Just found out about this new Performance Center 1911 today,

For years now, my favorite carry-gun has been my S&W 1911 (150102). Mine's gone through 4000 + rounds without the slightest hiccup, I like that it has a firing-pin-safety that doesn't affect it's sweet trigger-pull, and the thing is amazingly accurate. It has become an extension of myself and is by far my favorite pistol. Now it looks like I have to save up for another dangit! I'm sure some folks might think this gun is hideous but to me it's a beauty. If/when I have the $$ for one, I'll call to see if I can get it without the ambi-safety, and not sure yet but I might consider asking for the Novak fixed rear-sight instead.

Thoughts? Opinions? All are very welcome here. And if any of you buy one of these please make a thread or post here with range report and photos!!!



product info:
Product: Model SW1911

I can live with the slide but i hate those rear sights. Always have

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Between what seems to be giant revolver sights, the swoopy grips, and the cuts in the forward part of the slide (must be interesting how that arrangement interacts with a holster), contrasting controls and a big fat magazine floorplate, I'd say hideous pretty well sums it up. It reminds me disturbingly of some 1980s designs put out by Safari Arms.

I voted for "not my cup of tea," but I can tell by your enthusiasm you're sold.

I'm not a fan of the rear-sights, which is why I mentioned I'd be interested in having them ship it with the standard fixed Novak rear-sight instead.

Not necessarily to defend the gun, but to bring to light what I'm seeing in regards to what you've mentioned, I prefer an extended thumb-safety, (not ambi though personally) In four years of every-day-carry I've never had my extended thumb-safety turn itself off. (As you likely know,)A slide-stop is actually called just that, not a "slide-release", so I'm guessing that's why the slide-stop doesn't 'match' the extended safety, "sling-shotting" would be the intended method to return the slide forward.

Last, the fat mag-baseplate you mention looks to me like an enlarged ramped mag-well for easier mag swap. I probably wouldn't use this pistol as a concealed-carry piece, but I can see myself having a lot of recreational fun with it, and home defense is a different ballpark as well.

I can definitely appreciate anyone not liking the slide-cuts, and hey, grips for 1911s are easily swap-able

Not my cup of tea either. I will say that it is nice to see the old style rollmarks.

I thought those had been cast aside by S&W, along with good triggers and good looking handguns. Regards 18DAI

18DAI - my only S&W 1911 so far also features the older-style roll stamps, and was made around 2007

(added stainless grip screws since photo was taken, and I usually carry with a hogue rubber grip)

What the heck is that?

iLikeOldGunsIlikeNewGuns that is a VERY attractive 1911!

I examined an identical specimen at the last local gun show. Very nicely done. Sadly I'm not really a 1911 enthusiast or I might have ponied up the $700 asking price.

I particularly liked the marbled blue grips. Wish I could find such grips for a Melonite 4566. Regards 18DAI

Ladder13- I'm assuming that's a rhetorical jest, but judging by the specs of the gun, they removed a little over two ounces of steel from the muzzle-end of the slide, maybe more since the gun has a magwell.

18DAI - !!!!!!!!!!! If i had the $$ and been there I would have snatched that up in a heartbeat, I've been looking for a twin for mine that's a great price for that model if in like-new condition

I think you can order those through the parts department and I could send you a small wood rasp and a tube of model airplane glue.

Just kidding. You guys admiring this new stuff make me feel old. In fact, I am feeling particularly old today anyway. Just what is the purpose of removing the weight from the front end of the slide, anyway? Is the barrel ported to utilize those cuts in some way?

The only way I would consider buying one would be if it were chambered 10mm...
Other than that forget it!
I like the looks of the new gun, and the blue grips, but to sell me it needs to be chambered in 10mm for ballistic potential of this cartridge.

Otherwise it's just a damn 1911 45ACP

It looks quite nice and I'm sure it will probably perform.
But I would much rather get a more reasonably priced one with a decent rear sight and spend the difference getting it accommodated to my needs.

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27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5

Not doin' it for me. A little too edgy. Someone earlier said hideous. Yeah, I could agree with that. And what's the functional purpose of the slide cuts? Does Smith think they've found a niche market here?

Here's the other new model available, with the 4 1/2" barrel and fixed sight. But can anyone figure out why the new Performance Center 1911s list for $1539 when the previous PC models were $700 more? Got to be some corners cut somewhere, no?

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"We deal in lead, friend."

I am sure there is a market for it, but "not my cup of tea." I may land on the "Elmer Fudd" side of classic looking 45's. I do however like the undercut below the trigger guard.

Really? This is what they came out with and I can't get a new 4506 with an integral rail and the TSW upgrades?!?!?!?!? Wth is going on at S&W?????

