Springfield SA-35

2621 Views 19 Replies 4 Participants Last post by guydodge, 8 h ago

mbott

Discussion Starter · Apr 17, 2022

Was hoping I'd find several decent write-ups on the Springfield SA-35. In their absence, I'm now hoping Springfield has not been able to get that many out to the buying public.

I'll be checking back just to see what is being said.

Hopefully!

--
Mike

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TNorris

· #2 · Apr 18, 2022

mbott said:
Was hoping I'd find several decent write-ups on the Springfield SA-35. In their absence, I'm now hoping Springfield has not been able to get that many out to the buying public.

I'll be checking back just to see what is being said.

Hopefully!

--
Mike

Good morning Mike!

There is more SA-35 chatter in High Power sections on other forums (1911 Forum, High Power Collectors, etc).

Latest reports are of serial numbers in the 6000 range. Mine is 3094. Generally, through the SA-35 looks great, the edges are sharp where they should be rounded and that could lead to pain at the range. There are extraction problems which can be fixed by installing an original FN extractor and a new extractor spring (BH Spring Solutions). The slide to frame fit is pretty tight, much like the Tisas BR9... many think the frame and slide are forged by Tisas in Turkey. It it is, the Turks are far better at finishing the pistol than the folks at Springfield in rural Illinois. I have a stainless steel Tisas and it is beautiful and reliable, after a problem with a broken extractor!

I have not fired mine yet. I always make some improvements to any High Power I buy. For my SA-35, after I get a chance to shoot her, I am leaning towards sending her off to BHSS for optimization, new improved parts and to remove those sharp edges, which will require a complete refinishing job. I dream of a real deep polished blue. That would cost an extra $300 over a gorgeous Ceracote... not sure it is worth having such a one of a kind SA-35.

It is a solid pistol. Springfield does not know how to make a High Power. They simply do enough assembly and finishing work in Geneseo to be able to say it is Made in America. Because of this, warranty service may be less than satisfying.

Cheers,

Tim

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mbott

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 18, 2022

TNorris said:
Good morning Mike!

There is more SA-35 chatter in High Power sections on other forums (1911 Forum, High Power Collectors, etc).

<snip>

Thank for the info Tim. I've been wanting to replace the 9mm High Power I sold years ago when I divested myself of most things 9mm. Do have a .40S&W MkIII but felt a 9mm mate would be appropriate. This one showing up on the cover of AR kinda put me in the mood to find one.

I haven't been active on the gun forums for several years, but still have logins to most.

Again, thanks for your insights.

--
Mike

TNorris

· #4 · Apr 18, 2022

mbott said:
Thank for the info Tim. I've been wanting to replace the 9mm High Power I sold years ago when I divested myself of most things 9mm. Do have a .40S&W MkIII but felt a 9mm mate would be appropriate. This one showing up on the cover of AR kinda put me in the mood to find one. I haven't been active on the gun forums for several years, but still have logins to most.

Again, thanks for your insights.

--
Mike

From other reports, the Girsam MCP35 is another BHP option and also from Turkey. It may feature the same type 2 sear lever, as found on the FN/Browning MKlll pistols. The SA-35 has the standard original type 1 floating sear lever. The finish looks to be better on the Girsan as far as sharp edges, and it will cost less... both are hard to find. I will pick one up someday.

BH Spring Solutions has long detailed video reviews on both Pistols.

Girsan MC P35 Evaluation and Testing | BHSpringSolutions LLC

Click on the picture to download our initial report about the new Girsan MC P35 Hi-Power Clone.BHSpringSolutions' MC P35 YouTube Playlist:

bhspringsolutions.com

bhspringsolutions.com

Springfield SA-35 EVALUATION ANALYSIS | BHSpringSolutions LLC

Click on the picture to download our initial report about the new Springfiled SA-35 Hi-Power Clone.BHSpringSolutions' SA-35 Analysis YouTube Playlist: SUMMARY (click on the picture below)

bhspringsolutions.com

bhspringsolutions.com

Cheers,

Tim

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Reactions: 1

rock185

· #5 · Apr 18, 2022

mbott, My SA-35 is in the 5K serial number range. I estimate I have somewhere around 450 rounds through mine at this point. This was with 8 different types of factory ammo, to include RN ball, flat point ball, JHPs, etc. I used the factory, FN and MecGar magazines. No problems with any of them.

