Season 1 – The women’s self-defense series that goes beyond EDC. Close The Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, a sacred gathering of gun nerds, takes place every October in the shadows of the Grand Tetons Mountain range. Manufacturers show off their latest and greatest while geeks like myself get to look at it all and claim that it’s our work. This year, I was treated to a special retro-classic from Springfield Armory’s SA-35. RELATED STORY Springfield Armory SA-35 Crossbreed Holsters Offer Multiple Carry Options As a child, a telephone was as big and heavy as a sneaker. It was also tethered to a wall. Today, there are 7.1 million smartphones in our pockets. They are used by 89.9% of the world’s population. The times have changed. Although we Americans are quick to complain when elected public servants try to limit our Second Amendment rights, the United States is still the most heavily armed nation in human history. You can see a staggering array of defensive firearms in your local gun shop. You can find the right gun for you if you have human hands. I’m genuinely impressed by your reading comprehension skills even if you don’t have hands. There was one thing that was missing from all the cool stuff. Modern guns can come with frames made from aluminum, steel, or polymer. Dreams can either thrive or fail in the many-splendored spaces of barrel length, magazine capacity, trigger, trigger, and other features. But, until now, there was one niche in the modern handgun’s pantheon that was completely overlooked. The Browning Hi-Power, the gun that gave rise to all modern handguns, was never produced in the United States. Springfield Armory has just solved that problem with their new SA-35. Photo by Sean Utley. Some mechanisms seem to be flawless. My wife, the paperclip, the claw-hammer, the mousetrap and Vise-Grip pliers are all examples of mechanical inventions at their peak. These things cannot be improved on. One mechanism reigns supreme in the world of firearms. John Moses Browning was one of the greatest firearms designers ever to have lived. He was the inventor of 128 patents when he died in 1926 from heart failure at the FN factory, Liege, Belgium. Every rifle-caliber automatic weapon used in World War II by American forces was designed by Browning. He was a gun-smart savant. His M1911 pistol had already revolutionized the way handguns are made. Browning took the European standard 9mm bullet 115-grain and doubled it when he was given the task of crafting a pistol and associated cartridge to arm American troops against radical Islamists in the Philippines during the Moro Insurrection at the turn of 20th century. The resulting 230-grain.45 ACP is still the benchmark for combat handgun efficiency. The M1911 was a lock-breech, short recoil handgun. It operated via a pivoting link attached at the barrel. This mechanism was reliable, accurate, and rugged. It wasn’t perfect, though, so call me a heretic. Browning filed a patent in June 1923 for the Browning Hi-Power. This was, according to some, the pinnacle in handgun evolution. This is not exaggerated. No matter if your favorite combat pistol is FN, Glock or HK, Canik, SCCY, Walther, or Springfield Armory, they all use the same basic, short-recoil locked-breech design that was pioneered by the Browning Hi-Power. This mechanism is simple, yet reliable enough to drive most modern combat handguns. Technical Details The SA-35 is a classic Hi-Power, but modified slightly for the Information Age. The barrel locks to its slide when it fires using the linkless wedge system found in most combat pistols around the world. The interface between barrel and slide does not require bushing. However, the slide release and magazine catch are located in the right spots. The left-sided thumb safety has been slightly increased over the 1935-era Hi-Power. This appendage is larger and smaller than the original, but it is still the same size as the later versions from Belgium. It’s perfect, I think. It’s easy to access, but not too small to get in the way. The original Hi-Power magazine contained 13 rounds. This was an incredible capacity by pre-war standards. But we can do better today. The new Springfield Armory SA-35 packs 15 rounds in the same space. I don’t know how they do it. It’s magic, I suppose. These magazines fit perfectly in my WWII-vintage Hi-Powers. The front sight has a fixed blade and a white dot. The tactical rack rear sight can be adjusted for windage. Belgian Hi-Powers came with a variety of fancy adjustable target sights. However, such sights make me clammy in a combat gun. The sights of the SA-35 are ideal for their intended purpose. The finish is a classic stained walnut, while the grips have a dull blue finish. The overall aesthetic is both utilitarian and elegant. The SA-35 is ideal for target work, personal defense, concealed carry, and service use. Trigger Particulars This trigger is absolutely delightful. The original single-action Browning Hi-Power trigger was held back by a terrible magazine safety. The first Hi-Power was created as a result