1911 e series vs. performance center 1911

[rock n roll kid]

which would you choose ? have my eye on the bobtail scandium frame stainless top model on either one .
per. cent. has the hand fitting & an action job among other nice touches.
the e-series has some nice features also, nite sights titanium firing pin etc.
wow! sorry but i can only afford one or the other . tough decision . there are things on both models i like .
does both have the full length guide rod ?

ANYONE who is in the know OR have owned/shot either model or both , please weigh in !
one of these WILL be added to my gun safe in the next month or sooner !
thanks in advance

 

[djw]

tagged. just want to see what folks have to say about this.

 

[t-bird]

I have the E-series. Scary accurate while being 100 percent reliable. Best of luck.

 

[Steve_Revo_]

I owned a full size E Series (without rail) and I cannot say enough good things about it. The ONLY bad thing I can talk about was my decision to sell it.....

I ran it for a season in IDPA / USPSA and I put something like 8K rounds through it without a hitch.

I've never played with a performance center 1911 but I am a HUGE fan of the E Series guns.

 

[AveragEd]

For what it's worth, I was about to purchase an E-series 1911 until I discovered the relatively small price difference between it and a Performance Center gun. When you're spending that much, what's another $40 to $100? Check the two models on GunBroker and that's the spread you'll find. I just bought my 170343 PC gun for $1,289 and I saw E-series guns for as much as $1,249. Plus, S&W for some reason does not offer an E-series with an adjustable rear sight and since I use my handguns mainly for target shooting, the decision was easy.

Ed

 

[Rpg]

I wouldn't have a 1911 with a full length guide rod or anything but black sights.

The former is a solution to a non existent problem that screws up a proper press - check.

The latter makes a poor sight picture and slows me down.

I've never had a problem with a good old steel Colt firing pin (even after 40,000+ rounds) so titanium doesn't attract me.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Bartman3562]

If you have the money, the PC is the way to go. BUT, you would not be disappointed with the E series. It is more gun than most people can operate at it's potential. The PC guns are just a little better.

 

[Smoke52]

I can't tell you anything about the PC versions, but I have the bobtail, all black scandium frame version and it has the most comfortable fit in my hand of any of my guns. Easy shooting and easy on the eyes too. Just picked up a lightly fired, he said 25 rounds, SS TA full size version, #108411, for a REALLY great price, because I like stainless steel and wanted a rail. Not as comfortable in the hand as the bobtail, but just as accurate and the extra weight over the scandium feels good. Tough decision you have there.

Oh yeah, never have had a failure of any kind with the bobtail, with about 500 rounds through it and just 50 through the TA as I just got it on Friday.

 

[gm272gs]

I have shot both and don't own either. They're both good shooters, and both capable of better groups than I am. If it were my decision, I would factor in whether or not I thought I would ever sell it. If it's going to be a keeper, I may opt for the less-expensive one. If I were to sell it, the Performance Center guns retain more value (and will probably increase in value, better).

One or the other isn't going to make you a better shot. Only practice will. I would offer this tidbit: If it feels better in your hand, and it makes your heart go pitter-patter. buy that one.

 

[WisconsinKen]

I have the all black version of the round butt E series and LOVE it!!! That being said, I have a full sized PC on back order right now.
Either is worth the cash, but I'd probably go for the round butt PC gun. A set of night sights for it are cheap if you decide you need them in the future. Also, from a resale standpoint, the PC gun has more "ooooh, aaaaaahhhh factor so should be easier to flip if you decide to get rid of it. Easiest way to do that is PM me ;-)
Good luck and this is one of those choices where you cannot go wrong IMHO.

 

[rock n roll kid]

the good info appreciated...

they both still have their appeal , but i believe after reading here combined with a little more dwelling on it by me, the pc gun shows up slightly in first.

 

[S&W357]

Both are great guns. The PC may have the shot but the E has the look.

 

[Chase]

+1 on the looks factor going to the E which also MAY feel slightly better in hand. If you are going to shoot it, carry it, use it--why not the E? I don't think you are going to want to sell either.

 

[rock n roll kid]

looks ?

lil disagreement here..... for my $ the pc offering may take the crown i definitely like the grips better on the pc one. the cuts in the barrel ? i can live without them but they do look good & kind of put gun into the erotic catagory all in all , they both look pretty darn appealing

 

[WisconsinKen]

I agree with rock n roll kid. I like the looks of the PC guns. With the lightning cuts, these guns really stand out at the range....

 

[huntsman22]

unlike r-n-r, I didn't like the orange gagger grips on the PC commander. So I swapped 'em......

 

[WisconsinKen]

unlike r-n-r, I didn't like the orange gagger grips on the PC commander. So I swapped 'em......

If you don't like the grips on your PC roundbutt reminding you of a walmart basketball, follow huntsman22's lead. Those grips look phenominn..phenimi... forget it, AWESOME!!

 

[huntsman22]

Did you mean fenimen? Err, Feminum? Feminan? Oh, ferget it.....

 

[Tommer45]

Hey guys, first post here. New owner of an all black SC. Any idea if the PC black barrel would drop into the regular SC? Or if one is even available? Just for aesthetics.

 

[Harkrader]

I've had the 1911Sc, not the "E" series, for 9 years and like it a lot. Light weight but not at all painful with standard pressure ammo, certainly more accurate than I'll ever be able to shoot it off hand. I don't have an accurate round count but estimate about 4,000 and have had no problems. I am long past worrying about hostile environments but, if I was, I'd be completely comfortable with it.
I recently bought the 1911PC Round Butt. Also like it a lot. So far only 200 rounds through it with no problems. I really like the scolloped slide serrations, and all the controls are easily worked by either hand. I'm not always fond of ambi safties because they stick out too far for me. They are sufficiently low-profile on the PCRB that it isn't a problem in my holsters.
I don't care one way or the other about the lightening cuts in the slide. They do add visual interest, I think. Funny, though, I read on other forums that many people apparently believe they are ports and the debates rage about "yea" or "nay" on ports. Idiots, one and all. The reports I have read on the gun say the trigger is supposed to be about 3 to 4.5-lbs. I don't have a gauge, but my calibrated finger says it is heavier, which is fine with me.
I don't know what to think of the Briley spherical bushing. Works fine, but reports say to be sure it stays well lubricated. If so, I would not consider this a gun for hostile environments. But, as I said, I am WAAAY past worrying about that. For CCW and just fun at the range, it's tops.
It's as easy to carry as the Sc, but I do notice the difference in how the grip butt feels against my palm. Not bad, mind you, but I notice. I'll need to shoot it a bit more to overcome that.