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Old 07-16-2009, 12:15 PM
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Default S&W 945 PC detail photos (shooting experiences added)

After almost a year of waiting it is finally here. Some photos of my new, not yet fired (not by me, but has been shot for CIP proofing) S&W 945-1 PC 45 ACP.

1911 lower, 4506 upper.


Ambi safety.


Fits in a 1911 Galco holster, but did not go into a kydex holster, probably because of the "race stripes" on the slide.


Rear sight by Wilson.


Barrel lugs. The barrel comes out the rear.


Recoil spring and guide.


Front strap and grip checkering.


The firing pin safety plunger and ejector, S&W 3rd generation style.


Trigger 1911 style.


Trigger rides in a channel just like in a 1911.


External extractor.


Briley bushing in different positions.







Last edited by sasu; 07-21-2009 at 04:04 PM.
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Old 07-16-2009, 12:27 PM
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Very nice. By CIP proofing, I'm assuming that you're in one of the European countries that still does this to all firearms upon immportation? Let us know how it shoots, especially compared to a 1911.
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Old 07-16-2009, 01:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 45stops-em-quick View Post
how it shoots, especially compared to a 1911.
Oh yeah... I have a pretty new Les Baer Premier II 45 ACP 1911 pistol to compare it with. Those two are in the same league at least on paper: nice trigger action, adjustable sight, well fitted, accurate, $2000ish.
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Old 07-17-2009, 12:34 PM
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Very nice, but I'm not too excited with the slotted screws for the grip. I think an allen would look better.
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Old 07-21-2009, 03:25 PM
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I shot the pistol the first time today. Accuracy was a slight disappointment, but it could have been me and the improvised support set up, and the ammo.

I shot and got two five shot 3" groups at 25 yards and off hand I shot this 2"+ inch group at 15 yards. I was shooting Remington 230 FMJ factory ammo, not exactly match ammunition.

I was expecting tighter groups as this pistol is famous for accuracy. I will continue testing and next time I will build a better sand bag set up for support.



A very gun proficient friend of mine field stripped the gun, examined the parts and their fitting and did some measurements. He was not too impressed, especially considering the semi-custom price range. I recently bought a Les Baer Premier II 1911 and will be comparing these two guns in the coming months. In the fitting department the Les Baer wins hands down, accuracy and ergonomics need more testing.

Last edited by sasu; 07-21-2009 at 03:38 PM.
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Old 07-21-2009, 03:29 PM
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that gun is killing me, I havn't seen many PC guns this good looking
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Old 07-21-2009, 03:36 PM
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A couple more holsters, a Fobus and an Elite Survival Systems.





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Old 07-21-2009, 03:38 PM
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the elite looks like it is more comfortable, but I bet that girl would look great in leather
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Old 07-21-2009, 04:02 PM
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What kind of Ransom Rest or bench rested groups are you getting from your 945?

I am expecting to get five shot groups of 1.5"-2" at 25 yards. If not, I will be mightily disappointed with this gun, the whole purpose for it being tack driving accuracy you do not get from mass produced ordinary pistols. You can get a Les Baer with 3" @ 50 yards guarantee for the same price.
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Old 07-21-2009, 04:06 PM
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Nice gun! Ours are almost close.

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Old 07-21-2009, 04:28 PM
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One thing to consider when you are comparing accuracy from a sandbag or by hand, is the sights.

I had a LB Monolith and the sights were .110" rear notch and .119" front.

I had a 945 with the Wilson rear and it came with .125" rear notch and front.

the Baer would shoot tighter groups from a bag. Aim small miss small.

while there are many variables to test the accuracy of a match grade gun,
ammo
shooter
fixed rest
trigger
barrel and barrel fit
lighting
sights
I am sure I missed one.

there is a person that I read years ago which outshot a ramson rest and that person is a member of this forum.

it was a article in a gun mag.

dont mean to change the post, can anyone guess.
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Old 07-21-2009, 04:53 PM
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My 945 PC is by far my favorite 45acp. Great shooter, great balance and feel, especially for the price.
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Old 07-21-2009, 05:51 PM
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Nice looking 945.
Ayoob.
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Old 07-21-2009, 06:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by furyalecto View Post
Ayoob.
AH, you read that article.

cool
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Old 07-22-2009, 12:51 PM
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Surely a Performance Center pistol should outdo a SW1911PD, though admittedly with a tightly fitted Ed Brown barrel.