of specifications for a French combat handgun. I believe that is where the magazine disconnect safety came from. I have always believed that anything that mechanically disables my pistol was bad. This means that if one is struggling to control a handgun, one might just eject the magazine to make it inert. My view is that there is a greater chance that you will drop your magazine before it runs dry. You might need that round in the chamber to get the new mag in place. Basic principle is why I don’t like magazine disconnect safetyties. This trick was also used to slightly alter the trigger on early guns. This superfluous rascal is gone with the new Springfield Armory SA-35. The SA-35 trigger is therefore a near perfect fit. The SA-35’s external ring hammer is easy to access and designed to prevent hammer bite. The gun is designed to be carried in Condition 1 with the round in the chamber, the thumb safety engaged, and the hammer back. To be able to safely execute this gunmanship, you need to have a certain level of skill. You might have to practice if your weapon is not managed safely in this situation. Is She able to Run? Swimmingly, in a word. The SA-35’s slim architecture makes it easy to carry even when you are wearing something simple like shorts and a shirt. The gun fell into my hand like a friend. The double-stack magazine opens and the grip geometry is like Goldilocks. It’s not too large or too small for me, but it’s just right. The steel frame has enough mass to absorb recoil easily, so follow up shots are quick and smooth. The single-action trigger is easy to use and allows for both accuracy as well as comfort. There is no concern about trigger stacking or sponginess, unlike the striker-fired guns so popular nowadays. The SA-35 runs like a crack-addled cricket and points naturally. The gun is large enough to be considered substantial, but not too heavy. The gun’s compact geometry makes it easy for you to pack. A double-stack, single feed magazine provides plenty of on-tap chaos. The dust cover does not have a Picatinny rail. However, concealed carry holsters are not equipped to accommodate lasers or lights. The result is sleek, slim, and elegant, a perfect representation of the alpha combat handgun. The SA-35 was unable to extract with Remington 115-grain FMJ, which is unusual. It did everything else flawlessly, and shot many straight. Remington makes excellent ammo. Weird. This is the perfect handgun action. This trigger is a single action, creating a wonderful range experience. You will be well-equipped if you find yourself reaching out for the SA-35 when you are out in the wild. Ruminations The Springfield Armory SA-35 is a great addition to American gun culture. There is little that runs more smoothly than this sleek, steel-framed, Old World smoke pole. It is made right here in America. This is the gun that gave rise to all of them. You should give the Hi-Power a shot if you haven’t tried it before. John Moses Browning was a freaking genius. His rarefied sense for mechanical brilliance graces every curve of the timeless Hi-Power. This classic combat pistol is combined with modern high-tech social shots to create the perfect defensive solution for the security-minded shooter who appreciates the finer things. I wanted an SA-35 for years, but never realized it. I owned a pair of Hi-Powers which rolled off the lines in 1940s. But those guns were not working guns. The Springfield Armory SA-35 Hi-Power is the one you can actually use. It is affordable for the average American worker, with a MSRP of $699. For more information, visit Springfield-Armory.com. Springfield Armory SA-35 Specifics Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.7 inches
Overall Length: 7.8 Inches
Weight: 31.5 ounces (empty).
Grips: Checkered walnut
Sights: White-dot front and serrated tactical rack rear
Action: Single-action
Finish: Blued
Capacity: 15+1
MSRP: $699. This article was originally published by Combat Handguns March/April 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email [email protected]. Get the Personal Defense World newsletter today! Sign up for our newsletter I have read and understood the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy and I hereby accept them. Athlon may collect, store, process, and transfer my Personal Data and Non-Personal Data for the purpose of signing me up for the email newsletter. Up Next: Eric Swalwell, a Representative of President Biden’s Gun Control, is lying to the public. By Larry Keane / Apr 29, 20,22. Real Talk: Take a look at 5 of our favorite movie guns over the years. SAR USA introduces its SAR9 Compact EDC Striker Fired 9mm Pistol. At the Ready – Season 1: Is the Springfield SA-35’s JMB Classic Hi-Power perfected in the Springfield SA-35. Every October, the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous hosts a holy gathering of gun geeks. Manufacturers show off their latest and greatest while geeks like myself get to look at it all and claim that it’s our work. This […] was a super special treat.
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