[bandaidman]

was perusing the net today and saw this gun

is it simply a Smith built 1911 or is it different in some way?


anyone own one and have any impressions?

[Robert inOregon]

Although it shares the same overall look as a 1911 with all the same features, none of the parts are interchangeable. The 945 is wider, has beefier rails and different grip angle. Very unique product. I like to call it a 1911 on steroids. Extremely accurate as it is handsome.

http://home.earthlink.net/~pkalfonso/s_w945br.jpg

[10-Ring]

Buddy bought one 2 Christmas' ago. Really nice, fairly unique pistol, similar in some aspects & very diff't in others to the 1911.
Go to the S&W Performance Center page on their website or the S&W forum for more info http://www.smith-wessonforum.com/cgi-bin/sandwcgi/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro

[cplane]

I was at a shop the other day and one of S&W's sales reps was there. We got on the subject of their new 1911 and the 945. They are definately two different pistols. The 945 was built on the 645 platform. I don't know if any parts or mags will interchange between the two or not. The one I have is exactly like the one in the photo from Rob in oregan. These were built in a limited production run(according to the S&W sales rep) for a large sporting goods store called Big Rocks(I may have the name wrong).The standard 945 pc has the scalloped serrations and the slide flats have some different polishing done. The new S&W 1911 has several Chip Mcormick parts on it and has a Novack rear site. The mags are interchangeable with standard 1911's.It does have an external extractor. I got to handle one and it was really well made. The price is just over $700. It's marketed to compete with Kimber. The sales rep told me their performance shop might have some higher end 1911's coming out in the future. It looks like they are going to have a winner! Getting back to the 945, according to the S&W guy, You would have around $2,500 in building a standard 1911 to get the performance and accuracy that a 945 PC comes with. I really like mine:D

[Scott V]

Robert,
Do you know how many 945-40 cal were made?I bought one from your friend,Keith.I really like that little carry gun.Kind of a soft shooter for a light weight gun.I do not see the forty on the S&W website anymore.I think you were the one that showed me that gun.I was looking at the small kimbers,but I did not like the feel of them.So I picked the S&W,and I am real glad I did.
Thanks,Scott

[Robert inOregon]

Scott,

Gun you have is a Sport South exclusive. Product code was 170180 and only one run was made of 200 or 300 guns.

There are over 2000 firearms in that store at any given time and can choose from a variety of top name brands. I'll take the 945 every time too. :cool:

[Scott V]

Thanks Robert,
Thats, what I wanted to know.When I went in I was looking for a 45 cal.Seems like every time I come out with a forty because they seem to have lots of things I want in a firearm.I also have S&W SD 40 4006 Performance Center gun that I really like also.There is not any slop anywhere,and feeds everything.It's a real pretty gun also.Keith said he had one at one time,but his friend that has every performance center gun made had to have it.Would that be you?

[Robert inOregon]

There are guys like myself that collect on a desire to have a descent number of items that will give a fare and diverse representation what we like. Got my Shorty forty from an estate I raided back east a few years ago. Guy Keith is talking about is a sick puppy! He doesn't have quite everything, none of the really unique stuff or low serial numbers, but the overall volume of SKU's is definitely getting there. Puts me to shame. We estimate that this guys overall number of guns (total) is almost that of Keith's store.