Opinions On S&W 1911

[sigbear]

I bought a new S&W full size SS 1911 a few months ago and so far, fired 500 rounds with only 1 hitch, the 1st time shooting 7 of the 8 rounds fired and the 8th remained in the mag. with the slide open and that was the onlt issue.

How would you rate the S&W 1911 reliability?

Sigbear

 

[jeepguy]

i bought one used in december its a 2005 5" pd no problems i love it. now im trying to figure out if the commander size is to big to carry becuse i like this pistol so much and would trust my life to it.

 

[WhippingBoy]

I like mine, but it sure doesn't like to get very dirty, or dry.

I've replaced springs just to insure that wasn't my problem. Unless the gun is kept well oiled the slide will begin to stop returning to battery after about 100 rounds fired. The slide stops about 1/4 inch from full return. When she's wet, she keeps on trucking, but when she dries out she stops.

My latest epiphany with oil was the thumb safety. The safety was not moving all the way up into the slide notch. It took quite a bit of force, actually, to get it all the way up. I've had the gun all the way apart, so I knew where to look at how the safety moved up against the seer. Everything was totally dry and clean, but still there was enough friction to make the safety too hard to switch with just my thumb. The surface area of the safety-to-sear contact is really small, so I wasn't expecting a tiny dab of oil to do much. Well, it did. Just a tiny wipe of oil on the seer and the safety acts like when the gun was new.

So, reliable? Yes, it is. . . when it's cared for with lubrication.

 

[Occam's Razor]

The S&W 1911s have a good reputation. If that one malfunction is the only one you've had in 500 rds, especially since it occurred early on I would say reliability is not in question.

 

[Full Metal Jacket]

should ask reaper4206969, he competes with his s&w 1911 that he customized himself.

 

[JDGray]

I had a SC Commander for a short while, no issues what so ever. Traded it off because its an addiction and prefered my 3" officers, for carry.

 

[tincanhunter]

I bought a S&W 1911PD Gunsite edition used. I've fired it quite a bit an haven't experienced any issues. It's a great pistol, fun to shoot and accurate.

 

[Tacoma]

I have two of the basic stainless versions from 4-6 years back. Reliability has NOT been an issue. Like them so much that my Colt Gold Cup National Match ahs become a safe queen. Thinking about another in 9mm now just because..

 

[m2steven]

i've had mine a year and it's a great pistol. I've never had a problem and it's a great shooter.

 

[SwampWolf]

the 1st time shooting 7 of the 8 rounds fired and the 8th remained in the mag. with the slide open and that was the onlt issue.

I'm not saying you did but a lot of the times when the slide stays open before the magazine is empty
occurs when the shooter's thumb inadvertently and prematurely activates the slide release lever.

I consider Smith's rendition of the 1911 auto to be as good as any in terms of reliability, workmanship and finish. And you can't beat their customer service.

 

[RP88]

Don't own one, but did some research on S&W 1911s. No one seems to dislike theirs, and the trigger has been said to be excellent out of the box; usually around five pounds or less even.

The only thing I'd say to take into consideration is that they use an external extractor. If you're a purist and/or like not having to rely on one company for parts, that may seem like a downside to their 1911.

 

[malix]

I have one of the early SW1911's from when they first started making them, and the only problem i have ever had with reliability was due to a bad magazine.

It was a Wilson Combat mag too, go figure. Works great with my other magazines.