Is this S&W 45ACP a Good Pistol?

Never shot one, but haven't heard anything bad about the S&W 1911s either......just can't get past the external extractor.

Smith & Wesson makes really good 1911 type pistol. The only thing I don't like about it is the FPS.

Go to 1911forum.com...tons of stuff there.

From what I know, the S&W is very good -- especially for the money. Some traditionalists don't like the external extractor. I am not one of them. I actually like the external extractor and prefer it in most guns. I don't mind it on a 1911, but that is a personal thing.

I don't see many being re-sold either, which leads me to believe that owners of S&W 1911's are happy with their guns. I know I want one and will buy one if one becomes available when I have the money.

I have an older S&W 1911SC. I'm paring my collection of 20+ guns down to 5-8, it is one that has made the cut and is staying if that tells you anything. It has never once failed me in any way, not one bobble, and it is very accurate. I absolutely love it and it is one of 2 or 3 handguns that will never leave (heck, if the apocalypse happens and I have to bug out it is one of one or two I'll take with me).

1SOW, S&W is currently replacing their 1911 line-up with the E Series which will have a few important changes. Notably the trigger which has always had a considerable amount of vertical play has been addressed, the external extractor has been switched to the wider Performance Center style and the Swartz FPS (firing pin safety) has been done away with.

Those three items were the largest source of complaint among SW1911 owners over the years and it seems S&W was listening.

The base model E Series is SKU# 108482 and will look very similar to the clearance model you're considering but with all the updated features. Bud's lists it at $736 and it is selling out as fast as they can get them in. If you're not in a huge hurry, it would be well worth your wait. Mine is currently on backorder at my LGS with a local price of $740.

I may have to order a Colt or Dan Wesson to tide me over but the Smith will definitely be headed my way sooner or later.

I have one of the S&W1911PD Commanders with CT grips. Great gun. The external extractor works well. I own a few other 1911s as well.

I was looking at their 9mm Pro line when they went with the E series upgrades. I'd wait to get one of them unless the older gun was seriously discounted.

Of all the guns I have traded for something else, I wish I'd kept my S&W SC Commander! Fit and finish was worlds ahead of the Kimber and SA 1911s that also were traded away. The only complaint I had with my S&W 1911, was the step it created in the case heads of my brass for reloading.

I have shot a blued version...shot like all the other quality 1911s I have shot. No reason not to buy one if you like it.

I own 2 of them. I think they are the best of the 1911's. At least until you get into the $2,000 price range for semi-custom and full custom guns.

S&W is making some great 1911's!

Don't let the external extractor scare you, S&W has it down!

JOe

I have one of the first SC models out - it has been around for some time. Never had ANY problems with it Great gun!

I have a 1911 Sc also. I like to shoot it but I hate to say that twice, the plunger thing in back of the slide release has unstaked itself. That trashed two matches.

The first time, I took it back to the shop, now it's at SW.

I'm an SW fan and have quite few revolvers, so this isn't a bash but what happened. Hope they fix it!

Well, you are asking a S&W 'pert~! (Laughing Loudly)

Not an expert by any stretch, but MY SW 1911 is a superb handgun in
all respects. It's a 5" stainless moldel [SKU#: 108282]; and has been
a solid performer, right out of the box. External extractor or not, I do
not care; so long as it functions, all is well~! And, it does that dang
near as good as much more expensive Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special.
Its "tight as a drum"; and hasn't shot loose, and has no rattle when its
shook (like the old Colt Government Model GI's)~!

Only problem I see, is with Bass Pro's advertised price of $749~! Folks
that is below dealer cost; as I would have too charge my customers $895
+ 9% sales tax for one NIB~! A quick check with the Bass Pro
Shop in Leeds, AL reveals that they do not have this weapon in stock~!!!!

S&W is currently replacing their 1911 line-up with the E Series

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They're still making the standard 1911's.

The SW1911 is one of the best firearms I've ever had.

I have two S&W 1911s. I am very happy with them. Not a single failure to date and their accuracy is quite good. I have no qualms about recommending them and would purchase another one.

S&W will be keeping 4 of their current SKUs which IIRC (and I'm sure someone is dying to correct me if wrong) are CA approved. The E Series will replace the remainder of the 1911 line-up for Smith.

By all hands-on accounts I've read the newer pistols are even better than their predecessors AND start at a lower street price than the one at Bass Pro.

I've had two. Still own the Gunsite version. Two of the best out of the box 1911's I've ever owned. I don't like the firing pin safety because it can get out of time. But the newer "E" versions have eliminated that.

The S&W wesson guns are good guns, but they are actually a little over priced for what you are getting and the external extractor while it is fine, it should be an internal one to be a true 1911 design. Why do you think kimber stopped using the external extractor on their 1911's, nothing but trouble

Knowledgeable 1911 buyers willl usually pass on the SW, SIGS, 1911 etc and buyer the STI trojan, Kimber series one models etc or even a new colt gold cup trophy is a better gun or the SA range officer for $750 is one of the best 1911's out right now for the price.

Also note the STI trojan and The SA RO have the older colt 70 trigger system that gives you a better trigger pull.

Why do you think kimber stopped using the external extractor on their 1911's, nothing but trouble

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The Kimber external extractor was nothing like the ones S&W and Sig use. While Kimber's external extractor was not well received and Kimber replaced slides (with internal extractors) for those that asked, the S&W extractors have an excellent reputation.

Also note the STI trojan and The SA RO have the older colt 70 trigger system that gives you a better trigger pull.

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As already mentioned the new "E-series" S&W's do away with the firing pin safety. However, the S&W firing pin safety is activated/deactivated by the grip safety and thus has no affect on trigger pull anyway.

However, the S&W firing pin safety is activated/deactivated by the grip safety and thus has no affect on trigger pull anyway.

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No effect on trigger pull, but from what I've read elsewhere it could get out of adjustment and cause complete failures to fire by blocking the pin when it wasn't supposed to. The switch to a "series 70" design should be a big improvement, and it's simpler besides.

Simpler design, agreed.

I also would prefer the new "E-series", but I also think the older model S&W's are good pistols.

The S&W firing pin safety is also different from the Kimber design and I've seen fewer reports of the S&W design malfunctioning vs Kimber's design. The S&W firing pin safety is a very robust design.