejector is softer than it should be (prescribed by FN). Interesting is that it sits further back in the frame - it's clearly visible in your picture. I'd suggest you take it out and place it on a flat surface to check if it is really flat or not. A glass table should do the job, or even better - the measuring scale of a caliper - it should be flat enough. If I understand correctly the slide was sliding OK-ish until you removed it from the frame and after that, you weren't able to assemble the gun because the ejector was preventing the slide to go all the way back? I'd like to see this picture: taken from the right side and a bit up - so the rails are visible. Could it be that the paddle of the sear is touching the slide and stopping it from going further back? If I have to bet, my suggestion would be that the ejector is not straight (flat). Let me know the thickness of the ejector, please (measure it along the entire length of the part in three different point)
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Post by Bob Reed on Dec 20, 2021 12:26:41 GMT -5
Tim, I may have missed you saying or not - but have you checked the slide to frame fit with the ejector removed?
BTW: Ours still hasn't showed-up, and at this point, I'm actually looking forward to a higher serial number then before...
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Post by tnorris on Dec 20, 2021 13:55:18 GMT -5
For Slav and Bob: I am on the road now... not sure when I return home. Here is the one picture of the right side that i made.
At first I thought the slide to frame fit was just too tight. After removing the slide I put it back on with the barrel and bulging recoil spring (normal reassembly) and the slide stopped at the front end of the ejector. Removing the slide and recoil spring, it was easy to move the slide further back but there was still too much resistance. To fully reassemble the slide will go on the frame but it is necessary to bang the slide past the ejector.
I assembled the slide onto (now) 5 different High Powers including a Tisas and an FEG. The SA slide works normally on each of these frames. The 5 other slides meet the same resistance when assembled on the SA frame, either with or without the barrel and recoil spring assembly. This is why I suspect the ejector is out of spec?
When I return home I plan to remove the ejector and swap it with a gently used FN part. I will measure and photograph them both for comparison and test the SA ejector in the FN frame as well as the FN ejector in the SA frame.
And Slav... I understand your Forum preference.
Cheers,
Tim
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Post by gt40doc on Dec 20, 2021 18:23:16 GMT -5
Hi Tim
Your experience with the new HP reminds me of my experience with the SA EMP when they first came out. My EMP serial # 4** was terrible out of the box. Jam-a-matic, primer flow, etc. I called SA about the gun and the lady ask me what was the problem with my new EMP. I told her that this gun exhibits every malfunction I have ever seen with a 1911 except full auto fire!! We might have had that also if it would fire more than 1 or 2 rounds before a jam. She ask no more questions and sent me a return voucher.
When I got it back, it had a new slide, had been hand lapped to the frame, and a few other things. Since I got it back, it has never missed a beat and was my CCW pistol for years.
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Post by Bob Reed on Dec 21, 2021 7:55:41 GMT -5
Hello, Tim,
Just to be clear, I don't doubt your theory regarding the ejector causing the bind. I'm just really curious about how tightly the frame & slide is fitted.
Good Luck out there on the road.
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Post by ToddSig on Dec 22, 2021 15:50:53 GMT -5
Images and quick text from the Cylinder and Slide facebook page. I have sent a message to C&S tech support on the sight dovetails. Will post when/if I get an response. The second image has some parts on a workbench, if you expand, the sight shown is a Heinie. Edit/update: Just got a quick response from C&S. They just got the SA-35 in and are now evaluating for future package builds, like they did with the Tisas BR-9s. Given the holidays, upcoming SHOT Show and Dallas Safari show they have not finished reviewing and evaluating the SA-35. They said check back in late January.
So no dovetail answers yet. With that, images they posted may not be an SA-35."Santa is hard at work with one of our new Springfield SA-35's!"
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Post by ToddSig on Dec 22, 2021 19:53:26 GMT -5
C&S making a Pathfinder? From C&S Facebook page
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Post by wags on Dec 23, 2021 6:17:31 GMT -5
Hopefully not just a teaser, Todd courtesy of C&S. I already have a Pathfinder friendly BHP holster so I guess I'm a candidate..... But first I hope SA get's this new SA-35 platform on track i.e. up and running reliably before I get excited. I'd have a Pathfinder in my stables over the standard SA-35 for that matter. Now the wait....
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Post by ToddSig on Dec 23, 2021 15:54:33 GMT -5
Hopefully not just a teaser, Todd courtesy of C&S. I already have a Pathfinder friendly BHP holster so I guess I'm a candidate..... But first I hope SA get's this new SA-35 platform on track i.e. up and running reliably before I get excited. I'd have a Pathfinder in my stables over the standard SA-35 for that matter. Now the wait.... Hey Wags, welcome back and glad you are posting again. Yes, I too agree and hope a C&S SA-35 Pathfinder is in their plans and also becomes a standard order option at Cylinder and Slide. I hope to find out more in late January on their plans, after they have fully evaluated the SA-35. I had Bob Cogan at APW convert a 1989 MKIII into a Detective, with a few other options, stippled grips, hard chrome finish with brushed flats and matte rounds, some C&S parts, sights, action job, and Hakan ebonized grips. Note he used the Classic/Pre MK II hog-nosed busing on the MKIII slide (in retrospect, I probably should have had Bob grind down/flatten the bushing). I would not mind having a C&S Pathfinder as well. A good compliment to the APW version.
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