Springfield Armory SA-35 4" 9mm: First Look

Based on one of the most prolific and popular pistols in small arms history, the 9mm Springfield Armory SA-35 gave shooters a modern take on a revered classic. Featuring subtle but significant upgrades to John Moses Browning’s original P-35 design, the SA-35 captured the appeal of the “wood and steel” era of arms making. 

Like all SA-35 variants, the new 4” SA-35 is made in the United States and features rugged forged steel parts for strength and durability. This includes not only the slide and frame, but also the shorter 4” barrel. The barrel — as with all SA-35 pistols — features an improved feed ramp design for reliable functioning with today’s top defensive ammunition.

Further rounding out the design are the SA-35’s improved ergonomics and controls, such as a recontoured hammer to prevent the risk of “hammer bite” and an extended thumb safety. Additionally, the pistols employ modern sights made up of a white dot front and Tactical Rack black serrated rear sight. And lastly, a flush-fitting 15-round magazine ups capacity over the original design’s 13-round capacity, feeding into the pistol’s beveled magazine well.

The 4” SA-35 features an attractive matte-blue finish on its carbon steel slide and frame, complemented by a pair of checkered walnut grips contoured to enhance the pistol’s ergonomics and handling characteristics. MSRP is $799.

“The SA-35 proved to be an immediate success due to its combination of traditional design and modern enhancements,” said Steve Kramer, Vice President of Marketing for Springfield Armory. “This new 4” SA-35 offers all those same benefits and appeal, but now in a smaller and faster-handling version.”

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