Same Remington ammo, smaller groups (5 shots at 25 yards in 2").

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Old 07-22-2009, 03:05 PM
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Default Lots of hipe...not so great for accuracy.

This may cause a riff with some, but I own a PC (952 model) and I think the accuracy is overrated for the high price. Oh yeah, they look and feel great, but anyone who has shot a number of different less expensive auto's knows many can outshoot a PC product. I will admit, ammo does make a difference. Find the correct ammo and better accuracy will follow. But not so that will make you drop a ton of cash for another PC auto.
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Old 07-22-2009, 05:07 PM
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sasu,

5.1 grains of Win 231 with a 200 grain LSWC will reduce your group size to about 1 1/2", maybe less.

Or you could try some Federal 185 grain SWC Match ammo, just to see what it can really do. Chuck the ball ammo if you want real accuracy.

Bob

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Old 07-23-2009, 04:57 AM
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Oh yes, I will be trying other loads for accuracy in this gun, too.

My 3" 25 yard groups are not all that hopeless if you use the 1.0-1.5-2.0 rule. I am just spoiled by more accurate guns and it is disappointing to see larger than two inch groups at 25 yards.

The 1.0-1.5-2.0 rule goes like this:

Base line is the group size from a Ransom Rest.
Shooting hand held from a solid rest you should get 1.5 times the Ransom Rest groups.
Shooting off hand i.e. without support you should get 2 times the Ransom Rest groups.

For example you get 1" from a Ransom Rest, you would get 1.5" hand held groups and 2.0" off hand groups.

This assumes the shooter is quite proficient.

If I were a very good shooter, my 3" hand held groups would translate to 2" Ransom Rest groups. That is not too bad for cheap factory ball ammo. If I were a mediocre shooter, the 3" hand held groups would translate to even smaller Ransom Rest groups.

This is what the two 3" groups from the bench rest look like.

Last edited by sasu; 07-23-2009 at 06:16 AM.
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Old 07-23-2009, 10:07 PM
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What you are seeing seems to be the average experience with the gun. I bought mine last year and thought something was defective because my plain looking box stock Colt Series '70 Gold Cup will shoot the pants off of my 945 with all of it's bells and whistles.

It really does defy logic because of all of the hand fitted components that suposedly goes into making the 945, it really should do better. But... I'm still glad I bought it, if nothing else the "oh wow" apperance makes it fun to have.

If you search this forum, there are numerous threads discussing the 945's accuracy. It is a picky gun with factory loaded ammo.

Like rbert0005 mentioned, I too got good results with W231. I use a heavier bullet, but powder charge is almost identical. It also fires very well from my Gold Cup and was the loading I took to the range with me when I decided to compare the two guns.
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Old 07-24-2009, 02:00 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gunhacker View Post
What you are seeing seems to be the average experience with the gun.
Massad Ayoob's article seems to confirm this, too. 3" groups at 25 yards, with an occasional 2-incher thrown in. That is service pistol category, not target pistol.

Oh man, if this is all the gun is capable of... It is a $2000+ gun! For that price you can get a 3" at 50 yards guarantee from some other manufacturers.

I wonder if I could find and learn to fit a match grade barrel on this gun? The one on it now is quite loose and rattles around except for the bushing which is tight, and the barrel inside surfaces are quite rough.

Is the S&W Armorer's Course the only way to learn to fit barrels on these? Does anyone make 3rd party match barrels for these guns?
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Old 07-24-2009, 02:07 AM
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I would go for the armoror's class then you will enhance your knowledge of the pistol AND get something for your article
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Old 07-24-2009, 11:44 AM
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The 945 are supposed to already have a match barrel in them... that's one of the Performance Center features touted for all pistols.

