Making The EAA Corp. Girsan MCP35 High Power

by
posted on January 22, 2025
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

In recent years, the High Power has seen a resurgence, thanks in large part to Turkish manufacturers who have not only produced copies of legacy High Power designs but also have updated the concept for the 21st century. In the "American Rifleman Television" feature segment above, we go behind the scenes at Girsan, which produces the MCP35 High Powers imported by European American Armory Corp.

" High Powers have always been a sought-after handgun. But they had gotten to the point where they were out of the average person's reach, let's say," EAA Corp. President Keith Bernkrant said. "And now I brought it back into a more affordable price and a quality product."

The first Turkish-made High Power clones came soon after Browning Firearms announced it would cease manufacturing the legacy design in 2018. These first guns bearing the Girsan name and imported by EAA bore a similar resemblance to the traditional High Power, but there were some notable updates, and later models only showed more modernization.

 "In the Turkish market, the people also like this pistol very much. Of course, we have the original drawings or the original pistols we have," Girsan Factory Manager Zafer Capraz said. "We scan them, the 3D models we establish, but we try to make it better. We try to make it flawless."

Today, Girsan operates a modern, ISO 9001-certified factory in Giresun, Turkey, where it produces all of its firearms. In its mission to "improve the Turkish gun industry," the company has implemented the use of modern-day manufacturing practices and quality-control procedures.

 "Our priority is always quality. And every day, we improve that," Girsan CEO Veysel Curgul said. "Our father showed the path. He wanted us to make that gun. And we wanted to grow the High Power business. We have realized that there is a gap in that P35 production and there are not many companies producing High Powers."

Today, Girsan produces dozens of different handgun designs that are imported by EAA. Among these are several different models on the tried-and-true High Power, each with its own set of unique features and design elements.

 "I think that we fill the niche for people that want to collect them or someone that wants a very traditional handgun, and it wasn't available at a reasonable price," Bernkrant said. "And when it did come back with other companies, it was not, but we're producing a Girsan. We're either producing a copy of it as designed and as produced. Or a modernized version or tactical version."

In addition to its MCP35 line, Girsan also produces a range of other handguns for both the U.S. commercial market, as well as a number of military-contract guns for both Turkish and international customers. Some of the company's other products include its Regard, MC28 and Witness2311 lines.

 "We've been in the business for 30 years, and the procedure has never been easy to reach that point," Curgul said. "We worked hard. We wanted to produce the guns that have been legendary in the past, such as 1911 and High Power. Because, as all of us know, legends never die."

To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

Latest

Gotw Rra Lar 22 Tactical Carbine Web
Gotw Rra Lar 22 Tactical Carbine Web

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

2025 Optic Of The Year: Burris Eliminator 6

Even as new generation after new generation of Burris Eliminator continued to add more advanced technology and functionality, it remained odd-looking—until the launch of this year’s sixth-generation product, which is the first in the line that can mount atop a rifle using standard 34 mm scope rings.

I Have This Old Gun: Star Model B

Of the many Spanish-made firearms to emerge throughout the 19th and 20th century, one of the most recognizable is the Star Model B, largely due to its similarity to the Colt Model 1911.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.