By: Friedrich Seiltgen

Copyright © 2022

At first glance, the Springfield SA-35 looks like a plain, old, classic, Browning Hi-Power. When you look closer, it’s not. Springfield Armory took John Browning’s last design and gave shooters a modern take on the classic Hi-Power.  To be fair, Browning passed away while in the design process and the Hi-Power was finished by Fabrique Nationale designer Dieudonné Saive.  Who knows what Browning would have done with the final product had he lived?  Springfield engineers made numerous changes to the Hi-Power and you’re gonna like what they did.

FRAME

No alloy, no polymer, just iron!  Springfield kept the frame & slide made with forged carbon steel and blued it.  Combined with the beautiful, checkered, walnut grips, the SA-35 retained its classic look.  One big change was the complete removal of the magazine disconnector system, which reduces trigger pull, giving it a smoother pull. A beveled magazine well has been added also.

SLIDE

There are a few changes in the top end of the SA-35, and at the rear, there is a newly designed hammer.  The original Hi-Power was known to bite you if you used a high grip.  Springfield took care of that.  On the left rear is an enlarged safety lever, which lets you carry in a cocked and locked condition.

MAGAZINE

The original Hi-Power came equipped with a 13 round magazine.  That’s pretty good considering the pistols de jour of the era: the 1911 held 7 rounds and the Luger 8 rounds.  However, Springfield engineers wanted to tweak out a few more rounds.  By changing the design of the magazine spring, they were able to squeeze out 2 more rounds.  The old magazines will still function, so if you’re sitting on a pile of them, don’t worry.

BARREL

A hammer forged barrel, along with a better fit, has increased the accuracy.  The SA-35 is generally shooting 2-inch groups at 25 yards – your mileage may vary.

SPECIFICATIONS

Action Type: Semi-Automatic

Caliber: 9mm

Frame & Slide: Forged Carbon Steel, Blued

Magazine capacity: 15 rounds

Sights: White Dot Front, Serrated Tactical Rack Rear

Barrel Length: 4.7 Inches

Overall Length: &.8 Inches

Weight: 31.5 Ounces

MSRP: $699

URL: www.springfield-armory.com

It looks like Springfield has another hit on their hands!  The Hi-Power redux has been modernized in a good way.  The SA-35 is a classic pistol, upgraded to modern standards. With a price of $699 for an accurate, old-school 9mm, you can’t go wrong!

That’s all for now folks!   Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article Ideas.  And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There”

Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department.   He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response.  His writing has appeared in RECOIL, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International.  Contact him at [email protected]