[markmontana]

I have a thing for Hi Powers, got a bunch of them including Tisas, Springfield and FN clones. Wasn’t really looking for another but came across this Girsan P35 Match in LGS while shopping for a 1911 5in. 9mm.
For some reason it felt slightly better in my hand than typical hi power. Also, appeared to well made with some nice features you don’t usually find on a hi power.

This morning had a chance to break it down, clean and oil before range trip later this week. There’s a lot of good news about this pistol and only one surprising disappointment. But, first the good new.

The fit and finish on this pistol is excellent!
match grade barrel
Red FO front sight; low profile adj. rear
Straight trigger
Large mag release
Extended slide stop
No magazine disconnect
Ring hammer
Extended beavertail
Really nice grey/black G10 grips
All my hi power mags fit

Now for the not so good news. When I felt the trigger in the LGS I knew it was heavy but had minimal takeup with a nice clean break. This morning I got my Lyman gauge out and was surprised the average for three pulls was … wait for it … 8.8 pounds! Holy mackerel! Now I’m not a trigger snob but 8.8 pounds in SA. Is just unheard of. I’m really anxious to get to the range and see how it shoots. I’ve packed my range bag and I intend to run BB 115, BB147, and some Underwood 124JHP (Gold Dot).

This is a great looking pistol. The pictures online don’t do it justice. (Same can be said for the new FN High Power)

 

[SHOOT1SAM1]

I’ve never handled a Hi Power with a beavertail-might that be why it feels better to you?

Sam

 

[Boge]

The good news is the trigger is easily fixed. The bad news is to do this you'll most likely have to send it to someone to do it right which = $$. Welcome to World of single action semi-autos.

 

[markmontana]

Not sure how much the beavertail adds to the feel of the gun when not shooting. Seems like there is something to the grip itself. I need to do a closer comparison with some of my other guns to get a better explanation. All I can say is it’s the best feeling grip of all my hi powers. Second best is the new FN HIgh Power. Its Girth is more elongated and thin. Very unique. Don’t get me wrong, all the hi powers feel good, that’s why I like them so much. What makes for a “good feeling grip” is, of course, highly subjective and personal. If you like hi powers and you get a chance pick up a Girsan and see what you think.

 

[Kosh75287]

If you can live with it, I think I'd put at least 200 rounds through it before doing much with the trigger. Sometimes, triggers will "wear in" after continued use, and the effort required to make the pistol "go bang" will decrease slightly.
If you are skilled, you might consider disassembling the trigger assembly, searching for rough contact surfaces, and polishing these. In the process, your trigger effort might be reduced.

 

[PsychoSword]

When did a BHP start needing a "grip lip"?

 

[markmontana]

Got to the range today so here’s a quick recap of the Girsan first outing. But, before I get into that I think I found out why this gun feels so good in the hand. I didn’t notice it before but the magwell is slightly enlarged with a little lip on the front. It’s just enough to “anchor” the grip in my hand. That combined with the nice G10 grips makes for a good hold. See photo below.

Now for the range report. After an initial disassembly and oil, I ran a total of 230 rounds which I’m happy to report were troublefree. No malfunctions of any kind with both FMJ and JHP:

100 Blazer Brass 115FMJ
50 Blazer Brass 147FMJ ( flat nose)
40 Underwood 124JHP (Gold Dot bullet)
20 Remington 124 JHP+P Golden Sabre
20 Federal 124JHP HST

The trigger did prove to be a bit of a challenge. I got my best results when I really concentrated, took up the slack right to the wall, then squeezed off. When I did this my groups were generally in the 3-4” range at 21ft offhand. If I tried to run fast or deviated from this process I invariably got flyers. My hope is that the trigger improves. If not acceptable after a total of 500-700 rounds then off to a competent gunsmith.

The sights were easy to acquire and were well regulated out of the box requiring no adjustment with a six o’clock hold. Pistol seemed to prefer the 115 and 124gr loads. The BB 147 FMJ resulted in groups 1to 1-1/2 inch larger. The Golden Sabre +P load was no problem.

All the controls worked as intended. The safety is small but it is slightly serrated and presented no problem. I did have to adjust my hold so as not ride the extended slide release. I have a Custom C&S Lightweight Hi Power which has the identical extended slide release so I am used to that.
The grip panels were slightly loose following the range session. I’ll put a little locktite on them.

All in all I’m pleased with this guns performance. Was 100% reliable with a wide range of FMJ and defense loads. Reasonable combat accuracy when Idid my part. It’s a terrific value for the money, trigger notwithstanding.

 

[ssn vet]

Yank the mag disconnect, jack the trigger a couple times and then dry fire a couple hundred times. That should help the trigger a lot.

 

[markmontana]

It has no mag disconnect.

 

[kcruisin]

I held that same model today. I'm going to hold off for a sale on it. It looks and feels good.

 

[Sniper3O8]

I have a thing for Hi Powers, got a bunch of them including Tisas, Springfield and FN clones. Wasn’t really looking for another but came across this Girsan P35 Match in LGS while shopping for a 1911 5in. 9mm.
For some reason it felt slightly better in my hand than typical hi power. Also, appeared to well made with some nice features you don’t usually find on a hi power.

This morning had a chance to break it down, clean and oil before range trip later this week. There’s a lot of good news about this pistol and only one surprising disappointment. But, first the good new.

The fit and finish on this pistol is excellent!
match grade barrel
Red FO front sight; low profile adj. rear
Straight trigger
Large mag release
Extended slide stop
No magazine disconnect
Ring hammer
Extended beavertail
Really nice grey/black G10 grips
All my hi power mags fit

Now for the not so good news. When I felt the trigger in the LGS I knew it was heavy but had minimal takeup with a nice clean break. This morning I got my Lyman gauge out and was surprised the average for three pulls was … wait for it … 8.8 pounds! Holy mackerel! Now I’m not a trigger snob but 8.8 pounds in SA. Is just unheard of. I’m really anxious to get to the range and see how it shoots. I’ve packed my range bag and I intend to run BB 115, BB147, and some Underwood 124JHP (Gold Dot).

This is a great looking pistol. The pictures online don’t do it justice. (Same can be said for the new FN High Power)

View attachment 664344

I have the OPS. I have been dry-firing minute I can. I don't know how many times I've dropped the hammer, but it's a lot and I've noticed in just the past few days the trigger has started to lighten up and feel better.

 

[kcruisin]

I held that same model today. I'm going to hold off for a sale on it. It looks and feels good.

I decided not to wait for a sale. I bought the match grade with g10 grips a bit cheaper than I'll be able to find a SA-35.
It's crossing the state line. I'm looking forward to breaking it in soon.

 

[ratwhacker]

When did a BHP start needing a "grip lip"?

I don't know when someone decided that the "lip" was needed, but it sure locks my hand into place. I don't mind it a bit. It's not a bad thing at all. If someone has a larger hand than I do, it might cramp a person's paw a bit. I'm sure it could be removed if it really bothered somebody.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I don't know either, but Cylinder and Slide has offered that for decades.

 

[Sniper3O8]

I don't know when someone decided that the "lip" was needed, but it sure locks my hand into place. I don't mind it a bit. It's not a bad thing at all. If someone has a larger hand than I do, it might cramp a person's paw a bit. I'm sure it could be removed if it really bothered somebody.

Concur. I like having the lip for the same reason. Everyone's hands are different.