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  4. Review: EAA MCP35 PI by Girsan is a 15+1 Down-Sized Hi-Power

Florida-based European American Armory continues its salute to the old BHP with a chopped-down commander-sized carry gun. 

Table of Contents
 
Overview
The Specs
Features
Trigger
Reliability
Accuracy
Carry
Pros & Cons
Conclusion

Overview


EAA, long known for its Regard, Witness, and Windicator models, two years ago began to import the Girsan MCP35 from Turkey. That later pistol seems to be modeled after the later post-1980 Browning Mark II/III models made by FN during the last few decades of the model's run with that company. The latter includes an external extractor, a serrated ring hammer, a slim trigger, a windage drift-adjustable rear sight, ships with a Mec-Gar produced 15-shot aftermarket double-stack magazine and includes both an ambidextrous safety and a magazine-disconnect safety (more on this abomination later). 
 

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol
I really dug the standard-sized MCP35, seen here in a factory FDE option, finding it an excellent value and lots of fun on the range. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)


While EAA introduced updated OPS and Match series MCP35s, which upgraded the legacy standard with accessory rails, optics cuts, and a better trigger, what I openly wished for was a shortened version optimized for carry. Hi-Power fans will immediately recall the old FM Detective. 

Made by FM in Argentina, which had been set up under license by FN back in the 1960s to make BHPs for the Argentine military and police, the Latin American armory developed a shortened model that retained the same size grip and magazine capacity. It was only brought into the States for a few years in the 1990s, when it was marketed as the Detective by importers.
 

FM Detective
I was a huge fan of the Detective and bought and carried the gun on the right for several years. It was rough and basic, but it worked. For those interested, according to the online inflation calculators, $239 in 1992 is worth $514.18 today, which is around what the MCP35 PI runs. Also, do not try to go to SOG and get the above deal, as that importer closed its doors years ago. 


Taking a cue from the old FM Detective, EAA teased the new MCP35 PI late last year and started shipping it a couple of months ago. 

The basic concept trims an inch off the barrel length and almost an inch and a half in overall length, as well as a few ounces in weight, from the standard MCP35, leaving a more compact pistol, roughly akin to the concept of a Commander 1911. 
 

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol PI
The EAA Girsan MCP35 PI is a factory-shortened Hi-Power clone that still accepts standard magazines and most parts, save for slide and barrel components.
Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol
The barrel length is 3.88 inches rather than the 4.87 seen on the standard-sized gun, while weight is 26 ounces, empty. 
Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol compared
You can see the comparison between the new EAA Girsan MCP35 PI, left, and the legacy MCP35, right. The PI is about a half-pound lighter. 


While it doesn't seem like a big difference in size, check out these direct comparisons, which provide an important context, especially when some would ask, "Why the big deal?" 
 

Girsan MCP35 9mm PI pistol compared
The new EAA Girsan MCP35 PI is slightly smaller than a Glock 19 compact, or a Commander-sized 1911. 
Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol compared P365
It also stacks up very well against the SIG P365 XMacro in terms of dimensions. 
Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol compared Hellcat
As well as against the Springfield Armory Hellcat PRO. 


The Specs

  • Caliber: 9mm Luger/Para
  • Capacity: 15+1 flush fit mag (others available)
  • Trigger Pull: 5.75 pounds (10-pull average), SAO.
  • Weight: 26 ounces with an empty 15-round mag, 37.3 with 16 rounds loaded
  • Barrel Length: 3.88 inches 
  • Overall Length: 6.25 inches
  • Height: 4.9 inches over top of rear sights
  • Width: 1.4 inch at widest over grips

 

Features

 

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol
In my opinion, the Mec-Gar 15-round BHP magazine is the best mag ever made for the platform. High-quality and of steel construction, it fits flush in everything BHP-like that I've ever tried it in and increases the standard 13-round capacity. The EAA Girsan MCP35 ships with it standard, and gives the pistol a 15+1 round capacity, putting it on par with most of the micro-compact 9s on the market today. 
Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol
Takedown is as on all BHP style pistols, with the slide catch lever removed on an unloaded and locked-back handgun. The MCP35 is a short-recoil-operated single-action pistol with a frame and slide crafted from 4140 steel.
Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol sights
The three-dot sights are acceptable and work to keep the Girsan on target when it comes to practical accuracy. The gun uses a standard BHP dovetail, unlike the new Springfield SA-35 series pistols. 
Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol safety
When it comes to surface controls, the frame-mounted manual safety is ambidextrous and is easy to use. While I typically hate manual safety, it is a must for carrying a SAO pistol in Condition 1 (Also known as “Cocked and Locked”). 
Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol grips
The slide serrations are shallow and, while very traditional, could be better, as could the grips. However, keep in mind that there are hundreds of different BHP-style grips out there and they can be easily replaced. I wish the PI had forward slide serrations and deeper rear serrations as the recoil spring is stout, but I admit to not having an issue racking the pistol as-is. 
Slide bite
The old military-style ring hammer is functional on the pistol but is prone to hammer bite/pinch if you hold the PI with a high grip. I took a beating, but it never got to the point of getting bloody. This is a known issue with many of Mr. Browning's designs and can be mitigated by modifying the user's grip and/or changing out the hammer to a better design. A more permanent fix is an extended beavertail – or smaller mitts.