So, fingers crossed, no issues at all with my particular SA-35 thus far....

Trigger Font Material property Gun barrel Air gun

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Reactions: 1

mbott

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 18, 2022

rock185 said:
<snip>

I used the factory, FN and MecGar magazines. No problems with any of them.

Good to hear. I ordered 2 of the Springfield mags soon after I saw the AR article. Now just waiting to be able to handle one and hopefully purchase.

--
Mike

TNorris

· #7 · Apr 19, 2022

mbott said:
Good to hear. I ordered 2 of the Springfield mags soon after I saw the AR article. Now just waiting to be able to handle one and hopefully purchase.

--
Mike

Save your money on those Springfield BHP magazines, unless you really like the Springfield logo stamp. They are made by Meg-Gar in Italy, just like all of the factory FN magazines. That expensive logo stamp is the only difference.

Cheers,

Tim

Reactions: 1

guydodge

· #8 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

TNorris said:
Good morning Mike!

There is more SA-35 chatter in High Power sections on other forums (1911 Forum, High Power Collectors, etc).

Latest reports are of serial numbers in the 6000 range. Mine is 3094. Generally, through the SA-35 looks great, the edges are sharp where they should be rounded and that could lead to pain at the range. There are extraction problems which can be fixed by installing an original FN extractor and a new extractor spring (BH Spring Solutions). The slide to frame fit is pretty tight, much like the Tisas BR9... many think the frame and slide are forged by Tisas in Turkey. It it is, the Turks are far better at finishing the pistol than the folks at Springfield in rural Illinois. I have a stainless steel Tisas and it is beautiful and reliable, after a problem with a broken extractor!

I have not fired mine yet. I always make some improvements to any High Power I buy. For my SA-35, after I get a chance to shoot her, I am leaning towards sending her off to BHSS for optimization, new improved parts and to remove those sharp edges, which will require a complete refinishing job. I dream of a real deep polished blue. That would cost an extra $300 over a gorgeous Ceracote... not sure it is worth having such a one of a kind SA-35.

It is a solid pistol. Springfield does not know how to make a High Power. They simply do enough assembly and finishing work in Geneseo to be able to say it is Made in America. Because of this, warranty service may be less than satisfying.

Cheers,

Tim

BIG UPDATE !!!
while it may look nice the functioning of this gun is horrid.ejector problem is quite prevalent.also slide lock problems and trigger
problems.ran about 75-90 rnds thru.3 brands of ammo all had failures from the very first magazine to the last at least 4-5 per magazine
trigger has like a blank spot hammer begins to engage then blank then hammer reengages and finally drops.also after clearing no eject error
put mag back in and will not rack have to manually release slide lock.i got bent over big on this one.and with a serial no.of 13000+
kinda blows the theory on the early numbers thing to hell..its going back to S.A you know what im not even cleaning it let them get
dirty like i did..they dont care well S.A neither do i !!!

the only good note here is when it actually fired i could feel what it could have been.so if it comes back a working gun it will
probably be amazing.but honestly im not sure anything can recover from what mine is..its really bad..this is a big F.U.
as a whole... imo

not sure what edges your talking about just bought mine and its beautifully finished and machining is super clean (serial in the 13,000)
the litttle white dots is oil i sharpened the pic so you could see how nice the finish is and it caused aliasing.and the trigger is amazing
for a high power out of box personally im leaving this one stock love it.

Air gun Trigger Wood Gun barrel Everyday carry

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rock185

· #9 · 5 mo ago

Hello guydodge, That is about as bad as I've heard of with the SA-35. Sure hope SA can sort that out for you. If I'd had a similar experience with mine, I think I'd have been pretty soured on the SA-35. I'm at a thousand rounds or so of assorted factory ammunition with mine. Thus far, it just works, knock on wood....

