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Old 03-20-2017, 10:50 AM
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Default I Never Saw One Before...So I Bought It!

It's true! I walked into my LGS and my favorite salesman motioned me over. He wanted to show me a S&W Md 745. It was beautiful! I was particularly attracted to the 4 color tones S&W used on this gun, blue slide, wood stocks, polished stainless and matte stainless. It also came with original box, unopened tools and documents. I didn't have a 2nd Gen so I decided I needed to take this one home even though the price seemed quite high ($750). I didn't have enough cash so I put it in lay-a-way. Meanwhile I started to do some research and learned that this gun was introduced as a tenth anniversary (1986) commemorative of IPSC Competitions. The early 745s were engraved with gold lettering. Mine was made a bit later in late 1987 and does not have the engraving.

Earlier this week I asked about magazine compatibility here on the forum. I was happy to learn that mags from the 645, 745, and 4506 are all interchageable. And forum member Sevens gave a detailed list of the many differences between the 645 and the 745. And of course the 745 being single action is probably the biggest difference. Here's the link to that thread.

2nd Gen, 3rd Gen Mag Compatibility









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Last edited by loeman; 03-20-2017 at 10:56 AM. Reason: add pics
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Old 03-20-2017, 11:30 AM
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at $750 for as nice as that appears and all that it included...I think you did outstanding.....I bet it becomes your new range favorite
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Old 03-20-2017, 11:37 AM
silverstateS&W silverstateS&W is offline
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I think these are vastly underappreciated and undervalued guns.
watch out for SWSA fever which has been known to cause acqusition of 845 and 945 (and 52) models!
Larry
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Old 03-20-2017, 12:55 PM
Raven312 Raven312 is offline
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I've have paid that in a heartbeat. That is one sexy pistol.

Sent from my Mate 9. Sorry if I missed any misspellings.
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Old 03-20-2017, 02:17 PM
Aldonola Aldonola is offline
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Oh Baby that is sweet. Congrats.


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Old 03-20-2017, 02:49 PM
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Is the rear sight original or a replacement?
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Old 03-20-2017, 02:55 PM
mauser9 mauser9 is offline
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Very nice indeed! Sure is much nicer than the latest offerings. Thanks for sharing and good luck with it.
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Old 03-20-2017, 03:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StakeOut View Post
Is the rear sight original or a replacement?
Yes, the rear sight is original. All 745s came with Novak Competition fixed sights except for the very last ones that were adjustable.
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Old 03-20-2017, 03:23 PM
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Thanks everyone for your "likes" and your comments. I probably should add this comment. When I bought the gun it looked basically brand new, externally. However, the internals were by far the filthiest of any used gun I ever bought. The barrel had been swabbed but that's about it. I think I know why this gun was so dirty, the owner couldn't get the slide off the frame! The slide would stick at one certain point and would go no further. I had to wrap both of my thumbs around the rear sight and very carefully exert a bunch of pressure, but it finally came off. After a very thorough cleaning and lube the slide is starting to come off much better, not perfect, but I'm sure that soon it will behave like my 3rd Gens and 1st Gens.
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Last edited by loeman; 03-20-2017 at 03:24 PM.
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Old 03-20-2017, 03:59 PM
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First off -- wow, you take an awfully skilled and beautiful photo! Some people make it look soooo easy to snap great pictures. Let's just say that I can shoot handguns far better than I can capture them in a picture.

745's are totally gorgeous handguns and for a long time I believe they have been under-valued sleepers in the market. Yours at $750 is a totally solid buy and once you start shooting it and really fall in love with it, you will have no regrets at that price.

If possible on re-assembly, see if perhaps rotating the hammer block thumbs safety just a wee bit doesn't add a bit of clearance? I know that of my two 745's, my IPSC/DVC exhibits slight frustration like you detail, but I'm sure that mine isn't as bad. My other non-IPSC 745 is easy and no hassle, but that is a "looser" pistol all around.

Can't wait to hear a range report. Like most of us in these forums, I am thoroughly addicted to 1-2-3rd Gens, but for the life of me, I cannot understand why it seems we discuss the totally cool -745- so rarely.

I believe it is not only an under-valued sleeper in the market, but also right here in these discussions. I think some hardcore S&W pistol fans have overlooked this fantastic model.
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Old 03-20-2017, 04:02 PM
gman51 gman51 is offline
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I like the color changes as it really makes the gun stand out. That is a very nice find and the price being high cha ching it was a good price for it. The new stuff doesn't look as good as that one.
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Old 03-20-2017, 05:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by loeman View Post
I think I know why this gun was so dirty, the owner couldn't get the slide off the frame!
As I remember, the takedown of 2nd gen autos is different from 3rd. With 3rd gen the safety is in the "fire" position throughout. The 645 I sold in the last century, I think the safety had to be in the "on" position and then "off." Maybe vice-versa, CRS and all. Joe
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Old 03-20-2017, 05:22 PM
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No, that would not work on any 1-2-3rd Gen as the thumb lever itself would slam in to the grip/stock of the pistol.
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Old 03-20-2017, 06:00 PM
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I'll give you $755 if it will make you feel better.
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Old 03-20-2017, 06:09 PM
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I had (3) 645's... Couldn't get any of them to shoot accurately at 25 yds. Loved the gun, but I mostly target shoot. Then I got a 745, and sold my last 645.

Then I found a 945 one day, wasn't looking for it, didn't want one, and eventually came home. Then I bought another in case it broke. But I never did get rid of my 745, it shot too well.
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Old 03-20-2017, 06:22 PM
S&WIowegan S&WIowegan is offline
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Beautiful gun and I think the price was fine.

I had a friend here in Iowa in the early 1990s who absolutely loved S&W autos and revolvers. IIRC, he shot the 1992 USPSA Nationals with a 745 with adjustable sights. He didn't win anything but he had a ball.

Enjoy.
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:38 PM
Lee's Landing Billy Lee's Landing Billy is offline
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You did yourself a favor. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy!!
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