SA-35 first range trip

1280 Views 40 Replies 12 Participants Last post by guydodge, 2 d ago

Pantera Mike

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

3

All,

I’m happy to report an absolutely flawless debut outing for my new SA-35, which is in the 16XXX serial number range. Today I put 250 rounds of cheap Magtech 115gr range ammo through it.

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There was not one single malfunction of any kind. The trigger pull is the best service-grade trigger I’ve ever felt (it doesn’t compare to my Colt Gold Cup, but it shouldn’t be expected to).

Accuracy was perfectly acceptable, and the gun was quite soft-shooting due to the weight. The sights were right on in terms of elevation but substantially off in terms of windage. I forgot to bring my sight adjustment tools so had to compensate by placing an aiming dot to the left of my intended target:

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This was at 15 yards, aiming at the red dot. The two rounds to the left edge of the blue target were called flyers.

I did unfortunately experience some hammer bite:

Nose Hair Skin Head Eye

I had read that Springfield Armory had addressed this issue with their initial design, but clearly they failed to contour the new hammer properly. I have somewhat small hands and am far from meaty, so a person with larger hands would perhaps have even greater difficulty.

A friend told me that any new firearm demands a blood sacrifice, so this is mine!

I am very, VERY happy with this gun. After Springfield Armory experienced some apparent struggles with reliability issues, I’m very glad I waited to buy one until now. But I can recommend it without any hesitation whatsoever, and I would feel very comfortable staking my life on it, which is the ultimate praise for any firearm…..

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JMC23

· #2 · 2 mo ago

Pantera Mike said:
All,

I’m happy to report an absolutely flawless debut outing for my new SA-35, which is in the 16XXX serial number range. Today I put 250 rounds of cheap Magtech 115gr range ammo through it.

View attachment 3915

There was not one single malfunction of any kind. The trigger pull is the best service-grade trigger I’ve ever felt (it doesn’t compare to my Colt Gold Cup, but it shouldn’t be expected to).

Accuracy was perfectly acceptable, and the gun was quite soft-shooting due to the weight. The sights were right on in terms of elevation but substantially off in terms of windage. I forgot to bring my sight adjustment tools so had to compensate by placing an aiming dot to the left of my intended target:

View attachment 3916

This was at 15 yards, aiming at the red dot. The two rounds to the left edge of the blue target were called flyers.

I did unfortunately experience some hammer bite:

View attachment 3917

I had read that Springfield Armory had addressed this issue with their initial design, but clearly they failed to contour the new hammer properly. I have somewhat small hands and am far from meaty, so a person with larger hands would perhaps have even greater difficulty.

A friend told me that any new firearm demands a blood sacrifice, so this is mine!

I am very, VERY happy with this gun. After Springfield Armory experienced some apparent struggles with reliability issues, I’m very glad I waited to buy one until now. But I can recommend it without any hesitation whatsoever, and I would feel very comfortable staking my life on it, which is the ultimate praise for any firearm…..

JMC23

· #3 · 2 mo ago

I have a SA-35 and my experiences mirror yours. Mine is in the 18XXX serial number range. On the first trip to the range I fired 225 rounds of Browning branded 124 grain FMJ and 15 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 124 grain hollow points. I used 3 magazines…an original Browning magazine I’ve had for 30 years, a 15 round Mecgar that is at least 10 years old, and the magazine that came with the pistol. I did not have a single malfunction. Like you I had a slight abrasion on the web of my hand, which I found odd since my Browning MK III Hi Power with the spur hammer that I’ve had for 30 years has never left a mark. I’m very pleased with the gun at this point. My sights were dead on. The only fit and finish “issue” if you can call it that, is that the there is a small gap between the right grip panel and the frame at the bottom on the heel. It’s not really enough to cause me concern though. All in all a great gun so far.

Reactions: 1

WhiteEagle58

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Congrat's on your new shooter! My SA 35 is in the 17xxx range, and has been absolutely flawless through 570 rounds of various bullet weights, factory ammo, and reloads. The only "bite" I've had was with NATO 115 Winchester ammo, but no blood drawn.

