Have read many good things about the M-745

Joined
Nov 11, 2008
Messages
2,471
Reaction score
1,635
Location
N.C.
I had the privilege of seeing a M-745 "Ten Year Anniversary 1976-1986". Wondering if these are equal to the other same models? Don't want to pay a premium for a commemorative type if it's not on par to the original. If so this appears to not have been shot or carried and is as new in original box with all original tools and paperwork, asking $1,350, does this seem in line? I appreciate those of you who are semi-auto literate to speak up so I may have some help making a decision as to buy or not, thanks.
 
Register to hide this ad
I have a IPSC commemorative 745. The only difference between it and a regular 745 is the serial number and the engraving on the slide. The only difference between a 745 and a 645 is the 745 is SAO, has early pattern NOVAKs, and an enlarged mag release button.

Other than that, same gun.

It is a neat gun, but man, are they going for that much?
 
I have one of each , they are great guns . To me , that's a little high . You can go to GB and look at past sales , but remember they are paying all sorts of fees plus taxes now . If you're looking for a shooter , you can do better than that .

I have to add , the sights aren't the best . My plain one I had Guzzitaco put an Sig Romeo on it . That thing is awesome now , it'll hit whatever you put that red dot on . I know it's cheating , but at 66 I deserve a little help ......
 
Last edited:
I like mine a bunch and it shoots just fine, although I don't shoot it much. My CS45, Shield ported PC .45, and 4513TSW get a lot more workout as those are ones I might carry and I want to stay proficient and familiar with 'em.

If you are posting I'll assume the hurricane passed you by as I did my brother-in-law who lives near Surf City on the coast. Praying for all those suffering.
 
Redcoat3340, thanks for the concern, the major problem here was just the 4" of rain and all the small rotten pecan limbs on the ground, our mountain counties really took the brunt of the storm with over 30" of rain and the destruction with all the water and nowhere to go without damaging everything.

No one has suggested what the price should be just that the asking was a little high. So what is a fair price, please!
 
Maybe it doesn't matter but you didn't say if you want to buy it to shoot or to keep as an unshot collectible?

I'm a 3rd Gen guy but as far as a standard production 2nd Gen model goes a nice 745 would one of the few 2nd Gens I'd buy, to shoot & enjoy, if I came across one.

That said, for me, I'd be thinking more like $700 to $900 if I REALLY wanted it, but of course it really depends on what you think it's worth to you & what the seller thinks it's worth to him.

I don't see it as a highly collectible model worth $1350 unless it was one of the few special ones made and, again, you REALLY wanted it.

Others can add their $.02

.
 
The safety, mag and slide releases were too big and made racking it painful. It didn't shoot any better than my 4506. The single action trigger wasn't spectacular.

To each his own and all of that good stuff. I disagree with fantastic vigor. :D

I have a pair of 745's and I love them. I agree the thumb safety is too large and gangly, although I would suspect a speed steel shooter back in 1986 would have enjoyed that larger paddle.

The slide release is exactly the same as every other full size and mid-size 2nd and 3rd Gen .45 and 10mm (and 9mm and .40cal...) so that's an odd gripe.

I find the single action trigger to be quite interesting and noteworthy also, as no full production 1-2-3rd Gen ever had a similar setup except the Models 52-1 and 52-2.

This trigger is two-way adjustable for pre-travel and over travel and I find both my 745's triggers quite interesting in that neither have a "light" pull, but both have an extremely short, clean pull and the over travel stop, when properly adjusted makes a world of difference.

I've owned or shot the 4506, 645, 4566, 4566TSW and the much loved and sought after 4506 R3 (as well as the 1006, the 4006, 5906, 3906, 3913, 469, 59, 659, 39-2, 539, 639) and there are only two non-PC single action triggers that I like better than both my 745's and that's the Model 52 and the Super-9.

Meh... There's a reason it's not still in production.
Your earlier gripes about not liking the controls and not seeing any upgrade in accuracy and not figuring out the trigger are what they are... personal and for you -- real.

This gripe here is lazy and derails the argument. Fact is, they don't make ANY of the guns anymore that all of us love and discuss here daily.

And for sure, it's not because you couldn't figure out a 745. ;)

Were there any 1-2-3rd Gens that you loved? I'm just sayin' that they don't make those anymore either.
 
I paid 800 for my non 10yr adjustable sight with original box, all papers, and 2 mags. That was about a month ago via private sale here in the midwest.
You got a fantastic deal as the ones with the factory installed adjustable rear sight were the very last ones made and they were kicked out in much smaller numbers than the IPSC Commemorative and the non-anniversary guns both with the fixed early Novak style rear sight.

$800 would be the going rate for a high condition fixed sight 745 regardless of IPSC Commemorative or not, and the later model with the OEM adjustable rear would probably go closer to $1,000.
 
The only difference between a 745 and a 645 is the 745 is SAO, has early pattern NOVAKs, and an enlarged mag release button.

Other than that, same gun.
Almost. It does matter that the 745 is a two-tone pistol, blued slide and stainless frame. The 745 also has the two-way adjustable trigger and the trigger itself it a physically different unit than all the DA/SA guns.

The 745 also needed slightly different stocks than the 645 because the massive safety needs the clearance on the left side stock.

The 745 has no decock function as the 645 does, the safety is a hammer block and locks the firing pin when deployed. Otherwise, there is no firing pin lock -- the 745 would not be classified as "drop safe" much like a 39-2 or 59, where all the 2nd and 3rd Gen pistols would be.

Finally, the 745 also differs from the 645 (and most every 1-2-3rd Gen) as there is also no magazine disconnect safety.

I have a 645 also and it never sees the light of day while my 745's get lots of miles on them.
 
Almost. It does matter that the 745 is a two-tone pistol, blued slide and stainless frame. The 745 also has the two-way adjustable trigger and the trigger itself it a physically different unit than all the DA/SA guns.

The 745 also needed slightly different stocks than the 645 because the massive safety needs the clearance on the left side stock.

The 745 has no decock function as the 645 does, the safety is a hammer block and locks the firing pin when deployed. Otherwise, there is no firing pin lock -- the 745 would not be classified as "drop safe" much like a 39-2 or 59, where all the 2nd and 3rd Gen pistols would be.

Finally, the 745 also differs from the 645 (and most every 1-2-3rd Gen) as there is also no magazine disconnect safety.

I have a 645 also and it never sees the light of day while my 745's get lots of miles on them.

The barrel is the same, the fitting of parts is the same, etc.... The 745 is not a performance center tuned gun. It is a factory assembly built piece with many parts coming from the same parts bins as the 645.

I have both a 645 and a 745. I enjoy both. But the idea that the 745 is somehow a higher end pistol, it isn't. the Same exact QC that went into the 645 went into the 745.

That isn't a bad thing. But the 745 is not like the 845.

And a blued slide doesn't made it shoot any better. ;)
 
I found this in CA a few years back. It was "in box" though not exactly new, as someone had gotten to it with a dremel ...

IMG_1140.jpg

I wouldn't have done it myself, but I don't mind that it was done. I'd have preferred Smith skipped the hooked trigger guard and my 20/20 vision still likes a squared off front sight.

Trigger pull is very nice but not great. A bit of rattle between the slide and frame.
 
I went through a few 645’s….was never happy with the “combat accuracy” I got from them. My 745 shoots groups half the size of groups shot with any of my 645’s. Put it on a rest at 25yds, or 50.
 
If he has the box, I bet ya a dollar to a donut that it will indeed say 7450 on it. ;)
 

Latest posts

Back
Top