Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns SA-35 (P-35 Hi-Power) Extractor Issue

I'm hearing that there may be an issue with Springfield Armory's new version of the Browning P-35 Hi-Power, the SA-35. It seems in two separate tests, two of these pistols had the same issue with an extractor failure after about 750-800 rounds of mixed manufacture ammo. Since this is supposed to have happened twice at about the same amount of rounds fired by different people with different pistols doing the testing, and not the same mix of ammo, it would seem to point to a gun issue and not an ammo issue. Initial investigation has not determined the cause other than possible carbon build up due to lack of cleaning, but that is not a final conclusion. It is not uncommon for new guns to have a "bug" or two that need to be worked out. That is why I am hesitant to be first in line for new production guns. I am confident that Springfield will remedy this. Just another reason to clean it after shooting. When they get it fine tuned, I want one.

Do you have links to these tests?

I'm thinking I'm just going to stick with my Browning.

Never a single jam of any kind.

That is what I read on another forum. Apparently Turkish BR9 is a good alternative.

I watched a few of those videos. They sure changed a lot of springs, I'd be really interested in seeing how well it performed stock.

Based on what I learned from the videos, the extractor was binding plus not holding the case securely.

you ought to do something about that matte blue finish on that browning.....

Dang that has great polish and blue.

Apparently, it could use some better internal parts...

https://bhspringsolutions.com/index.php/springfield-sa-35-evaluation-analysis/

If it's not broken, fix it until it is.....

That is a comprehensive, eye opening report. Thanks for posting it!

No kidding.

What can't?

Nice link and good info, but I wish they had stuck with a stock pistol for testing - they sell upgrade parts and couldn't help themselves. The trouble spot they identified, the slide serrations needing cleanup in the extractor channel, is not uncommon in HP clones and 1911's with external extractors. It's a good spot to check during a detail strip.

Not going to see nice polish and bluing like this on newly made guns because it raises per unit production cost. There are all kinds of cheap finishes out there. One of my pistols has something called Ceracote. It appears to be horrible finish that wears very easily.
The problem with this FN clone is probably some parts provided by outside suppliers. If I recall correctly Sig Sauer also had problems with firing pins in initial runs of the Model 365. I think they were made someplace in India?

Strange that the things he finds "wrong" with the SA35, he just happens to sell all of those parts.

I noticed that too but it's pretty hard for him to miss, considering he pretty much has all the parts but frame and slide covered.

I do wish he would have ran the gun with the stock fire control parts for the whole test.

It's a chit test.

You can't evaluate a new product if the very first thing you do is "improve" it with aftermarket parts. I'm sure Springfield is pretty offended by his "test".

This is just his promotion of him as an "expert" and an effort to gain more exposure to his business. Nothing wrong with that, but there are many who don't understand that and see this as some sort of useful information; when in fact, its a cleverly disguised advertisement.

Personally I don't consider the guy much of an expert, and I often find myself in disagreement with his assertions or recommendations. But I'm certainly not offended by him promoting himself and his business; that's what you're supposed to do when you own a business.

Give it a little time, SA will work out the little bugs and this will be the best Hi Power ever. With modern manufacturing there's just no excuse for it to be anything but right. Patience is on your side.

Careful, I think Glock has a patent on that concept

I do not understand infatuation with this clone. If you really want one there are plenty of FN guns, FM military (first batches were basically FN guns), Indian military, Canadian World War II vintage, Hungerian, Turkish, Arcus of Bulgaria,...... I would take a look a Arcus Bulgarian military used. I do not know which model it was but they had forged slide, frame and no MIM or sheet metal parts.

Mine has a severe version of this problem - probably 1 rd in 10 from round 1 slips the extractor.

I'm going to fit a C&S extractor and if that doesn't work send it back.

The rest of the gun seems nice. It shoots and points well for me.