EAA MCP35 PI by Girsan is a 15+1 Down-Sized Hello-Energy :: Weapons.com

Overview

EAA, lengthy recognized for its Regard, Witness, and Windicator fashions, two years in the past began to import the Girsan MCP35 from Turkey. That later pistol appears to be modeled after the later post-1980 Browning Mark II/III fashions made by FN throughout the previous couple of many years of the mannequin’s run with that firm. The latter consists of an exterior extractor, a serrated ring hammer, a slim set off, a windage drift-adjustable rear sight, ships with a Mec-Gar produced 15-shot aftermarket double-stack journal and consists of each an ambidextrous security and a magazine-disconnect security (extra on this abomination later).

I actually dug the standard-sized MCP35, seen right here in a manufacturing unit FDE possibility, discovering it a superb worth and plenty of enjoyable on the vary. (All images: Chris Eger/Weapons.com)

Whereas EAA launched up to date OPS and Match collection MCP35s, which upgraded the legacy commonplace with accent rails, optics cuts, and a greater set off, what I overtly wished for was a shortened model optimized for carry. Hello-Energy followers will instantly recall the outdated FM Detective.

Made by FM in Argentina, which had been arrange beneath license by FN again within the Sixties to make BHPs for the Argentine navy and police, the Latin American armory developed a shortened mannequin that retained the identical dimension grip and journal capability. It was solely introduced into the States for a couple of years within the Nineteen Nineties, when it was marketed because the Detective by importers.

Taking a cue from the outdated FM Detective, EAA teased the brand new MCP35 PI late final yr and began delivery it a few months in the past.

The fundamental idea trims an inch off the barrel size and virtually an inch and a half in general size, in addition to a couple of ounces in weight, from the usual MCP35, leaving a extra compact pistol, roughly akin to the idea of a Commander 1911.

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol PI — The EAA Girsan MCP35 PI is a factory-shortened Hello-Energy clone that also accepts commonplace magazines and most components, save for slide and barrel parts.

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol — The barrel size is 3.88 inches quite than the 4.87 seen on the standard-sized gun, whereas weight is 26 ounces, empty.

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol compared — You may see the comparability between the brand new EAA Girsan MCP35 PI, left, and the legacy MCP35, proper. The PI is a few half-pound lighter.

Whereas it does not appear to be an enormous distinction in dimension, take a look at these direct comparisons, which offer an essential context, particularly when some would ask, “Why the large deal?”

Girsan MCP35 9mm PI pistol compared — The brand new EAA Girsan MCP35 PI is barely smaller than a Glock 19 compact, or a Commander-sized 1911.

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol compared P365 — It additionally stacks up very nicely towards the SIG P365 XMacro when it comes to dimensions.

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol compared Hellcat — In addition to towards the Springfield Armory Hellcat PRO.

The Specs

Caliber: 9mm Luger/Para
Capability: 15+1 flush match magazine (others obtainable)
Set off Pull: 5.75 kilos (10-pull common), SAO.
Weight: 26 ounces with an empty 15-round magazine, 37.3 with 16 rounds loaded
Barrel Size: 3.88 inches
Total Size: 6.25 inches
Top: 4.9 inches over prime of rear sights
Width: 1.4 inch at widest over grips

Options

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol sights — The three-dot sights are acceptable and work to maintain the Girsan heading in the right direction in terms of sensible accuracy. The gun makes use of a normal BHP dovetail, in contrast to the brand new Springfield SA-35 collection pistols.

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol safety — With regards to floor controls, the frame-mounted guide security is ambidextrous and is straightforward to make use of. Whereas I usually hate guide security, it’s a should for carrying a SAO pistol in Situation 1 (Also referred to as “Cocked and Locked”).

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol grips — The slide serrations are shallow and, whereas very conventional, could possibly be higher, as may the grips. Nevertheless, take into account that there are a whole lot of various BHP-style grips on the market and they are often simply changed. I want the PI had ahead slide serrations and deeper rear serrations because the recoil spring is stout, however I admit to not having a problem racking the pistol as-is.

