469 v 645

[rwadley1]

I have been hanging around the revolver forums for a while and am becoming interested in the early S&W semis. Recently a 469 and a 645 came across my path. I my opinion, both are nice shooter grade examples. I know they are both second generation models and that the 645 is the first model S&W did in 45 acp.

Is one more desirable than the other? What should I know about either?

 

[Ben-Kenobi]

Personally I love my 645 but I'm biased as I enjoy 45's and also have 745's, a 4516-1, 4566, 4506-1 and a 1911 E-Series. If you're more keen on 9mm that looks like a fine 469 to enjoy. You really can't go wrong with either one. Have fun!

 

[sigp220.45]

All other things being equal, l would definitely go for the 645.

 

[PaulS 0706]

I too own a 645 and 1. it has never missed a beat and 2. shooting from a rest it shows great accuracy. In my hands unsupported...well...not so much.
Not a knock on the design but learn how to remove the firing pin. There will come a time when schmutz develops around it and its spring and will require disassembly and cleaning. But for me that was after several years of use.

 

[H Richard]

The 469 is a double stack 9mm, and is the DA/SA type of action. It can be carried hammer down on a chambered round and safety off. Can grab and go (shoot) just like a revolver and all follow up shots are Single Action with a lighter trigger pull. It has an alloy frame and isn't too heavy to carry all day. 12 round mag's, and dubbed the "Mini" due to the compact size.

Mine has been modified into a two tone, I have never had a problem with operation or accuracy.

 

[jbtrucker]

469 was my first pistol several years ago and stupidly sold it. It was very accurate and checkered panels are a plus.

 

[quikdraw67]

Either one is a winner.

Guess it comes down to personal preference.

Do you like full size or compact pistols?

Prefer 9mm over 45 or vice versa?

Or if you can swing it, buy both.

JMHO YMMV

 

[quikdraw67]

The 469 is a double stack 9mm, and is the DA/SA type of action. It can be carried hammer down on a chambered round and safety off. Can grab and go (shoot) just like a revolver and all follow up shots are Single Action with a lighter trigger pull. It has an alloy frame and isn't too heavy to carry all day. 12 round mag's, and dubbed the "Mini" due to the compact size.

Mine has been modified into a two tone, I have never had a problem with operation or accuracy.

That is one sharp looking rig!

 

[growr]

Buy them both, you will NOT regret it!!

Randy

 

[hberttmank]

I would go for the 645. It is just a good hunk of stainless 45 goodness.

 

[BigBoy99]

The 645 is like eating potato chips -- you can't have just one!

 

[stansdds]

Two very different pistols, the 469 and 645. If you are planning on carrying, I'd say the 469, hands down. If this is going to be a range toy or even for home defense, I'd go with the 645.

 

[VictorLouis]

I'd lean toward the 645. I'm biased toward stainless, and I see you're in N.C.
Second, there are far fewer of them in my A.O. than 9mms. Third, it's far easier to get the grips off for cleaning on the big boy. The 469 is more involved.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I have both , and they are both great for what they are made for . It's up to you to decide what you want it for . If it was me , I'd raid the piggy bank and buy both .

 

[Trooper224]

645 for me, without a doubt. But, they're both fine examples.

 

[rwadley1]

I appreciate the feedback. I expected a lot of, "buy both". Of course, that's always the right answer. We'll see what happens.

 

[JohnHL]

Desirable?

The 645 almost always commands a higher price than a 469...

In terms of collectability,, the 645 was S&W's first .45 and the 469 was their first "minigun" of the modern era.

Hence the argument for having both.

And on the bright side, owning a 645 and a 469 is less costly than owning 2 645s!

John

 

[Biggfoot44]

If they're anything close to the same price the 645 is the better value
S&W's first .45acp semi , iconic , a proud place in your S&W collection .

As a working pistol for it's original intended purpose , the 469 .

 

[Miami_JBT]

645 for sure!

I had a 669 and it was just "meh". For 9mm, the 3rd Gens are a must unless you're talking about a gun like the 639. But for a compact double stack, the 6904 smokes the 469 all week and twice on Sunday.

 

[Borderboss]

It really does depend on what you want to use them for. The 469 is hard to beat as an everyday carry gun. I carry one every day in a fanny pack. The price I saw in your photo is decent in this market, and extra mags used to be pretty easy to get.

