645 Questions/Opinions

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Z-Max

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Hey there guys, I'm new here. I just recently inherited a 645 from my uncle in good condition. Fits my hand really well, shot it once so far and loved it. Making some minor tweaks/personalizations (LPA adjustable sights, wood grips, thinking about getting it hard chromed).

I'm wondering if any of you guys with experience have an opinion one way or other about the 645? I can't really find anything negative in my searches and most people say it's very reliable.

Are there particular parts I should be on the lookout to buy as replacements if something breaks? By my understanding Smith no longer supports this model and new parts are no longer being made.
 
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In my opinion, it is a fantastic weapon. I bought NIB when I read an article in Guns&Ammo when it was first introduced.

The only issue that I ever had with mine was the screw on the off-side of the safety came loose. Back then, S&W had a retrofit for me.

Other than, it is one of the slickest weapons that I own. The reset from single-action to double-action in my trigger is less than 1/16" and gives you a very controllable double tap.

They said in the article that it would actually feed an empty case out of its magazine so I had to try it....and it did. Lets see one of those "plastic" guns do that
 
Z-Max said:
Hey there guys, I'm new here. I just recently inherited a 645 from my uncle in good condition. Fits my hand really well, shot it once so far and loved it. Making some minor tweaks/personalizations (LPA adjustable sights, wood grips, thinking about getting it hard chromed).
Click to expand...

Just curious why would you hard chrome a stainless steel pistol?
 
T-bird the 645 is at the shop right now getting sights put on and some trigger/spring work done but I'll try to get some pictures put up eventually.

625, the stainless steel is maybe 40c. Hard chrome is about 70c. Reduces wear all around, looks good and doesn't pick up handling marks like polished SS.
 
I like mine

Just the way it came except for some wood grips from Hogue, which happened to be on sale! It is also heavy enough to make a nice blunt object if you run out of ammo!

Historical note. Hunter S. Thompson used his to exit this plane of existence. Weird dude. IMNSHO, he deserves condemnation because his very young grandson was in the next room.
 
mwtdvm, tmi...

I guess when I get it back I'll have to see if I can polish out the handling marks (probably). I'm just thinking besides looking good hard chrome might increase the service life. This is Metalife SS Chromium M btw, not bumper chrome or pimp finish.
 
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I'm just thinking besides looking good hard chrome might increase the service life. This is Metalife SS Chromium M btw, not bumper chrome or pimp finish.
Click to expand...

I think you'll find that most folks around here know the difference between "bumper chrome" and industrial hard chrome. Scratches on the brushed stainless steel flats can be removed by using the correct Scotchbrite abrasive pads. Scratches in the matte finish areas are dealt with by re-bead blasting-not an expensive proposition.

As far as extending the service life, I've never heard of anybody wearing out a 645 or a 4506 or any other of the large frame Smith autos-have you?

I personally like the looks of hard chrome but it's highly unusual for somebody to apply the finish to SS, hence the questions. Carbon steel is a different story but everybody likes what they like.

Bruce
 
Hey Bruce, thanks for the info. I've seen videos with the gray scotchbrite so maybe Ill give that a go. Didnt realize the hard chrome was such a touchy issue, didn't mean to offend.
 
It's not offensive but rather a restatement of what is obvious for the most part or, as Robin Williams says: "immediately after the word "redundant" in the dictionary, it says "see redundant"".

:D:)

Incidentally, while I really like Hard Chrome on carbon steel, I've never especially cared for the appearance of either Armoloy or Metalife. I'm more of a brushed or matte kind of guy instead of that satin finish.

Bruce
 
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Best out of the box 45 ever made. You can still get parts from Smith as well as get it repaired if needed. There are also lots of places online to buy parts from. I've owned one for 26 years and have had no issues, no stove pipes, and no failures to eject. I'd leave it as is.
 
I carried mine as a duty gun. Wish I would have left the sights alone. I put Millets on mine.
 
Z-Max said:
mwtdvm, tmi...

I guess when I get it back I'll have to see if I can polish out the handling marks (probably). I'm just thinking besides looking good hard chrome might increase the service life. This is Metalife SS Chromium M btw, not bumper chrome or pimp finish.
Click to expand...

I've had two and IMHO, the 645 is about as tough a pistol as ever made.
In fact, my one gripe with them is that they tended to be a bit big and heavy for my tastes. My advice, if it has sentimental value leave it alone and shoot it. If you're just looking for a custom 45, then leave it alone and invest in a 1911. While the 645 is a great gun in it's own right, it's not the 1911 preferred by those 45 enthusiasts who are willing to spend what you'll have into it. Enjoy the gun for what it is and save your for ammo or the bug for your next gun..

p.s. One of the great joys of stainless working guns is that you can polish just about anything out with some combination of flitz, grey scotchbright and mother mag polish.
 
