The Browning Hi-Power has been one of the most loved pistols in the world for the past century. The Browning Hi-Power saw use by more than 50 armies. It was also used by the Allies and the Axis during World War II. FN ended production of the Hi-Power product line in 2018, despite its historical legacy. Its high manufacturing costs and perceived declining popularity caused FN to stop production of the Hi-Power line in 2018. Combat Handguns Magazine was informed by FN that the Hi-Power would be returning. The Browning Hi-Power Head to Head. There was still a lot to love about the iconic pistol in the shooting world, so it wasn’t long until a few companies came in to fill the gap. Two of those companies were Girsan, a Turkish firearms manufacturer, and Springfield Armory (located here in the United States). Both companies offered their own versions of the classic design. Both companies offer their own versions of the classic design, with some tweaks to improve usability and durability, while remaining faithful to the original. The new Springfield SA-35 Springfield Armory caused quite a stir among the shooting community. Springfield developed its own naming convention after FN had the trademark for the “Hi-Power”, name. The pistol’s original manufacturing date, 1935, is the inspiration for the name. The SA-35 is fully compatible with the original Browning Hi-Power, but has a few improvements to bring it into the modern age. A new sight arrangement is the first improvement. It features a white dot at the front and a blacked out and serrated rear view. Both sights can be dovetailed for drift adjustments. The rear sight has a 90-degree shelf that allows one-handed racking of the slide off boots, belts, posts, or other objects. The thumb safety has been slightly increased and features a shelf that allows for quick activation or deactivation. It is not an ambi safety, but it is suitable for left-handed shooters. The original Browning Hi-Power featured a low-profile thumb safety, which was sometimes difficult to engage. The most significant change in the SA-35 was the removal of the magazine disconnect security. This safety feature was included in the original Browning Hi-Power. It prevented the pistol’s firing if the magazine was removed. This safety mechanism, which had many benefits, was removed by Springfield. The magazine can be removed from the magazine and the pistol can be fired with it. The Springfield SA-35 Weighs In Weighing 31.5 ounces, its forged, carbon-steel frame is finished in a matte black, blued look that provides a subtle contrast to the checkered walnut grips. The SA-35’s heart is the cold-hammer-forged barrel. This barrel should provide excellent durability and accuracy. The Springfield craftsmen also modified the hammer to reduce hammer bite for people with large hands. The pistol has a 15-round magazine capacity, while the original Browning Hi-Power had a capacity of 13 rounds. The Girsan MCP35 Girsan’s version of the Hi-Power has been simplified and made less expensive with the MCP35. The MCP35 looks a lot like the Mark III Hi-Power, with its synthetic thumb-shelf and ambi thumb safety. It is available in three finishes. It is available in black or two-tone. The version I received had an FDE Cerakote coating. The MCP35’s ambidextrous thumb security is a low-profile affair. It does not have the same 1911-style shelf that Springfield’s version. The MCP35 offers drift adjustable sights, similar to the SA-35. It has a ramp-style front sight, with a white stripe and two bars at the rear. The MCP35 maintains the magazine disconnect safety, keeping it simple. This not only affects how the trigger pull feels, but also prevents magazines from falling freely when the release is activated. Girsan did however re-profile the Hammer to reduce hammer bite. The frame’s edges are also not as sharp than those on the SA-35, especially around the beavertail. The Girsan MCP35 Weight In Girsan lists MCP35’s weight at 28.8 ounces. My digital scale registered 32.24 ounces for my sample, which was filled with an empty magazine. Although I don’t usually like FDE finishes on pistols, I love the look of the MCP35. The steel frame and slide are both flawlessly finished. The slide’s smooth action impressed me, which is a good thing. Although it wasn’t as smooth as the Beretta 92’s, it was close. The MCP35’s biggest selling point is its low price. It currently sells at local gun shops for less than $500, with a MSRP of $567. The Girsan ships with a 15-round Mec-Gar magazine, just like the Springfield. It seems to be a great value for money, based on what we have seen so far. To the Range When it comes time to decide between the two pistols. It’s not enough to just point out the differences in their features. We still have a lot to discuss about how the MCP35 compared to the SA-35 when a few of our shooting buddies and myself went to the range with them both. First, the trigger pulls are very different. The SA-35 had a very clean take-up and a break at just four pounds of pressure. The MCP35, however, had a much more gritty trigger and required nearly eight pounds of pressure before it broke. This gave the SA-35 an advantage in shootability and offhand accuracy. The Girsan was still able