No one as far as I know currently sells a replacement match barrel. If there is one, I'd take advantage of the upper being from the 4506 lineage and buy one for my 4506-1.

I don't know how much of a hassle it would be for you, and I get the feeling it's probably impractical, but you might consider sending it off to S&W (on their dime) to have that barrel looked at... or call Customer Service to see if they would sent a replacement barrel.

I recently had a PC 4006 IDPA that was dragging the right side ambi decocker lever on the frame due to lateral free play. Not only did they fix the decocker problem, they also refinished the frame to get rid of the bright wear lines created on the matte frame surface by the problem.
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Old 07-25-2009, 11:53 AM
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I shot more groups with the Remington 230 FMJ ammo, just to rule out flukes. These are 25 meter (yard) groups shot from a sand bag rest.

Group size 2.4"


Group size 3.0"


Aim small, miss small did not help this time, group size 4.3". I hope that is a shooter induced flyer at the bottom.


Just for reference I shot my stock Kimber Tactical Pro II with the same ammo, groups were 3.4" and 3.5". So my $2200 Performance Center gun is just slightly more accurate than a $1300 Kimber. Hmm...




Seriously speaking, I will continue testing different loads in the 945PC, hopefully I will find something that shoots better. As you can see the gun would be useless at least for bullseye with this load, it can barely keep the hits in the 9-ring of an official pistol target.

The right hand side thumb safety lever does not work, it goes down just a small amount and then refuses to move further down. I have to press the left hand side safety lever to disengage the safety. I found this out while doing weak hand practice today.

(EDIT: I solved the safety problem, sort of. The safeties slide apart so they do not connect with each other properly anymore. I pressed the right hand side safety lever back in as far as it went and now both levers work again. But the lever will walk out again if nothing is changed. I will have to figure out how to remove the safety and have a look at their connection mechanism. The traditional 1911 system ("cock hammer, move safety to mid position, pull safety out") did not work, at least not with reasonable force. Does someone know how to remove the 945PC thumb safety levers?)

I am overseas so sending the gun in for warranty repairs is out of the question. Do you know if a 1911 thumb safety works in this gun? Such a common spare part would be easy to find and easy to fit myself.

Last edited by sasu; 07-25-2009 at 12:38 PM.
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Old 07-25-2009, 01:16 PM
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I had the same issue with the thumb safety on my Springfield TRP.
Try tightening the top grip panel on the side that the lever is walking out on. It is actually the grip panel that holds that lever in place enough to engage the other safety.
I know this is not the greatest advice. I did this and it worked (yes, I know I did it with a 1911 and not this model) at least for about 6 months before I had the whole safety system replaced with a Mushke thumb safety system.
If you are over seas there should still be a warranty center out there some place. Have you looked?
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Old 07-25-2009, 01:20 PM
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sasu: Have you tried using factory match, 185 grain, semi-wadcutter ammunition through your 945? My 945 shoots superbly with this stuff. I know it's pricey and sometimes hard to come by. Because I'm a long time bullseye shooter and not independently wealthy, I have to reload for the most part if I plan on shooting much. But trying the factory match ammo should show you what your 945 is (or is not) capable of and will give you a base line from which to judge how well your reloads stack up.
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Old 07-26-2009, 04:48 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dgludwig View Post
Have you tried using factory match, 185 grain, semi-wadcutter ammunition through your 945?
Not yet but I will soon.

I reload my own ammo. I do not have any match bullets or match ammo at the moment, since I have stocked up on bulk bullets for action shooting.

I will keep you posted on how my accuracy experiments go. I will also shoot my 4506 and Les Baer 1911 for reference in future experiments, to take the shooter out of the formula without going to a Ransom Rest which I do not have.

I would like to quote Massad Ayoob from his 945 review article:
Quote:
Hand-held off a bench, as this pistol was tested, groups in the 3" range aren't great, but aren't really awful either.
...
Now, let's get subjective for a minute. If I'm gonna pay $2 grand for a target-grade pistol, I want it to put all five rounds into 1" from my own two hands.
...
S&W's Jim Rae tells me a 5" 945 does not have any particular accuracy spec it has to meet before it leaves the Performance Center, but will generally put five shots into 1" to an 1 1/4" at 25 yards.
I am now trying to find out how my pistol performs. I have a suspicion I might end up buying a replacement barrel and having it fitted tighter than the original barrel.