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

SKU 170243 is still listed at $2369 and the stainless version still at $2209. The only difference I see in recent production has been the change to a cheaper-looking mag funnel. Hopefully the new guns, otherwise, are still made as well as the old ones.

Howdy,
Unlike a lot of posters I like the sights. It's the slide cuts I can't get over.
Thanks
Mike

$2369 for a S&W 1911????? Thats..........extremely..........optimistic.

If I paid over $2K for a 1911 it had better have rollmarks.......Wilson Combat rollmarks!!

4506517 I feel your pain. They push this stuff out but won't sell us the WVSP Melonite 4566. Unreal..... Regards 18DAI

I'm a bit of a young buck so maybe that has something to do with it but I like it! Would look even better polished.

iLikeOldGuns- That is a beautiful piece!

I've been drooling over 1911s for some time trying to decide exactly what I want. I thought I had my mind made up on a Springfield but now I'm not so sure.ImageUploadedByTapatalk1352477779.516302.jpg
Oh well, I have some more deciding to do.

Thank you

I am a big fan of the black and stainless Springer, have been for a little while now.

Definitely take the time to look at and assess all of your options, and you'll end up with a great single-action semi-auto

Actually, I can think of another word. Let's just say it sure is, but people buy them anyway.

I have been able to shoot two of them. They are very nice guns - generally sell in the area of $1800-$1900, from what I can tell, so they compare directly with the Les Baer Premier II. I think the S&Ws were much more nicely marked and finished, and I like the Roco stocks, but most people don't seem to share my view on them. I have always wondered why they do not use the Messerschmidt type bushing in these guns. I see they are using it in the one the OP mentions.

Anyway, I guess there is plenty of money out there and people have it to blow.

I have the older PC Melonite.... its freaking sweet with fit & finish and its a tack driver. I got it new for $1700 out the door (it had a $2200 MSRP at the time) and I think it was well worth it. Too bad they didn't keep the same speed parts like the koenig hammer, wilson combat sights, and such for the current line.

Love it, want it! Both...

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Jorge

I'll rain on your parade.
If you like 1911's, you deserve at leaste one really nice one.

No MIM , no S80 or Swartz safety, no cast parts.
Buy once, cry once.
Les Baer or Wilson Combat.
I only have personal experience with the 2 WC's I bought in 1996 after my first of 6 Thunder Ranch trips and while shooting about 10,000 rounds a year of 45acp.

I shot a Colt and Springfield before. The front sight fell off the Colt Combat Elite. Never shot the Springer that much so can't say anything bad about it.
However if you buy a WC or Les Baer with forged frame and slide it will easily go 100,000-200,000 rounds. Not to say they are not other semi custom makers of the same quality. Just a couple of suggestions.

And if that new gun is stainless on stainless I'd never consider it due to galling concerns. And if not all forged steel I'd never consider it either.

And yes that new S&W is hideous.

Emory

I don't care for it, but I tend to like my 1911s unadorned and to the point.

They are nice too and you are right...

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Jorge

You know, I would pay just about whatever they asked for a 4506 built the way I described. You know, I think a lot of folks would. I understand that there is a tremendous market for 1911s. I get that. But you know, there's a large market for new 3rd gens.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

I'm just the opposite. Bomar types are good for what they are. Which they aren't low drag carry (novak) type but fit more on a range/target gun than a carry/SD/duty gun. Regardless, I can live with either.
Unless I'm mistaken, the mag base plate looks appropriate for use with the mag funnel. Which I prefer for most uses.
But whatever purpose those cuts in the slide are for (lightening, comp, aesthetics, cooling, etc) they are hideous IMO.

fwiw I have no problem with the sights.
One of my guns is set up with Bomars and the other fixed sights.

My problem with your selection is the overall quality of the firearm.

If you shoot IPSC you soon become accustomed to much wilder looking guns than the one you've posted.

Emory

Why aren't the grips cut for a mag well? Looks like they grabbed some out of the parts bin and slapped them on. Overall I like the look of the gun and like the color of the grips. But if the grips aren't correct for the mag well I would pass, why put the work into the gun and not have proper grip fit.

Sights are easy, in fact I have the Novacs that I took off my Dan Wesson. I just got the Springfield TRP and I'm getting one of these Smiths when my LGS gets one in. I like em.

One of the reasons I posted this as a thread was I knew this would be a 'love it or hate it' kind of situation

I like it in a "George Barris" sort of way - the Cool Factor is off the charts but that pistola automatica is of no practical use to me.

http://www.google.com/search?q=georg...w=1864&bih=943

Aye, Cheejuajua!!!

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"We deal in lead, friend."

I like fully adjustable target sights, since I would ONLY use it for target shooting, but those cut-outs in the slide are just... developmentally delayed.

In the extreme.

I'm buying it as soon as I can find one!!!

