briney11
Member
Localish gunshop has a S&W 1911 with the Crimson Trace Grips for $850. Anyone know of any issues with these??? I don't really care about the laser grips but they may be kinda fun and if not, I'll would sell them for some ammo money.
Wanting a new 1911 thinking about S&W
- Thread starter briney11
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J2FLAN
Member
I have the 108282 and 108285, both have many thousands of rounds through them with no issues (well, one FPS broke) . I can`t say anything about the E serries as I don`t have one to compare. Mine are "range beaters" along with 4 other 1911s that really get a lot lead pushed through them, and the S&Ws have impressed me as being top quality guns.
I've got one of the SW1911 (non E-series) with a good number of rounds through it. The firing pin stop broke around 10,000 or so, and a quick phone call got another one sent to me by mail for free. Haven't had any other problems with it. It's quite accurate.
W.E.G.
Member
I've only had my hands on one of the S&W 1911's.
One of the first ones that S&W released when they started making them.
Huge brass-to-the-face problem with that gun.
Unfortunately, that seems to be my experience with most 1911's.
Worse with that particular S&W gun than others.
Yes, you can usually "tune" the 1911 so that it doesn't do that with ONE PARTICULAR LOAD. I'm not a 1911-smith, but it seems that the trick is to up the recoil-spring tension and modify the ejector, or down the power of the load, so that the cases just dribble out.
No brass to the face if the brass only drizzles out of the gun.
At least be aware of it if you buy the thing for the purpose of actually shooting it on a regular basis.
After about the 11th .45 ACP casing off your forehead or your shooting glasses, you will regard that as a significant issue.
One of the first ones that S&W released when they started making them.
Huge brass-to-the-face problem with that gun.
Unfortunately, that seems to be my experience with most 1911's.
Worse with that particular S&W gun than others.
Yes, you can usually "tune" the 1911 so that it doesn't do that with ONE PARTICULAR LOAD. I'm not a 1911-smith, but it seems that the trick is to up the recoil-spring tension and modify the ejector, or down the power of the load, so that the cases just dribble out.
No brass to the face if the brass only drizzles out of the gun.
At least be aware of it if you buy the thing for the purpose of actually shooting it on a regular basis.
After about the 11th .45 ACP casing off your forehead or your shooting glasses, you will regard that as a significant issue.
orionengnr
Member
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The S&W 1911s are very good 1911s (IMHO). I own two of them currently, both 4 1/4" SC-framed.
A bit of filing on the appropriate surface of the ejector can resolve that problem for any ammo.
It is a fairly simple matter of understanding geometry, although it may take one or two tries.
Actually, it has nothing to do with a particular load. The load will determine how far the brass is thrown...the angle of the ejector will determine which direction it is thrown.
A bit of filing on the appropriate surface of the ejector can resolve that problem for any ammo.
It is a fairly simple matter of understanding geometry, although it may take one or two tries.
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orionengnr
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DDT...
Keaner
Member
S&W will take care of tuning the extractor if you have a problem. I had the problem with my E-series bob-tail, though I had a shooting instructor tell me it was limp-wristing. Once I made sure I was gripping the pistol tight enough, the problem went away.
Apparently it is a common training issue on bobtails and lightweight 1911s.
Apparently it is a common training issue on bobtails and lightweight 1911s.
Skylerbone
Member
I have a rigid mentality when it comes to my firearms and have on occasional gone to extended lengths in keeping with that mindset. I had handled a few SW1911s and shot one example before setting my sights on the new E-Series.
The good: first 500 rounds with zero failures. No brass to the face, no "magazine" related, "ammo" related failures, nothing. Accuracy was very respectable. Trigger was reasonably light with some noticeable creep but in no way unmanageable.
The bad: thumb safety was a bit mushy. Grip safety was trapping the trigger bow due to a rough burr. Barrel was poorly fit resulting in rounded upper lugs. Slide stop showed damage from barrel link (riding the link).
Now S&W offers a great warranty but I ask myself this: would I chance continuing to shoot the pistol to failure in order to enforce my warranty and risk injury or failure or do I fix what is wrong on my own dime? So, new barrel, bushing, plunger tube, slide stop, thumb safety, sear, hammer and disco, fixed the grip safety.
