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Old 12-01-2019, 11:45 PM
skjos skjos is offline
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Default Catalog of Performance Center 945 Variants

The Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 945

The information provided below was originally collected by member “sig.natures” in thread CATALOG OF 945 PC VARIANTS - very LARGE accumulated reference material, unfortunately Photobucket wiped out the pictures in the original post, and data in the tables has not been updated in some time. By creating this new thread, I hope to continue the work he started and expand the 945 knowledge base.

This is still a work in progress, and as you can see there are still many gaps in the tables and this is where you come in, if you own one of these fine pistols and can expand on the collected information, please reply to this thread and I will integrate the information into the original post. Also, if you see a typo or an error let me know and I will see that it gets corrected.

The tables have been split into four separate groups simply because the complete table would be compressed so much it would become illegible. The 945 product codes are listed in ascending order across the top and those pistols with unknown product codes are listed last.

945 Group 1 (Product Codes 170104 (A) – 170156)





170104 (A)
The original 43.5 ounce version



170104 (A) LEW/RSA
Plastic case LEW and RSA, note the Julian date code (8237 – 08/25/1998) is the same for these two pistols.



170104 (B)
Smith & Wesson removed 1.5 ounces from the original 945 in 1999 and started to deliver in aluminum cases; any idea’s on where this weight was removed from?


170104 (C)
One example has been observed with a two-tone finish, the serial number is at the very tail end of the LEW guns.





170147











170152











170153









170156









945 Group 2 (Product Codes 170169 (A) – 170177 (C))





170169 (A) Black slide, black frame








170169 (B) Black slide, satin frame






170173 (A)




170173 (B) No billboard







170174





170177 (A) Stainless slide, satin frame, no machined step on slide








170177 (B) Black slide, black frame, no machined step on slide



170177 (C) Stainless slide, satin frame, no billboard, no machined step on slide






945 Group 3 (Product Codes 170180 – 170227 (B))





170180









170184 (A)






170184 (B) No billboard



Later Production (Plastic Case)







170222 (A)



170222 (B) No billboard






170227 (A)



170227 (B) All black frame






945 Group 4 (Product Codes 170259 – UNKNOWN 4)





170259 The SCSM states “new cost” (4th edition, page 435), so I’m speculating it is a reintroduction of an existing model, but unsure which one.
need pictures




170300






170330
Need Pictures




Unknown 1 Adjustable sights






Unknown 2 Novak sights, bolt on rail





Unknown 3 Novak sights, no rail




Unknown 4 4" Stainless




This is what I have so far, hopefully 945 owners can compare their pistols to this material and let me know where I need to add information and/or correct errors.

Last edited by skjos; 04-30-2022 at 04:04 PM. Reason: Added 170173 (B)
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Old 12-02-2019, 08:10 AM
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Nothing of importance to add. Just a big THANKS!!

...and is it just pure coincidence (or deliberate) that you post this at 9:45 PM (central time)??

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Old 12-02-2019, 08:53 AM
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Nothing of importance to add. Just a big THANKS!!

...and is it just pure coincidence (or deliberate) that you post this at 9:45 PM??
After months of searching, I finally found a local-ish fellow willing to part with two of his four 945’s. We agreed to meet on a Saturday morning at a fast food joint kinda in the middle. Thinking only about how long it would take me to get there, I set the meeting for 9:45 am.
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Old 12-02-2019, 09:16 AM
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I also have found a local individual who is willing to part.. we are supposed to meet today.
With all the Big Auction sales I have been trying to establish price points which is almost pointless...BUT here is a question for all you stats guys.

Is there anything you have seen that makes one 945 more "valuable" than another? Long vs short barrel, Aluminum vs steel frame, SS vs Black vs 2 tone? Particular Product codes with known low productions numbers? 945 vs 945-1? Thanks for the answers in advance!
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Old 12-02-2019, 10:43 AM
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There is a notable thread with a lot of this info in it. This is much more up to date.
Thank you by the way!!
Any chance this can replace that one or at least get to notable thread index too? Great work.


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Old 12-02-2019, 07:07 PM
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Awesome post sir...
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Old 12-02-2019, 09:50 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jughed440
...and is it just pure coincidence (or deliberate) that you post this at 9:45 PM (central time)??
Total coincidence, but awesome.


