Opinions on new Smith & Wesson 1911s?
- Thread starter Shipwreck
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at-home-daddy
Member
Well, here's another "good thing" 
: I have two, and they've both been terrific, reliable performers. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
: I have two, and they've both been terrific, reliable performers. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
i recently got a 1911SC and have been happily surprised by how good the fit and finish has been...almost makes me doubt that the PC 1911 could be worth that much more.
SW has had such extensive experience with external extractors that i figure they must know what they are doing, but i like the look of the external extractors on the kimbers and sigs better. i also like that SW outfitted their 1911 with "real" novak sights and the ACT-Mag magazines
SW has had such extensive experience with external extractors that i figure they must know what they are doing, but i like the look of the external extractors on the kimbers and sigs better. i also like that SW outfitted their 1911 with "real" novak sights and the ACT-Mag magazines
Ripped
Member
Trigger pull is awesome and smooth.
Krag
Member
I've shot both the standard and Sc models extensively and have nothing but good words for both. God knows they're better then anything Colt ever turned out! 
Seven High
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- 755
S & W 1911
I have one of the first ones to come out. It had to go back to the factory for a feed ramp polish and a new extractor. Since that time it has been flawless.
I have one of the first ones to come out. It had to go back to the factory for a feed ramp polish and a new extractor. Since that time it has been flawless.
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The early guns up to #4700 or so had to return for a recall related to the firing pin. S&W service was and from all reports continues to be top notch.
My SW1911 (35XX) is first rate. 4-1/4lb. trigger pull, 5 shot groups under 2" at 25 yards from an improvised rest, has never failed regardless of the ammo that I've used including HP, SWC and FMC of various weights and velocities.
I looked long and hard before I bought an 1911 and found the S&W almost by accident. I'm very pleased with the pistol and am now considering one of the Scanadium models.
My SW1911 (35XX) is first rate. 4-1/4lb. trigger pull, 5 shot groups under 2" at 25 yards from an improvised rest, has never failed regardless of the ammo that I've used including HP, SWC and FMC of various weights and velocities.
I looked long and hard before I bought an 1911 and found the S&W almost by accident. I'm very pleased with the pistol and am now considering one of the Scanadium models.
I don't own one, nor have I shot one. Only know what I've read so far, & that seems to be on par with the other major manufacturers (SA, Kimber, etc.) - meaning some folks have had issues, but the majority of buyers are satisfied.
I guess if you are fond of S&W, you'll be fond of their 1911 offering.
I guess if you are fond of S&W, you'll be fond of their 1911 offering.
C
Complicated
Guest
I'm going to be the one negative in the pile of positives...
While the S&W is only OK by me, I personally feel that other manufactures (yes COLT and KIMBER in particular) are currenly offering far higher quality pistols, for around the same price. And lets be honest, who doesn't get a 1911 and start changing it, and customising it to suit their own personal needs within the first few months anyway? So for me getting the sights I want first go, or a non-ambi safety isn't exatly a priority.
Colt would be my pick for a new 1911. Many REPUTABLE and HIGHLY RESPECTED people (so not just random dickheads on internet boards like myself) and gunsmiths are saying that Colt is currently making the best stuff they have in years, and that a 70 series colt is their preference for using as a base gun. Dane Burns is just one such person.
But I guess "quality" can be a subjective thing.
While the S&W is only OK by me, I personally feel that other manufactures (yes COLT and KIMBER in particular) are currenly offering far higher quality pistols, for around the same price. And lets be honest, who doesn't get a 1911 and start changing it, and customising it to suit their own personal needs within the first few months anyway? So for me getting the sights I want first go, or a non-ambi safety isn't exatly a priority.
Colt would be my pick for a new 1911. Many REPUTABLE and HIGHLY RESPECTED people (so not just random dickheads on internet boards like myself) and gunsmiths are saying that Colt is currently making the best stuff they have in years, and that a 70 series colt is their preference for using as a base gun. Dane Burns is just one such person.
But I guess "quality" can be a subjective thing.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
If I couldn't set type any better than Smith & Wesson did with "SW1911", I'd quit. What an eyesore!
dmallind
Member
I have the new 1911PD with the less garish billboard. It's an aesthetic improvement if subtlety is your thing. Don't have a whole heck of a lot of experience with other 1911s - shot a Colt 80 some and then this one. However I will say I shoot better by far with the SW than anything else I've tried. In my case that's no great shakes but on the other hand if a neophyte like me can shoot pretty well with one what could a real shooter do?
