BLK08ROCKERC
Member
Ok here is the deal. I love S&W revolvers, heck I own 10 of them! I have now decided I want a 1911 and would really like to know how the S&W's compare to Springfield and Colt.
-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
S&W 1911. How do they compare??
- Thread starter BLK08ROCKERC
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
OP
BLK08ROCKERC
Member
Ok here is the deal. I love S&W revolvers, heck I own 10 of them! I have now decided I want a 1911 and would really like to know how the S&W's compare to Springfield and Colt.
helomech73
Member
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2007
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 0
In my opinion if you want the authenticity of a Colt buy a Colt. S&W 1911's are probably the best "shooter" out of the box on the market. As far as Springfield is concerened it is my understanding that they manufacture their slides and frames somewhere south of the border. In this day and age of outsourcing and economic downturn my advice is to keep the money here buy American. Colt or S&W would be my choice.
OP
BLK08ROCKERC
Member
Well thats good news! I'm looking at the Compact ES.
Joni_Lynn
US Veteran
The S&W 1911 is nicely made and any that I've been around function very reliably and are accurate as well. S&W did a good job on their external extractor, it works great.
Springfield 1911's have always come from Brazil, some entirely made there, some shipped here and fit up/finished here.
Springfield 1911's have always come from Brazil, some entirely made there, some shipped here and fit up/finished here.
torrejon224
Member
I own six, a mix of full size and Gunsite Commanders and I would put them up against any other 1911 in their price range. Bottom line is that they work right from the box and don't require any of the "mods" others do to make them fully reliable. Only bad thing about them is the mags but thats easily taken care of. The factory mags are OK for range use but I'd never bet my life on them.
I own a 1911PD in the Commander size it has been 100% reliable and very accurate too and I love it. I had TA at Top Gun add Night sights and it came with the Crimson Trace grips. Yes I have owned a Springfield and I also owned a Pro Carry Kimber. I have one left.....Its the S&W.
I have never owned a Colt yet... maybe someday?
G
I have never owned a Colt yet... maybe someday?
G
OP
BLK08ROCKERC
Member
Thanks for the replies!! I'm on the hunt for a Compact ES as we speak. Anybody seen one in the stores?? I figured the S&W 1911 would be reliable but wanted to hear from people with experience.
How's the fit and finish??
How's the fit and finish??
Joni_Lynn
US Veteran
I haven't handled the one you speak of but all the ones I've had in hand were similar in fit and finish.
On the plus side, and this is a big plus.............their warranty service if needed is really top notch and they pay for shipping. In the world of 1911's everyone makes a few that aren't quite perfect once in awhile, some more often than others. It's the companies customer service that will make or break the reputation then.
On the plus side, and this is a big plus.............their warranty service if needed is really top notch and they pay for shipping. In the world of 1911's everyone makes a few that aren't quite perfect once in awhile, some more often than others. It's the companies customer service that will make or break the reputation then.
TexasSTEP
Member
Smith 1911's are very good quality for a reasonable amount of money. For range work I highly recommend the #108284, 5" barrel with adjustable sights. Mine was "dead on" right out of the box. For carry, I also recommend the 1911Sc, or now known as the 1911PD, it's Commander length and light on the belt. While I also have a Colt Combat Commander and a Colt Officer's ACP, and make no mistake they are excellent weapons, when I go to grab a .45 autoloader, it's almost always my 1911Sc. (Or sometimes my 4506-1... or sometimes the SW99...:>)
Hope this helps!
-TS
Hope this helps!
-TS
The only 1911 in my collection that is equal in accuracy to my very best( SA National Match mfg in 1968)is my S&W 1911 Sc. Backed up by the legendary Customer Service...you cannot lose. To some the external extractor is a problem because it is not how John Browning designed it. My opinion is that it works VERY well and if I am going to be a serious purist...I dig out my Colt's, my Springfield Armory's, or my Kimber's. However, my serious carry gun is my 1911 Sc followed by my 3913. Yes, the S&W 1911's are THAT good! Try it...you'll like it!