Since this has been resurected from 2012 ill comment. I just got the RB version of this last week. I really like the gun but do have some complaints. I am shooting to the left pretty consistantly and cant figure it out. I have tried to adjust the rear sight but cant seem to figure that one out... Also it has some wear marks and the black finish on the barrel is coming off at an alarming rate. I have 200 rounds through it so far. I did have 1 failure to feed but i think thats just a fluke. Anyway i love the look and feel of the gun. Just have some things i need to get fixed and figured out. But is a very cool gun!

Yes, I just got the bluish full size yesterday.
The slide is mounted like a vault and everything feels and looked like a tank, that is German Tank.

I had a previous experience with the older sw1911pc version. Accuracy is up there, same as or better than SA TRP. Service for S&W has always been consistent.

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Art Y.
Never forget 9/11

Just polish it all the way off the barrel hood like I did with mine.



About 10 minutes with some fine emery cloth was all it took. It left the ".45 AUTO" lettering filled with the black coating which looks good in my opinion.

Ed

Personal likes and tastes aside, it's a heck of a shooter.

It's accurate and very fast with only modest customization. Wolff springs, Dawson FO front sight, extended mag release, and careful work-up of a LSWC handload. mainly.

It's my go-to gun for Practical Pistol matches for last 2 years. Replaced a heavily customized Gold Cup.

I was ready to shell out twice the $ for something else, but I'm glad I didn't.

I could see buying one of the 5 inch guns as a range/target type pistol. I bought on of the little 4.25 inch guys last year. The fit and finish are very nice on it.

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NRA Life Member

Yep I am looking for my next 1911 and I have an affinity for S&W guns. Was looking at the Ruger or SIG but now that you posted that it has me thinking S&W.

I too find the adjustable sight as a detraction from the gun. On a 1911 it just seems out of place and I find myself always wanting to screw with adjustable sights and shoot better with fixed.

I vote for the a fixed sight whether Novak or some other one.

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Jason Adams

Ok, my take: 39-4 against. I'll make it 39-5.
I love the look of the piece . . . of course, I love everything 1911.
The lightening cuts speed the cycle-time when matched w/ a lighter slide (return) spring. Be sure to match it to your load. Check your "yoke" after about 1000 rds.
The "Bomar" rear sight is not optimal for carry, but it certainly will allow you to hit stuff! Easy trade off. Love that too!!!
IMHO a 1911 doesn't look "finished" w/o an S&A magwell.
If you shoot IPSC all these "innovations" are common.
My only gripe w/ it is - as w/ all S&W 1911's - the external extractor! Pa-lease! Somebody please fix that!!!

I like the external extractor. I have another S&W 1911, the 4.25" E-Series 1911Sc, and both guns consistently toss their empties right into my catch net ever so politely. I had to monkey around with both of my Kimbers' internal extractors to get them "housebroken."

I also like the lightening slots strictly because they make the gun look a little different than other 1911s. Slide rebound speed is not important to me as I use my 5" PC gun strictly for punching paper. Accordingly, an adjustable rear sight is something I would not do without on a target gun of any kind.

The Sc gun is another story as I bought it with intentions of carrying it should I ever feel the need. I bought it over another PC gun because of its night sights, something I don't get the PC gun being without, and would prefer any defensive gun not to have an adjustable sight as precision longer-range shooting is not what such a gun is customarily used for.

Ed

I don't know about hideous, but it isn't something I'd buy. It's just way too duded up with useless features for my taste.

But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if I really wanted it, I wouldn't let its appearance or the opinions of others stop me from buying it.

3 important things: you shoot it well, it's not ppolymer, and it's a S&W. Only thing I add to all my pistols I can are Big Dot sights, personal preference have 20/40 but astigmatism like crazy

Here is all that matters to me. I can live with a pretty face or an ugly duckling.
Targets at 10 meters (sorry, metric employer), two-hand hold standing.
S&W 1911Sc pre-E.jpgS&W PC1911RB.jpg

I added the Laser grips to mine..The originals were a bit ugly

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JR

Magicmanmb, I'm a fan of the Big Dot as well, and for similar reasons. One day my eyes just changed and I can't use some of the sights that served me well for decades.
Sig 229 Bowen 500 S&W 386PD 30.jpg
I have the Big Dot on a Hamilton Bowen-modified Ruger Redhawk. It's now .500 Linebaugh, and my brown bear country backpacking gun. The rear sight is the Express. I wanted to be able to find, point and shoot in darkness without delay.

Also put the Big Dot on a Sig 229 with the tritium post Express on the rear. I can no longer blow the legs off a fly one at a time at 50 paces, but I no longer need to . . ..;-)

Finally, there's the S&W 386PD. I sent the rear sight, the Cylinder and Slide Extreme Duty one, to C&S for tritium tubes. The combo looks like search lights on my bed stand.