Nearly 3,000 rounds later it is still failure free, accuracy is improved and there is no further evidence of wear on any parts. All controls function smoothly and without issue. Was it overboard? Maybe, but it suits me now and the total price was still far less than many semi-custom offerings.
The good: first 500 rounds with zero failures. No brass to the face, no "magazine" related, "ammo" related failures, nothing. Accuracy was very respectable. Trigger was reasonably light with some noticeable creep but in no way unmanageable.
The bad: thumb safety was a bit mushy. Grip safety was trapping the trigger bow due to a rough burr. Barrel was poorly fit resulting in rounded upper lugs. Slide stop showed damage from barrel link (riding the link).
Now S&W offers a great warranty but I ask myself this: would I chance continuing to shoot the pistol to failure in order to enforce my warranty and risk injury or failure or do I fix what is wrong on my own dime? So, new barrel, bushing, plunger tube, slide stop, thumb safety, sear, hammer and disco, fixed the grip safety.
Nearly 3,000 rounds later it is still failure free, accuracy is improved and there is no further evidence of wear on any parts. All controls function smoothly and without issue. Was it overboard? Maybe, but it suits me now and the total price was still far less than many semi-custom offerings.
Think about Springfield Armory. And 1911s do not malfunction from "limp wristing". Total myth. If a gun misfeeds when it is "limp wristed" it has mechanical issues and is right on the ragged edge of choking. Gripping it more firmly is merely masking the problem. Brass in the face is not a function of ammo. It is caused by the extractor geometry and ejector nose angle. The gun should eject any load out to the right and never back at you. If your gun throws brass in your face it needs to go to a smith. Besides being annoying eventually a case isn't going to make it out the port quickly enough and will stop the gun.
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Keaner
Member
Drail- I may have mis-spoke. My 1911 e-series bobtail has never had a single mechanical failure besides pushing brass straight back a few times. This was fixed with a proper hand-hold. Apparently the bob-tail allowed it to rotate further into my hand and popped brass straight back. When held firmly, the brass is extremely consistent.
iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns
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my 5" stainless S&W 1911 is my favorite carry gun and favorite plinker too. I'm very close to 5000 rounds through it with zero failures. At this point I'm making 'rifle distance' shots with it just to challenge myself. The only things I've changed on it were adding stainless grip screws and forged steel slide-stop so far.
I really get my money's worth with mine and I'll never part with it until I pass it down to someone deserving of it when I'm too frail or my time is up
I really get my money's worth with mine and I'll never part with it until I pass it down to someone deserving of it when I'm too frail or my time is up
NYH1
Member
I also have a SW1911, the basic model 108282. I bought it new in 2008. I had to send it back because when I held it as I was going to shoot it with the palm safety disengaged and pulled the trigger with the thumb safety "ON", it would drop the hammer to the half cock position when I let go the the trigger and palm safety. I called Smith & Wesson and they told me to send it back, they emailed me a shipping label and told me they would repair it and I should get it back in about two weeks.
I shipped it back UPS on a Thursday and got it back the following Tuesday. Four business days total for the shipping and repair time. I've shot about 2000 rounds through it since then and it's been 100% reliable. I couldn't be happier with my first 1911 which is also my first 45 ACP.
Good luck, NYH1.
I shipped it back UPS on a Thursday and got it back the following Tuesday. Four business days total for the shipping and repair time. I've shot about 2000 rounds through it since then and it's been 100% reliable. I couldn't be happier with my first 1911 which is also my first 45 ACP.
Good luck, NYH1.
Mr.Revolverguy
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S&W Tactical Rail 1911 Full Review
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=1546
Here I dress it up a little more with new grips
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=2161
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=1546
Here I dress it up a little more with new grips
http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=2161
smalls
Member
A S&W 1911 was the first 1911 I ever shot. A guy at the range was nice enough to let me put 100 rounds of his hand loads through his, because I said I was interested in buying a 1911. It was great, but it shot a little to the left. It was his carry gun, and pretty worn, so the sights may have been knocked "off" a little.
He claimed to have 125,00 rounds through it, though!
He claimed to have 125,00 rounds through it, though!
Skylerbone
Member
(Almost) as it came to me:
And (almost) as it looks today:
And (almost) as it looks today:
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