I have shot about 500-600 rounds through it with one FTE during a rapid fire drill as the only malf - but even there I shoot cheap as crap Wolf Blazer aluminums so perhaps may have not helped matters with that choice - which however is a big help in practice costs. Fit and finish seems nice and tight although I suspect it will wear a bit sooner than I'd like - doesn't seem to be particularly robust cosmetically for some reason. Perhaps a stainless finish would be a better choice if that bothers you more than it does me. although that does add some weight compared to the scandium alloy.
So without much weight behind my experience just take this as a comment that even newish shooters can do OK with these things!
I have shot about 500-600 rounds through it with one FTE during a rapid fire drill as the only malf - but even there I shoot cheap as crap Wolf Blazer aluminums so perhaps may have not helped matters with that choice - which however is a big help in practice costs. Fit and finish seems nice and tight although I suspect it will wear a bit sooner than I'd like - doesn't seem to be particularly robust cosmetically for some reason. Perhaps a stainless finish would be a better choice if that bothers you more than it does me. although that does add some weight compared to the scandium alloy.
So without much weight behind my experience just take this as a comment that even newish shooters can do OK with these things!
I picked up a 1911SC (commander length) last December. I don't think I have run it thru any kind of "torture" test but with less than 500 rounds fired..... I really like it. The only "problem" that I have had is that I relieved the grip safety a little bit. I also did the same thing with my Kimber. I have had zero problems with ball ammo and 230gr Rem Sabres. I would put it on par with what anyone else is producing.
I picked up a 1911SC (commander length) last December. I don't think I have run it thru any kind of "torture" test but with less than 500 rounds fired..... I really like it. The only "problem" that I have had is that I relieved the grip safety a little bit. I also did the same thing with my Kimber. I have had zero problems with ball ammo and 230gr Rem Sabres. I would put it on par with what anyone else is producing.
Steelharp
Member
I highly doubt that... I'm sure neither of us are old enough to have tried "anything Colt ever turned out" in 150+ years of manufacturing.
The S&W's are fine guns... but I believe they've already suffered their first recall? I would guess that would mean they're all pieces of crap... if we're going to be consistent of thought...Mr Bangdango
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I bought a SW1911 a couple months ago and have no complaints about the pistol. It has functioned flawlessly with everything I've stuffed into it. Quite accurate too. I had some issues with it when I first bought it and had to deal with S&W's famed customer service. I was kinda disapointed with them but not the pistol.
Steelharp, I'm sorry but I think you are off the mark when you are mentioning "recalls" like it is a bad thing.
"Recall" means that the manufacture identified a possible problem with it's product, publicly admitted that they have a problem that they intend to make it right and then distribute information to get the word out to folks that might be effected.
"Recalls" to me means a responsible producer of firearms. I have had experiences with another manufacturer who handled a pistol "recall" the complete opposite. I still own both of the pistols and don't think the way they handled the situation reflects negatively on the product but definitely reflects poorly on their upper management.
"Recall" means that the manufacture identified a possible problem with it's product, publicly admitted that they have a problem that they intend to make it right and then distribute information to get the word out to folks that might be effected.
"Recalls" to me means a responsible producer of firearms. I have had experiences with another manufacturer who handled a pistol "recall" the complete opposite. I still own both of the pistols and don't think the way they handled the situation reflects negatively on the product but definitely reflects poorly on their upper management.
Steelharp
Member
medmo, I never said recalls were a bad thing. I was using humor and sarcasm (lamely, apparently) to point out the bit of overkill and inconsistency in Krag's statement.
Krag
Member
Steelharp - OK let me modify my statement. "Better then any 1911 Colt ever made!"
Steelharp
Member
I dunno... you might want to check out my Combat Elite first...
Master Blaster
Member
You are talking appples and mink coats here. The question was how is the gun out of the box as a shooter for $700-800. Not what frame and slide kit is best to send to a custom smith for $2000 worth of modifications, where they throw out all the internal parts, the barrel and bushing trigger etc. and completely rebuild the gun. The famous smith has jigs which he knows will work with the drilled holes in a colt slide and frame. Dane Burns (is he still alive????) would also tell you that a caspian slide and frame is great too for building a custom gun.
The poster asked us to compare out of the box 1911's in the aformentioned price range, and no many of us shoot their guns stock with out making hundreds or thousands of dollars in modifications.
I've seen plenty of old colts that looked like a drunk Monkey on LSD made them, my 70 series govt model from 1975 has visible grinder marks on the top of the slide under the factory coltguard nickle finish.
The new s&ws look real good and their MIM parts are the best in the business, I've yet to hear any internet reports on breaking parts like we heard on some kimber and springfields.
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