New Grips for my SA-35

[CarJunkieLS1]

A few weeks ago many of you saw my thread on my SA-35. Well I haven't shot it anymore but I gave it a good cleaning and swapped out the grips.

It wasn't that the wood grips were bad, they are fine. It's that I want to keep the factory wood grips in as good a shape as possible, so I got some Black/Grey G10 type grips from Hogue. They are made for an ambi safety too which I will add next year. They fit perfect and required no fitting at all.

 

[WVsig]

Why worry about the cheap OEM grips? They are nothing special. These guns have ZERO collector value and if you are going you continue to shoot the gun the condition of the OEM grips won’t matter. IMHO

To me changing the grips because you want to makes sense. Keeping the OEM grips pristine doesn’t. YMMV

 

[bannockburn]

I absolutely did not care for the factory grips on my Hi-Power Mk.II and swapped them out for a set of Pachmayrs as soon as I could. When I want to "dress things up a bit" I put these Hogue Kingwood stocks on it. They look and feel great!

 

[briansmithwins]

Any chance of some details pics of how the grips fit the SA-35? Any gaps or overage?

BSW

 

[WVsig]

Any chance of some details pics of how the grips fit the SA-35? Any gaps or overage?

BSW

Factory grip panels on the SA 35 seem to have the typical BHP gaps. The SA is the bottom gun in this pic. BHP are notorious for having to "fit" your aftermarket grips to them. Even Spegels need to be fit. Other makers that don't are often sloppy.

 

[WVsig]

I absolutely did not care for the factory grips on my Hi-Power Mk.II and swapped them out for a set of Pachmayrs as soon as I could. When I want to "dress things up a bit" I put these Hogue Kingwood stocks on it. They look and feel great!
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FN BHP OEM grips suck IMHO. It does not matter what vintage they are all terrible. I use Spegels, Navidrex or Houges. Spegels being the preferred maker.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Why worry about the cheap OEM grips? They are nothing special. These guns have ZERO collector value snd if you are going yo continue to floor the gun the condition of the OEM grips won’t matter. IMHO

To me changing the grips because you want to makes sense. Keeping the OEM grips pristine doesn’t. YMMV

True they are nothing special but how many people want original wheels for a car, original sights, grips, barrel etc. for a pistol they are about to buy. IF I was to ever sell the pistol wouldn't the original grips on a good condition pistol command a higher price than beat to hell grips on the same condition pistol.

BtW the pistol is sitting in the original padded case thing that it came with, so I doubt that its gonna do any damage to the pistol.

 

[WVsig]

True they are nothing special but how many people want original wheels for a car, original sights, grips, barrel etc. for a pistol they are about to buy. IF I was to ever sell the pistol wouldn't the original grips on a good condition pistol command a higher price than beat to hell grips on the same condition pistol.

BtW the pistol is sitting in the original padded case thing that it came with, so I doubt that its gonna do any damage to the pistol.

You do you.... I would not keep a gun in that factory case. The foam in most cases is a moisture trap. I have seen just as many rust freckled guns from improper storage than I have from use.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

These guns have ZERO collector value

Maybe not yet, time will tell. 3rd Gen Smith Autos, Ruger Security series revolvers and M91 Mosins didnt turn collectors' heads 5-10 years ago either......

 

[WVsig]

Maybe not yet, time will tell.

Really the only way these things will have any collector value in my lifetime is if they pull the plug on the project quickly. I am talking about less than a years production. Then there will be some rarity to them which would be perceived by the ignorant as "collector value". I don't see that happening. Also if the gun is shot outside the factory a huge amount of collector value has already gone down the barrel.

I also see the buzz dying down quickly on these guns. I am a huge BHP fan but and have been for a long time. Most of the excitement about this gun is do to FOMO and the "take away" because FN stopped producing them. Once people satisfy the I can't get one so I need one fascination sales will level off. Then there will be some rarity to them which would be perceived by the ignorant as "collector value". Also if the gun is shot outside the factory a huge amount of collector value has already gone down the barrel. My favorite comment flying around about the release of the SA 35 is people calling it a Glock killer. It literally has been around for over 85+ years. If anything the Glock was a BHP killer.

Do you honestly think they are going to become collectors items in you lifetime? This is the crazy mentality driving people to pay $1500 for a $700 gun. LOL

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Never said I stored in the padded case. I know they are a moisture trap. Got a gun safe for that. I'll do me and you do you but to keep the factory grips in good shape makes sense to me, plus changing them out isn't hard or expensive.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

I paid 679.99 for mine so yeah....I have shot it, will shoot it, and will shoot it some more. I have no plans to make it a collector gun, I do plan to keep it in good condition but don't plan to let it stay in my safe full time.