Reactions: 1

loranimal 41

· #5 · 2 mo ago

Pantera Mike said:
All,

I’m happy to report an absolutely flawless debut outing for my new SA-35, which is in the 16XXX serial number range. Today I put 250 rounds of cheap Magtech 115gr range ammo through it.

View attachment 3915

There was not one single malfunction of any kind. The trigger pull is the best service-grade trigger I’ve ever felt (it doesn’t compare to my Colt Gold Cup, but it shouldn’t be expected to).

Accuracy was perfectly acceptable, and the gun was quite soft-shooting due to the weight. The sights were right on in terms of elevation but substantially off in terms of windage. I forgot to bring my sight adjustment tools so had to compensate by placing an aiming dot to the left of my intended target:

View attachment 3916

This was at 15 yards, aiming at the red dot. The two rounds to the left edge of the blue target were called flyers.

I did unfortunately experience some hammer bite:

View attachment 3917

I had read that Springfield Armory had addressed this issue with their initial design, but clearly they failed to contour the new hammer properly. I have somewhat small hands and am far from meaty, so a person with larger hands would perhaps have even greater difficulty.

A friend told me that any new firearm demands a blood sacrifice, so this is mine!

I am very, VERY happy with this gun. After Springfield Armory experienced some apparent struggles with reliability issues, I’m very glad I waited to buy one until now. But I can recommend it without any hesitation whatsoever, and I would feel very comfortable staking my life on it, which is the ultimate praise for any firearm…..

loranimal 41

· #6 · 2 mo ago

Mike, Glad to know that your enjoying your SA-35 ... I have one that works flawlessly now ... had some ejection issues in the very beginning, however, Springfield Armory has the best customer service, they fixed the issue and after almost 900 rounds not one problem... Sometimes I get a web nip or two, no blood yet ... 😁 love the weapon, accurate too...

wb3jma

· #7 · 2 mo ago

Mine have been flawless as well, but not quite sure how you got the bite?

Reactions: 1

loranimal 41

· #8 · 2 mo ago

It was that I had too high a grip on the gun...once I adjusted my grip all was fine...

guydodge

· #9 · 2 mo ago

yep..sent mine back jamming again not ejecting rounds about to go back to factory for the second time.beginning to hate the SA-35.
after this i do believe they will have had the gun longer than me pretty depressing.kinda lost my want for it.

AJay

· #10 · 2 mo ago

I haven't put gobs of ammo through my SA35 yet, but it hits to point of aim, has had no issues, and, as mentioned before it does not have a 1911 trigger, but it does have a very good one. Mine is a 15xxx model, and I'm experiencing hammer bite also. Wish there was a way to extend the beavertail a skosh. While I'm on here, what are ya'll using for buckets to carry your piece in?

Pantera Mike

Discussion Starter · #11 · 1 mo ago

AJay said:
I haven't put gobs of ammo through my SA35 yet, but it hits to point of aim, has had no issues, and, as mentioned before it does not have a 1911 trigger, but it does have a very good one. Mine is a 15xxx model, and I'm experiencing hammer bite also. Wish there was a way to extend the beavertail a skosh. While I'm on here, what are ya'll using for buckets to carry your piece in?

I have just learned that when you order a High Power holster from Bianchi, Safariland, DeSantis etc, what you get is a Colt 1911 holster. The two guns are so similar dimensionally that seemingly nobody bothers making a dedicated High Power holster.

guydodge

· #12 · 1 mo ago

AJay said:
I haven't put gobs of ammo through my SA35 yet, but it hits to point of aim, has had no issues, and, as mentioned before it does not have a 1911 trigger, but it does have a very good one. Mine is a 15xxx model, and I'm experiencing hammer bite also. Wish there was a way to extend the beavertail a skosh. While I'm on here, what are ya'll using for buckets to carry your piece in?

with my experience with the sa-35 getting a holster for it will never be an issue.i'd rather drink a bud light than carry this gun 😏

Roofuss

· #13 · 1 mo ago

New member here ...!
Finally able to take my SA-35 out to the range today for the first time. Windy and chilly but was able to put about 100 rounds of Remington 115 gr fmj down range . Gun shot low and left , but like a dumb ass I forgot to bring any tools for sight adjustment. I was able to make a rear sight adjustment after returning to my shop, but was unable to get back to the range to try it out . Will have to wait for another day.