Quote:
Originally Posted by mbliss57
Is there anything you have seen that makes one 945 more "valuable" than another? Long vs short barrel, Aluminum vs steel frame, SS vs Black vs 2 tone? Particular Product codes with known low productions numbers? 945 vs 945-1? Thanks for the answers in advance!
My opinion only, I think rarity plays the biggest role, with the straight serrations being the most rare, followed by the wavy serrations, also the high contrast look of the black and polished stainless seems to command a premium.

As far as the best shooters, I've heard the original 945's without the firing pin safety have the best triggers, and the longer sight radius of the 5" guns further improves their accuracy.


Quote:
Originally Posted by mbliss57
There is a notable thread with a lot of this info in it. This is much more up to date. Any chance this can replace that one or at least get to notable thread index too? Great work.
Member "sig.natures" originally put most of this information together, but his last post was in 2013, and Photobucket wiped out most of the pictures. Luckily, other members saved most of the data and I've been able to reconstruct the material. Creating the new tables took awhile, but I can keep these up-to-date when new information comes in.

I can put a request in to the moderators to add this to the notable thread index.

Last edited by skjos; 12-02-2019 at 09:52 PM.
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Old 12-04-2019, 11:54 PM
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Great work! Makes me want to find another one.
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Old 12-05-2019, 02:22 AM
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Quote:
170104 (A) LEW/RSA
Plastic case LEW and RSA, note the Julian date code (8237 – 08/25/1998) is the same for these two pistols.
For reference, here's a pic of the label with complete serial #.
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Old 12-05-2019, 08:55 PM
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Quote:
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For reference, here's a pic of the label with complete serial #.
Thanks, I added the picture that matches the RSA picture to the original post.
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Old 12-07-2019, 07:34 PM
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Default 945's

What a tremendous pictorial narrative showing the Golden Age of the Smith & Wesson PC !! These were great pistols, a couple of which I had and foolishly let go. They were reliable, accurate and beautiful pistols that are now a reminder of a by gone era we will sadly never see again.
But, don't despair, you can pick up an M&P Shield for $299 !!!
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Old 12-07-2019, 10:30 PM
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Jughed440 , I've got your brother . Same product code , same cheesy box , but mines an RSR with a serial# of 0043 .
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Old 12-08-2019, 10:30 AM
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Unknown 3 : PC #170174 serial # PCZ0411 5" fixed sight no rail.Received by Lew Horton 3/28/02 shipped to Army Navy Store Pittsburgh 4/6/02.

PCZ0412 also a 5" fixed sight no rail gun not from Lew Horton.

Tom
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Old 12-08-2019, 11:45 AM
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I think we may be out in the weeds any time we have a PCZ-prefix Performance Center gun. Seems to me that if you are holding a PCZ in your hands or in your safe, you are holding a RARE pistol. It may not be much different than another similar PC pistol, but there is probably some small nuance that is different.

Makes this game even more fun.
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Old 12-08-2019, 01:39 PM
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Sevens , it's fun , but damn it's expensive . Please don't tell my wife .
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Old 12-08-2019, 01:49 PM
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Sometimes its not THAT expensive. Quite often, the seller doesn't bother to find out what it is they are selling.

Below is my Performance Center 45CQB Prototype. One of one. PCZ serial prefix. Used in the American Handgunner article on same in 2001. Purchased from a pawn shop in MD for not much more than a standard 3rd gen 45 - at the time.

A friend recently purchased a Performance Center compensated 40 from a large, well known gunshop in Charlotte. One of 25 or so made. For the sum of $475 + tax. THAT shop should have known better. Regards 18DAI
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Old 12-08-2019, 01:51 PM
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Well, I am preaching to the choir of course, but in my opinion... these are fantastic things to spend your money on, if you are going to spend money on a hobby or on something you enjoy. I’m not saying that they are a fantastic investment per se, but that if they are scarce guns to begin with and we keep them in top shape, they hold a helluva lot of value.

I’ve thrown lots of money at sports cards and motorcycles and other fun stuff, but I don’t think there are many hobbies where the money spent can and often does hold a value sometimes awfully well.

I don’t regret the 100,000+ miles of motorcycling I’ve done, but I can tell that I spent a HEAP of money and while the memories and experiences are priceless, I have nothing left over that is literally worth cash money from that hobby.
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Old 12-08-2019, 03:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens View Post
I think we may be out in the weeds any time we have a PCZ-prefix Performance Center gun. Seems to me that if you are holding a PCZ in your hands or in your safe, you are holding a RARE pistol. It may not be much different than another similar PC pistol, but there is probably some small nuance that is different.

Makes this game even more fun.

