From the Hip

Springfield Armory has introduced a U.S.-manufactured copy of the famous Browning Hi-Power pistol that they are calling the Model SA-35, which is very well-made, accurate and reliable. This new pistol is offered because the design is so good, so proven and easy to shoot well that it remains in high demand. Also, despite being 89 years since its introduction, it compares favorably against the plethora of new, high-capacity, striker-fired 9mm pistols.

The Hi-Power (named for its high magazine capacity) is generally considered the last pistol designed by legendary firearms genius John Browning. However, at the time of his sudden death in 1926, the design was not complete, although the principle features were well established. Interestingly, Browning began designing the Hi-Power in 1914. While others were involved in bringing the design to fruition, notable mention should go to Dieudonne Saive for completing the design that has become a true masterpiece. Naturally, Fabrique National (Belgium) first offered the pistol in 1935, which explains why Springfield Armory appropriately named their modern version the Model SA-35. The Hi-Power has enjoyed huge worldwide popularity and has been used by military and police in at least 68 countries, served in countless wars and conflicts and even remains in service to date and civilian sales have always been brisk. While the primary manufacturer was FN, a license was given to Canadian-based John Inglis and Company during World War II due to Belgium being occupied by Nazi Germany. But unlicensed pistols have been manufactured in Argentina, Bulgaria, Hungary, India, Israel and possibly others.

For several reasons, Browning Arms chose to discontinue manufacture in 2018, which was a sad day for admirers of this high-quality and historic pistol. As indicated, Springfield Armory almost immediately began making plans to offer a U.S.-manufactured copy of the Model 1935 Hi-Power. Before proceeding, it seems prudent to mention that the original Hi-Power was a work in progress. In other words, many small changes were made to the design during the more than 80 years that it was in production that served to increase strength, durability and reliability. The SA-35 boasts of most of those subtle changes for outstanding reliability and durability and is suitable for +P ammunition. It is true to the original and will utilize the FN and Springfield 13-round magazines, but Springfield also offers a 15+1 round capacity magazine.

The Springfield Armory sample pistol is very well made, with outstanding machine work that bespeaks of a high-quality pistol. The trigger broke smooth and clean at 4.7 pounds (which are factory tuned). The frame and slide are forgings, while the barrel is cold-hammer forged with an improved feed ramp to accommodate modern ammunition. The slide, barrel and frame are properly fit for reliable function and to provide good accuracy. Traditionally, Hi-Power pistols have had rather blocky stocks, but the checkered wood stocks on the SA-35 are beautifully contoured and very comfortable. One feature that was originally installed on Hi-Power pistols (based on criteria from the French military when the pistol was still in the final design stages) is a magazine disconnect device, which in my opinion is a bad idea and are removed from my personal pistols to allow them to fire without a magazine installed. Thankfully, the SA-35 is void of a magazine disconnect that allows the pistol to be fired without a magazine installed, but also allows the magazine to drop out freely. The controls are enhanced and include an extended thumb safety, redesigned hammer and boasts of upgraded modern sights that are dovetailed into the slide.

To date, more than 600 rounds have been fired through the new SA-35 that included loads containing JHP, FMJ-RN and FMJ-FP profile bullets in factory ammunition and handloads. Reliability has been high, as there have been no malfunctions. It should be noted briefly that some of the early SA-35’s had some minor issues related to the external extractor spring, but Springfield quickly made the necessary corrections and new guns are running with a high degree of reliability.

Using a sandbag rest, the SA-35 proved accurate with several 25-yard groups measuring between 1¼- to 1½-inches. For example, loads from Fiocchi, Black Hills Ammunition, Hornady and Speer each produced five-shot groups, with the average of three groups running between 1.40 to 1.90 inches (naturally rounded figures). As the SA-35 continues to break-in, those groups are expected to shrink.

Select handloads gave similar accuracy. The most accurate handload included the Hornady 124-grian XTP pushed with 6.6 grains of Alliant Power Pistol powder for 1,305 feet per second (fps) that averaged 1.40-inch groups. The Nosler 147-grain Sporting Handgun JHP bullet gave almost identical accuracy using 4.9 grains of Hodgdon powder for 1,074 fps and produced an average group size of 1.45 inches. For those wanting a high-velocity load, the 90-grain Cutting Edge Raptor bullet reached 1,447 fps using 7.2 grains of Hodgdon Longshot powder with an average group size of around 1.75 inches.

The SA-35 has a long and historic pedigree. However, the SA-35 is updated with modern sights, safety, feed ramp, hammer and a pinch-free grip design. In addition to being reliable and accurate, it’s easy to shoot well. It’s quick and easy to disassemble, constructed of high-quality machined forgings and is made in the U.S. with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of just $799, it’s a bargain!