Got myself a SA-35

As most of you here know, the SA-35 is the Springfield copy of the Browning Hi Power. It was announced a few weeks ago. Well a few days after announcement I went into my LGS who I've known the owner and his family for years, go to church with them, and said put my name on the list for a SA-35. He said "deal and you're the first one, so if I get one it will be yours."

That was Friday last week, Thursday I get a message with a pic of of "my SA-35" I head straight over there right after work. I'm in there and its in the factory box layed open and a few guys were eyeballing it. One said "is this one available" and owner says "sorry its been sold and the owner just walked in" the look I got from him was hilarious. Lol

So I have fired exactly 12 rounds of FMJ yesterday, as thats all I could easily get to, with the very short amount of free time I had to shoot it. Those 12 rounds were glorious lol. All 12 were trouble free.

The sights are pretty nice and definitely usable, I see no need to change them. The sights seemed to be zeroed and thats good as they aren't adjustable. The pistol seems to be "tight and right" no wiggles, no rattles. The trigger is nice and perfectly usable. Its smooth, predictable, and short reset, not 1911 nice, but way way better than plastic fantastic single action triggers. So I know 12 rounds don't tell you or I much BUT first impressions is very positive. Oh and the LGS had it priced at 679.99 no where close to the Gunbroker prices. I told them what the GB prices were and what I could sell it on GB for and they were shocked, but he said I don't do business that way, and I told him don't worry I'm keeping this one and it will not be resold.

Here are the obligatory pics I'm sure I'd be getting the stinkeye if I didn't post some.

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Wildbillz said:

Nice. I want one but I will wait as I won't pay the price there going for on GB.

WB

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I told the Shop Owner what they were going for on Gunbroker...he said I don't do business like that. And I told him I won't be selling this one on Gunbroker either. I paid 679.99 + tax. MSRP is 699.99 + tax.

JCooperfan1911 said:

These are made with Turkish frames, slides, and parts.

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Evidence of that? Not that I care but best I can find is Made in USA. Thats directly from Springfields website. And if they were made in Turkey wouldn't they have to be imported by someone, and they would have to disclose that?

Corpral_Agarn said:

Tell us how it SHOOOOOOOOOOOOTS!

I am excited to see these older designs getting some attention. Keeps things interesting in the gun world.

I've always wanted a hi power but in my state that's a no go... Unless I can find a used one.

Btw the tfbtv review was entertaining and spoke highly of the piece.

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I've always wanted a Hi Power but could never pay the over $1000 they commanded. This quality copy for under $700 is all I could've wanted. I have only shot 12 rounds so I can't really give any accuracy review, but it seemed to hit where it was pointed.

My one and only complaint about the pistol is that I want to shoot it more and I can't right now.

NIGHTLORD40K said:

The raw forgings could be (and likely are), imported, with finishing and final assembly done here. This would still allow them to legally claim "Made in USA."

Doesn't mean its a bad gun- however if this were not the case, I feel SA would be screaming from the rooftops to clarify nthe situation. Their silence is pretty telling that is some components are imported.

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I would not doubt if the assembly and finishing work is done here with the "raw components" being made elsewhere. I've owned Phillipine made pistols and Turkish made weapons, they have been perfectly fine. It is better fit and finish wise than the few Hi Power clones I've seen made overseas. The tolerances and "tightness" trigger and sights are for sure better than the 1962 made legit Hi Power that my ex brother in law has.