A nuance such as the squared trigger guard on the 945 pictured on the flyer. I'll hopelessly be looking forever for one of these, but with my luck it's more than likely the only one in existence.

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Old 12-08-2019, 05:00 PM
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Notice also that the stock/grip panels have a little thumb ridge, at least on the pictured left side stock panel. I’ve definitely never seen these before (and 945 grips are model specific) and those grips along with the trigger guard, well it makes me wonder if the picture is a CAD rendering of a pistol that doesn’t actually exist as shown.
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Old 01-18-2020, 07:08 PM
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Let me add to the thread...

Dont have a product code or a spec order #...

Ill go back n read so more, sure would like to date this fine lady...

Enjoy
Erik
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Old 01-19-2020, 12:07 AM
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Looks like a 170174 to me, 1999-2000.
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Old 01-19-2020, 01:55 AM
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It does look exactly like the 170174 except the “CFR” serial prefix tells us that it was (likely?) a Camfour exclusive.
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Old 01-19-2020, 09:52 AM
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Thanks gentleman.... now! Time! FOR ANOTHER !
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Old 06-22-2020, 10:15 AM
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Default Any ideas on production numbers of model170184?

I've had a 945-1 model#170184 for years now. Was EDC for about 7 years. Pcz prefix and seems to be one in front of the 2001 RSR ad. I've heard 300-350 were made, however RSR cannot verify that.
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Old 06-22-2020, 11:31 AM
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I wrote exactly this in post #14 above, I'll put it here also as it applies to this one.

I think we may be out in the weeds any time we have a PCZ-prefix Performance Center gun. Seems to me that if you are holding a PCZ in your hands or in your safe, you are holding a RARE pistol. It may not be much different than another similar PC pistol, but there is probably some small nuance that is different.

Makes this game even more fun.
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Old 06-22-2020, 11:39 AM
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Beautiful gun, thank you for sharing!
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Old 06-26-2020, 07:55 PM
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Really, really nice work! I think I have one in my collection that isn’t accounted for in your list. A fairly rare bird, 4” dash-1 with PCZ serial prefix and straight line serrations front and rear. Also, I’ve added three more variants since that last picture, sixteen in all now.





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Old 06-30-2020, 08:23 PM
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That is quite the collection.
Unknown 4 has been added to the last table.
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Old 07-12-2020, 06:44 AM
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I just saw a black, 4 inch 945 - part of a set of three 945s for sale on the big auction board - that has a bobtailed grip frame. Also wearing XS Big Dot sights.

Did the Performance Center make a bobtailed 945? IIRC bobtailed 45s is a fairly recent mod in the 1911 community. I though it postdated the 945 guns. If its a custom job, its a good one. Must have been expensive. Regards 18DAI
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Old 07-30-2020, 11:53 AM
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Thanks to the generosity of jughed440, I am now the proud owner of LEW0111 and couldn’t be more pleased. It is a fine piece of iron.
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Old 07-30-2020, 12:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 18DAI View Post
I just saw a black, 4 inch 945 - part of a set of three 945s for sale on the big auction board - that has a bobtailed grip frame. Also wearing XS Big Dot sights.

Did the Performance Center make a bobtailed 945? IIRC bobtailed 45s is a fairly recent mod in the 1911 community. I though it postdated the 945 guns. If its a custom job, its a good one. Must have been expensive. Regards 18DAI

18, I seen that offering and questioned it myself.
I can't say i have ever seen one, my commander size doesn't have the bobtailed grip tho it got the gears moving.. a quick search revealed nothing so maybe a 1 off...
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Old 07-30-2020, 01:20 PM
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I don’t think it is a one-off, my guess is that it is an altered gun.
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Old 07-30-2020, 01:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens View Post
I don’t think it is a one-off, my guess is that it is an altered gun.
I agree with that, ive always been partial to the "bobtailed type" after pulling the 945 "comander" back out I like the full purchase of the complete back strap...
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Old 10-15-2020, 11:19 PM
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Here's a new one, the serial number LEW1364 puts it in with the original 945's which should have an all stainless finish.



However, this one is is two-tone.

