Springfield SA-35 Quality?

Sample of one here. Mine has been 100% with FMJ and Hornaday 115 Critical Defense. I've owned an original Browning and two FEG copies. I kept the SA-35. I have heard that early versions had issues that might or might not have been related to the ejector. I think SA has addressed the problem. You should be good to go with current production.

The early ones were problematic. I have heard many success stories later on, so I bought one , but have mot shot it yet.

Finally saw one in the store today, felt real nice, and the trigger was pretty good.

JCooperfan1911 said:

I’m interested in picking one up, but not if they’re a dog.

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There have been quite a few reviews by members here and I think I’ve read most of them. I don’t believe anyone has referred to them as a “dog”.

Everyone seems to be very happy with the fit, finish and performance of this faithful Hi Power clone.

I’ll get one when the offer a polished stainless steel model (not holding my breath)

Mine is fairly early, and I'm very pleased with it.
It ran faithfully on my reloads, but WWB caused extraction/double feed issues recently. This problem has been noted before, online. In any case, Springfield service was great; return authorization was supplied, and it was gone perhaps a month. This was over Christmas, which slightly stretched the time.
While they had it, I had mentioned an occasional creep in the trigger, and they rectified that as well.
Best HiPo trigger ever for me.
The extraction issue is resolved as well.
Fit and finish is great; mine appears a black, parked finish, rather than Cerakote. The walnut grips are nicely fit and checkered. The white dot front/black rear sights are just fine.
The current problem seems to be availability. A buddy really liked mine, but couldn't find one. He's ending up with an EAA Turk version.
Moon

One downside I feel to mine - is the U notch rear sight. can't stand it. But - I cannot seem to find any consensus as to what size the sight cutout is to replace it.

I've had mine for a year and three months.Other than a little notchy trigger,the pistol is great,and I really can't complain about the trigger that much.It's accurate and hasn't had any malfunctions.Very reliable.Mine has a 4 digit serial number,but I'm most certain it was made after they changed the extractor.It's got right at 500 rounds through it,and I'm very pleased with it.I carry it occasionally and have no qualms about depending on it if the need were to arise.If I could change anything,I'd go away from the U-notch rear sight,I just don't seem to shoot them as well.I have other pistols with that setup and I don't like them either.It's fast to pick up,but I have to be more careful with the sight picture for accuracy.

Nature Boy said:

There have been quite a few reviews by members here and I think I’ve read most of them. I don’t believe anyone has referred to them as a “dog”.

Everyone seems to be very happy with the fit, finish and performance of this faithful Hi Power clone.

I’ll get one when the offer a polished stainless steel model (not holding my breath)

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Yeah, at this point vapor ware around these parts. My burning desire for one has calmed. I think I'll join this guy and wait for a stainless option!

Have had two, the first was a very low serial and it didn't have any issues. The second one, in the 4ks had to go back for a new guide rod and they replaced the grips too. I let them both go, but they were nice enough if one loves the HP.

First production release had well documented extractor issues. SA took them back for repair... but the turnaround time was reportedly long.

Source of the problem was likely that the sequence of machining operations on the slide serrations left sharp burs in the extractor channel that abraded against the extractor as it rotated in and out. Other potential sources of the problem were reported to be a weak extractor spring. Those more comfortable with working on their own guns reported that removing the extractor, filing the burrs in the slot smooth and replacing the spring upon reassembly solved the problem.

The SA35 very quickly became unobtanium, as SA apparently stopped shipping to distributors while they worked on solving the problem. They started showing up again in the late fall of 2022 and all accounts and posts I've read for late serial number SA35s is that the extraction problem has been resolved and the guns now run 100%.

Shame on SA for botching the new product release, but Kudos to them for resolving the issue and getting it right on take 2.

I've gleaned most of this info. from the dedicated BHP tab over at the 1911forum.

Also, BHSS put a lengthy series of videos up evaluating the SA35. If you can endure Mark's rambling, there's good info. to be gleaned.

Mine, in the 5K serial number range, has been plugging along reliably for several months now. I haven't shot reloads in it, but with several types of factory ammo, it just works.

I offered to change out the extractor myself, if they would send the required parts; they wanted it back. As noted, turnaround was a month, with Christmas in the middle.
I've a nickeled, gen-u-wine Belgian Browning that I like a lot; have you checked that price lately? I can shoot the Springer without guilt, and may even get it a holster.
The U-gap rear sight doesn't bother me at all; the top alignment is what's critical, and I can pick up these sights in a hurry. YMMV
Moon

I purchased a new one yesterday at my LGS for $649.99+tx and it's in the little over 10,000 serial number range......hopefully the earlier extraction problems that so many were having with the early guns has been resolved by now.

This is my first firearm chambered in 9mm and yesterday the cheapest bulk ammo on the shelf was Winch. 115 gr. FMJ Target & Practice for $39.99+tx per 100 and I picked up two boxes.....hopefully it'll be accurate enough to ring the gongs at 25 yds. which is what I like to do with my 1911's when I go to the range.

I've reloaded since the 80's so I'm aware that guns can show a preference for a particular load but as of right now I don't have any intentions of reloading 9mm.....is there a brand and bullet weight FMJ plinking 9mm ammo that seems to do well in most guns that's available now ?

Blazer Brass has been abundant of late, and the 115s chrono in the same 1100'sec range as my standard reloads.
It is really torquing my shorts to have to shoot factory 9s, but the best deal I've seen on SPPs is still in the $80 @ K range.
Even with FMJs, I was loading 9s for less than $10 @ 50.
Since its return, the SA-35 has run even previously problematic ammo.
Moon

Mine is fine!

Mine has been 100% past 600 rounds. Serial number is 12,xxx, so it's quite new-production. Fit and finish is very, very good in my opinion. Satin blue is nice. I smoothed the sear and hammer notch with Arkansas stones, which helped. No complaints, especially since mine was $100 under msrp, which I still don't quite believe.