Springfield Armory SA-35 Hi-Power, once scarce, now "Plentiful"...

[local_dirt]

They're just lovely machines.........

Browning HP/Portugal assembly/custom grips

Beautiful piece, Yoda.

 

[damienph]

I haven't had the opportunity to handle an SA-35 but I can definitely see one in my future.

Of the four that I have only one is a Browning. The others are an FM and two FEGs, one of which is marked MauserWerke.

 

[kaaskop49]

I've owned several HPs over the years, all Belgian. I have large hands and I still don't like the fit of the grip. The safety isn't as good as the 1911. And at the time I hated the 9mm. It wasn't as accurate as the 45 or as effective and it kicked almost as hard. Brass was harder to find on the ground. All of this of course changed when the 9mm became the thing it is today. It was too light in the front. I much preferred the 1911s. It was just a better pistol in my opinion. Bottom line the 1911 was cheaper to shoot, I had used one in the Army and knew that I could hit a target with it. Reloading was about $2 a box buying lead cast and using Bullseye. The cases never needed trimming and were plentiful. The 35 is a beautiful pistol and all , but the 1911 was the better pistol. I love the Model 39-2.

Anyone remember the late 60s when the HP listed at $73.50 and nobody wanted one? It was a dog. Now it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, or almost. It acquired a certain cache when some criminal groups sported them and it was the only hi-cap 9mm at the time. Bought a new HP "assembled in Portugal" when I arrived out here and suffered a catastrophic malf: FTF and smokestack at the same moment. Near impossible to clear, even by my FBI instructor buddy. Would have been my life on the street. Service revolver never did that.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[stansdds]

Anyone remember the late 60s when the HP listed at $73.50 and nobody wanted one? It was a dog. Now it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, or almost. It acquired a certain cache when some criminal groups sported them and it was the only hi-cap 9mm at the time. Bought a new HP "assembled in Portugal" when I arrived out here and suffered a catastrophic malf: FTF and smokestack at the same moment. Near impossible to clear, even by my FBI instructor buddy. Would have been my life on the street. Service revolver never did that.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

I attribute at least some of the Hi-Power's popularity to NYPD detective Frank Serpico and more specifically, to the movie "Serpico", which was based on his experiences a NYPD detective.

 

[LVSteve]

I haven't had the opportunity to handle an SA-35 but I can definitely see one in my future.

Of the four that I have only one is a Browning. The others are an FM and two FEGs, one of which is marked MauserWerke.

The Hungarians used to play fast and loose with other people's trademarks. Their improved Walther PP pistols carried all sorts of names.

 

[Rick Sanborn]

One of my Hi-Powers came in this funny looking set.

 

[Golddollar]

One of my Hi-Powers came in this funny looking set.

I have their country cousins.

 

[Kinman]

For me Hi Powers are an addiction. Handled my first one as a lad and there are been at least six that have passed through my hands since then. I would take one out shooting with a friend or somehow a friend would be with me, make me an offer and I would let one go. Mine have all been older C-Code pistols except this last one is a TT series. I have no intention of letting this one go and have tricked it out with the usual cylinder and slide release, safety and mag disconnect.

 

[03hemi]

I have their country cousins.

Hey, I just ran across the Browning in the middle the other day, what is one in good condition worth these days? Any ideas?

 

[otis24]

I sold my 1976 vintage Hi Power and bought a SA-35 when they first came out. Lots of FTE's so I sold it. The SA-35 had a lot of features that I liked. I was able to buy my Hi Power back about a year after I sold it. Never more to part!

 

[Darkenfast]

I have a stock 76C. You know, the kind that all the modern shooters love to hate? Here's what I have found over the years: You can adapt to the gun.

Before I had cataract surgery, I had trouble seeing the sights. I learned that (for me), it was so much easier to just draw and shoot as soon as the gun came into view. It's sort of like the old FBI revolver draw in that video from the 50s. At most common self-defense ranges, that will suffice. For longer shooting, I can see the sights just fine now and they provide a very precise picture.

The old small safety takes practice. Once I learned it, it was fine. It's also extremely hard to have accidentally rub off, and if someone else grabs it, it's going to take them a bit to figure out. I'm ambi-clumsy, but strict lefties will have a problem, of course.

The trigger on mine is six pounds and very crisp, as long as I use either the original magazine or a mousetrap magazine (both of which have a phosphate-type finish. Blued MecGars drag on the magazine safety. I personally think a six-pound weight on a real-world trigger is just fine, although competition shooters like them lighter. Incidentally, the OEM Mousetrap magazines (also made by MecGar), feed the cartridges just a little higher. They are the only ones I have tested with hollowpoints in my example (a limited amount of +P Critical Duty), and they worked just fine.

I can take it or leave it with the magazine safety.

Overall, I find mine to be kind of like a three-inch barreled K-frame revolver in size and handling, but much more shoot-able.

Is the BHP a candidate for military or police issue today? Probably not.

Is it a viable candidate as a companion piece for personal defense if the shooter is willing to learn it? Heck yes!

My opinion. Yours may vary.

 

[Grayfox]

The Hi-Power is my favorite 9mm pistol. I currently own 5 versions of it.
Browning MK III
Springfield SA-35
FEG PKJ-9HP
FM Detective
Girsan PI

I got my SA-35 shortly after the first came out. Had to drive 75 miles and pay full MSRP ($699 at the time), but was glad to get it and have been very happy with it. They are excellent pistols.

BTW: I was at a gun show yesterday and only saw one. Asking price was $850.

 

[Glenn R. McMannly]

The lines of the SA-35 look nothing like an original Hi-Power if you examine the details closely.

 

[huntsman22]

huh? If they don't look like a Hi Power, what exactly is it, that they resemble more closely?

 

[Stirling]

Guys,
anybody interested in a beautiful blued FEG Hi Power 9mm in excellent shape let me know and I'll steer you in the direction of one at a pawn shop for $450, it was still there on Tuesday.

Those FEG's are nice. My wife had one with Uncle Mike's grips, magazine safety removed. Decent trigger then. Didn't like my reloads though, very tight chamber.

 

[Stirling]

I prefer the Browning with a nice polished finish. A Belgian one would be nice but the MkIII's assembled in Portugal are nice too. From a usable perspective the MkIIIs work for me. Nice sights and safety with the mag disconnect and you have a fine handgun when things get salty.

 

[CZU]

Those FEG's are nice. My wife had one with Uncle Mike's grips, magazine safety removed.

Like this one?

 

[Stirling]

Like this one?

Exactly like that one. It really felt great in the hand.

 

[03hemi]

Like this one?

That's exactly the kind of condition the FEG for sale I mentioned is in, if anybody's interested let me know and I'll run by there today and see if he still has it.
Tray

 

[03hemi]

Like this one?

That's exactly the kind of condition the FEG for sale I mentioned is in, if anybody's interested let me know and I'll run by there today and see if he still has it.
The only reason I haven't already bought it is I'm finally getting my gun room finished and spending my money on cabinets and a gun display system.