2nd & 3rd Gen magazines…

[Federalis]

Just got a new (1986), SW M645. I have 8-10 mags for my 45 series pistols. Took her to the range today and two of the mags (all original SW mags) would not seat? Any comments, suggestions, critiques, etc., why just these two are giving me headaches? As we all know, these original SW mags are ridiculously expensive… thanks for your comments, TW

 

[ACEd]

Metal or Plastic base plates. My recollection from a previous post is the later plastic base mags may be a problem in the 645.

 

[Federalis]

All mine are plastic base plates..,

 

[ACEd]

All mine are plastic base plates..,

Measure from top of plastic to top of locking notch - if that is same, look for differences at top where round feeds

 

[Federalis]

I'll try that, this is sure disheartening'cause these older mags are stupid expensive. I may just pick up a couple more of the ProMags, I have two of those and have never had a problem with seating or FTF….

 

[stansdds]

My 645's will accept and lock into place 645 and 4506 magazines. I have read that using the plastic 4506 base pad on a magazine that originally had a metal base plate can create a magazine that won't quite reach the pistol's magazine catch.

 

[Federalis]

UPDATE - Magazine problem solved… I replaced the two plastic mag floor plates with the old steel ones, problem solved - mags seated fine. Not sure why or how because the other 8 mags I have with black plastic floor plates (all SW) worked fine in my 4586, 4506 and now the 645? As a side note I tried to talk with one of the gunsmiths at the SW Perf Center and no-go. As an old armorer when I was in the FBI (mostly revolvers), I could speak to them in Springfield when I needed to. Not any more apparently and the new folks at CS in Maryville, Tenn had no clue - I had some other questions about this 645 also. I'm afraid the old days of CS at SW are gone… unless you have a plastic pistol, an AR or one of their goofy lever action rifles… just my 2 pennies worth.

 

[stansdds]

UPDATE - Magazine problem solved… I replaced the two plastic mag floor plates with the old steel ones, problem solved - mags seated fine. Not sure why or how because the other 8 mags I have with black plastic floor plates (all SW) worked fine in my 4586, 4506 and now the 645? As a side note I tried to talk with one of the gunsmiths at the SW Perf Center and no-go. As an old armorer when I was in the FBI (mostly revolvers), I could speak to them in Springfield when I needed to. Not any more apparently and the new folks at CS in Maryville, Tenn had no clue - I had some other questions about this 645 also. I'm afraid the old days of CS at SW are gone… unless you have a plastic pistol, an AR or one of their goofy lever action rifles… just my 2 pennies worth.

The craftsmen that worked for S&W are retired, replaced by parts assemblers and people with little knowledge of the history of S&W nor their legacy firearms.

 

[chief38]

Call S&W and explain the problem. They might exchange the bad mags. If they do and you still have problems with the new ones, I'd return them for a refund and just buy two vintage magazines elsewhere. I have had similar issues with factory new M41 magazines not working in my vintage M41 (circa 1979). Vintage magazines work perfectly fine. It seems S&W can no longer make or purchase magazines made by others correctly either!

I own many 1911's but they are all Colt's. I am not that familiar with the S&W M645 but I would think it would accept any brand of standard 1911 magazine. You can get many good quality magazines from other manufacturers that should work fine - again, that is assuming the M645 does use standard 1911 mag's. 1911 mag's are relatively inexpensive.

 

[stansdds]

I own many 1911's but they are all Colt's. I am not that familiar with the S&W M645 but I would think it would accept any brand of standard 1911 magazine. You can get many good quality magazines from other manufacturers that should work fine - again, that is assuming the M645 does use standard 1911 mag's. 1911 mag's are relatively inexpensive.

The S&W 645 and 45xx pistols do not use 1911 magazines and at this point, I doubt that S&W has replacement magazines for the 645/45xx pistols.

 

[Frank Black]

The S&W 645 and 45xx pistols do not use 1911 magazines and at this point, I doubt that S&W has replacement magazines for the 645/45xx pistols.

I'm sure they don't.

FWIW, I bought three 645/4506 8-rd ProMags from Midway just to have a set of range-only/"beater" mags. Normally I wouldn't recommend anything with ProMag's name on it, but I can attest that these mags have worked perfectly. Saves my few S&W factory 8-rd mags for carry.

 

[Motown_Ron]

The craftsmen that worked for S&W are retired, replaced by parts assemblers and people with little knowledge of the history of S&W nor their legacy firearms.

stansdds: I couldn't agree with you more. I had occasion to have my S&W Bodyguard .38+P worked on. I got CS on the phone and described problems with the yoke and the cylinder play. They received the gun and sent it back to me with the same cylinder slop that caused the original service order. And by all indications, they didn't even check the yoke. So I got them back on the phone and it was obvious the person who handled my call was way, way down on the experience totem pole. No longer the artisans and actual gunsmiths in residence from days of the past. Long story short - I got my gun fixed, but it wasn't easy. Motown Ron