 

Trigger


The creepy trigger, even for having the magazine safety disconnect, wasn't horrible for a single-action "combat" pistol of 20th-century design.
 

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol trigger
It broke at about 6 pounds on average with just under half an inch of travel with a corresponding reset. What I didn't like about it was that I couldn't feel the reset very well.


Observe: 
 

 

Could the trigger be better? Sure. However, keep in mind this is a $500-$600 all-steel handgun with the only polymer being in the grips, so you must set your expectations in a realistic region. Of note, I did find that the trigger smoothed out a little after the first 500 rounds or so.
 

Reliability


We evaluated the Girsan MCP35 PI with just under 700 rounds of commercial SAAMI or NATO-stamped ammo from across several different domestic and imported brands. These ranged from 115 grain through 147 grain in weight, across both ball and jacketed hollow pointed bullets, and with cases of steel, brass, and nickel. 
 

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol on range
The bulk of the target ammo used in testing was Federal's excellent 115-grain American Eagle Syntech. Federal says the polymer-encapsulated Syntech bullet prevents metal-on-metal contact in the bore, eliminating copper and lead fouling, while extending barrel life. The bulk of self-defense loads were from Federal Premium's Hydra-Shok Deep series, which brings a 135-grain JHP along for the ride. 


In all, I observed three malfunctions that were easily cleared, with at least one of those probably being my fault. Of note, the two that weren't were with Winchester white box and came as the gun was filthy.
 

Accuracy


The EAA MCP35 PI is not a match-grade gun, especially with its kind of basic sights and creepy trigger. No Olympics are in its future. However, it is more than capable for practical use out to 25 yards. None of the targets we used in testing looked scary or like you were patterning a shotgun. Further, the gun's all-steel construction helped tame muzzle flip and allowed the gun to return to target rapidly and without the "flex" noticed with polymer-framed guns. 
 

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol target
Here is a five shot string of Federal Premium's Hydra-Shok Deep delivered at 15 yards in an offhand stance in just under five seconds when drawing from concealment and dropping the safety. This performance was typical. 

Carry

 

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol holster
When it comes to toting the MCP35 PI around, it benefits from having a profile very similar to Commander-sized 1911s. This means that holsters that typically fit that common handgun tend to work on the PI. 
Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol carry
Fully loaded with 16 rounds of Hydra-Shok Deep 135-grain JHPs, the gun weighed in at 37.3 ounces. While this is a bit chunky – by comparison, the polymer-framed Hellcat PRO with the same load hits the scales at 27.7 ounces – you are working with an all-steel gun if going with the EAA. Carrying a second mag gives the user 31 rounds. 


Those who want a familiar design in a more carry-sized envelope could be fast fans of the EAA MCP35 PI.
 

Pros & Cons


Pros

  • Classic styling
  • Good magazine capacity (15+1)
  • All steel construction
  • Large supply of spare parts, mags, grips, sights
  • Comparable in size to many popular new micro 9s
  • $500~ price range
  • Reliable
  • Accurate for practical use

Cons

  • Creepy trigger
  • Won't fire without the magazine inserted.
  • Only ships with one magazine
  • SAO design could be a learning curve for new users.

Conclusion


I'll admit to being a BHP super fan. A beaten T-series Hi-Power was the first auto-loading pistol that I bought back in the early 1990s, and I loved it right off the bat. Further, I picked up an FM Detective around the same time and actively carried it back when having a CCW in my home state was commonly derided my most as a "gunslinger permit." Since then, times have changed. 

Even spanning that period, I found the EAA MCP35 PI to be a valid carry option today. When compared to some of the most modern entries in that category, it stacks up well – at least in dimensions and concealability – while adding all-steel construction and the timeless familiarity of one of the most revered semi-auto pistols of all time. I do wish it had a better trigger and sights, but those are easily replaced. 

Overall, sometimes the old-school concepts still bear fruit. 
 

Girsan MCP35 9mm pistol
The MSRP of the EAA MCP35 PI is $585.

 

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