Slide bite — The outdated military-style ring hammer is useful on the pistol however is susceptible to hammer chew/pinch in the event you maintain the PI with a excessive grip. I took a beating, nevertheless it by no means bought to the purpose of getting bloody. This can be a recognized concern with lots of Mr. Browning’s designs and might be mitigated by modifying the consumer’s grip and/or altering out the hammer to a greater design. A extra everlasting repair is an prolonged beavertail – or smaller mitts.

Set off

The creepy set off, even for having the journal security disconnect, wasn’t horrible for a single-action “fight” pistol of Twentieth-century design.

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol trigger — It broke at about 6 kilos on common with just below half an inch of journey with a corresponding reset. What I did not like about it was that I could not really feel the reset very nicely.

Observe:

May the set off be higher? Positive. Nevertheless, be mindful it is a $500-$600 all-steel handgun with the one polymer being within the grips, so you need to set your expectations in a practical area. Of word, I did discover that the set off smoothed out a little bit after the primary 500 rounds or so.

With regards to set off jobs, the famed Cylinder & Slide is shutting down, however they nonetheless have some drop-in units listed on their website as of publication, and BH Spring Options in Indiana has a ton of MCP35 stuff available.

Reliability

We evaluated the Girsan MCP35 PI with just below 700 rounds of economic SAAMI or NATO-stamped ammo from throughout a number of totally different home and imported manufacturers. These ranged from 115 grain by 147 grain in weight, throughout each ball and jacketed hole pointed bullets, and with instances of metal, brass, and nickel.

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol on range — The majority of the goal ammo utilized in testing was Federal’s glorious 115-grain American Eagle Syntech. Federal says the polymer-encapsulated Syntech bullet prevents metal-on-metal contact within the bore, eliminating copper and lead fouling, whereas extending barrel life. The majority of self-defense hundreds have been from Federal Premium’s Hydra-Shok Deep collection, which brings a 135-grain JHP alongside for the trip.

In all, I noticed three malfunctions that have been simply cleared, with no less than a kind of in all probability being my fault. Of word, the 2 that weren’t have been with Winchester white field and got here because the gun was filthy.

Accuracy

The EAA MCP35 PI shouldn’t be a match-grade gun, particularly with its form of primary sights and creepy set off. No Olympics are in its future. Nevertheless, it’s greater than succesful for sensible use out to 25 yards. Not one of the targets we utilized in testing appeared scary or such as you have been patterning a shotgun. Additional, the gun’s all-steel development helped tame muzzle flip and allowed the gun to return to focus on quickly and with out the “flex” observed with polymer-framed weapons.

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol target — Here’s a 5 shot string of Federal Premium’s Hydra-Shok Deep delivered at 15 yards in an offhand stance in just below 5 seconds when drawing from concealment and dropping the security. This efficiency was typical.

Carry

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol holster — With regards to toting the MCP35 PI round, it advantages from having a profile similar to Commander-sized 1911s. Which means that holsters that usually match that frequent handgun are likely to work on the PI.

Those that need a acquainted design in a extra carry-sized envelope could possibly be quick followers of the EAA MCP35 PI.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals

Traditional styling
Good journal capability (15+1)
All metal development
Giant provide of spare components, mags, grips, sights
Comparable in dimension to many common new micro 9s
$500~ value vary
Dependable
Correct for sensible use

Cons

Creepy set off
Will not fireplace with out the journal inserted.
Solely ships with one journal
SAO design could possibly be a studying curve for brand spanking new customers.

Conclusion

I will admit to being a BHP tremendous fan. A overwhelmed T-series Hello-Energy was the primary auto-loading pistol that I purchased again within the early Nineteen Nineties, and I liked it proper off the bat. Additional, I picked up an FM Detective across the identical time and actively carried it again when having a CCW in my house state was generally derided my most as a “gunslinger allow.” Since then, instances have modified.

Even spanning that interval, I discovered the EAA MCP35 PI to be a sound carry possibility at the moment. When in comparison with a number of the most trendy entries in that class, it stacks up nicely – no less than in dimensions and concealability – whereas including all-steel development and the timeless familiarity of one of the revered semi-auto pistols of all time. I do want it had a greater set off and sights, however these are simply changed.

Total, generally the old-school ideas nonetheless bear fruit.