SwampWolf
Member
Imo, the S&W Model 945 might be the best .45 auto ever made by anyone. Any other opinions about or experiences with this fabulous pistol from Smith's "Performance Center"?
Smith & Wesson's Best .45 Auto?
- Thread starter SwampWolf
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someguy2800
Member
why?
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
Well, I may be biased, but IMO, the first S&W .45 was the best......#645Life.
SwampWolf
Member
"Why" do I have such a good view of the Model 945? There are subjective reasons in my opinion in terms of fit, finish, material and workmanship (all of which I consider to be superb) and there are objective reasons in my experience in terms of accuracy and reliability (which I consider to be excellent). I've always thought that the Model 945 married the best features of the "Third Generation" S&W semi-autos with the best features of the Browning 1911 design and came up with the "perfect" pistol (sorry Glock...
). Too, it helps that the Model 945 is relatively affordable for being a "semi-custom" pistol, especially when compared with the likes of Wilson, Ed Brown, Les Bauer and even Dan Wesson offerings.It should go without saying that I'm only expressing my opinions, which aren't necessarily facts or even a facsimile of same.
Saleen322
Member
I never owned a 945 but I heard nothing but good about its performance and I do have a 952 Smith which is the best 9mm I own so I can believe the 945 is a fine pistol. The one thing I did take notice to is the term affordable. I thought I may have been missing something so I did a quick check on Gunbroker and 6 came up with the lowest starting bid on those at $1495. Not the most expensive 1911 out there but certainly more than I paid for the Dan Wesson, Sig or any other 45 we have. I also understand the term affordable is subjective. I for one would consider a 945 for the right price. YMMV
farm23
Member
I am sure the 945 is a superb weapon and until now I have only had 1911's. But my last 45 purchase was a Glock 30s and it goes boom every time. When I buy another 45 if the funds are available it will be a 1911 and maybe a 945.
JeeperCreeper
Member
M&P45 2.0 is best in my mind. Or the Guv'nuh haha
someguy2800
Member
I asked because I didn’t know what it was. A google image just looked like a 1911. After some more research it looks like a really interesting gun with the linkless lockup and spherical bearing barrel bushing. Mabey I’ll get one some day if they don’t keep increasing in value.
Both the 945s that I've had the pleasure of shooting were very nice.
I would however suggest that it falls a bit short of a SIG 220ST in all the categories you've mentioned. Plus it is more accurate and reliable...and that is before it has been massaged by Grayguns
JR24
Member
I dunno, Bill Wilson seems to make a decent .45 ACP pistol.
SwampWolf
Member
You will note that I said relatively affordable. As you rightly said, "...the term affordable is subjective." Like so many other discontinued quality firearms, they seem to accrue in value simply because they become harder to find. What I find interesting is that most guns are discontinued because they weren't selling well but once people can't get them they can't be sold fast enough. Savage stopped making the Model 99 rifle because they became too expensive to make and sell at a price consumers were willing to pay. Following its discontinuation, it didn't take long for the Model 99 to become desirable and, accordingly, harder to find and more expensive. When I bought my Model 99 chambered in .358 Winchester new in 1977, it cost me $191.00. It's worth a bit more than that now.
The Model 945 is still findable and still relatively affordable. For those who might be interested in getting one, I doubt they'll get any easier to find or much cheaper any time soon.
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While I have never owned a 945, I have been priveledged to shoot a few examples over the years. And I fine them to be fine pieces of craftsmanship.
I do own examples of Performance Center guns - from back when that meant something - including a 4563 prototype.
Out of all my PC 45s my Shorty 45 MKII is the most accurate. With RA45t it will print a sub 1.5 inch group at 25 yards from a rest. It is my most accurate handgun. Its trigger is better than my PC 45CQBs and all my other high end handguns.
And it is more accurate, in my hands, than any other S&W 45 I own or have shot. The only two gunsI have that come close are a Colt Gold Cup and a S&W 4516-2. Fine pistols all.
I do own examples of Performance Center guns - from back when that meant something - including a 4563 prototype.
Out of all my PC 45s my Shorty 45 MKII is the most accurate. With RA45t it will print a sub 1.5 inch group at 25 yards from a rest. It is my most accurate handgun. Its trigger is better than my PC 45CQBs and all my other high end handguns.
And it is more accurate, in my hands, than any other S&W 45 I own or have shot. The only two gunsI have that come close are a Colt Gold Cup and a S&W 4516-2. Fine pistols all.
muzzleblast...
Member
Best S&W in .45 ACP? I'd have to go with the 25-2 N-frame revolver. That said, I am also partial to a couple of 625 wheelguns as well as a 4566TSW, a 457, and a CS45.
SwampWolf
Member
Actually, the question posed was "Smith & Wesson's Best .45 Auto?" The reason I was careful to specify "auto" and started the thread in the autoloader forum is because I also have a Smith Model 1955 Target (25-2), which I too believe to be the best Smith & Wesson .45 ACP revolver ever made. I still use it in Bullseye matches. Auto vs revolver; apples vs oranges. I'm fortunate to have both of the best.
Count Les Neins
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S&W 745 is my favorite.
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