Okay, the 645 and 745 are 2nd Gen pistols but as the first S&W .45cal pistols... they have one feature that differentiates them from all the 9mm 1st and 2nd Gen pistols in that the barrel bushing is not a removable part. Like the 3rd Gen production guns, the 2nd Gen .45cal pistols have a pressed-in bushing.

That's where my question comes from. My 745 was a Gunbroker purchase two years ago and while the story ends happily for the most part, it certainly was one of these "you pay your money and you takes your chances" kind of gun buys. I have had another problem with it completely unrelated to the bushing and after an arduous process, I found my way through it.

In total honesty -- I just love this pistol. I really, truly do. It is simply fun and enjoyable to shoot. For the most part, I just mow down steel plates with it and it does a fantastic job and the gun can't get enough of it. I have run over 1,700 rounds through it since I got it.

Since day one, I have noticed that the barrel bushing appears to be not fully 100% pressed in to place in the slide. I'm talking like a one millimeter from being flush, but you can see it with the naked eye. Yes, a picture is in order but I've not snapped a clear one yet.

Steel plates at 15 yards is a pass/fail target that is as much about speed and transition. It is not a precision game. When I shoot for precision on paper for my finest attempt to make small groups, I do that on an indoor range where the light and setting is totally consistent no matter what time of day or weather.

When I put my 745 on paper indoors, I can do fairly well with it, very much to my expectations of it -- but it simply throws fliers. One or two per magazine. I've done it enough times now that I am certain this is a hardware issue and not the shooter.

This pistol is so much fun on steel, I simply keep it away from paper targets so that it's propensity to throw a flier just doesn't bother me. But until I considered this non-flush barrel bushing, that worked.

Now I just wonder if this barrel bushing is having some say in it's ability. This bushing is not loose in any way, it doesn't move or rattle or wiggle. It's firmly set where it is... just not totally flush to the end of the slide.

Question for those that have done real work on these is what can I do about it? I don't think contacting the mother ship is a terrific option since the pistol pre-dates the warranty and I am far from the original owner. Furthermore, a lot of evidence suggests that the folks who work on guns in Springfield these days expect to fix M&P's and other stuff I don't care about. (sigh)

How is this bushing kept in place in a 645/745?
If you were an armorer or craftsman, what would you do?

So the bushing flange is not flush with the slide?

I recently removed a bushing from a 745 slide. It is a press fit and perhaps some lock tite is involved.

It wasn't to hard to remove using basic tools.

Maybe a wood block and a hammer will set yours back flush.

BLM

Good info -- almost seems that if I were going to go that route, I'd want the bushing OUT first, to apply loc-tite, and then re-installed?

How did you get yours out?
Why did you take it out?
Does it seem like now... it is going to stay put since you did it?

Final question... do you love your 745 like I do?

There's not much to it. Only 3/8" wide.

BLM

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I removed the bushing with a 3/8" drive long socket. It may have been a 3/4" or a similar metric size. Dropped the socket into the slide and used a rod or extension to tap on the back end with a small hammer. It drifted right out.

I removed it for spare parts. I replaced that slide due to some issues with the safety lever blocking the firing pin.

So I have not replaced it but would do the locktite as the bushing has two ridges.

Replacing the slide took the gun from I love to hate it to I can't shoot it enough.

It feeds everything and Midway sells a very long stiff recoil spring that makes shooting full power loads a breeze.

So I have had a few problems with FTF in the past but the new slide fixed it right up. There is another post I have about the hammer falling to half cock and the resolution for that issue.

I recommend checking the hammer for drag and lubricate the hammer pin.

The gun is hard to resist and that being said I also have a 945. Something about the 745 keeps me taking it to the range.

I also recommend grease on the slide,frame rails and barrel lugs.

It's messy, but your gun will thank you with many years of range time.

Buy extra parts when you can find them especially a guide rod.

BLM

Good stuff here Bruce, I appreciate your insight.

I'm happy to help. As you can tell I've had a few issues with mine, but No, it's not for sale.

It runs great and as you have said it is hard to resist.

It's big and heavy and no 1911 has the same grip angle as the 745.

Yep I'm keeping mine.

BLM