Modern Hi-Powers Compared: Springfield SA-35 vs. Girsan MCP35 PI
- Jacob
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Despite most of my handguns being modern, polymer-framed designs, I have a soft spot for all-metal legacy pistols. There’s something about a steel-framed gun in the hand that feels like it connects you to the people who carried them before you. Holding a classic 1911—knowing it’s the same thing my grandfather carried in WWII—just brings a sense of heritage that modern polymers can’t replicate.
That fascination with metal, legacy handguns naturally drew me toward the Hi-Power. The original Browning Hi-Power was John Moses Browning’s final design, completed after his death—and even though it debuted in the 1930s, it stuck around in military holsters for nearly a century.
Hi-Powers are roughly the same size as a Glock 19, but in my experience, they carry exceptionally well. The slide profile is narrower than most modern double-stacks, though the grip is about the same. That thin slide just disappears inside the waistband in a way that chunky polymer guns don’t. Sure, the weight is greater—but if you’re carrying, you should have a solid belt anyway. They point naturally and the all-metal construction gives them great recoil control.
These days, the Hi-Power is enjoying a bit of a revival, and two of the most accessible and talked-about options are Springfield’s SA-35 and Girsan’s MCP35 PI. I own both—and here’s how they stack up.
Springfield SA-35: Modern Touches on a Classic
Springfield made some smart tweaks to the original Hi-Power design, keeping the soul of the gun intact while modernizing the things that mattered.
One of the biggest upgrades: no magazine disconnect. The original Hi-Power included a magazine disconnect safety that disabled the trigger when the magazine was removed—a feature most owners hated and many gunsmiths removed. Springfield left it out entirely on the SA-35, and the result is a crisp, clean, single-action trigger.
The sights are updated as well—a modern Novak-style cut with a white-dot front and blacked-out rear. They’re simple, usable, and far better than the tiny GI-style sights of older models.
Aesthetically, the SA-35 is beautifully finished. The blued steel has a deep, classic look, and the rollmarks are subtle and tasteful. Mine’s been carried and shot regularly since 2022, and the finish has held up surprisingly well. My biggest gripe is the manual safety—it feels a little mushy and lacks the positive detent I’d like to see on a carry gun.
A quick note: early SA-35s (reportedly below serial number 5000) reportedly had issues with extractor failures. Mine is in the 32XX range, and I’ve had zero issues in three years of use.
Girsan MCP35 PI: The Compact Carry Revival
Girsan, a Turkish manufacturer, has their own lineup of Hi-Power clones under the MCP35 name—but the PI version is what caught my attention. It features a shorter 3.88" barrel, compared to the standard 4.7" on the SA-35 and other legacy models. This “detective-style” compact was offered in limited numbers by Argentinian Hi-Power manufactures in the past, but was rarely seen stateside.
The shortened slide gives off Commander-length 1911 vibes—same frame, shorter top half. I spotted one at my local shop marked way down, and walked out with it on an impulse.
Right away, you notice the difference in finish. The Girsan is coated in a matte black Cerakote-like finish—not as pretty as the SA-35’s bluing, but it feels tough and has shown no wear so far.
Next difference: the safety. The Girsan uses an ambidextrous safety with a very positive detent—honestly better than the SA-35’s. That said, the edges are sharper, and with repeated use I noticed a bit of thumb soreness from repeated manipulations.
The Girsan retains the magazine disconnect, which gives it a grittier trigger pull compared to the Springfield. The sights are Novak-style as well, but it uses a three-dot setup instead of a blacked-out rear.
Fit and finish overall are utilitarian—larger rollmarks and stamped safety warnings on the frame—but no rattle; slide-to-frame fit is tight.
The shorter slide does add a bit of felt recoil, but it still shoots well and groups consistently.
Carry Impressions
For appendix carry, the Girsan wins hands-down. The shorter barrel and narrow slide profile of the Girsan doesn't dig into you with movement. The narrow, short slide significantly reduces the bulkiness that can often be associated with other firearms, making it extremely comfortable and easy to conceal under a t-shirt. I decided to cut down a standard Kydex Hi-Power holster to fit the compact Girsan, since options were slim for that size. The modified holster still works just fine with the SA-35.
In my other standard carry position, at 4 o’clock IWB (inside the waistband), both the Girsan and the SA-35 have a similar feel. Both firearms carry better than a modern-day double stack, primarily due to their unique slide profiles that are thinner and less obtrusive. The extra length of the SA-35 isn't very noticeable here, and it would probably get the nod in that spot.
With either model, the thin slide is particularly advantageous for those who prioritize comfort in their everyday carry.
Final Thoughts: Which One Wins?
That’s a tough call—and I’m not going to pretend one is objectively “better.”
If you want a refined, upgraded take on the classic Hi-Power, with better finish and no mag disconnect, the Springfield SA-35 is the clear choice.
But if your focus is on carry practicality, and you’re okay with a few rough edges, the Girsan MCP35 PI is a compact, capable, and surprisingly solid gun—especially for the price.
Either way, I’m glad the Hi-Power is getting some modern love again. The Hi-Power might be nearly a century old—but it still carries better than a lot of modern pistols and shoots like a dream.
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