More comparison images

 

A few more

 

Very helpful, thanks for taking time to post.

 

Nice presentation. Thank you. Excellent pictures too.

I have the SA-35 and the Girsan two tone MC P35. The SA-35 shoots low but I don't want to alter the front sight as mine is serial number 409 and in time a collector will value the low serial number.

The Girsan had an 8# trigger from the factory and felt like rubbing two rocks together. Removing the magazine disconnect made it as smooth as silk on glass but still very heavy. A little work on the sear and it's now an excellent trigger. My one criticism of the Girsan is the horrible front sight. I had to file mine down to hit where I wanted at 25 yards but it's still not a good sight. Girsan should offer a fiber optic front sight replacement such as on their new Match model. Boge has replaced his with a red FO sight and I plan on doing mine soon.

 

It's your gun, but I think you are fooling yourself thinking a low serial number SA-35 will bring more money. Unless you paid way over list - in which case you may never make any money on it.

 

Looking at the picture of the inside of the dust cover the Girsan seems to be machined differently than the other two. More metal at the start of the dust cover area removed so to speak. Thanks for taking the time to do this ToddSig!

 

Good eye in picking up that difference. The cut-out is much deeper on the Girsan when compared to the SA 35 and the Tisas. Not sure why.

 

Great reviews and comparison. Funny that the most expensive one comes in a cardboard box. Now the question is if you could only pick one?

 

...Now the question is if you could only pick one?

Another question is which one of the three would he pick NIB (no 'smithwork whatsoever) to throw in the Bugout bag for a SHTF scenario(?).

 

Simple, I'd pick the Springfield.

 

I've handled a couple of Girsans, and they are nice, and so is the price, but there a a few negatives: the sights, ambi safety (no need for an ambi safety) and the mag disco (why ?).

For a bit more, I can get the Springfield with better sights, a nice left side safety, what looks like nice stocks, and no mag disco. I will prob go with the springfield.

ToddSig: Thanks for the comparison photos.

 

Most companies are going to cheaper dull, duty, or utilitarian finishes. Whenever possible one should pick factory polished/shiny finish. For example Bright Cobra should be chosen instead of Night Cobra. Bright/shiny means more time consuming to finish, therefore, more desirable.

 

That may work best for you.
I prefer the dull finish and the marks of used guns. A pistol is a tool to be used. I don't want to agonize over the first scratch or finish ding, let someone else have that pleasure.
If the pistol is seized as a result of an involved shooting, the law enforcement organization is not going to treasure your piece. Anecdotal evidence suggests that in some communities they will do everything in their power to avoid returning it, even if it was a clean shoot. At best, they will have no sense of urgency to return your pistol and if it acquires scratches or finish dings along the way they will not care.

The quality goes in long before the finishing operations. I would argue that even a poor quality gun can be polished up to look beautiful

For me, buying used examples of robust designs such as the Hi-Power and 1911 is the way to go. That said, I do favor certain roll marks over others for purely aesthetic reasons. The scrapes, finish wear and other flaws simply mean I can use and care for it without ever feeling I reduced its utility or value. If it is ever seized or stolen, the loss is less traumatic. Certainly frustrating but not catastrophic.

Fortunately we can each pursue our preferences without imposing them on each other. We can agree to enjoy the aspects and interests we share and respect that we have different opinons on other aspects.

 

If I wanted a Hi-power [and I don't really] I think I'd just get the real thing. In the 1000 to 1500 range for a really nice one I think, and you probably have more than that in those three.

 

I think I'd just get the real thing.

I agree. A clone is a BHP/FN wannabe.

 

I dig them all, FNs, Browning roll marked, beaters, BBQ, rare, utilitarian, custom, clones, early, late whatever. In addition to FN/Browning Hi Powers, I first got into into FEG Hi Power clones because of my interest in Hi Powers and paternal grandparents came to the US from Hungary. That is a good excuse, right?

 

I don't have a Girsan or Tisas branded gun, but sure appreciate ToddSig taking the time to show us how they compare inside and out. After owning a number and variety of BHP/FN Hi Powers since the '60s, my first BHP/FN "wannabe" is a Springfield SA-35. Thus far, after some hundreds of rounds of RN ball, Flat point ball, and JHP ammo, nary a malfunction of any kind. This, using the factory, BHP/FN, and MecGar magazines. No sign of any battering of impact surfaces, or rounding of slide or barrel locking lugs, etc. Trigger staying at approx. 4 1/4# near as I can measure with the Lyman gauge. The gun is so cleanly machined, I would think it would be a waste to put so much effort into nice machine work to create some kind of substandard gun....

Not saying I would trade any of my few remaining BHP/FN guns for the SA-35, but so far the wannabe SA-35 just works. I realize collectors will likely disdain the SA-35 in much the same way as some SIG P210 aficionados turn up their noses at the German and American P210 pistols. I like all the 210 wannabes too, no matter their manufacturer

 

No. You were not rude. You were simply saying what was on your mind and that's OK. No offense taken.

 

Given the trigger was so terrible, I removed the magazine safety on the Girsan. All went smoothly, trigger pin not too difficult to remove, although had to completely removed the trigger, then the MSD popped right out. Trigger weight on the Lyman digital went from about 7.2 # to about 6.3# and lost most of the roughness. Still could use a little polishing, but much better than stock.

Lyman digital before MSD removal

Getting ready to remove MSD

Intact MSD in frame

Protecting trigger pin for removal

Trigger out

Frame with MSD removed

Trigger installed, ready to re-insert MSD pin in trigger to cover hole

All done, about a half an hour

Lyman digital after MSD removal

 

I just got my Girsan and put about 100 rds through it. No failures and trigger wasn't horrible. I really like this pistol, and might get a real BHP in the future. For now this will suffice. My efforts might be going into building some more ARs. CTD has great prices on Wilson Combat lowers.

