springfield armory hi-power

[porthos]

doing some research and the accuracy seems excellent. hard to belive for that retail price. (699.00). questions are; are they made completly in the U.S., and , anyone have experience with them. what kind of accuracy??

[FergusonTO35]

Last time I checked they were going for well over MSRP on Gunbroker. I have read in a couple of places that Springfield gets the raw forgings for 1911's (and probably the Hi-Power) from Brazil and machines/assembles/finishes them in the USA.

[kerplode]

I've been working part time at a gunshop for the last 6 months...We have highest-tier status at multiple distributors that allows us to get almost anything. We had the X Macro, the LC Carbine, and the Prodigy on the shelf just a couple days after they were announced.

The SA-35 has been "released" for over a year now, and we have never seen one in person nor have any been available to buy through any or our distributors. As far as I can tell, they don't really exist outside of "review" samples. I'm also quite suspicious of many of the Gunbroker auctions I've seen. A lot of them are using the same pictures and just have a suspicious look about them...I think many if not most of these auctions may either be scams outright, or at the very least, trying to sell you something they don't actually have with the anticipation of delivering it at some point in the future.

Given that, I think the chance of finding anyone who has direct experience with one will be quite difficult. And, if you do manage to find one in the wild, I would expect to pay a significant premium over MSRP.

[porthos]

a friend of mine just bought one last week in Pa. paid $750.00. which is a good price.

[HWooldridge]

a friend of mine just bought one last week in Pa. paid $750.00. which is a good price.

Ditto. Friend of mine paid $735 for one around the first of December. Showed it to me last week - but we didn’t get a chance to shoot it. Nicely made and handles well.

[Herb in Pa]

I've been working part time at a gunshop for the last 6 months...We have highest-tier status at multiple distributors that allows us to get almost anything. We had the X Macro, the LC Carbine, and the Prodigy on the shelf just a couple days after they were announced.

The SA-35 has been "released" for over a year now, and we have never seen one in person nor have any been available to buy through any or our distributors. As far as I can tell, they don't really exist outside of "review" samples. I'm also quite suspicious of many of the Gunbroker auctions I've seen. A lot of them are using the same pictures and just have a suspicious look about them...I think many if not most of these auctions may either be scams outright, or at the very least, trying to sell you something they don't actually have with the anticipation of delivering it at some point in the future.

Given that, I think the chance of finding anyone who has direct experience with one will be quite difficult. And, if you do manage to find one in the wild, I would expect to pay a significant premium over MSRP.

I've seen 2, and the dealers who had them would not be considered top tier...

[M-Tecs]

I have seen a total of three at a local shop. I am on the list for one but the ones I've handled were going to someone above me on the list. Fit and finish was very nice but the barrel fits was a little looser than my Browning.

[FergusonTO35]

I want one, but already have a sweet FN example so I don't mind to wait awhile.

[czgunner]

I think Springfield has been tight lipped about where these are made. I have a feeling they aren't made here. I have a "real" MKIII worked over by Don Williams, so I'm not super interested in paying a premium for one.

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[megasupermagnum]

I think Springfield has been tight lipped about where these are made. I have a feeling they aren't made here. I have a "real" MKIII worked over by Don Williams, so I'm not super interested in paying a premium for one.

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They haven't been tight lipped at all, they have been quite open that these are made in the USA. It's been one of their advertising points. Geneseo, IL to be exact, they say that right on the slide.

[HWooldridge]

The one I handled was well made and nicely finished. I’m just sorry we didn’t get a chance to shoot it.

[Roosterbob]

There are a few out there. I bought one 3 months ago at a small local shop for MSRP.
I’ve only ran about 300-350 rounds through it so far and have had zero problems. I like the sights as supplied and accuracy is on a par with the “real” Hi Powers I’ve owned. My only complaint so far is with the matte finish; it is starting to show some wear already even though it’s carried in a properly fitted leather holster.
There is quite a bit of YouTube flak out there about extraction problems and sharp corners on some areas of the guns tested but so far I am very pleased with mine. With the current asking prices of used FNs and Brownings I consider the Springfield to be a good choice for anyone looking for an all steel hammer fired SA auto if bought at or near MSRP.
BOB

[FergusonTO35]

I've never seen the Springfield or the Turkish EAA Hi-Power in person, and I work at a fairly busy shop and frequent another.

