Images by the author
The Sprigfield Armory SA-35 High-Power tribute (I won’t say clone, because it isn’t) has been a really good seller for the company since its introduction a while back. I reviewed it in May of 2025, here, and fellow TTAG writer Adam Scepaniak gave us a SHOT show peek at this new, polished model this last January. This pistol has proven to be very popular.
I remember when I reviewed the sample I was sent, I was impressed. I will admit something that many pistol shooters may perceive as sacrilegious, but I had not owned any form of the venerable Browning High-Power before I bought that review gun. I have since furthered my High-Power experience by adding an Inglise P-35B. I reviewed that gun last December, here. For a budget-model High-Power, that pistol punches above its weight class.
I happened to mention to my SA representative that I would like to see the new, highly-polished model after I learned of its existence. Imagine my surprise when my local FFL buddy told me I had a gun in from Springfield Armory… I was delighted!
I won’t bore you, dear reader, with all the background and history of the High-Power pistol… check out my reviews linked above for those details.
What I will do is show you some photos I took of this most recent model they sent me, and discuss how it shot.
First, some photos. Allow me to state right up front that my photographic capabilities are not of a quality that will allow me to show you just how beautiful the finish on this pistol is. When I pulled it out of its zipper case, I was immediately taken back to the days when I really started getting into my shooting hobby, back in the late 1970s. Back then, quality guns were highly polished and featured top-grade wooden stocks or grip panels. That’s just the way it was.
We have become accustomed to semi-auto pistols with steel areas finished in flat black, polymer frames, and grips. For the most part, the days of the “presentation” finish on everyday shooters are gone. Those finishes are reserved for high-dollar guns that average shooters can’t afford. After all, it costs more to pay someone (who knows how to do it right) to do it … right?
Anyway, here you go. I took these at my backyard range. A couple of our sons dropped by and enjoyed putting some lead downrange with it. They were really impressed, as they are used to the poly-flat-black generation of current pistols.
Specifications & Features
- Caliber 9mm
- Color Polished Blued
- Barrel 4.7″ Cold Hammer Forged, 1:10
- Slide Forged Carbon Steel, Polished Blued
- Frame Forged Carbon Steel, Polished Blued
- Sights White Dot Front, Serrated Tactical Rack Rear
- Recoil System SA-35™ Recoil Spring & Guide Rod
- Grips Checkered Walnut
- Magazines (1) 15-Round, Blued
- Weight 31.5 oz
- Length 7.8″
- Height 4.8″
- MSRP $799
There are three fairly obvious changes from the original P35, made in Belgium, and the one we have before us today. They are:
- Capacity. The original magazines held 13 rounds (which is why it was called the “High-Power”). This pistol holds 15.
- Sights. The original had small, “built-in” sights. This one has taller, more visible sights. The U-notch rear makes a great partner with the post front.
- Magazine Disconnect Safety. On the original, yes… on this one, no. (Yay!)
How Did It Shoot?
We gathered three 9mm loads from Black Hills. I am blessed that they supply ammo for my reviews. I grabbed:
- 115-grain FMJ
- 124-grain JHP
- 100-grain HoneyBadger (no space)
We set up targets at 20 yards and put lead downrange. Here are three representative targets…
115-grain. 1166 fps, 7.1 standard deviation
124-grain JHP. 1155 fps, 12.5 standard deviation
100-grain HoneyBadger. 1366 fps, 19.8 standard deviation
It always amazes me that, of all the other loads I shoot in whatever caliber, the fastest of the bunch – the HoneyBadger – is usually the most accurate and closest to point of aim. That’s impressive, for a very-light-for-caliber bullet traveling at warp speed. (Sorry, Trekkies…)
The pistol shot like it is supposed to. It handled very well, was more than accurate enough for its intended purpose, and fed everything we fed it. I won’t reinvent the wheel here… High-Powers have equipped many militaries around the world for decades, and they tend to work as expected.
Summing Up
As I said above, this is an update to my earlier review, so we’ll bow out now. Suffice it to say that the gun performed as expected, was very beautifully finished, and would make a great addition to any pistol collection. The only downside, as I see it, is that it comes with only one magazine. Every gun shipped today should have three. If they need to add a few bucks to the cost of the gun, do it… one is not acceptable. The nice part is that High-Power magazines are available.
Other than that, this pistol should suffice to fulfill a need for a military-type, single-action 9mm. You might want to take a look at it. At $750, it’s fairly affordable, and street prices should be less. Now’s your chance to add a ‘shiny” High-Power to your gun safe!
Links To Items Used In This Review
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