Springfield armory SA-35

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Every 1911 made today is the same?

Pretty you already know that answer..

However, it seems a vast majority of people **think*** this is an already existing gun with new roll marks.
 
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Pretty you already know that answer..

However, it seems a vast majority of people **think*** this is an already existing gun with new roll marks.
I don't think so. Based on the 10-8 performance video it appears they're making the guts from forged parts in-house at least. The forged frames/slides might be from external sources but it appears they are being milled/finished in house. I guess we are waiting for further confirmation, but I seriously doubt they're just re-stamped Girsans or Tisas
 
Springfield doesn't make anything....they just assemble guns from parts bought elsewhere.
 
I don't think so. Based on the 10-8 performance video it appears they're making the guts from forged parts in-house at least. The forged frames/slides might be from external sources but it appears they are being milled/finished in house. I guess we are waiting for further confirmation, but I seriously doubt they're just re-stamped Girsans or Tisas

I love Hilton Yam but my impression from that video is that he has not actually seen a SA-35 in person. Jason Burton said the parts did not look cast or MIM and looked good but made no guess as to their origin. YMMV

If they are not using a slide forged and machined by Tisas why are they using Tisas' proprietary and overly large rear sight cut? Also from one report the play in the barrel to slide fit is almost identical to what is found on the Tisas.
 
From the Springfield Armory website:
"Made in the U.S.A., the SA-35 features rugged forged steel parts for strength and durability..."
https://www.springfield-armory.com/sa-35-series-handguns/sa-35-handguns/

For those wondering where all of the SA 35 is actually made/manufactured, the definition of "Made in the USA" might mean assembled in the USA or how, to what degree, it may be defined as "made in the USA". Springfield doesn't say which parts are forged or if the forging is done in the USA. I don't know if anybody has ever been allowed to do a factory tour-type video of Springfield Armory.

SA used to have a full-custom-type shop for its 1911s, but now, I think, it's more of a hand-fitted-production type operation for its 1911 "Professional" line. Even for its 1911 Professional line, I don't know where its slide and frames are sourced/forged, whether its in-house or subcontracted out to some key suppliers. I've sent an AR rifle back for warranty work and somebody there got the work done or did it themselves. I only spoke to a Customer Service intermediary however, and not the actual person who did the work. (my AR barrel's chamber was reamed/recut and the bolt-carrier-group replaced, but any details as to why are unknown as Customer Service's computer notes apparently only list what was done, but without reasons why).

It all doesn't matter much to me. I'll just need to decide someday if I want to buy into becoming a Hi Power owner of any brand. Many folks seem to like them, with some who don't for various reasons. I do like reliability, but if needed, parts availability, yet having a good, long-term warranty/repair service. I'd also like to hear more about parts compatibility with/between other brands (FN, Girsan, Tisas, Springfield-Armory). (1911 parts, even though fitting may be required, are plentiful with many makers.)

Springfield Armory seems to have all of that whereas the companies with firearms/parts based in other countries may not.
 
For those wondering where all of the SA 35 is actually made/manufactured, the definition of "Made in the USA" might mean assembled in the USA or how, to what degree, it may be defined as "made in the USA". Springfield doesn't say which parts are forged or if the forging is done in the USA. I don't know if anybody has ever been allowed to do a factory tour-type video of Springfield Armory.

Buy American Act — Requires that a product be manufactured in the U.S. of more than 50 percent U.S. parts to be considered Made in USA for government procurement purposes. For more information, review the Buy American Act at 41 U.S.C.
No sure if the FTC enforces it, or if it would apply here, but that's the statutory definition for government purchases.
 
I love Hilton Yam but my impression from that video is that he has not actually seen a SA-35 in person.
Yep, that was my impression as well. Hilton isn't known for spreading misinformation so I give his comments credibility, but a detailed examination would be welcome. Or a factory tour. Interesting point about the dovetail... I didn't know about that.
 
Forged vs cast, didn't Browning originally switch from forged to cast to make the frames stronger for .40?
 
My Question is do the original mags fit and visa versa?
I would say until you actually try, its a definite "maybe". :)

I had three of the Argentine "FM" HP's back in the 90's. While the commercial Browning and surplus HP mags would fit in those guns, the FM's mags would not fit in my Browning and Inglis guns.

Not sure what the difference was there, but obviously there was something different.
 
Yes, but steels have improved since then.

The steel they used in 1994 could have been forged to the proper strength for the 40 S&W but it would have cost more to get the same strength via forging than it did to cast the frame.
 
The blurbs and reviews say "forged steel parts" and if they are referring only to the slide and frame, they are going out of their way to avoid mentioning MIM lock work. This would not be like Roy Huntington or the dude who wrote it up for American Rifleman online. Both addressed accuracy and were getting better groups that were usually the case with older Hi-Powers.
 
Buy American Act — Requires that a product be manufactured in the U.S. of more than 50 percent U.S. parts to be considered Made in USA for government procurement purposes. For more information, review the Buy American Act at 41 U.S.C.

More than 50% does not refer to country of origin for raw forgings however; so long as the “part” is not completed, it doesn’t count (much like an 80% isn’t a firearm). I can only promise SA does not own a forge.

The blurbs and reviews say "forged steel parts" and if they are referring only to the slide and frame, they are going out of their way to avoid mentioning MIM lock work.

Actually it’s been stated over and over that the SA 35 has zero MIM and zero cast parts.

I believe here or in another SA 35 thread someone mentioned the TRPs being labeled as USA rather than Imbel marked back when and that is because the Custom Shop actually mills the rails on the forgings thereby “creating” the part. My former (he moved) 1911 smith was the Custom Shop coordinator at SA for a time and still thought highly of their pistols.

The HP seems to be a rather defined shift for Springfield, being the first production firearm receiving this level of “manufacturing” vs basic assembly. I would not hesitate to adopt early if in the market for a shooter grade HP.
 
I can't speak for others, but my SA Loaded (bought in 2011) clearly says "Made in Brazil - IMBEL" on the side of the gun. I don't why so many people on this thread think that SA is misleading people with their new product. Did Wilson Combat own their own forge when they started making 1911s? No. What about Les Baer or Nighthawk? No. Does that mean these companies were misleading customers and producing subpar work?

Even if raw forgings were made elsewhere, that doesn't mean that SA is not adding value by heat treating the steel better, or tossing substandard raw forgings. SA has a very good reputation when it comes to selling quality 1911s with popular improvements to customers and at reasonable prices. We have no reason to believe the new Hi-Power clone will not follow the same tradition.
 
I can't speak for others, but my SA Loaded (bought in 2011) clearly says "Made in Brazil - IMBEL" on the side of the gun. I don't why so many people on this thread think that SA is misleading people with their new product. Did Wilson Combat own their own forge when they started making 1911s? No. What about Les Baer or Nighthawk? No. Does that mean these companies were misleading customers and producing subpar work?

Even if raw forgings were made elsewhere, that doesn't mean that SA is not adding value by heat treating the steel better, or tossing substandard raw forgings. SA has a very good reputation when it comes to selling quality 1911s with popular improvements to customers and at reasonable prices. We have no reason to believe the new Hi-Power clone will not follow the same tradition.

Good points, and well articulated.
 
I'd rather see a more protective finish. But I understand going with something traditional on this gun. I'd still be happier with a nitrided finish. or cerakote. I'd gladly pay an extra $50 for a better factory finish.

Tradition aside (and I'm a "traditionalist"), I'd be interested in one made of stainless steel, either with a matte or shiny finish.
 
Pretty good shooting review of the SA-35


Note no hammer bite was observed by multiple shooters.
 
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