Springfield Armory SA-35
The Springfield Armory SA-35 is a modern 9mm pistol built in the tradition of the Browning Hi-Power—the single-action semi-automatic that defined handgun design for decades and remained in production until 2017. Springfield captures the Hi-Power’s iconic steel frame, slim profile, and high-capacity single-stack heritage in a 15-round double-stack format with contemporary improvements: the notorious magazine disconnect safety has been removed, the trigger is factory-tuned for a cleaner break, and the sights are upgraded to a modern three-dot setup. Available with walnut grips, G10 grips, and multiple finish options including blued and Parkerized, the SA-35 is the definitive modern Hi-Power for buyers who love what the original represented but want 21st-century shootability.
Read our full Springfield SA-35 Buying Guide ↓
Why Springfield Removed the Magazine Disconnect
The original Browning Hi-Power was designed with a magazine disconnect safety that prevented the pistol from firing when the magazine was removed. This was required by certain military contracts of the era but is universally considered a liability by modern shooters — it means a partially loaded chamber becomes inoperable the moment the magazine drops, which is backwards from what defensive use requires. Springfield removed the magazine disconnect on the SA-35 entirely. The pistol fires from the chamber with the magazine out, behaves as expected, and has a lighter, cleaner trigger pull as a result of eliminating the drag the disconnect introduced.
SA-35 vs. Original Browning Hi-Power: What Changed
The SA-35 shares the Hi-Power’s single-action operation, ambidextrous manual safety, steel frame, and slim profile. Springfield updated the hammer to reduce hammer bite, widened the grip safety beavertail, added a more aggressive grip texture, upgraded the sights, and removed the magazine disconnect. The 15-round magazine capacity matches the original Hi-Power’s high-for-its-era capacity. For Hi-Power enthusiasts who want a new-production version of the platform with improvements that the original should have had from the beginning, the SA-35 is the closest production option available.
Grip and Ergonomics: Wood vs. G10
The SA-35 is available with American walnut grip panels for the traditional wood-and-steel aesthetic that defines the Hi-Power era, and with G10 panels for buyers who prefer a more aggressive texture and all-weather durability. The walnut configuration is the more visually striking and historically resonant choice. The G10 configuration is more practical for carry and field use where weather and sweat exposure are concerns. Both use the same slim single-stack-width grip profile that makes the Hi-Power pattern one of the most comfortable to carry of any full-size steel pistol.
SA-35 for Carry and Competition
The SA-35’s single-action trigger, slim profile, and 15-round capacity make it competitive as a carry and competition platform. The cocked-and-locked carry mode (round chambered, hammer cocked, safety engaged) requires training on the manual safety but rewards that training with a consistent, light single-action trigger on the first shot. For USPSA Single Stack or Limited divisions, the SA-35’s 15-round capacity in a slim frame is competitive. For carry, the slim grip and full-size sight radius combine with a 28 oz steel frame that manages 9mm recoil effectively.
Related Pages
Browse the full Springfield Armory lineup, compare single-action carry options on the 1911 pistols page, or explore all 9mm pistols.