I was looking at a new 945 today at the gun shop that is one nice looking gun. was wondering if anyone had shot one and what they thought of them. I am trying to chose between the 945 and a performance center 1911 match.

I bought a 945 last year... I was initially disappointed with it's accuracy out of the box.

Given their cost and the amount of hand fitting that the Performance Center supposedly puts into them, I was expecting it to be a full on tack driver from the start, like what my Colt 1911 was when I got it back from being accurized.

After reading other posts here about the 945... futzing with different slide recoil springs and ammo combinations, I was able to eventually "dial in" my gun to where it lives up to it's potential and I'm happy with it.

Other people have not had my experience, so maybe the person that put mine together was having a rough day or two.

One thing I did that really improved it's handling and/or feel in my hand was changing the thinner factory (hogue) grips with a set sold by Speed Shooter Specialties ( http://www.speedshooterspecialties.com/).

They are also made by Hogue but to a slightly thicker specification that fills the palm better.

To me it makes the 945 grip feel less "squarish", where before it felt like holding onto a 1x2 with slight rounded edges.

I was drawn to the 945 because of it being a unique hybrid... it's basically a tricked out 4506 slide assembly mated to a 1911 style frame assembly.

Since I already had a 4506-1 (which I can't say enough good about) and an accurized 1911 style gun, I figured it would be interesting to see what a hybrid of the two was like... plus like you said, it really is a nice looking gun.

My S&W 945 and Pardini GT-45 are the most accurate 45 ACP pistols I have ever owned. Both shot superbly right out of the box and functioned flawlessly with all my handloads. The only minus of the S&W 945 vs their PC1911 guns is that the 945 parts, mags, grips etc are not compatible with the 1911.

I have a 945 and love it. I shoot hanloads out of it with excellent accuaracy. I almost bought Smiths basic 1911 but I have a friend who let me shoot his 945 and I was hooked. I like the grip better than the 1911. It has a unique feel to it and the angle is not quite as steep as a 1911. The gun is fitted very well by the custom shop. You will need to decide waht spring you want to use depending on the load you shoot. I am loading either Hornady HAP or Winchester FMJ 230 grain bullets with 4.4 grains of Titegroup and CCI primers. Like I said this gun shoots much better than I can but 2 inch groups off the bench at 25 yards is what she will do if I do my part.

Using the 185 gr. Star LSWCHP with 3.8 gr. VV N-310 and WLP my S&W 945 will shoot 10 shots into one ragged hole less than an inch in diameter.

Thanks for the info the store wants 1800 for the 945 but they will work with me.

Accuracy of my 945 is fine but it did need a little 'breaking in'. For the first 200 rounds or so I had a lot of extraction problems and stovepipes. It functions fine now with the same loads. The only complaint I have with it is the trigger pull, it's creepy, and to me there's no excuse for that on a 'bullseye' gun that lists for over two grand!

$1,800 is way too much for 945--wait and buy used in $1,000 range--dmd

Got the original 945. It's cousin the 4506 is a clunker, but this model is great. Probably one if the finest shooting guns I've ever owned. At 25 yards with 185gr SW hand loads they go into one jagged hole all day long. I shoot one occasionally in PPC, and it shoots much better than I do.

Sgt Preston here. I have the 945 & love it. It had great accuracy right out of the box. It's my favorite & most accurate gun. I sold my 1911 shortly after getting the 945. I am a reloader & did find that my loads had to be increased to get the 945 to cycle the gun. No problem with factory loads, just with my "wimpy" reloads which worked very well in the 1911. Get the 945. Sgt Preston USMC LLA

Put it on lay away to day may take a little while have to pay off my last Kimber first.

i bought on used 2 years ago. I love it,it shoots my relaods and is very accurate.

From what i've read 1911's as well as the 945
need some break in time.

I've been told not to make any adjustments
until you shoot 300 rounds.

Jim

My local guy has a couple of NIB 945s on consignment and they are going for 1100. bucks each.

Bob

Rbert0005,
$1100.00 for a PC945 is a good price in Massachusetts.
Are they in 98%+ shape with the aluminum hard cases?
I paid just over $1K two years ago for the one with the BILLBOARD sides.
I would say it was 99%+ with three mags and the two recoil springs,
all the papers and the aluminum hard case.
Regards,
BM1

They are in factory condition.

Bob