The Springfield SA-35 4-inch takes the legendary Hi-Power and trims it for the modern concealed carry market. I’ve had a soft spot for the Hi-Power my whole career, and this shortened SA-35 is the version that finally makes sense on a belt instead of just in a safe. If you prefer a steel-framed, hammer-fired, single-action pistol over another polymer striker gun, this one deserves your attention.
What the Springfield SA-35 4-inch changes
The Hi-Power earned its reputation on ergonomics: a grip angle and slim profile that feel like a 1911 while holding more rounds. The catch was always the 4.7-inch barrel, which gets cumbersome inside the waistband. Springfield shaved 0.7 inches off, and that small cut meaningfully shrinks the pistol’s footprint for carry while keeping the balance and pointability that made people love this design for the better part of a century. Capacity is 15+1 of 9mm, which is right in line with modern compacts.
The trigger is the headline
Original Hi-Powers shipped with a magazine disconnect safety that ruined the trigger pull, and generations of gunsmiths made good money removing them. Springfield just left it out. The result is a crisp, clean single-action break from the factory that outruns most striker-fired triggers on the market. Reliability reports match my experience with the platform: test guns have digested hundreds of rounds of ball and hollow points without drama.
The sights got dragged into this century too. A high-visibility white-dot front and a serrated, tactical-rack rear replace the tiny military-style sights on old surplus guns. One gunsmith’s note: put a drop of blue threadlocker on the grip screws before they walk loose on you. It’s a thirty-second fix, and I do it on every one that crosses my bench.
Carrying an all-steel single action
Be realistic about what you’re strapping on. The Springfield SA-35 4-inch is slim, but it’s steel, so it carries heavier than the polymer micro-compacts, and your holster choice matters more. Look for a design with a proper sweat guard that protects the manual safety through a day of wear; BlackPoint Tactical and DeSantis both make good options. You’ll want a slightly more substantial cover garment than a pocket pistol demands. In exchange, you get a soft-shooting, accurate, character-rich carry gun that’s a genuine joy at the range.
We keep the SA-35 and plenty of other pistols in stock here in Roanoke. If you’re setting one up for carry, my guide to the best 9mm self-defense ammo is the next thing to read, or call me at 817-393-4000 and I’ll walk you through it in person.
Lance Rankin is the owner and Chief Gunsmith of Western Sport, a family-run Type 07 FFL and Class 3/SOT dealer in Roanoke, Texas, serving shooters since 2007. Born and raised in Texas with over 50 years of experience handling firearms, Lance purchased Western Sport in 2017 and turned his lifelong passion into his profession. He specializes in AR-15 and AR-10 platform rifles, manufactures Western Sport’s own AR-15 line under the Rankin Industries brand, and runs the shop’s in-house Cerakote coating operation. When he’s not behind the counter or the workbench, you’ll find him on his ranch deep into the night, hunting coyotes with an AR-15 and thermal optics. Lance holds an MBA and personally shoots and tests the products Western Sport sells.
