New to me 645

RCL-09 · #1 09-23-2021, 07:10 PM

Just got my 645 and am very happy with it, but I have a couple of questions.

I can't find the TAR serial number prefix in the book and thus cannot date it. Anyone have any info that would help?

Second, two of the mags are cutout for ambidextrous use. I've never seen that, are these common? They are marked S&W.

oldman10mm · #2 09-23-2021, 07:31 PM

1986/1987.
Mags cutout for ambidextrous use are common.

RCL-09 · #3 09-23-2021, 07:42 PM

Thanks.

Which of the 2nd or 3rd gen 45's had reversible mag releases?

Erocksmash · #4 09-23-2021, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCL-09

Thanks.

Which of the 2nd or 3rd gen 45's had reversible mag releases?

Don't think any of them did

RCL-09 · #5 09-23-2021, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erocksmash

Don't think any of them did

That's what is confusing me. Unless the 645/4506 type magazines fit something else.

oldman10mm · #6 09-24-2021, 09:37 AM

I need to modify my answer in post#2. In my S&W magazine collection, there are many in 39 series, 69 series, 59 series, 40 series, and 10mm that are cutout for ambidextrous use. Of all the 45 mags I have 2 as in the OPs' picture and they have it, all the others do not.

pic added of my 45 magazines. I don't have a 45 pistol.
only the 2 like the OPs' pic have the both side mag catch slot.

Airdale · #7 09-24-2021, 03:31 PM

I don't know if this will help you or not but I bought mine new in January 1959 (and I still have it) and the serial number is TWB7147 & it was shipped from the factory in March - April 1986.

I really like this gun and it still shoots well.

Enjoy,

Richard

roundels · #8 09-24-2021, 05:49 PM

A buddy of mine bought a 645 new in the Summer of 1985. I remember the date because the salesman at Pro-Arms in Salt Lake tried to sell us this weird 17 round plastic gun from Austria. It was in the glass display case and nobody wanted to buy it. My buddy bought the 645 instead and I bought a 4" Model 66. Some of the other things in the case that day included a Taurus .38 with the weird yellowish hard chrome finish, a nickeled .44-40 Colt SAA, a stainless Randall 1911 and a Detonics Pocket 9. Damn, I'm old.

iamretired · #9 09-25-2021, 12:02 AM

I had one sold it, sorry I did, I still have a left handed holster and some magazines. Made better than any 45 I have owned. It's huge tho, lol.

Taj · #10 09-25-2021, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundels

A buddy of mine bought a 645 new in the Summer of 1985. I remember the date because the salesman at Pro-Arms in Salt Lake tried to sell us this weird 17 round plastic gun from Austria. It was in the glass display case and nobody wanted to buy it. My buddy bought the 645 instead and I bought a 4" Model 66. Some of the other things in the case that day included a Taurus .38 with the weird yellowish hard chrome finish, a nickeled .44-40 Colt SAA, a stainless Randall 1911 and a Detonics Pocket 9. Damn, I'm old.

Hey Roundels,

Pro Arms was probably owned by Ron Reagan back then.(Not the Pres). I was working for a rep group that was the area rep for that plastic pistol. Used to call on Pro Arms. Couldn't give those things away back then.

Artyldr01 · #11 09-25-2021, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamretired

I had one sold it, sorry I did, I still have a left handed holster and some magazines. Made better than any 45 I have owned. It's huge tho, lol.

If the left handed holster fits a 4506, hooked trigger guard, I may be interested if it may be for sale. Hard to find for us southpaws!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

BigBoy99 · #12 09-25-2021, 08:13 AM

In a box of "gun stuff" I bought, I found a right and left handed Safariland holsters. Since the 645 would fit in them perfectly, I had to get two 645's to fill the holsters!

Trooper224 · #13 09-25-2021, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamretired

I had one sold it, sorry I did, I still have a left handed holster and some magazines. Made better than any 45 I have owned. It's huge tho, lol.

It's not huge, you're just too small.