The 645 is a bigger gun. If you were going to carry it, you would want a shoulder holster or a solid OWB holster. But for a home defense gun in a drawer, it would be great.

 

[rwadley1]

The 645 in question is being offered for a couple hundred more then the 469, but it seems in line with the market.

I have plenty of guns to carry, so either of these would see light use.

 

[Miami_JBT]

The 645 is in my opinion the better buy. As I said, I had a 669 and my 6906 just smokes it in every way. But the 645 holds its own against my 4506-1.

 

[3rdgenfriend]

This is more of a holster reply but pertinent to these s&w semis...Hi everyone, new to the forum so I apologize in advance if this isn't appropriate for this thread. I found out that that my Galco Fletch FL246(made for SW 1066) fits my 469, my 6946 (Can't be snapped but good n snug and very drawable) and originally I bought it for my Sig 365 XL fits perfectly...oh and I got it at my LGS for $20... saw on the Galco site that the Fletch is a $136.00 retail price. Also fits my Model 60 357 pro series but I have a separate holster for that. Hope this is helpful...good to be able to repurpose a holster...I already have too many ha ha !

 

[stansdds]

This is more of a holster reply but pertinent to these s&w semis...Hi everyone, new to the forum so I apologize in advance if this isn't appropriate for this thread. I found out that that my Galco Fletch FL244(made for SW 1066) fits my 469, my 6946 (Can't be snapped but good n snug and very drawable) and originally I bought it for my Sig 365 XL fits perfectly...oh and I got it at my LGS for $20... saw on the Galco site that the Fletch is a $136.00 retail price. Also fits my Model 60 357 pro series but I have a separate holster for that. Hope this is helpful...good to be able to repurpose a holster...I already have too many ha ha !

Welcome to the S&W Forums! Finding holsters for the metal receiver S&W pistols can be a challenge now that these pistols have been out of production for about 2 decades now.

 

[yikes]

I have been hanging around the revolver forums for a while and am becoming interested in the early S&W semis. Recently a 469 and a 645 came across my path. I my opinion, both are nice shooter grade examples. I know they are both second generation models and that the 645 is the first model S&W did in 45 acp.

Is one more desirable than the other? What should I know about either?

From experience, I prefer to have the 645. No doubt, both guns are great guns.

 

[ultratec00]

645 was a limited run before S&W changed things up and went with the 45XX series. Have not heard, or experienced, any issues with Gen 2/3 S&W 45s. Back in the day, there were only two 45s that would reliably feed the famed flying ashtray (Speer 200 JHP) out of the box: Sig-220 and the 645. 1911s of that period typically required some rework else they'd hiccup just looking at a Speer 200 JHP.

I owned a 645 at the time and it would literally feed empty cases out of a mag. Sold it and bought a 4566 simply because the Gen 3s had some noticeable improvements ergonomically and simply felt better. Gen 3s also had dovetail front sights should one want to remove/replace.

 

[N4KVE]

I own both. Bought the 645 first. The owner put it on a Florida forum, & wanted $500 for it. I offered $400, but told him to keep trying to get $500, but call me back if he can't get $500. A month later he did, & told me the highest offer was $300. So he accepted my $400 offer. About a year later my work took in a clean 469, & I got that one for $310 out the door. The store took it in on trade for $175. I had owned both in the past, but never kept anything for more than a year. I'm not selling these. GARY.

 

[Dino0128]

The 645 is like eating potato chips -- you can't have just one!

I have 5 of the 469 and A Model 4505.
Love them/

 

[erikpolcrack]

For what it's worth, I owned both and foolishly sold both back in the 80's. I have since replaced the 469, but not the 645. It was a great gun for me, but I have since bought three 1911's and a Kahr CW 45, so the itch just hasn't been there. I've got several other compact 9mm pistols, but I really "needed" a 469.

 

[kd4cif]

645 my first auto loader

My 645 was carried on duty for several years and never failed to function. Before I traded for the 645 I loaded a mag with live round and alternating with a empty brass and the 645 would feed the empty brass into chamber after every live round was fired. After this test i was sure that it would feed live rounds without a problem so I trusted it for on duty carry. It was my first semi-auto after years of revolver (Model 66) carry on duty.


The grips were white when I started carrying it years ago when it was new!