I do not understand the mechanics of the 945 barrel fit yet, but there seems to be room for improvement on my pistol. When installed just in the slide, the rear of the barrel moves a couple of several thousandths from side-to-side and fore-and-aft. The hood has been machined or filed a bit short, the gun takes a 0.002" feeler gauge between the breech face and barrel hood. I do not know where the side-to-side play comes from and which parts should stabilize the barrel when it is in battery. When the bullet travels through the rifling it tries to twist the barrel, and the barrel should be so well supported sideways that it will not twist with the bullet.

Patrick Sweeney says in one of his books on pistols (The Gun Digest Book of 1911 - Volume 2) that you should not have to sacrifice ammo versatility or reliability to get accuracy.
Quote:
If you can get good accuracy only with a particular bullet, or ammunition, or load, then you have to ask if it is worth it.
...
you can get a top-quality barrel installed, and pretty much count on good accuracy with everything...
The last point is proven by my SW1911PD, which shoots 2" groups with this Remington 230 FMJ bulk ammo. That pistol has a professionally fitted Ed Brown barrel. It shoots great even though the slide to frame fit borders on nightmarish: it has around 0.010" vertical and horizontal clearance, where match guns are fitted with only up to 0.001" clearance. The gun shot 5"-6" groups with the factory barrel, which was not fitted properly at the lower lugs and the hood. S&W offered to repair the gun but sending it in from overseas was not feasible, but anyway I am happy with the outcome even though it cost a few hundred dollars to achieve.

I expect 3"-4" 25 meter groups from 9 mm service pistols, but definitely not from match pistols. Any pistol that shoots more than 4" groups at 25 meters even after trying several types of ammo is going to be inspected for problems and then repaired. For example I just bought a factory mid price range 1911 that delivered 5"-6" groups - turned out the barrel lower lugs were not fitted properly and the gun went out for warranty work (for longevity reasons, not for accuracy).

With revolvers I expect to get 1"-2" groups at 25 meters. If I cannot do that, there is something wrong with the gun. So far reasons have ranged from nicked muzzle crown to misaligned chambers to under sized or over sized cylinder throats.

I am not a gunsmith so I am laying out my thought processes to be criticized and corrected. I am trying to learn, the end goal is not so much a super accurate gun but rather more knowledge.

EDIT:

I checked how the slide stop pin supports the barrel from below. This seems to be pretty good?



I definitely have to give this gun a chance with good match ammo. The barrel fit seems a lot better after doing some measurements.

Last edited by sasu; 07-26-2009 at 06:33 AM.
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Old 07-26-2009, 01:20 PM
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EDIT:

I checked how the slide stop pin supports the barrel from below. This seems to be pretty good?



I definitely have to give this gun a chance with good match ammo. The barrel fit seems a lot better after doing some measurements.[/QUOTE]

From your photo, I think the fit looks pretty darn tight. Do keep us posted as to your continuing work with your 945. I've found it to be interesting as well as informative.
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Old 07-26-2009, 05:23 PM
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I've been wondering whether or not it's a problem with too light of a recoil spring allowing the barrel to begin it's travel too soon, letting the barrel start to go out of battery.

It has really mystified me too, as I checked all of the clearances on my 945 and by all rights it should be shooting better than it does.

It has a tighter slide to frame fit than my Gold Cup, the briley barrel bushings are known for contributing to the accuracy of a gun, and my 945 locks really up solid and yet the "sloppier" Gold Cup out does it.

It is going be very interesting to see where you investigation leads.
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Old 08-11-2009, 01:49 PM
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I did some more shooting with different factory ammo and reloads, to have some hard data for the magazine article.

I was able to get down to average groups of 2.3"-2.4" at 25 meters off sandbags with the best two reloads.

My Les Baer 1911 I used for reference shot those same loads to 1.3"-1.5" average.

