S&W 645 problems

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Jonah71

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I bought an old S&W 645 a few months ago but I don't think it's safe to fire. At some point the rt. side safety lever had been drilled through and re attached but I finally removed it because it kept comming loose. The main problem I have is that when I pull back the slide the hammer doesn't stay in the cocked position after chambering a round. With the safety off it will drop completely. I am totally unfamiliar with this particular gun but I'm quite sure this is not supposed to happen. It did this even before I removed the left safety lever. In the safe position it doesn't drop completely. I don't know if it's worth the needed repair. I already have $450 in it so maybe I should just hang it up. It's retired until I get these problems resolved.
 
My suggestion is to have the gun inspected by a good gunsmith to see if it is some minor problem or, even better, call S&W customer service and explain them all the problems you have detected and you don't feel safe handling the gun at this point and you want to have the gun inspected by them. S&W have a high reputation about their customer service. In many many cases it's been reported that the repair, including shipping both ways, was totally free of charge even when the owner was not the original one. Hope everything goes well.

Best regards, 5-SHOTS.
 
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Considering the age and the fact that it has been modified it needs to be completely gone through and rebuilt by a smith who is familiar with S&W auto pistols. I would call S&W and ask, but I don't know if they will even work on these guns any more. I know that parts can be very difficult to find. Do not load the gun with live ammo until the safety is put back to factory condition.
 
Without a picture, it is hard to be sure, but it sounds like the normal mounting for the right side thumb safety.

The hammer following almost makes it sound like a gun that was converted to DAO...for some reason they left the thumb safeties in place.

I'd highly recommend you call S&W to determine if your gun is operating correctly
 
We need pics

S&W had at least two variations on the 645 ambi-safety.

The early one secured the right side with an "enhanced" Phillips head screw. These constantly came loose and the right side would get lost. That may be what happened here.

The one they came up with to remedy the situation was a spring loaded plunger/detent.

It's possible it was converted to DAO, as well.

We need more info.
 
Here are pics of my old 645 to compare it to. I don't know about the problem you are having, but I agree that you should have a gunsmith check it out.

I sold my 645 about a year ago and have been kicking myself since. It was built like a tank- I could cycle empty shell casings through that thing.

PDRM0572.jpg

PDRM0570.jpg
 
You should also consider joining the S&W Forum. I've had problems with some unusual issues with S&W autos, and always got informed, very detailed help from members on that site. (Something as obscure as getting the little springs in the safety lever mechanism reversed can cause problems, and the members there identified it quickly. The springs are small, and almost identical. Almost.)
 
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It's a gun worth saving.

Let us know what you find out.
 
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Some of the 645's had a Phillips screw holding the right side safety lever. That sxcrew had a tendency to loosen. Securing the screw with blue Loctite cure the problem. If only the screw is missing you could re-attach with an appropriate sized Phillips head bolt. If more than that bit required you neesd to see a competent gunsmith or return it to the factory.
 
TonyT said:
Some of the 645's had a Phillips screw holding the right side safety lever. That sxcrew had a tendency to loosen. Securing the screw with blue Loctite cure the problem. If only the screw is missing you could re-attach with an appropriate sized Phillips head bolt. If more than that bit required you neesd to see a competent gunsmith or return it to the factory.
Click to expand...
I think you may have solved my problem. The old screw head is almost stripped, plus the bolt is just a fraction too long to secure it snuggly. I'll replace it. The gun does fire in single and double action. It's a keeper imo. Much too enjoyable to fire for me to give up on it. Only other thing I've noticed is that I do have to clean it after every use. But that's what I was taught to do 50 yrs. ago anyway. It looks identical to Yankee John's, (my slide is a bit more scratched up) right down to the grips, which I may replace in the future. I'm glad I bought a box of .45 acp every time I saw them on sale for the last couple of years. This may be the only handgun I have ammo for if things don't loosen up. Thanks for all the help guys.
 
Jonah71 said:
The old screw head is almost stripped. I'll replace it.
Click to expand...

I mentioned the Phillips head screw problem in post #6...

The gun does fire in single and double action.
Click to expand...

Sooooo, what was it doing that you thought it was unsafe to fire?

Aside from activating the decocker from the right side, lacking the right side decocking lever has zero impact on the guns function, so I'm confused why you thought the gun was unsafe to fire.
 
David E said:
I mentioned the Phillips head screw problem in post #6...



Sooooo, what was it doing that you thought it was unsafe to fire?

Aside from activating the decocker from the right side, lacking the right side decocking lever has zero impact on the guns function, so I'm confused why you thought the gun was unsafe to fire.
Click to expand...
I was actually more concerned with the possibility of an accidental discharge. I see now I wasn't very clear on that. I have very limited experiance and knowledge concerning 1911 hanguns and I don't mind asking what may be seen as stupid questions. The gun had been abused so much by the previous owner it worried me a bit. Not sure of the mfg. date but it looks to have been around awhile. (ser.#TAR 819X)
 
Well, the decocker does what it says, it decocks a cocked hammer and does so safely.

If the decocking lever is in the down (decock) position when you rack the slide, the hammer will safely decock, as designed.

Sounds like you have it figured out now, tho.
 
I have very limited experiance and knowledge concerning 1911 hanguns
Click to expand...
Just so you know.

Your S&W DA/SA 645 is not a 1911 in any way, shape, or form.

The only similarity is the S&W uses the Browning short recoil system of lock-up, and they both fire the .45 ACP cartridge.

rc
 
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