S&W 645 Stainless

[Confederate]

It's one of the most underrated handguns of all time. It has a stainless steel frame, feeds empty shell casings, has one of the best high profile sights I've ever seen on a gun and is as reliable a pistol as one can find. It has a hammer drop safety and can even be carried cocked and unlocked; plus it's easy on the eyes.

But is the steel frame enough for it to use +P .45ACP ammo, or does it need a heavier recoil spring? Should it even be used with +P or is it better to use the standard grades of ammo?

If anyone has a 645, I'd like to hear your views and see if you've had any problems with it. It's a big gun, but most of my experience has been in the revolver world. Do semi-autos need extra firing pins generally? How about extra recoil springs and firing pin springs? Years ago when I got a Smith 659, a friend told me it's a good idea to get an extra firing pin just "in case." Then on this board I've heard people talk about routinely replacing their recoil springs. If so, how often on a gun like this? And how about a small .22LR pistol like my Beretta 70S?

Thanks!

 

[toocool]

I had a 645 about 22 years ago, and even used it in a local pistol league. It was reliable, accurate and heavy as all get out, but I loved it. I sold it to a buddy who (as far as I know) still has it. I only sold it to finance my 4506.

I'm curious, though...where did you get the idea you could carry it cocked and unlocked? That's just an accident waiting to happen. Cocked and unlocked leaves nothing to prevent the trigger from moving rearward by any external interference...part of a holster, piece of shirt tale getting in the guard, etc. It's designed to be carried hammer down on a loaded chamber, with the safety either on or off, but not cocked.

 

[Tom Fury]

Only two problems:

Its' heavy; this doesn't bother me anymore. I think the intimidation factor of a BFG is worth something too.

Finding leather for it is one of those things that can be either regarded as a PITA or an occasionally entertaining challenge...

Shhh...Yes its' underrated, and thus can still be found cheap! Don't let the disaffected Kimber guys find out about it, or they'll snap them up and have to quit cryin'. (If they can).

Can we start lobbying S&W to bring back the 4506? Value line edition, please?

Cheers, TF

 

[MachIVshooter]

It'll take pretty much anything you can throw at it. I use .45 Super in my 4506, and my carry load in my 4516 is a 240 gr. Sierra JHC at 1030 FPS.

 

[isp2605]

When I was commanding a couple of drug task forces I carried this one. It is big and heavy but it will feed anything 100%. Being heavy also means it's quicker settling back on target. Never had a lick of trouble. I swapped out all the springs for Wolff and it's been shot quite a bit. It's now got a very slick trigger. Very smooth DA and a nice light crisp SA breaking at 3#s and the reset is one of the quickest out there.
The only problem with the 645 was the screw on the right side safety/decock lever. They would work loose after just a mag or 2 and if you didn't watch it the screw would come out and you would lose the lever. 2 ways to fix that. Either a drop of Locktite or replace with the safety/decock from a 4506.
Toocool is correct. Don't carry it cocked. It's not designed to be carried that way.

 

[paul45]

I had a 745 ....one of the most accurate pieces I have ever owned, and regret selling it.

 

[isp2605]

A friend offerred to sell me his 745. I really regret now not buying it. It was a real shooter.

 

[papajohn]

I remember all the screaming and crying when S & W brought that out in the late 80's, the gunzines were all tripping over each other to get a test gun to review, and they all wound up passing the same prototype around. One of my cops bought one, and I remember thinking it was gonna be hard to conceal it off duty! Big Sucka!

But he also said it would feed empty cases, and it was way more accurate than he was. I shot it once with his "Blue Whistler" handloads, it was like shooting an Officer's ACP with hardball. Pretty hot stuff. But that gun could shoot.

I don't see the need for plus-P 45 loads, but with beefed up springs it should be okay, in moderation. But abusing a gun that nice would be criminal..................

Papajohn

 

[isp2605]

I had less problems concealing my 645 than I did my issued 5904 and later my issued Glock 22. The 645 isn't any harder to conceal than a 1911. They're a single stack butt and narrower than the smaller framed but wider autos.

 

[Confederate]

Thanks. Sounds like what I was looking for. Regarding the carrying cocked and unlocked, I cocked the gun, then turned the hammer safety half on. The trigger would not cause the gun to fire. With an upward flip it would then be ready to fire. Although I'm not comfortable enough to carry it this way, or cocked and unlocked, I do note that I don't see much difference between the 645 being cocked and unlocked and a Glock. Both require substantial pressure on the trigger and there's lots of travel.

The holster I use is one of those military P9 holsters. Got one for five bucks at a yard sale. The 645 seems like it was made for it! If I were in an area where I expected trouble, I wouldn't hesitate to carry it cocked and half locked in that particular holster. You guys with a 645, give it a try sometime. Might not be entirely safe, but it's about as safe as a Glock (which I don't consider all that safe). Anyway, I can't see paying as much for a Kimber or other 1911 when I can get a 645 for half the price and it's more reliable.