NRA Gun of the Week: Davidson's EAA Corp. Girsan MCP35 PI Ops

Davidson’s is one of the largest firearm distributors in the country, and it works with manufacturers to bring unique designs to market that you just can’t find anywhere else. This time, Davidson’s teamed up with European American Armory Corp. and Turkish firearm manufacturer Girsan to take the 21st century High Power up a notch. Watch the Gun of The Week video above to see this latest optic-ready High Power clone on the range.

Over the last few years, the High Power design has come back in a big way. Browning stopped producing the classic pistol in 2018, and that opened the door for numerous makers to not only bring out their versions but also update the legacy handgun. One of the leading companies in re-introducing and upgrading the High Power is European American Armory, which works with Girsan to produce feature-rich models.

The MCP35 PI Ops is one of the company’s latest designs, and the Davidson’s twist on this particular model has everything to do with looks. This pistol is finished with a silver Cerakote treatment, which gives it a stainless-steel look while providing an ultra-durable, wear-resistant coating. This silver finish is paired with a set of beautiful, textured walnut grip panels, giving this updated High Power an utterly classic, timeless appearance.

Of course, the story doesn’t end at the surface. Packed into this pistol are all the features you’ll find on other MCP35 PI Ops pistols from EAA Corp. For starters, the gun is built with a compact slide and barrel, making it easier to carry than full-size High Powers. Additionally, a three-slot Picatinny accessory rail on the frame allows owners to add a light or laser. At the top of the slide is a cover plate that incorporates the gun’s rear open sight. Simply remove the cover plate to reveal a milled section of slide that accepts all Shield RMSc-footprint red-dot optics.

The upgrades don’t end there, though. Every Girsan MCP35 PI Ops pistol is outfitted with a straight trigger and a rowel-style hammer. The frame’s beavertail has been extended and flattened out, and there are bilateral thumb-safety levers, along with a single-sided magazine release. All of the controls, along with the trigger shoe and hammer spur, have a black finish that contrasts nicely with the silver frame coating.

Shooting any High Power is one of the classic range experiences, but all of the touches incorporated into this Davidson’s Exclusive MCP35 PI Ops model really take the High Power to another level. The flat trigger breaks cleanly with very little overtravel, and we appreciated the distinct lack of hammer bite, thanks to the generous beavertail and rowel-style hammer design. The checkered walnut grips were not only great to look at, they also made for a comfortable, secure hold on the gun. Best of all, Girsan includes a 15-round magazine with its MCP35, so you’ll have two more rounds on tap compared to the classic High Power. What more could you want?

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EAA Girsan MCP35 PI Ops Specifications

Distributor: GalleryofGuns.com

Item#: 393448

Action Type: single-action, recoil-operated, semi-automatic, centerfire pistol

Chambering: 9mm Luger

Barrel: 3.88"

Slide: steel, Cerakote finish

Frame: steel, Cerakote finish

Magazine: 15-round detachable box

Sights: square-notch rear, post front; optic-ready

Overall Length: 7.5"

Weight: 25 ozs.

MSRP: $669.99

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