 

While I don't currently own a Girsan or Tisas, I have a whack of Brownings, several FN's, an FM and 2 Springers.

I think the SA-35 is a lot of gun for the money.

 

While I don't currently own a Girsan or Tisas, I have a whack of Brownings, several FN's, an FM and 2 Springers.

I think the SA-35 is a lot of gun for the money.
View attachment 660817

He with the same toys, over and over, is quite boring.
Imagine bringing over a friend who's new to guns.
"Whatcha got?"
"A Browning Hi-Power!"
"Beautiful! What else you got?"
"A Browning Hi-Power!"
"Ok...and?"
"Another Browning Hi-Power!"
"Please something else..."
"Check out my 20 1911s!"
"ZzzzZzzZzzZ"

I woulda gotten bored with the first two.
Take one glance at a collection like that, you've seen it all. Put something different in your hand.

View attachment 660810
View attachment 660812

Capt Killingfield...
I don't have any friends who do not:
1...enjoy the aesthetics and feel of FN/Brownings
2...realize the beauty of pre 70 Colt commercial pistols
3...Possess a warriors appreciation for the USGI 1911A1.

 

Fantastic comparison! I’ve had standard black Girsan for a while now. Well over 1000 rounds with zero malfunctions. Got mine for 425 from Atwood’s Farm Store. Was gritty until I dumped the magazine safety. Trigger quite good after that. Really pleased with it and the white stripe front sight is great for us ancients. Got my SA-35 two days ago. Tighter and prettier than the Girsan. So far 250 rounds down range with one failure to go into full battery on the second shot of the second magazine, shot 17 overall. No problem since. Good trigger out of box. Enjoying P-35s. First 51 round target from the SA at seven yard line off hand. Again, your comparison is great.

 

One of the guys at the range got two from CDNN. One was $500 and the other was $600 something. I shot both and they were nice shooting guns. I have not shot the SA so I can’t compare. I must say they were both good guns. I have been lucky with CDNN in the past and think they come thru on some deals. I would buy one of those Girsans if I was in the mkt for a HP clone. The $600 something gun would be the one too.
This is the one I just found on gun.deals:

https://gun.deals/product/eaa-hi-power-mc-p35-9mm-4625-15-rnd-1-500-64999

same gun as one of the two the guy had.

 

Sheesh, now y'all done it!

Lil'bro has been hearing me lovin' my FEGs (and missing his from decades back), and went to a gun show with his F.I.L. Well-hell.. He got to handle a Girsan p-35 and now he's champing at the bit to wheel & deal with his FFL buddy ;-)

I did try to tell him that BHP and FN are still "mo'betta" - cuz I knew y'all would do the same ;-)

 

...I did try to tell him that BHP and FN are still "mo'betta" - cuz I knew y'all would do the same ;-)

Ironic you should mention that as I just spoke with the head honcho at Ten Ring Precision in San Antonio the other day who told me that he thought the clones were made better overall.

Despite whatever our feelings may be about Turkey. they can and do make some great guns on state of state of the art Japanese CNC machines.

 

Well I'm picking one of these up soon. Couldn't resist an affordable high-power style pistol that I won't have to worry about ruining the collector value of by shooting it a lot.
Walked in the shop to ask a question about rifle sights, walked out with one of these on hold for me... lol.


Edit: I like it!

 

Nice photo comparisons. Have you had an opportunity to test/check the practical inter-changeability of parts among the three platforms ??... Slide dovetail measurements for front and rear sights ??

 

Based on the comparison photos, Tisas fairs the front sight dovetail to the frame better than the others, or any other BHP I've seen. I was lucky enough to score a stainless steel Tisas just before they became unobtanium, and The front sight dovetail perfectly matches the frame. The late model FN and old surplus FEG I have don't even attempt to do so, and leave a good portion of the dovetail exposed.

 

To those who've handled or have both, which would you say is more worth it (brand preference and country of origin aside), the Springfield or the Girsan? I find it very difficult to pay $799.99 + Tax, for a barebones pistol, even with a forged frame and it being "from" an American company. It's the same reason why I never considered buying an original Browning High Power, minus the American made part. Also, I'm not saying American made isn't worth the money, it's just that the cost for High Powers has always been exorbitant for what you get.

 

What do you think is bare-bones about the Springfield? It has a great safety, good sights, and no mag safety to remove . Maybe your expectations are unrealistic.
Now, I say this as someone who was able to get my SA-35 on the short-lived individual officer program pricing of $450 delivered. I have other BHPs (real Brownings) so I do have some level of comparison.

 

Guns in a similar (and a lot of time lower) price range have any number of desirable features, such as hi-vis sights, enhanced beavertails (as to not allow it to bite), great safeties and triggers etc. I should have specified the High Power is barebones in general, especially compared to it's older brother the 1911 (that has had a number of decades with innumerable companies that have put their own spin on it). For example, look at SA's own Mil-Spec 1911, which usually goes for anywhere between $650-700 (which is also a bit much as well). While yes it's a very basic 1911, the SA-35 doesn't have that many more features than it. I plan on buying one of the High Power clones regardless, it's just always struck me as odd that two very similar things can exist but have such a dramatic price difference. But I put a lot of that in name value and recognition.

 

Your comparison between the 1911 and BHP market is very fair. While the international market, at least until Glock came along, favored the BHP, domestically the 1911 was far ahead. You can buy a decent 1911 with many of the once only custom features for a very reasonable price.