I really like the S&W 1911SC E series, so much so I am considering a layaway deal. My question: do these guns vary from gun to gun enough to worry or is consistency good enough to buy NIB from only pictures online? This would be my first 1911 and my second semi auto (did not have it long and shot it less) so my experience is limited and probably wouldn't know from first sighting if something was good or bad unless it was blatantly obvious. Would there be things in particular to look for at the time of pickup? I want to buy new to have S&W's lifetime warranty without question, and S&W to be able to utilize this tremendous forum for Q&A's. Self defense and CCW are main uses. Thanks in advance.

Stay safe, John

__________________
Luke 23:34

Not a lot of experience with the S&W 1911's specifically, but in general - The slide should operate smoothly. It mat be stiff on a new gun, but there should be no rough spots as you operate it.

1911 accuracy is largely dependent on the barrels locking lug / link and muzzle bushing fit. You should be able to push down on the barrel hood (ejection port) with the gun in battery, and have very little, or no movement. Bushing fit should have no play as well. These two areas are more critical to accuracy than whether a slide is a little loose or not.

Trigger should be crisp, with no take up, roughness, and minimal over travel.

Larry

Go ahead and put your new E on layaway. The E is a lot of 1911 for the money and would make you a great first 1911. I've had mine for three years now and with over 3 thousand rds it's been flawless while being scary accurate. Best of luck and hope it works out for you.

Love mine zero problems more accurate than I am

sweseries.jpgI bought one and I'm happy with it. Almost to pretty to shoot.

Bigger concern should be if a 1911 (single action) is the best gun for experience level. Great gun, just not always best beginners pistol. Just get some lessons and learn proper use and you will be good to go.

__________________
God, country, family.

Thanks for all the good words. I've been around guns my whole life. Bought my first S&W revolver 21 years ago and during the past year took self defense lessons and have shot multiple semi autos so my decision to go with a 1911 is not a whim, good advice though.

Stay safe, John

__________________
Luke 23:34

Great guns, the S&W 1911's, you'll not find many that can complain about them. I own several, like maybe 5 or 6... never a problem..

__________________
Jack C

I've had Colt's, Remington, Springfield & Taurus 1911's, only have a Kimber Pro carry II now.


Best out of the ones I have had so far...
Then again I don't see me trying many of the ones made now.

__________________
Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Your first 1911 should be a Colt.

Although the knockoff 1911's generally work OK, they don't hold value as well as a Colt.

My vote is for the Ruger sr1911, either size. Best bang for the buck in 1911s right now.

John--ditto with me on what you say above, although my first S&W was 40 years ago. Believe it or not, I have never had a 1911 either. Got a Springfield TRP and it is quickly becoming my favorite gun (along with an older Performance Center 629 Light Hunter).

What is so amazing about 1911 is I had no idea how versatile the cartridge is. There are loadings from target (nearly .22 like in that big heavy gun) all the way to +P+ that are magnum like in ballistics. I am not a reloader, but can only imagine what those folks can whip up in versatility.

You need to make a pilgrimage to the John M. Browning Museum in Utah after you get one and see the original used in the government trials. My ten year old still talks about the museum a year later. Seeing his workshop, old lathe (that came west in a covered wagon) and all his creations is absolutely amazing. I have shown non-gun, anti-gun friends the pictures and even they were amazed, especially by the work shop.

__________________
Possum—The other white meat!

I previously owned an original Colt, a Mark IV, Series 70, back in the late 1970s. I today regret having parted with it in the early '90s, at the "request" of a spouse. I had performed a number of upgrades and such to it, and it was like an extension of my arm/hand.

Today, I would like to once again own a 1911 variant, and the Smith & Wesson model is one which I would consider. I'm not concerned so much with resale, but I am concerned whether it will fit standard 1911 replacement parts, like the Millet sights that were on my original, or the Bar-Sto barrel I had fitted.

Of course, one of my alternative options could be to build from scratch, as I did years ago with an AR-15.

My SW1911E has the best out-of-the box trigger of any 1911 I've ever had, good accuracy and first-class workmanship. Colts are fine, but it's hard to get more gun for your buck than from the S&W.

DONT DO IT!!! 1911`s are addictive One will lead to another and another.
I`d sure hate to see you go down that path to finicial ruin.

I figured I better e-mail Kangaroo Carry today to find out if the S&W 1911SC E series would work in my Standard II holster from them and I got a quick response. Unfortunately it's a no go. The Kangaroo Carry works so good for me that I won't be buying the S&W. So I will get a 3" Kimber Super Carry Ultra HD instead. I do want a 1911 and I want to be able to use my KC holster so that narrows things down considerably. Sorry folks, I'll still have my 640. I can't justify a range only gun as much as I like the 1911SC. I hope the Kimber functions as good as I need it to. Seems nobody, or very few have issues with the 1911SC. Kimber Ultra bad reports are more frequent but they seem to get resolved. Other 3" 1911 suggestions are welcome.

Stay safe, John

__________________
Luke 23:34

I am a big fan of the 1911 platform……but I don't own a S&W 1911…….I do have one of these……and I lke it a lot. Ed Brown Executive Elite, stainless steel, with a "hard hat" finish……real ivory grips….