Does anyone manufacture an adjustable windage & elevation } rear sight for the SA-35 ?
I did some looking online, but unable to find anything ?

Pantera Mike

Discussion Starter · #14 · 1 mo ago

i had a terrible time trying to move my rear sight. I have a sight pusher tool I’ve used with success in any number of other guns but the sa35 sight stubbornly refused to move. Eventually I had to clamp the slide in my garage vice using the sight pusher’s non-marring blocks, and use a hammer (BIG hammer) and brass drift to shift it. Unfortunately then non-marring blocks managed to mar the finish on the rear of the slide in the process. 🤬

As long as it now shoots point of aim, I will be content. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet. I’m not seeking adjustable sights as the elevation was spot on. Having said that, it appears SA uses a proprietary dovetail, so I don’t think there are any off-the-shelf sights that will fit. I haven’t bothered measuring to see if the dovetail could be enlarged to convert it to a standard size?

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Voltaire

· #15 · 1 mo ago

LPA brand is a rear sights for very many pistol brands. Well worth a look. Not certain there is one of their for the SA35.

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Roofuss

· #16 · 1 mo ago

Voltaire said:
LPA brand is a rear sights for very many pistol brands. Well worth a look. Not certain there is one of their for the SA35.

Thanks, will check it out.

Roofuss

· #17 · 1 mo ago

The small screw in the top of the rear sight is metric { 1.5 } and just lightly tapped it on a hard rubber pad with a small plastic hammer. Sadly there is not elevation adjustment for the sight. Searching for something aftermarket...maybe ?

Voltaire

· #18 · 1 mo ago

LPA TRT Adjustable Rear Sight Colt 1911 - Bomar style TRT54FU07

LPA
Product Details
LPA Pro Series Bomar style rear adjustable sight for 1911 colt style pistols. This rear match target sight assembly comes complete with Black Serrated 45 degree chamfer (blade Corner) target/match blade. This sight is professional quality, Machined from bar stock and black oxide finish. The dovetail is made for the standard 60 degree x .359 bomar dovetail cut. The blade notch is .116 wide match target width. This sight is complete with elevation screw, spring, allen wench and adjustment tool. This LPA Bomar style sights does not require drilling and tapping of the slide. The elevation screw is integral to the dovetail base, saving additional machining time. But, you can use this sight in both slides that are drilled and taped or are not. The dovetail base also incorporates 2 locking screws, to securely lock the sight assembly in place in the dovetail. This is the most popular adjustable sight platform for Bullseye and refined target shooting. Some fitting may be required. Will work with most all sizes, makes and models of 1911 pistols and clones with bomar sight cuts.

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Voltaire

· #19 · 1 mo ago

Post this on another place. "Just go to a good gunsmith, there are plenty around. Buy yourself an LPA (or what you liek) rear sight, it's very good and have the gunsmith fit it. Most new rear sights are adaptable or can be perfectly machined to fit. Yes cost a few dollars but then you will have what you want. Lots of very good adjustable rear sights on the market." That will fix all issues.

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Roofuss

· #20 · 1 mo ago

Voltaire said:
Post this on another place. "Just go to a good gunsmith, there are plenty around. Buy yourself an LPA (or what you liek) rear sight, it's very good and have the gunsmith fit it. Most new rear sights are adaptable or can be perfectly machined to fit. Yes cost a few dollars but then you will have what you want. Lots of very good adjustable rear sights on the market." That will fix all issues.

Thank you for the info , much appreciated !

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