Your thoughts on Smith 1911

[tydephan]

Greetings all,

I am contemplating purchasing The Smith and Wesson 1911 commander with Crimson Trace grips (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...ngId=-1&parent_category_rn=15709&isFirearm=Y).

I am curious about your thoughts regarding this gun. I can get one for about $1000 in my location.

All thoughts and comments are greatly appreciated.

I currently own:
Glock 22
Glock 26
Sig Pro 2022
Springfield Armory GI 45
Springfield Armory EMP
Smith and Wesson M&P9

Thanks.

 

[rellascout]

Great guns.

Early S&W 1911s had trouble but they have a current reputation for great out of the box reliability and accuracy.

The only issue I have with the S&W 1911s is the schwartz safety. I personally do not like the design.

Other than that they are great guns.

 

[Walkalong]

The only issue I have with the S&W 1911s is the schwartz safety. I personally do not like the design.

It's on most 1911's these days. Kimber, Smith, Taurus, etc. Springfield uses a Titanium (light) firing pin and an extra strong fireing pin spring instead.

 

[JoeHatley]

I bought one of the very 1st SW1911's (#362) over 3 years ago.

Well over 15k rounds later:



Still looks and works like new. It's been one of the best firearms values I've ever had.

Joe

 

[longeyes]

recommended

I have one, minus the laser. A few early malfs--first 100 rounds--then fine for the next 600+ with assorted ammo Light, well-balanced, feels great in the hand. And it is now my most accurate pistol, besting even my Kimber and Glock 30.

 

[Spartacus451]

I can recommend it

Though not as a serious business gun. I just don't trust low end 1911s, I have had some real disasters from S&W in the 1911 department and there are many flaws that come standard in the S&W 1911. Crooked and uneven frontstrap serrations and a ledge on the breechface for starters. Barrel is frequently not fit very well. One of mine breaks links and initially was peening on the frame.

 

[Ala Dan]

I have one too, product code #108282 which is the "new version" of the gun
that Joe has pictuered. It made its range debut on Saturday, January 6th, '07
runn'in beside my Les Baer Thunder Ranch Special 1911. Flawless function and
great accuracy told me that this 5" stainless model is one of the better values
in the firearms business. I sell 'em NIB everyday for $709.88; but there may be a price increase coming in February '07~?

 

[rellascout]

It's on most 1911's these days. Kimber, Smith, Taurus, etc.

There is no schwartz safety on Colts, Dan Wesson (All 70 series guns), Springers, Sig GSR or any semi-custom manufacturer like Wilson, Yost, Ed Brown etc.....

I would say that most production 1911's have some sort of firing pin safety but not most do not use the Schwarz system.

I am not saying the the S&W is not a good gun. It is I just do not like that particular safety design. I personally prefer 70 series guns.

 

[fastbolt]

I handled and shot several of them before finally deciding to buy one. The first one I tried was one of the earlier ones affected by the firing pin safety plunger Recall, before they redesigned the plunger so it couldn't be as easily mangled by someone improperly trying to reassemble the pistol with the plunger lever lifted. No problems occurred with it either before or after it was sent back for the Recall work, and I was very impressed with it for a 'first-effort' 1911-style pistol. I was initially hesitant about buying a "Me Too" 1911, even if it was from one of America's premier firearms companies. I've always thought of Colt when thinking of real '1911' (Model O) pistols ...

All of them I tried were great shooters.

I know a fellow that had one of the first production Scandium Commander-sized models, which had a frame that had been produced slightly out of tolerance. S&W replaced it under their Lifetime Warranty, and he's been very satisfied with his new one.

Mine is one of the recently discontinued 5" Sc stainless models, and it's been a fine shooter so far. Shooting it alongside my Colt stainless Government XSE, it's shown itself to be every bit as accurate as the Colt, and perhaps even a bit more. I had to adjust/drift the front sight in its dovetail just a bit to bring it back to center, but once I did that it's been a tackdriver.

At least nothing has fallen off this pistol, like the left-side ambi safety lock lever did on my XSE, which fractured and fell off when I depressed it to start a string of fire.

It appears S&W has learned from some of its initial teething pains with the 1911 design, and is rapidly on its way to becoming a very strong presence in the ever increasing 1911-style pistol market.

The first LE agency which I heard of adopting the SW1911 was the Riverside SWAT team, which adopted a then-new railed version early last year, after testing and evaluating a number of 1911 pistols for their needs.

Found the .pdf press release ... http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/other/RiversideSEB.pdf

I'd buy another one, and might pick up one of the Gunsite Sc Commanders.

Lots of 1911-style pistols flooding the market.

I'd buy a Wilson CQB ... if it were half the price ...

 

[mljdeckard]

I have never heard anything bad about them, it just makes me giggle, that the 1911 is so popular, it's rivals are now building them too. A S&W 1911 is like Ford building a Nova. (I suppose that makes the Sig 1911s like BMW building a mustang.)

 

[roo_ster]

I like mine so much, it is my preferred carry weapon.

It was stock until late last year, when I had some tritium night sights installed.

