Description
The Girsan MCP35 Liberador is Girsan's take on the legendary Browning Hi-Power layout, brought into the 21st century with features the original never had. Manufactured by Girsan in Turkey and imported by EAA, this is a single-action, short-recoil-operated pistol built on an all-steel frame with a 4.87-inch barrel and a 15+1 round staggered-column magazine. The MCP35 platform has earned a solid reputation as a well-made, reliable Hi-Power-style pistol at a price point that makes the classic layout accessible again.
What sets the Liberador apart is the attention to presentation details layered on top of a genuinely capable platform. The chrome-finished slide pairs with gold PVD-finished controls to give the gun a striking two-tone appearance, and the pearl grips are engraved with the Mexican Coat of Arms, giving this particular variant a strong cultural identity and collector appeal. The frame-mounted accessory rail lets you run a light or laser, and the optic-ready slide is milled to the RMSc/Holosun K footprint, so adding a compact red dot is straightforward if you want to go that route.
Functional upgrades over vintage Hi-Power designs include an external extractor, a loaded chamber indicator, a magazine disconnect safety, an ambidextrous thumb safety, and a dovetail front sight. The slide features forward serrations and the overall ergonomics feel familiar to anyone who has spent time with a Hi-Power or 1911. The pistol ships with a Mec-Gar-produced 15-round magazine, which is widely regarded as one of the best double-stack BHP-pattern mags available.
This one appeals to a pretty specific buyer: someone who wants a Hi-Power-inspired 9mm with genuine cultural style and eye-catching finishes, without sacrificing practical modern features. It works just as well as a range gun or a display piece, and the accessory rail and optic cut make it more versatile than it looks at first glance.
Key Specifications
- Manufacturer: European American Armory / EAA Corp (Girsan)
- MPN: 391455
- UPC: 741566905643
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Action: Single-Action Semi-Automatic
- Capacity: 15+1
- Barrel Length: 4.87 inches
- Overall Length: 7.75 inches
- Weight: 1.8 lbs (unloaded)
- Frame: Steel
- Slide Finish: Chrome
- Controls Finish: Gold PVD
- Grips: Pearl Engraved with Mexican Coat of Arms
- Sights: Dovetail Front, Adjustable Rear
- Optic Ready: Yes, RMSc / Holosun K Footprint
- Accessory Rail: Yes
- Safety: Ambidextrous Thumb Safety, Magazine Disconnect Safety, Loaded Chamber Indicator
- Extractor: External
What’s Included
- Girsan MCP35 Liberador pistol
- Mec-Gar 15-round magazine
- Manual
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Girsan MCP35 Liberador based on the Browning Hi-Power?
Yes, the MCP35 is a modern interpretation of the classic Browning Hi-Power design, closely patterned after the post-1980 Mk II/Mk III-era FN models. Girsan updated the platform with features like an external extractor, ambidextrous safety, optic-ready slide, and accessory rail that the original never offered. Standard Hi-Power pattern magazines, including Mec-Gar 15-rounders, are compatible with the platform.
What does the optic-ready slide on the MCP35 Liberador fit?
The slide is cut to the RMSc/Holosun K footprint, which covers a wide range of popular compact red dot sights. This includes optics like the Shield RMSc, Holosun 507K, and others sharing that mounting pattern. The stock rear sight plate covers the cut when no optic is installed.
Can you mount a weapon light on the MCP35 Liberador?
Yes, the frame includes a standard Picatinny-style accessory rail forward of the trigger guard. This allows you to attach compatible weapon lights or laser aiming devices. It gives the Liberador a practical edge that most vintage Hi-Power designs lacked entirely.
Is the Liberador version purely a collector or display piece, or is it a functional firearm?
The Liberador is a fully functional 9mm pistol with 15+1 capacity, an optic-ready slide, and a frame-mounted accessory rail. The chrome finish, gold controls, and engraved pearl grips give it serious visual appeal, but the underlying MCP35 platform is the same capable, range-ready design that has been well-received across the broader Girsan Hi-Power lineup. It works just as well at the range as it looks on a shelf.
What magazines does the Girsan MCP35 Liberador use?
The Liberador ships with a Mec-Gar-produced 15-round flush-fit magazine. Because the MCP35 is built on a Hi-Power-pattern frame, it also accepts standard BHP-pattern double-stack magazines, including original Browning Hi-Power mags. Mec-Gar's 15-round BHP mag is widely considered the gold standard for this platform.
What is the significance of the Mexican Coat of Arms on the grips?
The pearl grips engraved with the Mexican Coat of Arms give the Liberador a distinct cultural identity, and the name itself carries historical and regional significance. This design is part of a broader Liberador series from Girsan that leans into Hispanic cultural heritage through custom engraved grips, chrome and gold finishes, and presentation-grade aesthetics. For collectors and buyers who connect with that heritage, it makes for a genuinely meaningful firearm.




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