[dogdoc]

Just recently purchased one and have put about 300 rounds through it. Love it. Works great and got some decent 25 yard benched groups with it .

[rintinglen]

I've only seen three Springfield's for sale at gun shows, but all were at least 25% over MSRP. I have seen several Girsan HP's for right around the 525-550 range.

[Hickok]

I was really wanting a SA-35, but could never find one.

Due to a lot of researching about this pistol, I found many reviews on the CZ-75 line of pistols, and comparing them to the Browning High Power and its clones.

The CZ-75B was highly praised.... so I bought one. Extremely satisfied with the CZ-75B.8-)

[nicholst55]

Last time I checked they were going for well over MSRP on Gunbroker. I have read in a couple of places that Springfield gets the raw forgings for 1911's (and probably the Hi-Power) from Brazil and machines/assembles/finishes them in the USA.

Springfield stopped using Imbel forgings many years ago for their 1911s. IIRC, they at least claim that they are forged in the USA now. I dunno about their SA35s.

[porthos]

well, i started this thread; now i'll tell you what i think after shooting my friends. shot it at only 10 yds. 2 six shot groups. didn't measure the groups. shot off a poor sandbag set up. groups were around 1-1/2 in. worst trigger i ever pulled. it was a 3 stage trigger. creep then agritty stop creep then to about a 6+ pound trigger pull. so that is off my list. this leads to my question. i may look for a original hi-power. does anyone accurize them??? i looked at nighthawk customs site. seems that they just make them pretty. does anyone make them accurate??

[36g]

I find the Springfield Armory attempt to be commendable but at the same time why change a thing? There are still deals to be had with Browning HP's as well as the non-authorized copies like the Hungarian FEG P9/Israeli Kareen that will accept original Browning parts. The FEG's can be a bit confusing as the P9R is different and some of the Kareens are different also. There are also the Argentine licensed BHP's.

Here is the latest that I've rescued from an incomplete collection of parts.

308678
308679

Removing the magazine safety improves the trigger pull.

[kerplode]

I've seen 2, and the dealers who had them would not be considered top tier...

That's cool...I'll take your word for it. If they're getting out to buyers, then that's awesome. Perhaps we'll be able to get one at some point in the near future.

Perhaps it's a regional situation, or perhaps they have access to a distribution network we don't use, but I wouldn't presume to know anything about their status. We're a tiny, dusty shop in a podunk town, but we've been moving, on average, 100+ plus guns a month for a little over 30 years now. Even the compliance agents are a little surprised about how much stuff goes in and out...

We have had a few of the Girsan Hi-Powers lately...Fit, finish, and manufacturing quality all look really nice, but in true Hi-Power fashion, the triggers leave a lot to be desired.

[15meter]

They haven't been tight lipped at all, they have been quite open that these are made in the USA. It's been one of their advertising points. Geneseo, IL to be exact, they say that right on the slide.

I wonder if that's the Geneseo that's stamped in nice deep sharp letters on the slide of my Springfield 1911?

Accompanied by the very tiny, faint pin stamped made in Brazil that is on the underside of the frame in front of the trigger guard.

Just curious.

But it is 15+ years old.

[shooting on a shoestring]

I just looked at my Springfield SA-35.
The slide and the frame both say Geneso, IL.
The only other country of origin to be found is the magazine which bares “Made in Italy”.

[shooting on a shoestring]

Incidentally, there is a previous thread on Cast Boolits “New SA-35 vs BHP Mark III Standard”. It has some pretty good info on the SA-35. I Binged the thread title and it popped up.

