This is the third installment of Tiger’s examination of the SA-35, Springfield Armory’s new P35 “clone.” His book, AR-15 Skills & Drills is on sale here.
Finally, it was time to test the new Springfield SA-35 Hi Power on the range. For me, firing a new pistol is an “event.” Sure, I could just go to the range and run ammo through the pistol, but this was a special occasion. In Pt II of the review - https://www.thetacticalwire.com/archives/2021-12-07 - I mentioned that the recoil spring looked like a progressive spring but was mistaken. Springfield has it listed as a straight 15-pound spring, with a 26-pound hammer spring. Also, the extractor spring was shorter than the original Browning spring. I decided to shoot it as it comes from the factory, then test again after performing a couple of modifications that I do with all my Hi Powers.
Range Test #1 – 60 rounds, ball ammunition.
The SA-35 handles and shoots like an original Hi Power. The trigger action is smooth and crisp, and with more shooting will likely feel even better. Sights are good, but for my old eyes the front sight is a little narrow for the width of the rear sight opening. Obtaining a precise alignment requires a little more attention to ensure consistency. Accuracy was up to Hi Power standards. After a few shots to discover point of aim I was able to ding the torso target at sixty-yards with regularity.
I did experience some stoppages. There were a few failures to extract and a couple of failures to eject. For shots fired there was a ten-percent stoppage rate. Obviously, this causes concern. Should I send it back to Springfield or, investigate the problem; was it something as simple as the springs or a larger problem. Of course, curiosity got the best of me.
Range Test #2
I didn’t do anything major, and the changes made are what I do with all my Hi Powers. For pistol springs, I use Wolff springs - an 18 ½ pound recoil spring, with a 26-pound main/hammer spring. As mentioned, the extractor spring was suspect, so I replaced that as well. A new, heavy firing pin spring is on the list too, but I didn’t have one in-house so it will be installed later. The only other work was removing a couple of high, rough spots on the extractor itself.
For a thumb safety I prefer the late style found on Hi Powers with ambi safeties, but only the left side lever. I cut the right side of the safety off, where the paddle would connect, and just use the left lever. Hi Powers are not really designed for the thumb to ride on top of the safety like you do a 1911 safety. It requires a grip that’s too high; slide and hammer bite is common. After disengaging the safety on the Hi Power your thumb slides off and to the side. The Browning safety required some light fitting for it to function properly with the SA-35’s sear, and it’s good to know this is one part that you can exchange for after-market options.
After swapping out these parts the SA-35 functioned perfectly. There were no stoppages through over a hundred rounds.
Are there some bugs with the SA-35? I know several people who have fired hundreds of rounds without any problems. There are a few reports with the same malfunctions I experienced. If there are glitches you can be assured Springfield will correct them. Here’s my best endorsement of a product: I plan on buying this SA-35 to add to my Hi Power collection. You should probably consider one, too.
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.