Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols > Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Other Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols from the 1950's to Present


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-19-2011, 01:06 AM
Kavinsky's Avatar
Kavinsky Kavinsky is offline
Member
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
Liked 33 Times in 29 Posts
Default The 745

I'm just curious what's the reputation of that single action only version of the 645 and how good are they generaly percieved to be?

also would it be possibile to do a straight frankenstein slide switch from a 745 to a 645 without any real gunsmithing work?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-19-2011, 03:15 AM
handgunner356 handgunner356 is offline
Member
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SE Iowa on the Mississipp
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 1
Liked 352 Times in 230 Posts
Default

I think the guns were a bargain when they came out. The trigger would spoil you, probably the only downside was the lack of aftermarket parts to suit the individual. The trigger group would be the main difference, the carbon slide was really the same except it lacked the firing pin safety. The frame was drilled for pre- and overtravel stops, checkered and flaired magwell.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-19-2011, 02:09 PM
S&W Fan S&W Fan is offline
Member
The 745  
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 6,453
Liked 9,947 Times in 2,055 Posts
Default

I bought one when they first came out & will say it was way more accurate than I. I was just so used to the 1911 I traded it off for a Colt Gold Cup series 70, don't have that one either any longer.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-19-2011, 02:48 PM
Kavinsky's Avatar
Kavinsky Kavinsky is offline
Member
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
Liked 33 Times in 29 Posts
Default

Hmm I gotta wonder, would the thing work like a CZ 75 then with a slide switch onto a 645?

IE being able to carry it cocked and locked and yet still have a fully functioning DA system if I dont want to do that.

also is it just me or does it look like the area around the trigger on the 745 is abit more recessed than it is on a 645
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=255262736

Last edited by Kavinsky; 10-19-2011 at 02:50 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-19-2011, 05:27 PM
surfgun surfgun is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: OC
Posts: 503
Likes: 199
Liked 288 Times in 158 Posts
Default

If one got their 745 slide onto a 645 frame it could be carried either cocked and blocked like a 745 or cocked and locked, one would have to check the dimensions on the safety lever and the frames decocking lever.
Or you could alter a S&W safety lever on a 645 to either cocked and blocked, or cocked and locked capability while retaining the DA capability. And switch it back to factory condition with a spare safety lever.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-19-2011, 06:19 PM
handgunner356 handgunner356 is offline
Member
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SE Iowa on the Mississipp
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 1
Liked 352 Times in 230 Posts
Default

The downside to the single action S&W guns is that they do not lock the hammer, pull the trigger and down it comes without firing. No big deal on a target gun, but could be a problem on a self defense gun.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-19-2011, 07:09 PM
jp zanoya jp zanoya is offline
Member
The 745  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: The Cheese Belt
Posts: 77
Likes: 8
Liked 16 Times in 6 Posts
Default

I bought the first 645 I saw. I did not like the trigger at all, nor the safety. After reading an article about how Wayne Novak helped develop the 745, I sent my gun to his shop and had them convert it to 745 specs. The result is an all-stainless "745".
It's a great pistol, very accurate and absolutely reliable (it will feed full wadcutters and even empty cases). I used it in IPSC matches for several years.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-19-2011, 08:36 PM
Kavinsky's Avatar
Kavinsky Kavinsky is offline
Member
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
Liked 33 Times in 29 Posts
Default

so people have done it then more or less then? I dont know honestly I'm starting to really warm up to the 745 and thinking of going with that over the 645

and I agree the lack of a firing pin block does worry me on a SA, but on the other hand smith revolvers for the longest time had no firing pin block either and had a special way to decock it so that might apply to the 745.


basically finger on the hammer to hold it back, pull the trigger, gradually let the hammer down to just above the resting position and then let go of the trigger and drop the hammer with a different click from the normal hammer drop on a snap cap noise.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-21-2013, 04:06 PM
Hugh granis Hugh granis is offline
Member
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I picked up a 745 a couple weeks ago and the safety/decock lever doesn't work. Has anyone had this problem?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-21-2013, 04:49 PM
Bruce51's Avatar
Bruce51 Bruce51 is offline
Member
The 745  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Left coast
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 429
Liked 616 Times in 296 Posts
Default

The safety lever is a firing pin block only.

It does not decock the gun.

Bruce
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 04-21-2013, 07:06 PM
Hugh granis Hugh granis is offline
Member
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

That makes sense; I’ll have to check it with a round in the chamber.
Thanks for the info!
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 09-17-2013, 05:14 PM
Checkman's Avatar
Checkman Checkman is offline
US Veteran
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Idaho
Posts: 976
Likes: 1,947
Liked 1,533 Times in 334 Posts
Default

I own a 745. I'm not a big 45 guy, but the 745 is a keeper.
__________________
I type. Therefore I am.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #13  
Old 09-18-2013, 12:01 AM
TAROMAN's Avatar
TAROMAN TAROMAN is offline
US Veteran
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: The wet side of Oregon
Posts: 6,290
Likes: 8,789
Liked 7,778 Times in 2,375 Posts
Default

I'm of a different opinion on the 745.
Had one for a while, and tried hard to like it.

Just never got there, too much 1911 time, I guess.
In my hands, at least, the S&W 1911 is the better tool.
__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #14  
Old 10-24-2013, 09:48 AM
Checkman's Avatar
Checkman Checkman is offline
US Veteran
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Idaho
Posts: 976
Likes: 1,947
Liked 1,533 Times in 334 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kavinsky View Post
also is it just me or does it look like the area around the trigger on the 745 is abit more recessed than it is on a 645
GunBroker.com - Error
I think it's the same. The one thing I did was take my 745 into a local shop and have the trigger guard recessed in order to get a higher grip.Basically the same change was implemented by S&W when they designed the 3rd Gen 45's. I know that some collectors will scream in agony that I did such a thing, but it's my pistol. It made a good pistol even better.

BEFORE

AFTER
__________________
I type. Therefore I am.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11-06-2013, 02:18 AM
gnappi's Avatar
gnappi gnappi is offline
Member
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: South Florida
Posts: 371
Likes: 69
Liked 363 Times in 125 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by handgunner356 View Post
The downside to the single action S&W guns is that they do not lock the hammer, pull the trigger and down it comes without firing. No big deal on a target gun, but could be a problem on a self defense gun.
How so? It worked for me when I used it in IPSC, the hammer never once fell on the safety, nor did I ever have an AD

I fitted a 645 slide on it other than a couple of simple safety plunger mode it works great and my DVC upper is still nearly NIB.

Last edited by gnappi; 11-06-2013 at 02:21 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 11-09-2013, 11:10 PM
Dave_n Dave_n is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: SE PA
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 1,243
Liked 1,080 Times in 536 Posts
Default

I have a very early 645 and two of the Millett adjustable sight 745s. as mentioned earlier, the 745 spoils you from a trigger perspective. Over 35K rounds through one of them and still at 2.5 lbs as it was out of the box. Almost as accurate as my two Model 52-2s. Dave_n
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #17  
Old 11-10-2013, 02:50 PM
handgunner356 handgunner356 is offline
Member
The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745 The 745  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SE Iowa on the Mississipp
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 1
Liked 352 Times in 230 Posts
Default

gnappi, the thing about using it as a self defense gun is the safety doesn't lock or release the trigger. Under stress you could pull the trigger and not realize the safety was engaged. Tap, rack and click again, I prefer the safety on a SD gun either lock or disconnect the trigger altogether.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1911, 4506, 645, 745, colt, ipsc, lock, novak, overtravel, recessed

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:12 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)