Bulk ball ammo seems to be a 3"-inch affair in this gun, I tried several manufacturers.

Groups of 2" inches are good enough for action shooting, but not for bullseye.

I will post more detailed information in a few months, after the magazine article has been out for a while.
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Old 08-13-2009, 04:45 PM
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I also like the WOW factor of my 945, but I too, have a tack drivein' Model 70 Series Gold Cup, tricked out of course, that will shoot the pants off of my PC 945.
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Old 08-13-2009, 04:54 PM
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SASU:

I too, have had problems with my 945 ambidextrous safety and I'm left handed! I am afarid to use it!!

The folks at the Performance Center know there is a problem.(See my other posts)

I have a Colt Gold Cup with an ambidextrous and never had a problem with it.
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  #32  
Old 08-28-2009, 11:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bhpDrew645 View Post
If you are over seas there should still be a warranty center out there some place.
In Belgium, yes. It still requires permits to send a gun there.

I wrote S&W a letter explaining how this gun does not exhibit the level of accuracy I would expect from a $2000+ Performance Center gun, and I also mentioned the ambi safety that does not stay put and the rough bore and chamber finish.

It will be interesting to see how they reply.

If I were in the States S&W would probably take the pistol in for a check up. But as I am in Europe there will be extra legal work to move the gun across borders and I do not know what are S&Ws gunsmithing capabilities here in Europe.

I wrote in my letter that if they do not consider the gun eligible for warranty work, then at least sell me a new barrel I can have locally fitted.
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  #33  
Old 09-10-2009, 02:36 AM
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Hi there!

My first post ever... I'm not too much of an internet guy, anyways.

However, sitting here (Germany), waiting for my own brandnew 945PC to be shipped...

About accuracy: I've only once ever shot a 945: Slide to frame fit had some lateral play, the rear end of the barrel rattled in the slide -- all this with the gun field stripped. Put back together, there was no play whatsoever, no matter how hard you pushed, twisted or wrestled with any part of it. I can only assume that the barrel is pushed into place by its lower lugs properly interacting with the frame. The barrel inside looked perfectly shiny to me.

Now, here's the funny part: I couldn't hit a barn from the inside with this particular gun... Don't know why.

Even funnier: I ordered a 945 anyways -- guess I love challenges! The fact that they are currently availlable for 990 Euro (approx. $ 1350) at The Duke - Original American Gunshop GmbH - Spezialist für amerikanische Waffen und Munition - Waffen- und Munitionshandel, Waffenhändler, Waffenhandel helped with the decision, too... ;-)

Now, in his great book "The Gun Digest Book of Smith & Wesson" Patrick Sweeney writes that the 945 performs best with BLack Hillls Red 185 JHP. He shot groups measuring under an inch at 15 yards over sandbags with that stuff!

What do we learn from this? Ammo seems to be the most important issue with this gun!

My Les Baer Premier II doesn't have any of these accuracy issues... Well I STILL love the 945. It was love at first sight... Can't wait to finally take delivery of that little beauty!!!

I'll keep you posted.
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  #34  
Old 09-10-2009, 11:26 AM
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My S&W Performance Center CQB 45 likes 185 grain best, for tight small grouping. Most of my other S&W 45's will group best with a 185 grain 45 as well.

"S&W's Jim Rae tells me a 5" 945 does not have any particular accuracy spec it has to meet before it leaves the performance center..."

WOW! Thats disappointing, and surprising. Didn't those 945's come from the factory with a test target and an "accuracy guarantee" at one time?

Am I confusing it with another PC pistol?

Sooo...what are you getting for $2000 besides the additional laser etching, and gee whiz cosmetics, that you don't get from a regular production pistol???? Regards 18DAI
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  #35  
Old 09-10-2009, 11:53 AM
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Well, that's a good question... If you tend to look at the bright side of things, then maybe these pistols aren't subjected to factory accuracy tests because they don't have to? Because they ARE accurate? I can't say, yet -- as I said, mine hasn't even arrived, yet.

However, these guns DO look awesome. Maybe that's all there is to them.
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  #36  
Old 09-10-2009, 01:45 PM
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I have sent a letter to Smith & Wesson inquiring if the accuracy I am experiencing is what they consider reasonable.

