SW1911 vs 945
- Thread starter Alan Fud
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JiminCA
Member
Value is a judgement only you can make. As an owner of two 945's, I can tell you they are a better gun than the SW 1911. The 1911 is a good piece, but the 945's are really something.
You need to know that the 945's differ from a true 1911 in a number of respects. They do not have a linked barrel or a removable barrel bushing (they use the Briley spherical bushing). They also have a slightly lower grip angle (maybe 2%), and are thicker front to rear on the grip. Additionally, they use proprietary mags (not a standard 1911 mag).
With that said, the 945 is an awesome gun in its own right. I don't care at all for all other Smith Autos (with the exception of the 1911 and of course my precious M41).
So you have to make the call on the value. Guns are available at a significant discount from MSRP. Sniff around and see if someone local has one that is willing to let you shoot it. That's the only way you can make a good determination as to whether or not it is for you.
You may be able to find a clean used one also to save a few bucks.
I used to have 3 945's. Let a friend shoot one once and he begged me for 2 years to sell one of my "spares" to him. Finally did. So that's how I got down to two and it says something about the shooting experience that the gun provides.
You need to know that the 945's differ from a true 1911 in a number of respects. They do not have a linked barrel or a removable barrel bushing (they use the Briley spherical bushing). They also have a slightly lower grip angle (maybe 2%), and are thicker front to rear on the grip. Additionally, they use proprietary mags (not a standard 1911 mag).
With that said, the 945 is an awesome gun in its own right. I don't care at all for all other Smith Autos (with the exception of the 1911 and of course my precious M41).
So you have to make the call on the value. Guns are available at a significant discount from MSRP. Sniff around and see if someone local has one that is willing to let you shoot it. That's the only way you can make a good determination as to whether or not it is for you.
You may be able to find a clean used one also to save a few bucks.
I used to have 3 945's. Let a friend shoot one once and he begged me for 2 years to sell one of my "spares" to him. Finally did. So that's how I got down to two and it says something about the shooting experience that the gun provides.
SelfProclaimedExpert
member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2003
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You have to keep in mind that the 945 is a custom shop gun. Were S&W to make it a standard production gun, it would be in the $700 to $800 range. But the scalloping and such are a definite factor in price.
I think these things are a great idea. They've essentially used as many parts as possible from their standard DA .45 autos, substituting a new frame to accomodate the trigger and grip safety. But the mag, slide, barrel, etc are standard S&W, so the out of the box reliability is virtually guaranteed, rather than being the typical 1911 crap shoot.
I think these things are a great idea. They've essentially used as many parts as possible from their standard DA .45 autos, substituting a new frame to accomodate the trigger and grip safety. But the mag, slide, barrel, etc are standard S&W, so the out of the box reliability is virtually guaranteed, rather than being the typical 1911 crap shoot.
Tamara
Senior Member
Call me freaky, but I'd rather have their 945 than their 1911. Everybody and their brother makes a 1911 (many of which are cooler than S&W's), but only S&W makes the 945. Plus, the "fish scales" are cool. 
(You can find used ones for substantially less than the MSRP. There was a subcompact one at the last gun show w/box & docs for ~$700 asking...)
(You can find used ones for substantially less than the MSRP. There was a subcompact one at the last gun show w/box & docs for ~$700 asking...)
10-Ring
Member
1911's are pretty common and no matter how nice the S&W model might be, their 945 has some real character. I'd go w/ the 945
Robert inOregon
Member
Fish scales?!?
I like them with waves too.
I like them with waves too.
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