Randy
Randy
msh85csa
Member
I wouldnt buy a Springfield (for the reasons stated above) or a NEW Colt (Lets face it...Colt is slipping these days). I would much rather have the S&W or a Dan Wesson. S&W 1911s...I have heard NOTHING bad about them.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2005
- Messages
- 7,993
- Reaction score
- 7,041
S&W's 1911s are by far the best factory 1911 on the market, bar none. They are the best "bet" also in that if you have any problems, S&W customer service is fast, friendly and they will make it right.
Here's my somewhat basic S&W 1911. Blued finish, wood grips, novak sights, short guide rod for easy take-down, and no cocking serrations on the front of the slide.
It's utterly dependable and is more accurate than I am. Looks great too. What else do you need?
It's utterly dependable and is more accurate than I am. Looks great too. What else do you need?
scf4003
Member
I bought a new S&W 1911 last fall and couldn't be happier. I feeds and fires everything I put into it including my crappy reloads with excellent accuracy and complete reliabillity..
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2009
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
I bought a S&W 1911 several years ago and it has run like a top ever since. I have had no problem with it. It puts Winchester white box ammunition through it without a problem and I can get very good groups with it.
I've heard others say that they don't like their S&W 1911 or they prefer other brands but I'll stick with my Smith & Wesson.
Jim
I've heard others say that they don't like their S&W 1911 or they prefer other brands but I'll stick with my Smith & Wesson.
Jim
scf4003
Member
I bought this one last year and really like it, I have around 400-500 rounds through it with no problems ...
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/P...angId=-1&isFirearm=Y
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/P...angId=-1&isFirearm=Y
wheel
Member
I bought an S&W1911 about two years ago. As others have stated, it's very accurate and reliable. That said, I was disappointed with its quality in a few aspects.
First, the trigger was very loose in the frame. It had tons of vertical play. I replaced it with a Grieder oversized trigger which was a drop-in and solved the problem completely.
Second, there were some burrs inside the frame that caused large scratches on the sides of the trigger. A little work on the frame with a file fixed that.
Third, there was substantial creep in the trigger. I solved that by stoning the sear using a fixture I purchased from Brownell's. It took me a while to get it right (not because it's hard, but due to my inexperience), but it was worth it. The result breaks like glass, but still retains the factory weight (about 4-5 pounds?).
S&W does such a nice job overall - I just wish they'd spend a little more time on details like this. They could fix them so easily and it would really add a lot to the overall quality.
First, the trigger was very loose in the frame. It had tons of vertical play. I replaced it with a Grieder oversized trigger which was a drop-in and solved the problem completely.
Second, there were some burrs inside the frame that caused large scratches on the sides of the trigger. A little work on the frame with a file fixed that.
Third, there was substantial creep in the trigger. I solved that by stoning the sear using a fixture I purchased from Brownell's. It took me a while to get it right (not because it's hard, but due to my inexperience), but it was worth it. The result breaks like glass, but still retains the factory weight (about 4-5 pounds?).
S&W does such a nice job overall - I just wish they'd spend a little more time on details like this. They could fix them so easily and it would really add a lot to the overall quality.
oldRoger
US Veteran
I have a PC1911, the lock-up is smooth and very tight. The PC did an outstanding job. If the hood to breach fit was any tighter it wouldn’t close. Accuracy is excellent. Other than changing the front sight to a Gold Dot and changing the grips. I have done nothing with it. Vertical play in the trigger seems to be common, it’s a distraction which is not very bothersome to me, but one of these days I will address it.
In general I think that it’s a first class pistol, not the equivalent of an SVI or other very high-end pistols, but not the price either.
In general I think that it’s a first class pistol, not the equivalent of an SVI or other very high-end pistols, but not the price either.
