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).
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.
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.
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?"
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
Trigger
The creepy trigger, even for having the magazine safety disconnect, wasn't horrible for a single-action "combat" pistol of 20th-century design.
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.
When it comes to trigger jobs, the famed Cylinder & Slide is shutting down, but they still have some drop-in sets listed on their site as of publication, and BH Spring Solutions in Indiana has a ton of MCP35 stuff available.
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.
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.
Carry
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.
