Thinking I might want to buy a Model 945 PC

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libertasdon

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But I do not know anything about them. Or not much anyway. The gun was something around $2875 when new. Does the gun hold its value? I read there was a problem with a spherical barrel bushing. Can that part be replaced? What might I expect to pay for a 945 PC that was NIB? A 5-incher with adjustable sights. Thank you, guys, for telling me what you know or directing me to sites on the web that can help provide info.
 
Great guns,no problems that I am aware of. A lot of the Performance center semi autos used the barrel bushing and you just have to be careful when reassembling them. A 5" gun mint or LNIB should be able to be purchased for about $2k, the mags are pricy. I have a few and love them.
 
There were several different 5” 945’s as well as 5” 945-1’s. Do some research, (there’s a bunch of info here,) and narrow it down to which 945 you want if it makes a difference to you.

I knew I wanted an early run, 5”, as new Lew Horton with everything. I took my time, (years,) to find and get exactly what I wanted. I committed to $1,700 max and patience and attentiveness paid off.

I don’t know why I waited so long to get one and I regret not getting one sooner. It is exceptionally accurate with my go to favorite hard cast load so that makes it even better. 👍

*** Edit to add one of two charts, (I think by Skjos’s,) can’t get the other one to post. Maybe someone else can do better. ***

Jim
 

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The 945 is the best all around series of .45 cal pistol’s out there. The 5” is extremely accurate and more accurate than any 1911 I’ve ever shot. Gunbroker is a great resource and I’ve seen nice 5” pistols sell ranging from $1600 - $2500 with most around the $2000 mark. I’m not aware of any manufacturing issues.
 
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4T5GUY said:
There were several different 5” 945’s as well as 5” 945-1’s. Do some research, (there’s a bunch of info here,) and narrow it down to which 945 you want if it makes a difference to you.

*** Edit to add one of two charts, (I think by Skjos’s,) can’t get the other one to post. Maybe someone else can do better. ***

Jim
Click to expand...

I don't remember where I got this, but here is a more complete list of different variations of the 945 produced.

I remember when I purchased my 945s new, many years ago, they were priced around $1000 to $1100. Now they have appreciated to around the $1800 to $2500 range when you can find them.

https://i.imgur.com/AYxdWan.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/otCqpJL.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/OfuYK3f.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/H9Gv1rK.jpeg
 
libertasdon said:
The gun was something around $2875 when new.
Click to expand...
I suspect you are mis-remembering or quoting a Canadian price…? I believe the max MSRP they ever had was around $2,200 and street price almost always lower than MSRP.

I also am not aware of -ANY- issue or problems associated with the Briley titanium spherical bushing, so if you have a link or source for that, I would be interested.

I believe they hold their value, however if you buy one that is NIB/mint/unfired now and you shoot it, that’s a situation where it will not hold it’s value. I’m not saying you shouldn’t — just strictly answering the question. I believe you should buy a lightly used one and enjoy it.

I totally love the 945. To me, in my hands, the 5-inch 945 feels and acts like a 1911 but beefier, it just seems to fit and fill my hand better. I would expect MANY or possibly even most folks to disagree, but less so in this forum.

I believe your best place to FIND one is Gunbroker. I can’t say it is the best place to buy one… but I say this because I am jaded, Gunbroker sucks compared to what it used to be, and it makes me sad.
 
They are great guns , but the 845 is above it . They are a lot rarer and more expensive , but if you're looking at the best from S&W , and a lot if not all others , look at the 845 . Now my 945's are no slouch , I'd put them up against most 45's made today . My shooter is from the first run , and it is a shooter ! On some days I shoot it better than either of my 845's . Whatever you can afford , you won't be disappointed . Start off with a shooter and see where it leads you , you might end up like some of us with more than a few PC guns .
 
cherrypointmarine said:
They are great guns , but the 845 is above it . They are a lot rarer and more expensive , but if you're looking at the best from S&W , and a lot if not all others , look at the 845 . Now my 945's are no slouch , I'd put them up against most 45's made today .
Click to expand...
I've got two examples of each. I definitely prefer my 845's to the 945's, but that's simply my preference. The two models feel and act differently, their triggers are designed differently.

I would not agree that the 845 is better than the 945. I can only say that I like it better than the 945.

But I say this while also knowing that I like my 945's better than 1911's, and that alone puts me in the minority.
 
libertasdon said:
But I do not know anything about them. Or not much anyway.
Thank you, guys, for telling me what you know or directing me to sites on the web that can help provide info.
Click to expand...

The spherical bushing shouldn't be a problem unless it's already damaged, which it shouldn't be if it's LNIB. I believe you can get replacements from Briley though.

Plenty of info here in this forum on the 945s in this link:

Catalog of Performance Center 945 Variants

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S&W 945 Product Introduction Letter



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The Smith & Wesson 945 epitomizes the marriage of form and function, combining timeless elegance with uncompromising performance. From its inception to its enduring legacy, the 945 remains a testament to the enduring appeal of finely crafted firearms. As a pinnacle of Smith & Wesson's craftsmanship, the 945 stands as an icon of precision, reliability, and sophistication in the realm of semi-automatic pistols....


I've owned almost every PC gun offered and the 945 sits king on my list... if I was down to my last gun the 945 (5in of course) would be the one I keep
 
I have 3 945s, 2 of them are full size and 1 is the RSR Combat 4" barrel, the latter is my new favorite. My only gripes with the design are the grip safety, as my two-handed grip style doesn't always depress adequately, and the inability to rack the slide with the safety on. I also own 3 952s, also excellent pistols and IMO are the pinnacle of S&W's PC guns. I wish they had made a 45 with the same frame contours that the 952 derived from the 39 and 52 series. I love my 645 and 745's, but they just don't feel as natural as the 9mm single stacks. My stance may change in the future as I acquire other varieties.
 
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I haven’t held a Target Champion but aren’t they a PPC9 with different sights? I have a had a few of those. The 952 feels better overall to me as I have medium sized paws. But I can see how this would be personal taste. The accuracy of both is on par and probably depends on the example.
 
cherrypointmarine said:
Tntcwg3 , if you like the 952 , you really need to score a Target Champion .
Click to expand...

@cherrypointmarine, that's one that's definitely on my want list! I've been following a few of the recent threads on them and I've found a few on various sites. Like the other PC guns, they have skyrocketed in price! I am debating on putting a couple of my Master shop SIGs on the block to rebuild my available acquisition funds. I hope to retire at the end of this year and had resolved to try to limit my gun purchases this year, for the most part unsuccessfully.
 
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