The chamber and bore finish is quite rough and the rear of the barrel is not too well fitted.

If they will not repair it under warranty, I will purchase a new barrel and install it myself. I cannot imagine owning a $2300 match gun that is not accurate, it would feel like having a pebble in my shoe.
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  #37  
Old 09-10-2009, 02:50 PM
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Excuse me while i wipe the drool off my chin! Great pic taking too!
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  #38  
Old 09-10-2009, 04:38 PM
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Default Letter to S&W

Now, that's funny -- here's what I wrote to S&W today:


Hello,

I have just ordered a new 945PC with a 5 inch barrel. Now, reading the S&W forum and other sources (internet, reviews in magazines), I get the impression that there's no other S&W gun that's more controversial than the 945. Some say it's dead accurate, others give it a bashing for unnacceptable accuracy flaws as well as rough barrel insides and loose fitting.

What's the truth?

Don't worry - I can take it. I'm NOT going to cancel my order, no matter what your answer will be. I just want to know how much accuracy I will get out of this gun.

I have been a long time user of your products (686, 629, 27) and I must say that I've always been more than happy with the quality and accuracy of all these revolvers! Thus, I shall remain a loyal customer and keep the 945 in high regard no matter what.

Thanks in advance for your honest and informative reply.

Cheers,

Helwig


I am extremely curious what kind of answer I'm going to recieve. However, I'm even MORE curious what kind of gun I'm gonna recieve?!?

The dealer I ordered from promised to select the best one of those he's got left... Now, I bet that's what he tells all the customers. Maybe it's a better idea to drop by his shop (200 miles away) and see for myself? What do you guys think?
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  #39  
Old 09-10-2009, 06:21 PM
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Thumbs up 945

The S&W 945 is a piece of art ......... (excuse me while I stare)
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  #40  
Old 09-10-2009, 06:47 PM
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I think you are sweating for nothing.

I will bet that what they send you will more than just please you. The people that are not happy are very few and far between.

My reloads will make one hole groups all day long, from 50 feet.

Enjoy,
Bob
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  #41  
Old 09-10-2009, 11:47 PM
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Here is a photo where you can see some of the rough chamber finish. Does this look like a Performance Center match grade barrel? Even my standard Kimber barrels look a lot nicer.



It is now two weeks since I sent my letter to Smith & Wesson. I will send another copy today, and attach this photo.

Last edited by sasu; 09-11-2009 at 01:19 AM.
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  #42  
Old 09-11-2009, 04:44 AM
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Default rough chamber, quality and legal issues

That looks like the drill on the lathe was either blunt, out of center or driven in with the wrong speed...

I've seen a lot of this over here: Germans used to be known as a people who admire precision in all kinds of metal-working arts. However, having seen the products of various German gunsmiths in the past, I must say that I'm no longer sure if our reputation is still justified.

I've seen a lot of rough surfaces, rattling slides, barrels riding on the link instead of the lugs in the in-battery position, uneven cylinder/barrel gaps on custom revolvers, barrels shaking loose due to having received too little torque during installation, cylinders having so much endshake that they sometimes rubbed the barrel end... The list is endless.

I don't know what's wrong with our gunsmiths, these days. I DO hope it's only a regional problem limited to Germany. It's probably due to legal restrictions that we're facing these quality issues, here. Once you've recieved and registered your new gun, you can't just return it as defective and receive an exchange. That's probably why customers are more willing to compromise. You'd have to go through a VERY lengthy bureaucratic procedure to unregister the defective gun and actually apply for a permit to recieve an exchange which then will also have to be registered... This can take months! All this totally depends on how friendly or customer-oriented your local authorities are. I guess I'm lucky to live in a place where authorities are cooperative, their representatives are all sport shooters or hunters and thus they and treat law-obiding, gun owning citizens with due respect and try to help them whenever they can.

