New SA-35 vs BHP Mark III Standard

[Bigslug]

This is an inquiry, not an argument, since I know next to nothing about P-35s. It was mentioned that the BHP barrel was hooded, and the SA-35 is not. What is the purpose of the barrel hood, and does its presence/absence really matter?

Assuming that one was building a precision-fit target pistol on a Browning-based, tilting barrel system. . .

1. Recoil spring pushes the whole slide forward.

2. Barrel lug engages on the slide stop or locking block and starts lifting upwards to lockup, which occurs not only there, but also. . .

3. At the muzzle where the barrel is ideally fitted to the slide or barrel bushing. . .

4. At the radiused cuts on the slide/barrel in front of the chamber (1911 & BHP), or front of the chamber (Glock, Sig)

5. At the top-rear of the barrel hood against the upper surfaces of the breech face or close to it.

All of that conspires to lock the barrel into as consistent alignment with the slide (containing your sights) as possible for best accuracy. If the goal is to try to do all of that to a semi-decent level of precision, there's enough redundancy to get OK results if one of the areas isn't up to snuff. If you're trying to kick wartime production bullet hoses out the door as fast as possible, the more possible chances you have at "an anchor that can bite sea-floor", the better.

A large number of partial anchors can do a surprisingly good job, but if it's all loosey-goosey and you start omitting some entirely, yeah, the corner-cutting may bite you.

[Kosh75287]

Thanks for the explanation. In light of the loose-fitting barrel-slide fit at the muzzle, perhaps retaining the barrel hood might have been a good idea.

[FergusonTO35]

I'm planning to get an SA-35 as soon as I can afford it. If nothing else, to reward Springfield for keeping this wonderful pistol in production

[shooting on a shoestring]

Bigslug, “ The HP has a lot of potential - it just needs to be a gun that feels like a Hi Power, but doesn't operate like a Hi Power.” AMEN!!!

The single biggest best factor the BHP has going for it is the way it feels and points.

I’ve never looked at a BHP as a target grade bullseye shooter.
To me they are a defensive tool most useful for quickly solving close encounters of the turd kind.

[one-eyed fat man]

...The HP has a lot of potential - it just needs to be a gun that feels like a Hi Power, but doesn't operate like a Hi Power.

The Czechs had the answer in 1975. My old CZ-75 I got at the Rod & Gun Club in Grafenwöhr in 1979. Very comfortable in the hand, feels a lot like a Browning Hi-Power but with an SA/DA option and an easier to use safety. Gives me the option of either cocked and locked OR DA first pull on a loaded chamber.

I've run a boatload of GI issue ball though mine when it was "easy" to obtain. I don't care if the gun rag writers thinks it's obsolete, it suits me.

[Thumbcocker]

The Czechs had the answer in 1975. My old CZ-75 I got at the Rod & Gun Club in Grafenwöhr in 1979. Very comfortable in the hand, feels a lot like a Browning Hi-Power but with an SA/DA option and an easier to use safety. Gives me the option of either cocked and locked OR DA first pull on a loaded chamber.

I've run a boatload of GI issue ball though mine when it was "easy" to obtain. I don't care if the gun rag writers thinks it's obsolete, it suits me.

Absolutely agree. Sent mine to Cajun gun works and it is just awesome. That hand fitted bushing showed what the platform can do.

[OBXPilgrim]

Absolutely agree. Sent mine to Cajun gun works and it is just awesome. That hand fitted bushing showed what the platform can do.

+2 on the CZ75. And those Mec-Gar mags work great.

[Alstep]

+2 on the CZ75. And those Mec-Gar mags work great.

+3 here on the CZ & Mec-Gar mags. Had Doug Guy ream the throat, now all my cast boolits plunk and shoot great.
I almost bought a HP a few years ago, but the seller backed out. Now I'm glad he did. Like the CZ much better, and it was much cheaper than what the HP would have cost me at the time.

[jrayborn]

If you have never handled a CZ you have no idea what you are missing. I just learned that, myself, about a year and two CZ's ago...

However, I would like to hold a SA-35 as well.

[higgins]

This was an opportunity for SA to design a reversible, safety for us left-handed shooters. A bulkier ambidestrous safety would detract from the looks, but not a reversible one.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Cylinder and Slide to the rescue.
I fitted this one first weekend I had the gun. It’s great!

[Greg G]

.013" clearance between barrel and inside of slide is a deal breaker for me. I'll just look at pics of it and pass on getting one. Good looking gun. Too bad about tolerances though.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Yep I hear you.
Had I known I wouldn’t have bought it either.

But let me throw out a couple of things. First this is a sample of one. Not sure if all are going to be this loose. It’s just that I measured this one. Second, it’s Glock accurate. It’s not a useless gun. It is plenty good for a defensive gun for under 25 yards. I’m keeping it.

But, if someone comes up with a slick fix like an over-size OD barrel, I’ll be trying that. I do like the gun and it works. But yes, the rattling barrel and subsequent group size sucks.

[cattoon]

For those that have installed an ambi safety did you have to do any modification to the right grip panel?

[shooting on a shoestring]

No.
I did not on this Sa-35.
The safety sits above the grip and doesn’t interfere with the top of the grip.
Also the thumb tab on the right side of the pistol for the left hand thumb is pined on to the hammer shaft.
Same set up for the factory safety on the BHP Mark III. I think it’s same for all of the models.

[cattoon]

Hmmmm the ambi safety that I ordered is supposed to be browning factory but it does not pin on. It has a slot and tab.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Catton, here’s a close up pic of my BHP Mark III Standard.
You can see the roll pin that pins the safety tab to the hammer shaft.


I can’t speak to the other models.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Oh I should be clear that my BHP came from the factory with the ambi safety. I think all the Mark III’s did.

[Bushwacker Berg]

They did the same thing to the ambi safety on the browning 1911-22, like the medallion. I am interested in the Springfield version. Currently I have a Belgium BHP that came out of Israel and has the star of David stamp from the idf. I can only imagine the stories that pistol can tell. I also have a Belgium in new condition in 40s&w. Both still have the magazine safety installed, but will do 2 inch groups. I just traded a scope for an Argentine FM browning. It has the mag safety removed and trigger was better. Like many here my first one was an FEG in 45 acp. It had extraction problems. The cz75 and there progeny the sp1 are fine pistols with ergonomics resembling bhps.

[Divil]

The SA P-35 will lack the firing pin safety found on the FN MKIII. The SA setup is Probably seen as a good thing by many but for paranoid types like me I prefer the firing pin safety. I am not a tigger pull connoisseur.