My plan is to prove it reliable and accurate, and have it as a truck gun, console warrior whatever and even slap it on my hip and carry it some on the days I wear a jacket.

 

[WVsig]

Never said I stored in the padded case. I know they are a moisture trap. Got a gun safe for that. I'll do me and you do you but to keep the factory grips in good shape makes sense to me, plus changing them out isn't hard or expensive.

BtW the pistol is sitting in the original padded case thing that it came with, so I doubt that its gonna do any damage to the pistol.

Sounded to me like that is where you are storing it. Rock on change the grips. My point was and is if you don't like the feel or the look of the OEM grips on the gun that is perfectly valid reason to swap them out.

If you liked the way they looked and felt but you swapped them out so you could maintain their conditions just seems silly to me. The cost of the new grips in the end will be more than you would gain in a late sale if the grips showed some wear. On top of that I would imagine within a short period of time you will be able to buy replacement grips directly from SA for less than you paid for your new Houges.

I love all of the newbies to the BHP platform. They really bring a smile to my face.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

Sitting and storing two different things and mind you didn't you say it was sitting on the floor?

 

[CNobbe]

Do you honestly think there are going to become collectors items in you lifetime? This is the crazy mentality driving people to pay $1500 for a $700 gun. LOL

Or, $1500 isn't a lot of money to them and don't care. IRS says you have to take money out of your IRA after a certain age...may as well blow it on something fun.

 

[WVsig]

Sitting and storing two different things and mind you didn't you say it was sitting on the floor?

Might have I edited the post because it was an iPhone Siri interpretation. Again enjoy your new Houges and I hope you actually get out and shoot the gun because in all honestly that is what you bought it for right? I personally don't worry about resale value in the way you are.

I buy these things to use them and shoot them. I carry them bang them around and most of them show it to some degree. If I used your mentality I would never shoot this gun but instead it gets carried and goes to the range almost everytime I do. It went to the range yesterday and saw about 100 rounds down the pipe from the holster with magazine changes every 5-10 rounds that were slammed home without concern for the finish in the magwell or the wear on the frame. It is a tool. An elegant tool but still a tool. Oh and it wears Spegels and was built by the a smith many refer to as the GOAT. LMAO

 

[WVsig]

Or, $1500 isn't a lot of money to them and don't care. IRS says you have to take money out of your IRA after a certain age...may as well blow it on something gun.

Sure 100% but why pay more for something than you have to? Impatience and stupidity is driving the price on these guns. While people are paying $1500 for one of these I could have bought a real FN BHP sent it to someone like Don Williams and had him do new sights, trigger job, custom thumb safety, new hammer and sear, refinish etc... for what people are paying for this stock gun because they are impatient and ignorant about the platform.

I have BHPs that have way more in them than $1500. It is not about the amount it is about what you got for your money. The people spending $1500 on a SA 35 right now got about $600 worth of gun IMHO. A poor way to spend your lifes sayings. YMMV

 

[danez71]

A few weeks ago many of you saw my thread on my SA-35. Well I haven't shot it anymore but I gave it a good cleaning and swapped out the grips.

It wasn't that the wood grips were bad, they are fine. It's that I want to keep the factory wood grips in as good a shape as possible, so I got some Black/Grey G10 type grips from Hogue. They are made for an ambi safety too which I will add next year. They fit perfect and required no fitting at all.
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So the original grips are real wood?

The new ones you got are cool... not my thing buy cool none the less. I prefer black or wood grain look.

In regards to preserving the originals, I get what you're saying and can't say I haven't done similar with other things but on the other hand, it's kinda like taking the seats out of a car to preserve them and sticking them back in after 15 years when you sell it.

I absolutely did not care for the factory grips on my Hi-Power Mk.II and swapped them out for a set of Pachmayrs as soon as I could. When I want to "dress things up a bit" I put these Hogue Kingwood stocks on it. They look and feel great!
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Goes to show how different people are. When I bought my MK3, I thought I'd 'upgrade' to those pachmayers and bought them. I couldnt take them off fast enough all while thinking that if I wanted a rotund grip like that I would have bought the Beretta 92 instead.

Those hogue kingwoods look nice and svelte though.

 

[bannockburn]

danez71

Goes to show how different people are. When I bought my MK3, I thought I'd 'upgrade' to those pachmayers and bought them. I couldnt take them off fast enough all while thinking that if I wanted a rotund grip like that I would have bought the Beretta 92 instead.

