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Old 04-07-2017, 06:41 PM
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Default 945 pc

I bought a 945pc it should be here on Monday. It came with aluminum case & 2 mags. I found one more mag online. My question is if I need a new recoil spring does the 645 745 or 845 spring do the job or are they specific to the 945? I found a mag but I can't find info on this. Thanks.
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Old 04-07-2017, 06:45 PM
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I would check with Wolff and see if they can help.
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Old 04-09-2017, 03:08 AM
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What barrel length are you getting?

I don't have one but from the pictures I see the guide rod setup is the same. If it's a 5" bbl. I'm guessing it'd be the same as 4506/845 uses. If it's one of the other sizes, 3-1/4", 3-3/4" or 4", I don't know.

Hopefully a 945 owner can add more for you.

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Old 04-09-2017, 09:19 AM
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It's a 5" no-dash. Thanks Bluedot37. I was hoping a 945 owner would know. I still can't find one but I have 2 different part#'s. One is 24298.
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Old 04-09-2017, 10:18 AM
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There are two different guide rods for the 945. If it has the lightened - cut slide it will use the short quide rod. When I can get to the info I will look it up.
I beleive #24298 is what S&W call the Wolfe 12# spring for the long guide rod.

Tom
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Old 04-09-2017, 10:31 AM
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I will be picking it up tomorrow. From the pics it looks like full length guide rod. It might not even need a spring supposed to have low round count . I was lucky to find a spare mag new now they are sold out that's why I could only purchase one .
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Old 04-09-2017, 08:55 PM
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Default 945

Smith & Wesson gave me a complete part #264380000 which I believe to be the spring and guide rod.

The heavy spring #24298 and the lighter spring #20071.These numbers may be followed by four zeros. #242980000

I only had the lighter spring in my 945-1 once and it would not go into battery. At the time the gun was new and tight.

I always run the heavy spring and it works even with 185 grain bullets and reduced powder charges.

I also have a 745 and I purchased a replacement spring through Midway labeled for the whole .45 series of guns.#227209

The spring was longer than the original and very stiff. It still functions perfectly with full power and reduced loads and it may be GTG in the 945 as well.

Bruce

Last edited by Bruce51; 04-09-2017 at 09:04 PM.
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Old 04-14-2017, 03:23 PM
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Just an update. I got the 945 Monday & I saw no evidence of it being fired no carbon anywhere. It had the extra recoil spring manual & 2 gunbooks from 1999 where they reviewed it. I shot it today & it's just so easy to shoot accurately. The trigger is slightly heavier than my DW Valor but still nice. I have 3 mags now after finding the only one left on the planet. This is one I will never sell along with my 66 3".
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Old 04-14-2017, 03:38 PM
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Default gun grease

I would highly recommend the use of a good gun grease on the rails,barrel and frame lugs. This will help prevent a lot of wear in these areas.

I learned that lesson shooting my 639. I realized some stainless is not as forgiving as carbon steel.

A 945 is a great pistol and it would be the last gun that I would sell when the time comes to downsize.

Have a great time at the range with the new to you 945.

Bruce
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Old 04-14-2017, 04:31 PM
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Thanks for the grease suggestion I have been using m-pro 7 liberally. I will get some grease tomorrow & try it. There is no play in the slide so I understand what you mean.
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Old 04-14-2017, 06:40 PM
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I have a 945-1 and it's an inspiring, gorgeous, unique and "scary accurate" pistol, absolutely one of my favorite handguns.

I just want to add my opinion/experience with regards to lubrication and wear and expected wear.

I have a different PC (not a 945) and I bought it used and I paid market for it which is my way of saying that I did NOT get a "steal" of a price and in my opinion (and my budget) let's just say it was a significant pile of money.

After receiving the pistol and being extremely happy with it's condition and irrationally tight, smooth and perfect fit/feel, and it's unbelievable ability in accuracy, I contacted my seller after the sale to ask if he had even a decent guess at it's round count that he would share now after the sale.

He was at least the second owner and the one previous to him claimed 3,000 and he was sure he put 2,000 through it. So 5,000 through it (minimum) when it came to me and obviously more if there was another previous owner.

I've put around 1,200 through it since I've had it (about a year) so I know that at minimum, it's had 6,200 through it.

I have a couple other S&W PC guns. I have one that is basically NIB/mint. Compared to some other folks that post here, my PC collection and "experience" is in it's infancy, hahaha.

Okay, I'm not trying to say that 6000+ rounds is a ton or anywhere near approaching a lifetime of service (of course not!) but you are still talking about more than 120 boxes of ammo. At retail, even for the 9mm, that's $1200 in ammo where the average 2017 gun buyer won't even drop that much cash on one handgun.

6,000 rounds isn't insignificant but my point is that the darn thing still feels -NEW- and handling it makes your heart skip a beat. And because I have other PC including NIB, I have a basis of comparison of what it "should" feel like. 6,200+ and this still feels NEW.