Reactions: 1

mbott

Discussion Starter · #10 · 5 mo ago

I'll find out for myself shortly. My lgs notified me that I can pick mine up tomorrow. They still have 260 special orders waiting.

guydodge

· #11 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

rock185 said:
Hello guydodge, That is about as bad as I've heard of with the SA-35. Sure hope SA can sort that out for you. If I'd had a similar experience with mine, I think I'd have been pretty soured on the SA-35. I'm at a thousand rounds or so of assorted factory ammunition with mine. Thus far, it just works, knock on wood....

i just sent it off today i havent lost faith in it yet.i know theres a awesome gun here just not sure it will be this one.and i did clean it before i sent it off.
but i really shouldnt have.i truly was hoping to get your experience but mine was completely the other end.said 2 to 4 weeks

i guess the only good thing here is i got 50.00 under msrp not that 50 bucks is alot..but its all i got....lol

and one more bad note the safety was also grindy i have no idea how this ever passed QA

guydodge

· #12 · 5 mo ago

mbott said:
I'll find out for myself shortly. My lgs notified me that I can pick mine up tomorrow. They still have 260 special orders waiting.

im praying for you brother.

guydodge

· #13 · 5 mo ago

rock185 said:
Hello guydodge, That is about as bad as I've heard of with the SA-35. Sure hope SA can sort that out for you. If I'd had a similar experience with mine, I think I'd have been pretty soured on the SA-35. I'm at a thousand rounds or so of assorted factory ammunition with mine. Thus far, it just works, knock on wood....

just out of curiosity was your serial no. low/high ? mine was right under 14000

rock185

· #14 · 5 mo ago

guydodge, Way under yours, just over 5K.

guydodge

· #15 · 5 mo ago

rock185 said:
guydodge, Way under yours, just over 5K.

hmm ..ok thanks i must just have really horrible luck i figured they would get better in time not worse.
they were blaming the ejector issues on the earlier numbers clearly not the problem seems like its
more just sloppy assembly and quality control releated or lack there of.

mbott

Discussion Starter · #16 · 5 mo ago

I've yet to figure out how a gun manufacturer can get soo much oil to coat every nook and cranny of a new pistol. Serial number of the one I received is mid 14,000s. Once de-oiled and properly lubed, slide, safety operate smoothly. Won't get it to a range for a couple of weeks yet. Like its MkIII brother, it just fits in the hand like no other pistol. Really looking forward to some range time.

guydodge

· #17 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

mbott said:
I've yet to figure out how a gun manufacturer can get soo much oil to coat every nook and cranny of a new pistol. Serial number of the one I received is mid 14,000s. Once de-oiled and properly lubed, slide, safety operate smoothly. Won't get it to a range for a couple of weeks yet. Like its MkIII brother, it just fits in the hand like no other pistol. Really looking forward to some range time.

AGREE the look feel and accuracy are awesome im looking forward to getting back a working gun and laying down some led at the range.when it actually worked i was impressed
like i said keeping this one stock.and the finish on mine was flawless.
was at the range this morning put about 100 rounds each of my 1911 springfield garrison 45 and my Rock island armory 1911 ultra 9mm.
i was on point great way to start a day

mbott

Discussion Starter · #18 · 2 mo ago

By this time next month, I'll finally get the SA 35 to the range. What has been the delay? Cataracts, and that surgery is scheduled May 1 and May 15. Counting down the days for sure. Non-dominate eye first just in case a change of plan is needed.

Counting down the days!

--
Mike

TNorris

· #19 · 2 mo ago

mbott said:
By this time next month, I'll finally get the SA 35 to the range. What has been the delay? Cataracts, and that surgery is scheduled May 1 and May 15. Counting down the days for sure. Non-dominate eye first just in case a change of plan is needed.

Counting down the days!

--
Mike

It is a life improving surgery.

Range time became more enjoyable after my first cataract surgery and even more so after the second one!

Cheers,

Tim

Reactions: 1

guydodge

· #20 · 8 h ago

heres a update my SA-35 has just been RMA for the 3rd time now.while over the past 6 months (still dont have a working gun) have had trigger issues/safety issues/extractor
issues and now trigger lock issues.by far the worst pistol i have ever owned BAR NONE !!!

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