S&W Autos - 645

[SlowFuse]

I had the chance to shoot a friends S&W 645 yesterday. It seemed well built and functioned flawlessly. I'm now interested in getting one or one of the newer generations. So, im curious...

How available are these? When the market gets a little more normal i'm hoping they will be a little more available. I'm not seeing much right now.

Also curious what the general consensus on these models (645, 745, 4505 etc) is for people that have them.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Wil Terry]

I HAVE ALL THREE[ 4506 ] and they are superb. A 4505 is a really rare S&W 45ACP pistol.

 

[JTQ]

I have a 4506, bought new in the late '80's. It is a nice gun, but big. Every time I think my Government model 1911 seems too big, I pull out the 4506.

 

[Baron_Null]

A 4506 is going to be my first pistol once I become of age to own it in this state. I had the chance to fire it a couple of times, and it's an excellent shooter. It's more accurate than I am by a long shot (pun intended) and an incredibly soft shooter for the round.

Downsides are its size. It's not a big deal for me since I have long fingers, but the gun barely fits my girlfriend's hands.

Don't expect to find much more after the panic settles down. The 45 models have been difficult to find for far longer than that, though you might see a couple more guns up for sale once things die down.

 

[TonyT]

SlowFuse,
The S&W 645 is all stainless, built like the proverbial tank, and mine functions reliably with everything it is fed. Some people state that it will also feed empty cases from the magazine but I have not tried that.
Recently I purchased a full size S&W M&P45 and have been impressed by both it's reliability and accuracy. It functioned perfectly with everything from 185 gr. LSWC through JHP and FMJ ammo of varying weights. As an aside it produced 1 1/4 to 2 inch ten shot groups at 50 ft. The only minus is the gritty trigger.

 

[huntsman]

the 3rd gen S&W used to be cheap because they weren’t plastic and they were heavy, I saw a 4506 for $600. at a LGS last fall and I thought that was too high, but I now doubt I could buy a 4566 at the price I paid in 09 ,and be forewarned mags aren’t readily available and about $42.00

 

[PabloJ]

I looked over one last year. It does not have that stupid barrel bushing of the 1911 so it's Gen 3 weapon. Except for add on rail ('Tactical Smith & Wesson' line) there were no further improvements to that line of guns so for all steel pistol it is state of the art. In terms of finish the 645 pistol is nicer then the 45xx line of guns.
While rare the shiny blue version of 4506 called 4505 is not really very valuable. Last year I passed on one priced at $450.

 

[Drail]

Magazines are expensive and so are some parts (if you can find them - probably S&W only now). If I recall, they have one fairly fragile spring in them that I had to replace a couple of times. Most of them have acceptable SA trigger pulls. The 745 had a very nice SA pull. I shot a 745 for a couple of years and then moved on to 1911s. I probably wouldn't buy another one. I never could get comfortable with the grip to bore angle. It's a little different from a 1911 grip angle.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I had a 645 for a while. Nice pistol but I sold it for a 745.

If you want something to carry then the 645 is a good choice but the 745 is awesome for shooting targets.

 

[243winxb]

Had 3 M645's. The 2 fixed sight models shot low @ 25 yds. Look for an adjustable sight model. The accuracy can be very different from gun to gun.

 

[mmitch]

I passed on an immaculate 645 for $500.00 six years ago, to my regret.
I found this one last fall. It was higher, but I did not pass, this time!

It is a robust design that feeds my home-rolled truncated cones with no problems. Accuracy is as good as my Colts 1911 A1 pistols.

Mike

 

[tarosean]

Had one and loved it. However it was stolen many years ago.
I love the 3rd gens. Timeless design and a workhorse that won't let you down.

 

[SlowFuse]

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[SwampWolf]

For the real Cadillac of this third generation genre, check out the Model 945. One of the finest pistols chambered in .45 ACP ever made, imo. A pistol incorporating the best features of the 1911 and Smith third generation pistols in one well-made package.

 

[MR835]

S&W 3rd Gen 45s SHORT BARRELS

You have the 4516-4516-1 4516-2 all SS and the 4516-3 the masterpiece.
All of the 3 3/4" 45s are very accurate shooters. Even the 4516-1 with the SS
barrel and slide and alloy frame.

just my 2cents.

SAFE SHOOTING ALWAYS

MR835 IS GONE

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

My dad bought a 645 off of a someone who used to be a NH State Police Officer. He had a revolver as his issue sidearm but he kept the 645 as his backup (more like main gun to him) and his off duty/plain clothes carry.

It's a good gun that will reliably cycle spent cases.

 

[PabloJ]

I had the chance to shoot a friends S&W 645 yesterday. It seemed well built and functioned flawlessly. I'm now interested in getting one or one of the newer generations. So, im curious...

How available are these? When the market gets a little more normal i'm hoping they will be a little more available. I'm not seeing much right now.

Also curious what the general consensus on these models (645, 745, 4505 etc) is for people that have them.

Thanks in advance for any input.

The all metal pistols from S&W were good solid guns just be sure to try Glock 21 before you make your final decision.

 

[SlowFuse]

I have glocks and while I do like them I liked the "tank" feel as someone mentioned earlier of this style Smith. Something different from all of the polymer I already have. Another plus was that I shot an impressive group with the first mag I put through it, accuracy was better than expected.