Semper Fi!

[IMG][/IMG]

Sig ultra. Great compact

__________________
God, country, family.

Great suggestion, thanks! Now to find one nearby to put in my hand to see how it feels.

Stay safe, John

__________________
Luke 23:34

I fear you may find more dis-functions with the Kimber, than with the Smith, and it has nothing to do with the brand.

I hope not, and I do not have first hand knowledge of the model you mention, but few three inch 1911s will run as correctly as a five inch,
without some tinkering.

The little 1911s are a joy to carry and conceal, but, I would shoot a lot of consistent, trouble-free rounds for assurance.... Of course, in thinking about it, we should all do that with anything we carry for defense.

__________________
wanna do right-- not right now

I just spotted the S&W 178020, a 3" 1911, any comments about these?

__________________
Luke 23:34

Here's my 4 1/4" Commander length S&W1911SC-E to help sway your decision.... And if you need more convincing, I bought this one brand new for just under $950 shipped

You have to shop around.....




.

__________________
Kirk / Spock 2020

love my sw1911 i have 3. nothing more over rated then a kimber.

I think you will like the Kimber Ultra 3 inch. I have one, with about 1k rounds thru it now, and it has been nothing but accurate and reliable with a variety of reloads and factory ammo. Going to a shorter barrel / slide on a 1911 effects the guns timing, which is the usual source of problems you hear about with these guns. Using a heavier recoil spring, (I think the Kimber is 22lbs., as compared to the standard 18lbs of a 5 inch gun) and changing it every 800 rounds or so helps, as does using magazines with heavy springs to ensure rounds feed properly with the decreased action timing. Several makers like Wilson suggest lighter weight bullets are more reliable in this platform, though I have had no issues with any weight I use in my Kimber. It, along with my Glock 26 are my favorite carry guns. By the way, take internet rumors with a grain of salt - lots of guys have opinions about guns they have never owned, or maybe had one bad example. Personally, I own eight Kimber rifles / 1911's. All work as they should, or I would not have spent the money I have for them....

Larry

Attached Images

DSC_0016.jpg (208.5 KB, 25 views)

The Remington R1 is a fine candidate for a first 1911. Great pistol, great trigger,sights and reliable in any of its configurations.
What ever you choose, you will thank John Browning.
Warning: If you shoot a 1911 more than your revolvers you may be trying to swipe the thumb safety off on your revolver when you go back to shooting one.
Have fun! Be safe!
Jim

This has been an interesting thread.. .. I'll add, John, you got it right, lifetime warranty and one of the best 1911's built. Again, I have 6-7 of the S&W's in several models, and 5-6 Colts.... you know what my go to 45 is.... my S&W's....

here's an older pic of my 45's with a couple of 945's to the left, then 2 SC's, a TA, an older Colt US Gov. my MP45 and my 5" E series. I purchased about 10 more since then, E series 1911's and several Colts..








Here's some of my latest E series. .. a couple of 3" Pro series, a couple of 4.25" SC's, one custom ceracoted and a earlier model SC between the 2 E's..

I have enjoyed the 3" Pro series 1911's so much I own 3 of them..

__________________
Jack C

From what I've read the only poor 1911SC E series pistols made were during the first couple months. They weren't to good. Since then they've got a sterling reputation.

I started out with an Auto Ordnance that I got on G.B. for $450. I never had 1 (1911) before, and did not know what to expect. It did not function well at all. I replaced parts until it was fine. It went up for sale. I replaced it with a Sig 1911. Later I was amazed with the RIA Tactical 9 I bought. A GREAT gun for the money. The point of all of all of this is to agree that a S&W should provide you with the quality you want & need. Bob

I'm doing fine with just one 1911 - only because I have other guns to play with, too.

That 1911's aren't a beginner's pistol is bunk. They're just fine. The disassembly has an extra step and it has a manual safety that must be used. Not a big deal. More people negligently shoot themselves with "safe action" guns than anything else.

As another mentioned, a 3" gun may be more ammo finicky (especially with cheap target loads) and the recoil springs need to be replaced more frequently.

A commander sized gun, especially with an alloy "bobtail" frame makes a great carry compromise. They shoot smooth with a good sight radius, use a full size magazine, carry well, and are less finicky than officer sized guns. The only downside to an alloy framed gun is that improper lubrication or dry operation can cause galling, the anodized finishes or coatings wear more easily, and the guns have the typical 40-50k service lives of most polymer or alloy framed service pistols.

I chose a 5" steel gun as it's tolerable to carry and shoots like a dream. It's among the first few pistols I purchased when I turned 21. It will also last forever with a little maintenance.

To Kimber's credit, they pretty much started the factory "semi-custom." Before them such features as a lowered & flared ejection port, "combat" sights, beavertails, etc, were custom shop or custom gunsmith features. They did have some growing pains at one point, but have been putting out great guns for over a decade.

For a pure carry pistol the CCO (commander slide with officer's frame) is another great configuration.

My first was a plain jane Colt, but it's all preference. Even the cheap Philippine manufacturers guns make good, useable guns.

I don't believe in the idea of separate range and carry guns. It would be wise to make them one and the same.