1911 9mm pro or 952-1?

[kidneystones]

hi guys and gals,

i have not had the chance to shoot either, the closest being a kimber 1911 in 9mm which i liked. a new 1911 pro with adjustable sights can be had for 1200 where i am, but, someone with a barely shot 952-1 is willing to part with his for about the same price.

main purpose would be for local level bullseye, with occasional rapid fire match. my thinking is that they are still making the pro series, whereas the 952 may have some collectors value as well. the gun is blued, and comes with the aluminum box and papers. not a lot of time to decide though.

if you guys want to be nice to me, buy my revolver (17-5) and maybe i can get both!

appreciate any info from the forum.

[CALREB]

I doubt that a pro model would have the same accuracy as the 952. The mags for the 952 are a little higher that high end 1911 mags.
As far as shooting goes, the lever trigger on the 952 is a little different but just take a little getting used to , I actually like it over a 1911 trigger.
The best part , IMO, is the ease of maintenance with the 952, way easier to take apart, clean, reassemble. I have PC 5906s with over 100,000 and the still group great.
As far as value, well 952s have really gone up, if S&W hasnt stopped making them yet, I think they will soon, seems to be the way they are going. You will always be able to find a pro at a decent price, but probably not a 952. GOOD LUCK. Bob

[wlp624]

If you have a chance to pick up a 952-1 in fine condition for $1200 with original PC case and papers, grab it quick.

[THE ROLLING STONES]

Go for the 952-1 over the Pro 1911. That would be a good deal for you.

[M29since14]

Originally Posted by kidneystones

...main purpose would be for local level bullseye, with occasional rapid fire match.

If most 1911 9mm Pros are like mine, by all means, buy the 952. My 1911 Pro is totally unsuitable for any sort of bullseye shooting.

[ViperGeek]

Originally Posted by M29since14

If most 1911 9mm Pros are like mine, by all means, buy the 952. My 1911 Pro is totally unsuitable for any sort of bullseye shooting.

Can you expand on this a little bit? Ever since I picked up my 4567, I've been coveting a S&W 1911. I had my heart virtually set on asking Santa for a SW1911 Pro (178011):

Product: Model SW1911



Other than the pure beauty of the weapon, my primary purpose would be for target shooting. Given your comment, I'm having second thoughts.

- Dave

[M29since14]

Dave, if you are not looking for a gun that is intended for bullseye competition, you may be fine. Just remember that (generally) a bullseye gun has to hold 10-shot groups around 3.5-inches at 50-yards to be considered useful, preferably much better than that. My particular 1911 Pro (the 9mm version) is not capable of anything like that. I don't think S&W intended to fit these guns to the same standard that they did with the 952s.

[kidneystones]

952-1 it is! thanks for the info guys.pictures hopefully soon

[wlp624]

BTW, for "Pure Beauty of the Weapon" you can't beat a 952, IMHO...(I know, this is a dash-2, but you get the idea)



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[Fat Old Guy]

As a bullseye shooter, all I have to say is "9mm for bullseye? ewwwww."

[kidneystones]

wlp624,

nice gun, and i really do not mean to offend, but if i had to choose mainly on looks, i would have gotten the 1911. just looks better crafted in my eyes.

[kidneystones]

gun is now home.

[M29since14]

Congratulations. Nice looking 952. You did the right thing. I would bet that one will shoot rings around my 9mm "Pro." (I have yet to figure out just what that "Pro" thing is all about. )

If you are not used to the trigger, it may take a little practice so don't get discouraged if you start off a bit slow. It comes with practice. That should be a great gun for your informal target shooting.

[JoeHatley]

I own both a 952 and the SW1911 Pro Series 9mm.

Both nice guns. Very accurate, reliable, easy to shoot well.

If I had to choose just one to keep, it would be the 952, no question or hesitaton. Sights, triger, egonomics, and looks of the 952 are better than the SW1911. Not by a lot in any catagory, but the 952 is clearly just "a cut above".

BTW: This is from a SW1911 fan. I drank the blue Koolaid years ago.

[M29since14]

Originally Posted by JoeHatley

...Sights, triger, egonomics, and looks of the 952 are better than the SW1911. Not by a lot in any catagory, but the 952 is clearly just "a cut above".

BTW: This is from a SW1911 fan...

I would go along with sights and trigger, maybe on ergonomics, but... not on looks. There is nothing made that is more handsome than a nice looking 1911, IMHO, and your 1911 Pro 9mm is a nice looking 1911. Now if you said "fit and finish," I would join you on that. But, nice looking 952s you guys - I am "green."

[wlp624]

Ahhh, there's the answer: 1911s are handsome, 952s are seductive. I think for me its the graceful curves at the rear end of the 952 that make it so attractive. And I always did appreciate a nicely curved rear end...

Originally Posted by M29since14

I would go along with sights and trigger, maybe on ergonomics, but... not on looks. There is nothing made that is more handsome than a nice looking 1911, IMHO, and your 1911 Pro 9mm is a nice looking 1911. Now if you said "fit and finish," I would join you on that. But, nice looking 952s you guys - I am "green."

[kidneystones]

not too hot out at the range for the first trip. could barely keep groups under 2 inches at 15 yards off hand. revolver shooting does not equal pistol shooting. feeling a little buyers remorse at the moment.

[M29since14]

Originally Posted by kidneystones

feeling a little buyers remorse at the moment.

I think you will get over that. The trigger is NOT easy to manage. It will take some serious practice. If you don't change your mind, let me know.

[kidneystones]

m29,

thanks for the words of encouragement, and the hint. i'll pencil you down as being first in line, just in case.