 

[Khornet]

Quite happy with mine

a 1911 Scandium commander size. My daily carry gun. Reliable and very accurate.

 

[distra]

I recommend it. I purchased a Sc commander last year and had some custom work done to it. It was great out of the box and if anything goes wrong Smith will take care of you. Here is my carry gun 90% of the time. I think bobtailing makes a difference in concealment and pointability.

 

[Essex County]

Don't have one, but a couple of friends do.

First time I ever heard them refered to as " Low End " ESsex

 

[tydephan]

First time I ever heard them refered to as " Low End "

I kind of thought the same thing. I would classify them as medium range at worst.

I own a low-end. Springfield GI. A comparison between a $500 1911 and a $1000 1911 will show some definite differences in quality (in my experiences). For example, My EMP has a far better fit and finish than the GI.

But it is still no Wilson. So I get what he was saying.

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm still considering the Smith, although my attention has really turned toward the Springfield Operator Lightweight Champion (commander size). Can't seem to make up my mind. Or...I may buy a Smith 686 (seeing as how my collection is seriously absent a revolver.)

Muchos Gracias!

 

[DogBonz]

I had the 1911PD

with the 4.25" barrel, and I'm sorry to have sold it. It was a great 1911, and very accurate and reliable. The recoil was not noticably worse over an all steel comander, but it was lighter, and that was nice. The things that I did not like were cosmetic, so those things probably just annoyed me. If you feel like you are getting a good deal, then go for it. I liked mine, but when I moved I had to thin the heard, and since my other 1911 is one that I cannot sell because it is an heirloom, it had to go. I would buy another on in a heart beat, though.

 

[busdriver72]

I bought the standard S&W 1911.
When I got it there was a serious FTRB (fail to return to battery) problem. (Wouldn't always fully rechamber a new round.) S&W paid the shipping to have it sent back to them and fixed, then they paid for shipping back. They replaced the recoil spring in it. It didn't do it as often, but still did it too often for my taste. I called them, and they took it back a second time, no cost to me at all. When I got it back the second time it had a new barrel, extractor and recoil spring. I put in a Wilson Combat 17lb recoil spring.
I have put several hundred rounds through it since then and it shoots faithfully and accurately.
S&W was very polite, helpful and responsive through the entire event.
Any 1911 maker can goof occasionally, but S&W's customer service is second to none.

 

[Essex County]

Don't have one, but a couple of friends do.

First time I ever heard them refered to as " Low End " ESsex

 

[XavierBreath]

I own two SW1911s, and I have a third one, a used SW1911PD on lay away.

I purchased the first two used as well, in a deal to good to refuse. I thought I could use them as trade fodder at a upcoming gun show. I shot them in the meanwhile, and I was impressed. I did a range report that I published here. The SW1911 kept up with my custom Gold Cup. I am pretty much a Colt man who keeps a few Springfields I have built. I was so impressed that I decided to keep the SW1911s. When the PD came up priced in my range, I did not hesitate.

 

[YoPedro]

I like the BANG!!

Personally, I think it’s a beautiful gun. If you like it, that makes it the perfect gun for you. The “Low End” comment was uncalled for, and unfair. You don’t have to sacrifice your children’s college fund to enjoy this sport. Besides, I’ve found I can enjoy just about any weapon I’ve ever laid eyes on. It’s a shooter thing. I like the bang, not the bragging rights about how much I spent on it.

"A fool and his money are soon parted. -Thomas Tusser."

 

[ezypikns]

I purchased mine used....

and it has performed flawlessly after close to 1000 rds. Very accurate as well.

 

[robctwo]

I own that gun. Bought it last summer. Very nice. Accurate. Light weight. Only trouble I had with it was that it spit cases into my forehead. It was a simple at home fix. Much better trigger out of the box than my SA Loaded.



I screwed up the laser by not removing the grips while cleaning. Got some liquid in the lens. Contacted CT and told them I goofed it up and asked how to fix. They said send it in, the grips, and they would fix them free. They had 4 or 5 day turn around. New batteries and adjustment wrenches all for free.

The laser is really cool around the home at night. I have a semi rural acre and can cover the whole thing from the decks with it. Waiting for critters.

 

[Safety First]

tydephan,

I have the 1911 Sc, I just purchased the C&T Burlwood grips for mine. To be honest, I have not had the chance to shoot it since buying the grips. It was very accurate before purchasing the laser.....It weighs just 28 oz empty and makes a great carry gun. I seriously doubt you will regret the purchase, but if there are any problems S&W will pay the freight both ways and it is guaranteed for life. S&W is in the 1911 business in a big way, buy it and enjoy it.....

 

[Tezcatlipoca]

While generally not a fan of S&W autos I have found their 1911s to be well designed and incredibly rugged.


I literally watched a man shoot a CASE through a rental in a single day testing the gun. He bought one soon after.

 

[darjo]

I bought one of the early S&W 1911s. the thing shoots beautifully without ever having to modify it. The only problem I ever had with it was the firing pin. My gun fell into the middle of a lot that was recalled because of firing pin issues. After getting it fixed, have had no problems since. It is hella-acurate and is a kick in the pants to shoot.