to outdo the Springfield in accuracy, despite the fact that the Springfield had a stable platform at its bench. The MCP35 averaged 2 inches at 15 yards with loads from Federal and Hornady. The SA-35 averaged 1.25 inches with a best group just 0.84 in with Hornady’s 115-grain Critical Defense load. The Girsan’s sights were not well controlled. We had to aim at least an inch below the plate in order to hit an 8-inch plate from 20 yards. We were able to consistently pop 4-inch and 8-inch plates with our SA-35 at the exact same distance. Another issue was the sight setup of the Girsan. The sight setup on the Girsan was also problematic. It was difficult to distinguish the sights against snowy targets, especially when they were white. Reliability, comfort, and reliability. The Girsan was able to outperform the Springfield in this area. The MCP35 was fault-free after two shooting sessions and several hundred rounds of premium defensive ammunition and range loads. After the first 100 rounds, however, the SA-35 began having problems with extraction. The extractor didn’t always remove the spent shell from its chamber on several occasions. The slide would then continue back, and attempt to load another round from its magazine. However, the chamber was blocked by the shell that was still inside. This would bind the pistol and the magazine had needed to be removed. Comfort during extended shooting was another advantage of the MCP35 over the SA-35. The frame of the Springfield was quite sharp, especially around the beavertail. Those edges began to gouge into the hands as a result of prolonged shooting. The MCP35’s frame edges were not as sharp and didn’t have the gouging problem. It was therefore more comfortable to shoot for longer periods of time. Fit and Finish Both companies did an excellent job re-profiling hammers. I was expecting the familiar Browning Hi-Power Hammer bite that I have experienced in the past. Although I was able to escape the hammer with my meaty fingers, the results with both pistols were only a small red spot between my thumbs and forefinger. Despite the fact that it is not ambidextrous, everyone liked the SA-35’s thumb safety. Although the MCP35’s Ambi Safety was simple to flip off, it was difficult to flip it back on after shooting. We had to twist our hands a little. The SA-35’s lack a magazine disconnect meant that magazines could be dropped cleanly from the SA-35 for faster mag swaps during drills. We had to stop mid-swap after finishing a magazine in the MCP35 to pick it up. This was not always an easy task. The SA-35’s finish was attractive, but it was not very durable. It started to show wear and small dings almost immediately. At least the sample I received showed that the MCP35’s FDE finish was more resistant to knocks, bangs, and scratches. It was more comforting to me that the FDE finish could protect the pistol against corrosion. The Bottom Line I think that the Springfield SA-35 is my favorite pistol, despite some minor issues and hiccups. It was extremely accurate, soft to shoot, and had a great trigger for a Hi-Power production Hi-Power. The ability to shoot with no magazines in and have them drop off cleanly tied the knot. There are some things that need to be fixed. It is clear that the extraction problem needs to be corrected. Springfield could also radiused the edges of the frame a little more. These two features would make the SA-35 a must-buy at a MSRP of $699. It would be amazing if Springfield offered a custom-built model for a few hundred more dollars. I would like to see the high-visibility U-Dot Tactical sights on the XDM Elite and Hellcat. A longer beavertail would also be a nice addition. Add a few magazines and a more robust finish such as DLC or nitride, and I would be a buyer in the $1,100 range. The Girsan MCP35 still represents a remarkable value. It’s hard to believe that the MCP35 has a steel frame, ambi safety and a clean finish. The MCP35 is a great base pistol for budget-minded shooters who like to tweak. There are many things you can do to improve the MCP35, such as changing the barrel or improving the trigger. Parting shots Both pistols have much to offer. There are design tweaks that make the Browning Hi-Power better or just plain old bang for your buck. Both pistols can be your next favorite carry guns, despite the $150 difference in price and the fact that they each have their own advantages. For more information, please visit Springfield-Armory.com and EAACorp.com. Girsan MCP35 Specs Caliber 9mm
Barrel: 4.87 inches
Length: 7.75 inches
Weight: 32.24 ounces (empty).
Height: 5.07 inches
Width: 1.46 inches
Grips: Synthetic
Sights: White dot/bar
Action: One action only
Finish: Cerakote
MSRP: $567 Springfield SA35 Specs Caliber 9 mm
Barrel: 4.7 inches
Length: 7.8 inches
Weight: 31.5 ounces (empty).
Height: 4.8 inches
Width: 1.37 inches
Grips: Walnut
Sights: Front dot, blacked-out rear
Action: One action only
Finish: Blued
MSRP: $699. This article was originally published by Combat Handguns July/August 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email [email protected]. Continue Reading Search The post Browning Hi-Power Duel Girsan MCP35 Vs. Springfield Armory SA-35 appeared originally on Personal Defense World.
