S&W 1911 Opinions/Experiences wanted

Redlegvzv

Redlegvzv

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I was looking at the S&W 1911 45 Cal. yesterday at my LGS and am sorely tempted to pick it up. The fit and finish were beautiful, and of course the S&W name means a lot to me. The one I looked at at fixed sights and was stainless steel. Can anyone with experience comment on this gun? My questions are these:

1. It has fixed sights. Are these sights typically pretty accurate, or can I expect to have to have some gunsmithing done?

2. Accuracy -- how does this one stack up against other 1911s in the $1K range?

3. Overall -- how is this gun!

Any other opinions and observations welcome.
 
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I own several 1911 guns and have owned many brands over the years, beginning in the early 60's.

Two of the 1911 guns I own are recent production S&W 5 inch 1911.

They are, without question, the nicest 1911 guns I ever owned, including what is called custom guns. I also rank them well ahead of any other make or model guns I have ever owned.

The accuracy is far better than I am capable of. The fit and comfort of the guns is perfect for me and my hand size. Recoil is remarkably light.

One of the guns has been carried daily since I bought it over a year ago and has been fired thousands of time with only one single jamb and that was a bullet issue. The other gun has been fired several times without a problem but not a lot of rounds has been fired through it.

I had an issue with my main carry gun a few weeks ago but it was due to error by a "custom" gunsmith that did a tweak on it. The problem was corrected almost immediately and no problems since.

The trigger on both guns is smooth and I cannot say enough about how much I love the S&W 1911.
 
They're OK :D

pace40-albums-s-w-bottomfeeders-picture2551-1911-layout.jpg




Seriously...you won't be disappointed.
 
I absolutely love mine. Great looks, blued, no forward slide serrations, traditional short guide rod, Novak lo-mount sights, and wood grips. Very accurate and utterly reliable. I highly recommend them!
100_0101.jpg
 
Great input, fellows. No one commented directly as regards the accuracy of the fixed sights, so may I conclude that there were no issues there?
 
No problems with the fixed sights...point of aim with all of them with all ammo, factory and reloads....I have three, I carry one as my duty weapon and have total confidence in it.
 
I think the S&W's are very good 1911s for the money. My wife and I have three between us (two stainless 108282s and a 4.25" 1911PD), and I can shoot my 108282 just as well as my Colt Combat Elite. The sights on the Colt are just a hair larger, but I have had no problems with the fixed sights on the S&Ws.
I did swap out the triggers on mine because the factory triggers felt kind of sloppy to me - more play side-to-side and up and down than I liked.
 
I like mine.....

I have the basic plain blue model. I added a mag-well and slim grips. I've never had any functioning problems - it will shoot all factory ammo I've tried, as well as my reloads (230 LRN, 200 LSWC, and 185 LSWC).
SW1911 l mw sg.jpgSW1911 r mw sg.jpg

Here are a couple of targets from my first range trip with the gun - one with WWB 230 FMJ and one with my 200 LSWC reloads. Not great groups, but pretty much to the point of aim and consistent. (That bullseye is 3".) I'm sure I could shoot smaller groups if I worked with the gun more.
sw1911target1.jpgsw1911target2.jpg
 
The only 1911 that out shot my 1911 Sc (now stolen) was my Springfield Armory National Match. Keep hoping that the police qill call someday and tell me they have it........
Randy
 
I don't have a SW1911 .45 but I do have a 9mm Pro Series and it is an incredible gun. I've had it for just over a year, carry it on duty, and have shot it in several IDPA matches. I've never had a FTF or FTE, it has run 100% right out of the box for several thousand rounds now. The only issue was a loose right side ambi-safety lever which S&W repaired and the gun was only gone a week, sent Mon, back Fri. We had training and qualifying last week and I put close to 500rds through it, most of that in the pouring rain, and no problems. We also did some distance shooting on 1ft square steel and I had no trouble hitting it consistently out to 75yds and more often than not from 100yds. It is 100% stock and is absolutely the fastest, easiest to shoot accurately pistol I've ever owned and would not hesitate to buy another. In fact, I've been keeping my eye out for a good deal on one to have a spare just in case. If the quality of my gun is any indication you shouldn't hesitate to buy a SW1911 .45.

This is it posing with my off duty piece, an alloy frame Fusion 9mm CCO-
SDC11213.JPG
 
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new S&W 1911

Just bought my first S&W 1911 this evening. Should be in my hands within 8-10 days. With all the good reviews I have read I am looking forward to shooting. Hope the accuracy is good out of the box. Even an Olman can get excited over new pistol purchases.
 
I truly like the fit and finish of my SW1911PD. I have model made for the Colorado State Police, but the contract fell through so I was it was a prevedge to own a S&W designed and tuned for our boys in blue.

SW1911PD037.jpg
 
l also have the S&W 9mm Pro-Series 1911. It is, bar none, one of the finest handguns that I have ever owned. I've never had the first problem with it. :D

I'm seriously hoping that S&W will bring out a smaller 9mm 1911 in the "Officers" configuration. I'll be first in line to buy one. I love my Browning Hi-Powers, my smaller S&W 9s in the 39xx/90x series, and my CS9. But I still want a S&W small 9mm 1911. :)
 
I purchased a SW1911PD with the tactical rail a couple of years ago at the S&W NSSC. All in all, I am very happy with it. The fixed sights are fine for my use as is the accuracy.
I had an issue with the firing pin safety timing. Once this was addressed, the reliability was back where it should be - 100%.
I did add on a magazine well and changed the grips but that was more to address personal preferences.
I wish the pistol had the front strap checkered and an ambidexterous safety but that would just add to the price.

Redlegvzv said:
I was looking at the S&W 1911 45 Cal. yesterday at my LGS and am sorely tempted to pick it up. The fit and finish were beautiful, and of course the S&W name means a lot to me. The one I looked at at fixed sights and was stainless steel. Can anyone with experience comment on this gun? My questions are these:

1. It has fixed sights. Are these sights typically pretty accurate, or can I expect to have to have some gunsmithing done?

2. Accuracy -- how does this one stack up against other 1911s in the $1K range?

3. Overall -- how is this gun!

Any other opinions and observations welcome.
Click to expand...
 
I have the target model (108284), purchased slightly used with about 200rds through it. It shoots very well & have not had 1 or 2 feed issues with it when I originally got it. Have put between 400-500 more hundred through it and have not had another issue. I did contact the factory as when I first got it I noticed that it was marking the case head on brass. Found a very small piece of unmachined metal on the breech face, so I called S&W and they paid to ship it back to them, fixed, it and returned to me in about 10 days. The only issue I have with the fit is the ambi-safety, doesn't seem to have a positive click when switching between safe & fire--oh and I wish it field stripped as easily as my 5906. I find my S&W 1911, the gun I automatically reach for when I get ready to go to the range.
 
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