Yep it sure does!

With my smaller size hands my Hi-Power is great with the full set of Pachmayrs on it, even with the front and back strap in place. Usually I cut the front strap off the Pachmayrs on my 1911s because it feels too bulky with it on. But the complete set of Pachmayrs (side panels, front strap, and back strap), on my Hi-Power feels just right. For me a Beretta 92 grip, in any model except maybe the VerTec, is too wide and too rounded, like trying to hold onto the barrel of a baseball bat.

The Hogue grips are nice in that they're relatively thin and comfortable to shoot with (and look great too), yet for every day use I prefer the Pachmayrs.

 

[Old_Grouch]

I personally don't worry about resale value in the way you are.

I agree with this thinking. It's been my experience that there is rarely any resale/trade-in value difference between a used, nearly pristine gun and a used one with signs of normal wear (damage or abuse is different issue, of course). An unfired gun will usually bring a premium but unless it's a particularly collectible gun, it will be many, many years down the road before the benefit is realized.
Guns don't make good investments. I have a few guns that are worth twice what I paid for them 25-30 years ago. Gold is worth about 5 times what it was then.

 

[P89DCSS]

....Inpatients and stupidity is driving.....A poor way to spend your lifes sayings. YMMV

Lol, there's some irony in that sentence (should be "Impatience and stupidity are driving.....").

Why is someone going full Karen on other people's spending habits? Why would someone think their opinion was so valuable they'd give it out unsolicited? Note just once but over and over. I'm guessing there's a Boomer involved.

 

[WVsig]

Lol, there's some irony in that sentence (should be "Impatience and stupidity are driving.....").

Why is someone going full Karen on other people's spending habits? Why would someone think their opinion was so valuable they'd give it out unsolicited? Note just once but over and over. I'm guessing there's a Boomer involved.

Not even close. LMAO I really don’t give a crap how other people spend their money but my comment which included a typo was directly speaking to someone spending mandatory min withdrawals from an IRA account to pay more than double what something is worth.

In the end it doesn’t really matter because like I keep saying I don’t see the stupid prices lasting for very long. GB auction and reseller prices are already dropping. The avg GB auction is ending around $900. Again my guess is within six months the SA35 is going to be a $600 gun like it should be. Time will tell if I’m right or wrong.

What cracks me up is that it seems like most of the people who are overpaying for the SA35 know nothing about the BHP. They just see it had the hot new thing even though it is over 85 years old. LMAO

 

[P89DCSS]

As if clapped out parts guns sold as "rare" and "vintage" BHP aren't going for a premium these days. Including the crappy trigger that needs a rare gunsmith that won't butcher it. Gotcha!

 

[WVsig]

The thing that I see in the market is people who do not know what the are looking at when it comes to the BHP market. Ever since the BHP was discontinued people have not been buying Shinola. They have been over paying for something else that starts with S. Most of the time it is because they don't know the difference. I believe that the SA-35 is going to end up being Shinola but only at a sub $700 price point.



I pick this up after the BHP was discontinued and prices skyrocketed off of GB for $550 OTD after shipping and transfer. It is a forged frame MKIII. I sent it to the GOAT. It is the base gun that the gun I posted above was built on. Over the weekend I could have gotten MKII base guns for $550-$600 off of GB which were matching frame slide and barrel. Again could send that gun to multiple smiths and gotten a finished product better than the stock SA-35. Now the SA-35 might be a better value if I was paying $700 but idiots paying $1500 are not getting value.



I bought this gun done by Don Williams for less than some of the SA-35s were selling for on GB. Prices are dropping there and I believe they will continue to drop because paying $1500 for a gun whose MSRP is $700 is well stupid. In 12 months which one do you think is still going to sell for over $1500? What I have noticed about most of the threads across multiple forums the people talking the most about the SA-35 have almost no knowledge or experience with the BHP. 99% of the true BHP fans are not jumping in but instead are waiting for the gun to get to its proper level. When you read the posts you can tell who actually has owned a BHP and shot it extensively vs those who are a talking about something they have very little direct experience with. #rugerfan @P89DCSS

 

[WVsig]

To get back on track. I hope the OP starts putting rounds down range with his new grips. I am interested in hearing how the gun functions. If you have time on and FN BHP I would love to hear how it compares to what you have shot in the past. I am a huge fan of the platform. I have had 25+ BHPs come through my hand over the years. I still own 16+. I have 10,000 or thousands of rounds on the platform. I am not interested in discussions about the BHP because I am a keyboard warrior it is because it is my favorite 9mm hangun. I will get on once it is the price range I think it should sell at.