All this is my long winded way of saying that in my experience with S&W PC pistols... lube it and don't sweat the idea that it's going to "wear out." I happen to use FP-10 and handling any of my PC guns or 52's just makes me smile. Nothing feels like these do.
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Old 04-14-2017, 10:39 PM
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Sevens I have the 945-1 and purchased it in 2002 NIB. Lots of ammo through that one over the years and it still appears factory fresh.

Since this thread started I went through all my replacement springs to check them against the springs currently in the 945.

The spring in the 945 was shorter than a new one from the same batch so I decided to go ahead and replace it with a new one. I think that this is spring number three for my gun.

As I mentioned earlier Midway sells a spring for all the S&W .45 and 10mm guns. This spring is about seven and a half inches long and the original springs were about six and three eights inches long for the standard weight.

It is a substantially stronger spring. It feels to be about eighteen pounds by comparison to a #16 1911 spring.

I placed this longer spring into the 945 without issue, as a test, and have no doubt it will run well with this spring as I use this in a 745.

The only problem I have with both the 745 and 945 is a FTE if I switch from light target loads to full power loads without cleaning the chamber. Carbon build up from the light loads causes full power load casing to sometimes stick in the chamber.

I usually shoot only light loads from the 945 and heavy loads in the 745 but occasionally will shoot a few heavy loads and get a FTE.

I just thought it was a good idea to pass this information along so if a FTE occurs there may be a simple explanation as to the cause especially for those of us who reload.

Bruce

Last edited by Bruce51; 04-15-2017 at 02:22 PM.
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Old 04-15-2017, 02:35 AM
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That is quality info! I'll say however that I'm perhaps equal and opposite to many when it comes to recoil spring weight.

It's my opinion that the pistol is specifically designed around a recoil spring weight and while you certainly don't want the battering associated with being under-sprung... OVER-sprung is also not a good answer. It's battering in the opposite direction and it's running outside the design spec of the gun.

I'm not saying that you can't do it (there's a time & place when it makes sense) but there is no free lunch. If you increase the recoil spring weight, you are slamming the pistol in to battery with more force than it's designer intended.
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Old 04-15-2017, 02:54 AM
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The gun came with 2 springs. As I understand one is lighter than the other for shooting light loads & the other for normal I am using the one that was in the gun. I haven't put them side by side so if they're the same length how would I be able to distinguish between the two?
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Old 04-15-2017, 03:18 AM
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I like to be educated on my guns so on most S&W semi-auto's there is a decocker. The 945 has no decocker so why or what use are the black round inserts where the decocker would be?
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:31 AM
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Default The 945 a hybrid

To answer your question about the drum on the slide all you have to do is look at other Smith auto pistols.

Normally the drum rotates as a safety except in the Performance center guns which are a hybrid design.

Basically a 1911 design but with a straighter grip angle and 1911 type safety.

A 4505 slide w/o the decocker but retaining the Smith style slide using the drum to retain,install or remove the firing pin.

A very unique design which looks great and functions well. The grip angle works well for me and both the 945 and 745 grip angle is the same.

Maybe someone else can explain it better but those points are the most obvious differences and what makes the 945 a great design.

Bruce
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:46 AM
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When I purchased the spring from Midway the technical information is as follows.

Factory replacement part from Smith & Wesson.

Technical Information

Features: Smith & Wesson factory part

Yes it is a more robust spring than the original but it was recommended for all the autos listed below.

1006 Auto 1026 Auto 4505 Auto 4506 Auto 4526 Auto 4546 Auto 645 Auto 745 Auto

Now what was interesting is I did not expect this spring to work with reduced loads yet, it was not an issue.

As far as the visible spring difference between light and heavy there are less coils on the light spring.

Having seen the top of a stainless frame peened by the barrel contact I would rather have the heavy spring than a lighter one to prevent frame wear.

Bruce
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Old 04-15-2017, 11:39 AM
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Thanks Bruce for all the good information. I noticed the 945 has a firing pin stop like a 1911 to hold the firing pin so the drum is just there? Also where was the frame peened was it above & in front of the trigger?
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Old 04-15-2017, 11:50 AM
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I think your explanation is a very good one!

As a dyed in the wool S&W guy... I think the look of that thing in there is great and says to the world "nope, not another 1911! It's a S&W." I like it a lot.
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Old 04-15-2017, 01:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by regalsc View Post
Thanks Bruce for all the good information. I noticed the 945 has a firing pin stop like a 1911 to hold the firing pin so the drum is just there? Also where was the frame peened was it above & in front of the trigger?
I'm not sure about this question. The 945 has a frame mounted safety just the same as a 1911.

The drum is no longer a turnable manual safety but is an insert to retain the firing pin unlike the 1911 firing pin stop. The drum is now flat on the top and bottom so it cannot rotate.

As far as the issue of frame peening on my 639 I have found the steel to be very soft and malleable. Over the years the top of the frame has peened and at one point the frame lug on the left moved enough metal upwards that I had to file it down. It never raised after that and accuracy seemed to improve which was not expected.