[Gray Fox]

I had placed an order with an upscale gunshop for an SA-35 right after they came out. About once a quarter I'd call and be told they hadn't heard anything. A week ago, on the evening of the 23d a nice lady from the shop called to tell me they'd gotten some in and did I still want one. I smiled and asked when I could pick it up. I got it a week ago tomorrow. The slide to frame fit is very good, the matte finish is even and will hold oil nicely, the trigger is excellent, I like the sights and the grips are pretty. Now I just need some time to drive 50 miles to the range and try it out. It was funny that when I got to the shop the guy behind the counter didn't even know they'd gotten any in. As I was standing there some man called to say he was on his way in to pick up his. The price was suggested retail and with taxes I was out the door for a bit less than $700. I have four of the 15 round Mec-Gar mags enroute right now. GF

[Cosmic_Charlie]

I have polymer pistols for carry, so these all steel throw backs are just for target shooting. I don't need the capacity of a high power.

[Gray Fox]

I think my new SA-35 is a candidate for the Roto holster in another of today's threads. It would be nice if the pistol was eventually offered in matte stainless or with something like an NP3 or electroless nickel finish for CCW here in Hotlanta summers. GF

[crandall crank]

I agree with 36g...why buy a clone when you can buy the original?

[Thundermaker]

Because the clones are still being made and aren't collector pieces.

[txbirdman]

Bought an import FEG to scratch my hipower itch. I’ve owned a couple of brownings and a FM in the past but somebody else always wanted them more. I do like the FEG which has seen hard service in Israel or so I’m told. It has the crappy little sights; horrible trigger; and minuscule safety just like the originals and I love it. For me it’s just a range toy with character.

[pietro]

.

I had one of the FEG clones marked Charle Daly, and IMO is was equal to the Browning P-35 in every respect ( parts interchangeability, fit, finish, accuracy, etc) except that the safety has the original small nub.

I had it several years and the only reason I don't have it now is that I gifted it to my adult/married Grandson, who once shot my 1911.45 Colt Lightweight Commander for the 1st time a like an adult pro - at 11 years old ! ! ! :shock:

(The other men shooting on the range at the time were as stunned as I was)

.

[36g]

Local FFL has at least one FEG and a chromed Kareen plus two Belgian stripped frames and one stripped frame with slide and a few misc. parts.

Personally, I have three Belgians, an Argentine, and an Inglis. None were bought new with several being rebuilt and refinished. I prefer the earlier look with small safety and round hammer spur. To me the design just fits very comfortably in the hand. I became impressed with them in my youth when I first held one that my Uncle brought back from WWII that had been a German issue pistol.

I have not fired any of the Springfield pistols but have been satisfied with the reliability of the aforementioned Belgian and clones.

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Looked at a Girsan competition model in the lgs yesterday. Friend who works there said he has one and it is a great shooter.

[FergusonTO35]

I think Browning USA is missing the boat not having some sort of HP in their offerings. Even if it was made in Turkey, it would be made to Browning's usual high standard of fit and finish. The lack of an HP in their lineup seems like a yawning chasm.

[36g]

I see that EAA has a High Power Clone also.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/eaa-girsan-mc-p35-9mm-black.html

[coaldust]

308912 This is my Springfield Armory SA-35, fit and finish is good and it is accurate!

[FergusonTO35]

I see that EAA has a High Power Clone also.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/eaa-girsan-mc-p35-9mm-black.html

Never seen one in person, it's one of those that the little shops can never get. Still kicking myself for not buying NIB FEG's for $250.00 back in the 2000's.

[kerplode]

Never seen one in person, it's one of those that the little shops can never get. Still kicking myself for not buying NIB FEG's for $250.00 back in the 2000's.
The EAA Girsan clones are very nice. We've sold a small hand full over the last couple months. The price it nice too. They have that Ye Olde Tyme Hi Power trigger, though...


308912
This is my Springfield Armory SA-35, fit and finish is good and it is accurate!

Very nice!

We finally got word from one of our distributors that we've been allocated an SA35...I'm excited to see it in person.