Old Soul, New Steel

Uncle Kenny
Jul 24
4 min read

Updated: Jul 30

The Girsan MCP35 and the Hi-Power Revival

If you’ve been around handguns long enough, the name Hi-Power ought to ring a bell, and maybe even tug at your heart a little. I remember the first time I held one. It was my buddy Frank’s, an old FN with worn bluing and wood grips that had more stories than some people. That pistol felt like history in my hand; it was smooth, serious, and fit like it belonged there.

The Browning Hi-Power is one of those guns you don’t just shoot, you admire. Designed by John Moses Browning and polished off by Dieudonné Saive, it became the sidearm of choice for soldiers and police all over the world. But like all legends, it faded some with time. Polymer frames, striker-fired triggers, and higher capacity double stacks took over. The Hi-Power started to look like a relic, at least until folks started remembering why they loved it in the first place.

Enter the Girsan MCP35. This one’s from Turkey, and I’ll admit I raised an eyebrow at first. But after handling a few, I can tell you straight, they’ve brought the old classic back with style, steel, and just enough modern touch to make it worth your time.

Capturing the Hi-Power’s Soul

Look at the MCP35 from across the counter, and you’ll know what it is before you pick it up. It’s got that same sharp profile, the rounded slide nose, the external hammer, and the unmistakable Browning grip angle. Steel frame, steel slide, just like it’s supposed to be. It’s chambered in 9mm and runs the old 13-round magazines that set the world on fire back in the day.

Girsan didn’t mess with the magic. They respected the blueprint. If you’ve got Hi-Power mags lying around, they’ll work in this pistol. It’s a faithful throwback to a time when craftsmanship was king, but it doesn’t stop there.

Improvements You’ll Notice

Let’s not pretend the original Hi-Power didn’t have its quirks. As much as I love it, there were things that needed to get straight. Girsan went ahead and took care of some of that, which makes the MCP35 more pleasant to shoot and carry for today’s crowd.

1. Cleaner Build, Tighter Fit

Girsan used modern machining and better materials than were available back in the day. You get tighter tolerances and a more refined fit and finish than a lot of surplus Hi-Powers I’ve seen floating around gun shows.

2. No Magazine Disconnect

Thank the Lord that went away. That little “safety” in the original Hi-Power was always a sore spot. It made the trigger feel mushy and complicated dry fire practice. Girsan yanked it out, and now you’ve got a smooth, crisp single action trigger that breaks clean.

3. Better Sights and Ergonomics

The original had dinky little sights that felt like an afterthought. Girsan’s are bigger, easier to pick up, and more suited to real world shooting. While they didn’t go crazy with a huge beavertail, they made a few minor changes that help avoid hammer bite and for those of us with meaty hands, that matters.

4. It Won’t Break the Bank

Let’s be real. A new FN or Springfield Hi-Power clone will run you north of a grand. Girsan’s MCP35? You’ll find one for half that. And for a full-steel, single-action classic, that’s a heck of a deal.

At the Range

Shooting the MCP35 feels like shaking hands with an old friend who’s been hitting the gym. The weight soaks up recoil nicely, and the trigger, now that the mag disconnect is gone, is clean and predictable. It points naturally, just like the originals always did.

The new sights help a bunch when you’re picking up a front blade under stress, and the grip fits like it was made to be there. That said, just like the originals, it can be a little picky with hollow points. Girsan’s feed ramp is improved, but it’s still a nod to the original’s love affair with ball ammo.

Variants and Add-Ons

Girsan didn’t stop at one version. They’ve already spun out models with modern finishes, optics ready slides, and even some fun color accents if you’re into that kind of thing. Better yet, aftermarket support is growing. A lot of Hi-Power parts swap right in, so if you like to tinker, you’ll feel right at home.

Final Word from the Bench

The Girsan MCP35 definitely is not an heirloom, yet, but it’s got the bones for it. It respects the Browning legacy without pretending to be something it’s not. It gives new shooters a chance to feel what a real Hi-Power was all about, and it gives old dogs like me a reason to smile.

If you want a Hi-Power that you’re not afraid to carry, shoot, and run hard, this is your huckleberry. For the money, it’s one of the best ways to put some Browning history in your holster without needing to take out a loan.