Still - it's impossible to be issued a CCW, over here. You're not allowed to carry, at all. You'd have to prove that your life is in danger... The only proof accepted as valid is your death certificate... just kidding.
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  #43  
Old 09-11-2009, 02:35 PM
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Southern Man, I second every thing you say. Except replace Finland for Germany.
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  #44  
Old 09-11-2009, 04:04 PM
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Sasu,

Your chamber looks just like all of mine.

However, I use Wilson chamber brushes for cleaning. They leave light scratches just like yours.

What's you point?

Bob
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  #45  
Old 09-11-2009, 04:18 PM
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My point is I pay $2300 for a target gun, I want match grade performance. Either S&W does it under warranty or I replace the barrel at my own cost. Quite simple, really.
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  #46  
Old 09-11-2009, 09:44 PM
Southern Man Southern Man is offline
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Indeed! You drop your hard earned cash -- you want quality in return!

Rough chambers don't necessarily lead to bad accuracy. However I take such things as symptoms for sloppy craftmanship in general.

Rough chambers are a bugger to clean, though. In severe cases combined with hot loads they can lead to unreliable extraction, too.

DO NOT use brushes that leave marks! Cleaning shouldn't damage the gun!
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  #47  
Old 09-12-2009, 02:21 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Man View Post
Rough chambers don't necessarily lead to bad accuracy.
Check.

Quote:
I take such things as symptoms for sloppy craftmanship in general.
Check.

Quote:
Rough chambers ... can lead to unreliable extraction
Check.

The barrel on my gun has the marks of being made and fitted in a hurry. That makes it an obvious target for improvement when I want the gun to perform better.

I am used to replacing poorly fitting parts on standard production guns because I realize at those prices there can be no hand fitting. But I am expecting more from a Performance Center gun that comes at almost double the price. Isn't that the whole point of Performance Center?

I know from reading many posts on the Internet that S&W warranty service is very good. I am now patiently waiting for their reply to my inquiry. The local distributor is of no help as this gun is personally imported.

Last edited by sasu; 09-12-2009 at 03:40 AM.
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  #48  
Old 09-12-2009, 05:22 AM
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Default S&W's reply

Hey, I got my reply today! Here's what they wrote - actually, that's all they wrote:

"Hi, the 945 is a very accurate handgun, I'm certain you will be completely satisfied with its accuracy and reliability."

End qoute.

B.t.w., I totally agree that there shouldn't be any major work necessary on a semi-custom gun like the 945. They should be good if not excelllent right out of the box. And I mean ALL of them should - not just some of of them, half of them, most of them... whatever.

Again, I consider myself fortunate for having found an excellent gunsmith right here in my hometown. I am now a regular customer with him because almost every gun I bought recently needed a major makeover. My S&W 686, for instance needed to have its barrel reset one turn of the thread because the cylinder/barrel gap was way too wide and so uneven that the emitted gasses threw the gun slightly to the left when fired. The forcing cone was pretty rough, too. the muzzle had to be re-crowned, as well. All this increased the gun's accuracy by approx. 150 percent!
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  #49  
Old 09-12-2009, 09:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Man View Post
they wrote:

"Hi, the 945 is a very accurate handgun, I'm certain you will be completely satisfied with its accuracy and reliability."
And they are right, as long as the gun has been built with care. If not, it can be repaired.
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  #50  
Old 10-16-2009, 08:17 AM
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Default 945-1 finally arrived, tested and given a few finishing touches...

Hi there!

Afew weeks ago I recieved my 945 and test fired it. Accuracy seemed to be ok so far. However, I hadn't tried various brands of ammo and the trigger left a lot to be desired.

On the other hand, the fit of the barrel is ok, only a little lateral play which hopefully is amended by the extractor pushing the cartridge and the barrel to the left... We'll see. The slide / frame fit is very good. The inside of the barrel is very good, too - no tooling marks anywhere, totally smooth chamber and nicely cut rifling. That's the way I like it!

I instantly took the pistol to my gunsmith and he corrected a few flaws in craftmanship as well as the trigger pull and feel. Tonight I'm going to test fire the 945 again and - if I'm happy with it - I'll use in a steel contest, tomorrow.

I'll keep you posted!

Cheers,

Helwig
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