S&w 1911

[LopezEL]

What can you guys tell me about the Smith 1911's? Are they reliable out of the box? Is the external extractor a big drawback or have they really gotten it right as far functionality?

I ask because I was in the local shop today and there was a like new smith 1911 with target (adjustable) sights, ambi safety, nice rosewood grips, and nice blued finish with a price tag of $710. Would this be a good buy? I have no idea what the used pricing is on these 1911s. I dont know if there is any wiggle room in the price since its a consigment but I really liked the pistol. It was nice and tight: the fit and finish was impressive for a pistol priced at $710.

I believe this is the pistol I saw in the shop: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57754_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

 

[hawkeye10]

A friend of mine has a S&W 1911 and both of us really like it. I have shot it and it's great. As far as I know it has had zero problems. $710 sounds like a super to me. Don

 

[9mmepiphany]

The two big things that are different about the S&W 1911s are the external extractor and the Swartz firing pin safety.

The safety is different that other than other 1911s using a FPS in that the Swartz is operated by depressing the grip safety.

The external extractor is based on the one they have used on their semi-automatic pistols since the 50's. It is leaps and bonds better than that previously used on the Kimber...which is what gave external extractor on the 1911 such a bad name. The extractor that they use on their Performance Center 1911 is a more optimized version

 

[LiveLife]

LopezEL, Bud's gun shop has them starting at $824 with free shipping. Maybe you can make an offer on the used S&W 1911?

Really like this model for $40 more (note accessory rail).

 

[WC145]

I have a S&W 1911 9mm Pro Series that I carry both on and of duty. It's been a great gun, 100% reliable with all of the ammo I've put through it, very accurate and fast shooting. The extractor is larger than the regular SW1911s because they use the PC extractor. It seems to do a fine job. I have no issue with the Swartz safety, the gun works and the action is clean and crisp. I have several 1911s in .45, .38 Super, and 9mm, my S&W is the one I carry most.

 

[Ala Dan]

I have a stainless, NO fills 5" Smith & Wesson 1911 in .45 ACP [product code
108282]; and its a keeper~! Reliable, right out of the box; and shoots as good
as my much more expensive Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special~!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The external extractor is based on the one they have used on their semi-automatic pistols since the 50's.

And the Third Generation models are some of the most reliable pistols around. The only disadvantage of theirs compared to the original design is that it is not easily repaired "in the field," requiring the factory or qualified gunsmith. On the other hand, it eliminates the need to "tune" or tension (i.e., bend) the extractor in the first place (improper tension is a leading cause of malfunctions). The extractor design should be the least of your worries.

 

[JDGray]

Only complaint I had with my S&W 1911, was the breechface had a step in it that put a mark on my empty brass. After a dozen reloads, it looked like Chinese writting on the case head The gun was a great shooter, and 100% reliable!!

 

[Jackal1]

Budsgunshop.com shows that the last time they had your particular pistol in stock (M/N 108299) it was selling for $874.

The gun you're looking at has a stainless steel frame and slide for corrosion resistance. The stainless steel also has a melonite surface finish on it for additional corrosion resistance and hardness. The blue you see is simply for decoration and/or to help reduce sunlight glare during daylight use.

The S&W external extractor is ruggedly reliable. S&W says that the extractor is designed to provide a life-time of use and should never need replacement. Standard 1911's need to replace their extractors every-so-often. Right about now the 1911 purists as well as those who have experienced the troublesome Kimber external extractors are pulling their hair out and cursing me...

Two things to look out for:
1) Some of the early SW1911's had a burr that would scratch/gouge the barrel during operation. You'll see this upon disassembly. S&W said that the slight gouging did not effect reliability or accuracy, but S&W got enough complaints that they finally corrected this on all new models. If you buy the gun and notice that there is a burr causing gouging you can send it in for repair & S&W will take care of you. Be sure to ask them for a free shipping label.

2) Depending on how often this particular pistol has been shot.... SW1911's tend to eject brass at the shooters head for the first 1 or 2 hundred rounds. Wear shooting glasses and perhaps a hat. After that break-in period the brass should eject normally for the rest of the gun's life.

 

[ScratchnDent]

I have one, and overall have been very happy with it. It has been accurate and utterly reliable until now. I have just about 10k rounds through it, and it is beginning to show extractor tension problems. It occasionally loses control of the empty brass on the last round of the mag. I am sure that S&W will fix it under warranty, but it's a bit of a bummer to have to send it in. I console myself by being happy that it's going back for a 10k round factory check-up.

 

[LiveLife]

It occasionally loses control of the empty brass on the last round of the mag. I am sure that S&W will fix it under warranty, but it's a bit of a bummer to have to send it in. I console myself by being happy that it's going back for a 10k round factory check-up.

During many years of match shooting, I have seen a lot of pistols fail. Almost all of the open/limited class pistols were 1911 platforms easily shooting 15-25K+ rounds a year for matches and practice sessions. These pistols were frequently breaking parts and needed to have parts replaced due to wear, stress damage/parts failure and based on individual maintenance schedules.

If you shot 10K rounds of factory pressure loads and your only issue is occasional extraction on the last round in the magazine, that's not bad - especially under S&W's life-time warranty for post 1980's firearms.

 

[ScratchnDent]

Yes, as I said, I'm happy with the gun. I really can't complain about normal wear and tear!

 

[modifiedbrowning]

I have a 1911Sc Commander that has been 100% reliable. I paid $750 new for mine, but it is a model that has been discontinued (stainless finish Commander).
$710 seems like a good deal for a like new Smith 1911.