[TABING]

I'm currently overseas, so can't check the U. S. market.

Are the S & W 1911s on the market yet and how much are they going for?

Has anyone got one and what do they think about them?

Thanks!

[gudel]

i think they're going about $700 in this area. one guy had it in the range, pretty cool gun. that external extractor looks strange in an 1911 style though.

[Rob Pincus]

They are selling for between $700 and $800.

I just finished T&E'ing one and it is a very nice example of a 1911 design. The external extractor works just fine and the firing pin block safety is different from the Series 80 Colts, as it does not involve the trigger, but rather the grip safety.

Both parts of the design have been proven in other platforms. The former in countless models and the latter in the PC 945.

[JoeHatley]

Dealer cost is $618 + shipping. I bought one last month for $660 + tax.

Nice gun, good value.

Joe

[TABING]

Are they readily available in local gun shops?

[Ky Larry]

Yes they are available. I was in Bud's Gun Shop in Lexington today ahd he had several, new and used. Wasn't shopping for one so I didn't notice prices.

[chaim]

I don't own one but I have noticed that owners posting here and 1911forum.com and gunwriters are all practically gushing over this gun. Price seems about par for brand name (i.e. Kimber, SA) 1911s. I think they've been available for about 2 months now.When/if they become available in Maryland or when I move to another state I intend to seriously check them out (don't know if it will beat out Kimber or SA for me).

[Lone_Gunman]

Better get 'em while you can, I don't expect it to be in S&W catalog for long...

[Jim Watson]

Why, you figure they don't like money?

[Lone_Gunman]

No, I figure they are gonna run out of buyers for it pretty soon.

They are trying to enter a new market already saturated with companies making good quality products.

Kimber, Springfield, and Colt are all building good pistols.

Wilson and Les Baer have already captured the semi custom market.

The S&W may be a good weapon, but basically its just another $700 entry level 1911.

Right now its new, and gun rags are foaming at the mouth over it. There is a curiosity factor amongst buyers. This will all go away in a year or so.

If they had entered the 1911 market 15 or 20 yrs ago, when Colt was at a low point, and Kimber hadnt come along, maybe they would have had a better chance.

Another thing to consider is what is going to happen if the AWB dies? Are we going to see an increased interest in hi cap guns again?

I just think now was a bad time for them to get into the 1911 business.

But hey, I am not a business person, maybe I dont know what I am talking about.

[longeyes]

Kimber, Springfield, and Colt are all building good pistols.

Maybe they are, but don't underestimate the power of the S&W brand name. The good reviews and word-of-mouth don't hurt either. You think Kimber and SA have that kind of cachet? They may not be as entrenched as they appear to be.

[444]

Not that this adds anything to the discussion, but I have been toying with the idea of another 1911 lately. Colt would be my first choice, but I don't know what they cost. I have two Colts now and one SA. I was not happy at all with my SA and sent it away for extensive work. So, I doubt that I would buy another one. Never considered a Kimber. I think I would take a hard look at S&W, but that is just me.
The 1911 isn't a fad pistol. The demand doesn't come and go like plastic guns. I think it will be in their lineup for a long time. Remember, you are talking about a company that is pretty much known for revolvers, which also didn't go away when the plastic pistols came out.

[Lone_Gunman]

The revovler market didnt go away, but it sure shrunk a lot when plastic pistols came around.

The 1911 might not be a fade, but its popularity has certainly waxed and waned over the years.

The Wondernine craze of the 80s and 90s didnt do much for 1911 sales. About the only company building 1911s prior the the AWB was Colt. When mag capacity became limited to 10 rounds is when Kimber, Springfield, etc really took off.

The 1911 is riding high right now, but might be a slow seller for a while once the AWB goes away.

[WonderNine]

The external extractor works just fine and the firing pin block safety is different from the Series 80 Colts, as it does not involve the trigger, but rather the grip safety.

That wouldn't happen to be set up the same way the problematic Kimber series II's are would it?