Last edited by skjos; 10-17-2020 at 10:33 AM.
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Old 12-13-2020, 12:21 PM
dandd dandd is offline
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I wanted to join this thread and thank all those who have compiled such extensive data on the 945 and its variants. With that, this is an update on the two models I have. You'll see up near the start, CFR0330 (170152) which is my first 945 (those pics, much better than mine) from the auction website 11/2019).
The most recent (11/2020) was the RSA1839, 170173. I noticed both models (when apart/field stripped), the major components are numbered (coded). I hope you can see that in the pix for the 152 variant. Also, on one of the data tables, the 945-1 (170173) does not have the billboard (showing the number 945; just the PC label). Wonderful firearms.... (still learning more each day with all of the threads!)
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Old 12-13-2020, 12:53 PM
skjos skjos is offline
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Is it possible that your 170173 is actually a 170259? You wouldn't happen to have any mfg date information?

It is interesting that the round Performance Center emblem on your pistol is next to the model number, but the example we expect is a 170259 has the emblem on the serial number side.
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Old 12-13-2020, 03:44 PM
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The hex-head grip screws, if all four are original, point to both of these being earlier pistols rather than later ones. At least, that's what it seems to me.
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Old 12-13-2020, 03:45 PM
dandd dandd is offline
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Hi Skjos, yes, S&W sent me back a note for the serial number RSA1832 and said model 170173 mfg in 2000. Now attached is a pic of the fired case pack and you can see (hopefully) the date of 12/19/02.

From S&W:
Reference number: LTK1114702177722X Please use this ticket number in any correspondence with us.
Subject: no subject

Dear Customer,



Model 945 that with a 5" barrel that was manufactured in 2002, product code 170173.

++++++
Now you have me curious. Let me know if I should resend the request to S&W and maybe highlight that SKU you mentioned.
Thanks,
dandd
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Old 12-13-2020, 03:46 PM
dandd dandd is offline
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Sorry, I mis-typed... Its RSA1989 (not 32 as I put in the note to you).
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Old 12-13-2020, 03:47 PM
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ok, I need to slow down... RSA1839 is the correct S/N. My apologies.
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Old 12-13-2020, 04:03 PM
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Hi skjos,
Here are some other pix of the 945-1 which I took when I brought it home from the FFL. It seems the codes on the frame, slide and barrel match. (Your suggestion on the model SKU got me thinking some parts may have been swapped, but it all matches.)
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Old 12-13-2020, 04:10 PM
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We have seen slight variations even with same exact SKU’s. You can contact S&W if you like but I would guess there is 0% chance they told you 170173 in error. You simply have a small (but awesome and noteworthy!) variation.

The 945’s are unlike most PC guns in this regard. Lots and lots of variations.
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Old 12-13-2020, 04:41 PM
dandd dandd is offline
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Thanks Sevens. You highlight the beauty and uniqueness of the S&W 945 and its variants. I did get to the range this past Friday for the first time with it and the operation and accuracy is just amazing. I real pleasure to shoot.
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Old 12-14-2020, 01:29 AM
HOUSTON RICK HOUSTON RICK is offline
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Thanks for posting. If I ever saw one, it was when I was too new to know it.
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Old 12-15-2020, 11:38 PM
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skjos, Sevens, et.al.,
For reference (link below), from the S&W website, the 170173 (sku). To the point raised by Sevens (grip screws), the SW site archive is slotted; mine are hex. Sadly, they do not show the "right side" in that spec sheet (PC stamp location). The journey continues.

ARCHIVE: Model 945 | Smith & Wesson
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  #46  
Old 10-24-2021, 12:13 PM
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Is there a way to know production numbers on variants?
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Old 10-31-2021, 01:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dandd View Post
Hi Skjos, yes, S&W sent me back a note for the serial number RSA1832 and said model 170173 mfg in 2000. Now attached is a pic of the fired case pack and you can see (hopefully) the date of 12/19/02.

From S&W:
Reference number: LTK1114702177722X Please use this ticket number in any correspondence with us.
Subject: no subject

Dear Customer,



Model 945 that with a 5" barrel that was manufactured in 2002, product code 170173.

++++++
Now you have me curious. Let me know if I should resend the request to S&W and maybe highlight that SKU you mentioned.
Thanks,
dandd
After perusing around some 945-1 pictures I have collected, I have observed some other 170173's in the same configuration as yours.

I have added the 170173 (B) variant to the list and included some pictures (it might take a little bit for the server to update).

Thanks for providing the information on your pistol.
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Old 11-02-2021, 05:33 PM
dandd dandd is offline
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skjos, thanks as always! I've been tied up on a recent project which is taking way more time than planned, so a bit behind on the forum.
Best, dandd
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Old 05-02-2022, 01:12 AM
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Unknown 4?

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Old 05-02-2022, 01:19 AM
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Selling my 945 was the dumbest decision I've ever made regarding buying or selling a firearm...
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