Is Modernizing the SA-35 a Mistake?

[Talyn]

Note: The new "High-Power" pistol was designed & is marketed by FN-USA not FN Europe.

 

[Superzuki]

Most, in fact, are not.

The entirely new FN pistol is called the "High-Power" not the traditional "Hi-Power" that FN designated the original. The name similarity is a marketing ploy.

And the only similarity the new FN "High Power" has with the original is an outward resemblance, with no parts compatibility with the original. The only thing the two pistols have in common is the 9mm ammo.

And it looks sorta like the original high power...

 

[Talyn]

And it looks sorta like the original high power...

In a general fashion from an arm's length but on closer examination one easily sees the differences.

 

[Superzuki]

The FN is the FN Hi-Power. It has a polymer frame which turns off some hi-power fans immediately.

Not being invested in the SA-35, I don't really have a dog in the fight, its just a thing to re-invent a long time favorite just seems always to cause a split of half hating it and half loving it.

I like 1911's and intrigued by the 2011 update/re-invention, but its for 9mm, true it can be done in .45ACP, but a cursory investigation finds parts so hard to find. Most of the 1911 parts work with the 2011, but the ones that are 2011 specific are expensive and/or hard to find, and magazines being more than $100 and not even available for .45 ACP dampens the mood.

I just checked at the FN site, it has a steel frame..

 

[RickAnderson]

I just checked at the FN site, it has a steel frame..

And you're looking at the FN High Power and NOT the discontinued FN Hi-Power? The Hi-Power was steel frame.

I just checked the FN site and I can not find anywhere where it says it has a metal frame. There is no Hi-Power listed either.
The SS version, by the photos, does look like steel, I've never seen metal like silver colored polymer before. The other colors its tough to tell.

Wait, I just did a search....
If you go to just the FN site and go through the menu to look at the different models, it says nothing about steel frame...
A search comes up with a FN link that seems to be some special page about the High Power and it does say... "Steel Slide & Frame"....

I was searching cause I was looking back through the few things I saw on it, trying to figure out if they changed it or how I got the wrong impression it was polymer frame.

It might just be the appearance of the frame, it could be mistaken as polymer from a photo. It looks like it might be a cast frame. Regardless, I'm of the school that casting has improved drastically from 80 years ago where cast parts would never last in firearms. Sure there may be some cheap cast trash out there, but if it done right it is perfectly fine for a firearm.

 

[MikeMyers]

My SA-35 was sent back to Springfield 3 not once 3 times for same issues failure to extract. Finally they agreed to send me a brand new one which they did. They actually had the gun I bought longer in their possession than I had it. Best yet they shipped the new gun with new serial number directly to me instead of going through an FFL dealer. Needless to say knowing the laws I immediately took it to my LGS to have the paperwork properly done. To say the State Police were not too pleased is an understatement that they had done this so yeah not only did they drop the ball as Simon RL stated they smashed it. That's just my experience with the Sa-35. Many have had great success with theirs my first one was an overpriced paperweight.

Apparently, when you send a gun back to Springfield for factory repairs, they send you a pre-paid shipping label, and when finished, they send it back to you, not an FFL. If it's a gun you are buying, the rules are different from if it's a repair.

My SA-35 went back to Springfield four or five times, and I demanded a new gun or a refund. They sent back a "clunker" with an 8 pound trigger. It went back to them with a LONG list of what I wanted fixed, or I wanted my money back. They did a trigger job, put on a new front sight, adjusted the trigger to 4 pounds, and everything seems good. I'll get to shoot it the end of next week.

I believe there are two models of the SA-35, one that goes to magazine reviewers and similar, and some silly thing that gets assembled by people who can't spell the word "gun". Fortunately, it comes with a life-time warranty. Fortunately they pay for shipping to and back. If you insist, they will send test targets - for me, I got three test targets for different types of ammo.


I'm puzzled by something. While lots of people are making beautiful SA-35 guns, nobody is talking about "accuracy" or "precision", and hardy anyone is posting good looking targets.

Here are my test targets, but I haven't had a chance to try it myself yet: