gunny4053
US Veteran
Title says it all, I found one and am really interested. What's the skinny on what appears to be an underrated firearm? Does $699 get a good firearm at a fair price? Thanks for indulging an old guy.
S&W 1911's, fill me in
- Thread starter gunny4053
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They’re just fine. Not Colts and have an odd extractor, but work just fine.
Tanners Owner
US Veteran
I have an E series and have been very happy with it. I believe S&W 1911s are underrated.
To your Q- $700 appears to be a decent price from my experience , assuming it’s in good condition
To your Q- $700 appears to be a decent price from my experience , assuming it’s in good condition
The S&W 1911s I’ve owned have been good guns. My 1911TA is one of my favorite pistols. It has a miserable looking barrel, but it shoots very well. It’s not something one takes much pride in when he looks down the bore, but the barrel works fine so I haven’t thought to replace it. The extractor is a non-issue, to me. I’ve had fewer troubles with the S&W extractor than I have with those of the Browning/Colt design. I’ve had to replace several of those.
Assuming you’re talking about a used gun and depending on the model, $700 is in the ballpark for the less expensive models, IMO, if in very good to excellent condition. For the more expensive models in the same condition, it could be a bargain.
Assuming you’re talking about a used gun and depending on the model, $700 is in the ballpark for the less expensive models, IMO, if in very good to excellent condition. For the more expensive models in the same condition, it could be a bargain.
OP
gunny4053
US Veteran
I'll have to check the model, but it has the older slide serrations, not the fish scales, it also lacks the billboard on the slide. It does have adjustable target sights and some nice checkering on the front strap.
If it’s stainless, I have one of those. Good gun, and a fair price, IMO. I dislike the forward serrations and the fish scale stuff, but even though it is fish scaly, I’m quite fond of my black 1911TA.
Bevo84
Member
A new one starts at $889.99
ultratec00
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I have a scandium frame 1911 and recoil is quite snappy. Having a few series 80 type 1911s, I will say S&W did the series 80 right if you have to go down that path. The firing pin block is engaged via the grip safety vs. trigger mechanism. The advantage is being able to adjust the overtravel w/o potentially damaging the firing pin block plunger or causing malfunctions.
Note all my series 80s have had the firing pin block removed, essentially making them into a series 70.
Note all my series 80s have had the firing pin block removed, essentially making them into a series 70.
Pisgah
Member
Well, it's like this:
It's a 1911, made by Smith & Wesson...
It's a 1911, made by Smith & Wesson...
jack zeller
Member
The E series are wonderful guns. A commander wirh round butt on the Scandium frame ia as good as any pistol I have ever shot or owned.
Ok 1911, but the external extractor is a deal breaker for me. I like external extractors, just not on my 1911s. Just a personal preference.
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I think that's a fair price for one of those in today's market. Depending on the condition of course
I have a E series 1911 (Stainless)
and a Stainless "1911" with a black Melonite finish..... I think its Melonite? (no billboard, fully adj rear sights )
Both are good shooters and no issues with the extractors at all
I have a E series 1911 (Stainless)
and a Stainless "1911" with a black Melonite finish..... I think its Melonite? (no billboard, fully adj rear sights )
Both are good shooters and no issues with the extractors at all
lightstar_actual
Member
They are well-wornrth $699! Many knock them for their external extractor, but everyone I've shot and the one I carried back in the day ran like scalded dogs. Buy it!
Shutthefrontdoor
Member
Any owners of the "JMB" series care to chime in? I've convinced myself that if I am going to get a 1911 that this would be the one. It just looks so tight and the date of manufacture put them in the PC sweet spot.
Anyone?
Anyone?
I've got a JRE, and it's a fantastic shooter. Finish is outstanding as well. I picked up a slightly later slide/barrel combination (it doesn't have the billboard, but it does have the non-fish scale cocking serrations and was fitted with a Kart NM barrel), and that one's so tight there is no movement at all.
SW has been doing external extractors for decades and they seem to work fine. I'd reject a plastic pistol well before I'd turn one down for having an external extractor. I always find it interesting people will kick about that one thing but then hang enough junk on a 1911 that it looks more like one of those "Ricky Racer" Subarus or something than it does a 1911...
SW has been doing external extractors for decades and they seem to work fine. I'd reject a plastic pistol well before I'd turn one down for having an external extractor. I always find it interesting people will kick about that one thing but then hang enough junk on a 1911 that it looks more like one of those "Ricky Racer" Subarus or something than it does a 1911...
I have an early serial number JMB00012X Performance Center Target model that shoots like drill motor! The last 1911 in my collection that I could ever part with!
I have a scandium 45, and it's the one I carry over all the others. Great guns. The extractor just works, no fuss no muss. My Brownings are also great with external extractors.
Internal extractors can have problems. In my young stupid days I bought an AMT Hardballer 1911. Extractor broke in half in less than 2 mags. It was cast! Although I love Kimbers. I bought one of their Raptors with an external extractor. Never worked, and they sent me 3 slightly different extractors over a few months, all slightly different, and none of which worked. Sold the gun, and Kimber dropped the external extractor shortly thereafter. If you ever find a used one, run!
Internal extractors can have problems. In my young stupid days I bought an AMT Hardballer 1911. Extractor broke in half in less than 2 mags. It was cast! Although I love Kimbers. I bought one of their Raptors with an external extractor. Never worked, and they sent me 3 slightly different extractors over a few months, all slightly different, and none of which worked. Sold the gun, and Kimber dropped the external extractor shortly thereafter. If you ever find a used one, run!
You rang?
This one shipped May 20, 2005. MSRP at that time was $2,272. Street price was less. Mr. Jinks said that 823 of these were made.One of the first ones to leave the S&W custom shop was mine. I've never experienced an extractor problem. In the end, I gave it to my son's closest buddy. Since then, I have not heard of any issues he has had with it. Are there any other firearms that would make a suitable starting 1911? Depending on where you wish to begin.
Mine was obviously one of their original 1911s rather than an E Series.
Mine was obviously one of their original 1911s rather than an E Series.
Revelation
Member
Yes Sir, I like mine, and it shoots flawlessly.
This two tone finish JMB series pistol
SKU 170261 followed me home today.
Nice. I've got a JRE and just picked up a JFR. Both are flawless 1911s and shoot quite well.
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<-- W-e-l-l ... They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
The price reads as pretty good! A steal compared to MSRP. S&W has several models of 1911-pattern pistols; but that would be a great price for any of them if it has been well-treated.
I think I paid under $700 for each of mine (the JRF was under $600). Both through Gunbroker. I've noticed that for some reason the pre-E series models seem to run for less on there unless someone has managed to "create" some sort of special status for them (owned by X something like that).
They are very good guns.
$700 is a very good price. I’d grab it.
I have one of those. I've never shot it.
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For another $300, I would rather buy a Colt.
That's a good looking 1911 pistol!