This was years before there was a SWF to learn from about proper lubrication and regular recoil spring changes.

I hope that the newer guns have harder steel unlike the soft stainless in my 639.

I have included some photos of the 945,745 and 639 frames and recoil springs and guide rods.. The 945 has a longer plunger and a thicker bushing not found on the other guide rods.

Then there is the Briley bushing another departure from the 1911 barrel bushing.



As you can see in the photo the 639 frame has been a bit battered while the 745 and 945 appear as new even after more than 15 years of use.

Change the springs, use grease everywhere there is contact and they will outlast their current owners.

Bruce

I found my purchase receipts and the 639 was purchased in 1983 the 745 in 2000 and 945 in 2002

Last edited by Bruce51; 04-15-2017 at 02:24 PM.
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Old 04-15-2017, 02:21 PM
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Thanks Bruce I appreciate all the pictures & helpful hints. I know it will outlast me I'm almost 63!
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Old 04-15-2017, 02:39 PM
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I have read the above posts and just want to add some observations from 50 years of competitive shooting....all relating to the 945.
When I completed my PhD exams, my dad bought me 2 guns...a Colt Gold Cup and a Browning Medalist....both the epitome of design in the early 1970s. I have neither today....sentimentality aside!
The Colt required trigger work, improved sights, grip mods....and by the time I spent $1200 on a gun that cost $256....well you have the picture. It shot really well with my hand loaded SWCs, bu then I shot my buddy's Les Baer and I could not believe how much better it shot....(he won civilian championship at Camp Perry)...so I bought a 2.5" Baer. It needed nothing, save a red dot....great gun, and sold the Gold Cup to a novice shooter (she could not shoot as well as the gun...and loved it). The Browning Medalist was too big for my hand and I replaced it with a Pardini.
When my LGS got in a new 945...I had to have it...it was gorgeous....besides, I had no expectations since I had the Baer....and had won my local club Top Gun award....I called Walt Wolff (who is the son of my dad's best friend..Walt Senior). After a long explanation of how to choose the best recoil spring, he sent me Wolff Packs (every spring) for my guns, the Baer and the S&W. The lesson learned was that the perfect spring will allow ejected brass to fall into a basket the size of a large bucket...not scatter it all over. The spring in my gun was replaced with a 10lb spring for SWC....then came the realization...the 945 (serial#91) OUTSHOT the Les Baer. In fact, it grouped my .45 load into 1.5" @ 50yds...(rested)...literally one ragged hole. I sold the Les Baer and have never looked back...later I bought 952s and my .356TSW Tactical that was converted to 9mm at the PC...the most accurate 9mm I have ever shot.


MY FAVORITE GUN OF ALL TIME...it will be the last gun I ever sell!
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Old 04-15-2017, 05:59 PM
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Tjpopkin I have seen many of your other posts with the better than great photography. I really feel good about this purchase & your story just added to it. My serial# is RSA0911 I'm guessing 1999-2000 year of manufacture. The 2 gun magazines that were in the bottom of the case are from 1999.
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:05 PM
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I traded a HK P7M8 for a 5" 945, while I miss the P7 the 945 is a precision machine. As a no-cost extra, the serial number is BAM0045! I use Brian Enos' "Slide Glide" on the rails on all my pistols, great stuff.
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Old 04-15-2017, 10:07 PM
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Default Magazines

BTW 745 magazines are identical except for the location of the slide stop notch, so can be easily modified.
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Old 04-16-2017, 01:56 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Lee M View Post
I have included some photos of the 945,745 and 639 frames and recoil springs and guide rods.. The 945 has a longer plunger and a thicker bushing not found on the other guide rods.

.
The 945 guide rod (top?) looks to be the newer/later style one-piece body. I don't have a 945 but I know I have that style/version guide rod in at least one of my 3rd Gens.

In fact, I just checked & that style is what MidwayUSA sent me previously, & still shows on their website:

Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring Guide Assembly S&W 1066 1076 1086 4566

.
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Old 04-16-2017, 05:46 PM
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I never knew that this guide rod was common to any other S&W. Thanks BD for sharing this important information. I will get one when I do my next Midway order for a spare.

Bruce
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Old 04-19-2017, 11:17 PM
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The guide rod in the link to Midway is for the 4.25 inch barrel. Guide rods for the 5 inch barrel are very difficult to find and very expensive.
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Old 05-14-2017, 06:57 PM
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I've always considered the Model 945 to be a cross between the 1911 and 3rd generation Smiths, keeping the best traits from both designs and giving up nothing in the transition.
My question though is, does anyone know a source for factory Model 945 magazines?
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Old 05-15-2017, 03:37 AM
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When I got mine I looked at every site I could find. They were all out of stock except for Rare Ammo. When I tried to order 2 they would only let me purchase one because I found out that was the last one they had. They come up on GB but they are $75.
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