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I have one and other than some trigger work its bone stock. It feeds anything I give it and shoots like butter. One of my very best shooting (and best looking) guns I own.
 
Once you have one a while, you'll understand why they aren't that commonly seen for sale. Those that have them tend to keep them for a long, long time.

Z-Max, in atleast this case, your uncle had good taste.
 
Great pistol, Don Johnson carried one in Miami Vice. Leave it stock! I'd hate to carry one, but love the way they shoot. (only one season I think, he also carried a Bren Ten and a Detonics)
 
I agree with the others, they're very nice. Once I saw one I knew I wanted one. Here's mine.
pix719866531-1.jpg
 
Aaaaaaa the 645, nice gun. I had the privalige of working on the development of the gun while in R&D. It was very reliable and a good shooter. As far as parts you'll need? Unless you plan to shoot it 10's of thousands of rounds you won't need any. It was that reliable. As far as getting it chrome plated? Not a good idea. It will cause you more problems than its worth. Anyway, enjoy it.
Bob St.George
 
IMHO the only vehicle that the 645 should be photographed next would be an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. They are that tough. I have a 645 that was worked over by Novaks and a short slide from the 4516 was fitted so that I have 2 slides for the large frame. The trigger guard was also rounded off to 4506 specs, and Novaks usual outstanding accuracy and reliability work(it probably did not need the reliability work), but with the addition of the 4526 slide I figured it would be worth it.

If I had to take only one 45 into the field, it would be the 645, or I was restricted to one centerfire handgun, it would be the 645, just cannot be beat.
 
Nothing like loading the mag with empty cases & racking the slide through the whole mag....I'm always impressed by that. Never had a feed/ eject failure of any kind, with any ammo.

Negatives, it's a heavy gun, and of the 3 that I had, I would rate none of them above mediocre accuracy. It's not a target gun, but nobody said it was. But that gun led me to the 745 (single action version)... and then 945 (Performance Center full target version).
 
I totally disagree with above comments!! You must sell it to me immediately to save you from a "S&W" addiction!!:).
Seriously, my 645 was the first Smith I ever owned and I absolutely love it. Even though I carry my 1066 ( and now a new 457) I prefer my 645. It just fits wonderfully and looks great. I am going to have a custom holster made for OC as soon as possible.
Opinions for what they are worth, change the sights and enjoy your gun as is.
The only negative issue I ever had was finding mags and holsters. Congradulations!
Take care and God Bless
HT
 
I have one and it will never leave. Was probably a police trade in because the right side grip was worn much more than the left. Replaced with Houge cocobolo grips a little polish and it looks fantastic. First time I shot it there was a failure to extract, I hadn't cleaned it yet. When I did there was a gob of gunk came rolling out of the extractor groove. Never another problem and it is beautiful. Jim.
 
S&W5906 said:
Once you have one a while, you'll understand why they aren't that commonly seen for sale. Those that have them tend to keep them for a long, long time.
Click to expand...

I have owned my 645 since they were introduced and wouldn't ever dream of parting with it. It has digested many thousands of rounds without a hiccup, I expect it will do so for years to come...

inv645.jpg
 
645_zps2748bdec-1_zps105f1f24.jpg


I've owned this one since I bought it new many years ago. There are only three problems with it, none of them serious.

1. It's heavy. Bad when carrying, good when shooting.

2. The trigger tends to pinch my trigger finger. It might just be my particular finger, or it might be a generic problem with this model. I dunno.

3. The right-hand safety lever can work lose. Some blue Loc-Tite on its central screw will cure that in short order.

Aside from these minor irritations, it's the most reliable .45 ACP gun I've ever owned. It will even feed empty cases reliably from the magazine.

John
 
Black_Sheep said:
I have owned my 645 since they were introduced and wouldn't ever dream of parting with it. It has digested many thousands of rounds without a hiccup, I expect it will do so for years to come...

inv645.jpg
Click to expand...
Is your slide polished under the barrel area? That would mean in this thread we have pictures of:

1 totally polished.
2. polished slide and matte trigger guard
3. matte under barrel and matte trigger guard.
 
PALADIN85020 said:
645_zps2748bdec-1_zps105f1f24.jpg


I've owned this one since I bought it new many years ago. There are only three problems with it, none of them serious.

1. It's heavy. Bad when carrying, good when shooting.

2. The trigger tends to pinch my trigger finger. It might just be my particular finger, or it might be a generic problem with this model. I dunno.

3. The right-hand safety lever can work lose. Some blue Loc-Tite on its central screw will cure that in short order.

Aside from these minor irritations, it's the most reliable .45 ACP gun I've ever owned. It will even feed empty cases reliably from the magazine.

John
Click to expand...

1. Can also be used as a club or hammer because it is so heavy.:)

2. Hasn't bit me yet.

3. Been there and did that.:o
 
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