645 slide/frame fit

[3rd Gen Neal]

I have a 645 that is in great shape, always functions flawlessly. One thing I've noticed about it that is different from my 3rd gens is how excellent the slide to frame fit is. It's like a quality 1911. Zero play from side to side, the rails meet and slide with perfect precision. My 4506/5906 etc have a fair amount of loose play, even though they have been fired very little. Is my 645 just one that was built unusally well or do 645's tend to be built a little tighter than say a 4506 for example. My 645 has been so good to me that I have another 645 on the way from GB and I'm curious if it will be the same tight fit, it has supposedly been fired very little. Any replies appreciated.

 

[Rock77]

I am sure no expert on Smith & Wesson semi autos, however some years ago I bought a 645 from an old shooting buddy. He found the 645 too big for his hands and wanted to sell it and invest in another pistol; I bought it from him as I did not have a stainless .45 and wanted one.

My experience with this 645 has been excellent; mine is a very early issue and was purchased by my buddy soon after they became available. The fit and finish was very good and the pistol seems to digest any bullet I choose to use in it, accuracy is just behind my Gold Cup and for a defense pistol that is outstanding.

I cannot recall ever having any jams or failure to fire with thousands of rounds shot through this pistol and in my book for a defense pistol that is the number one requirement.

I wish I could tell you how other Smith pistols measure up against the 645 however I am sure some of the real Smith experts on this forum will fill both of in on that issue.

 

[kokopelli]

My recently acquired 645 is as tight as a drum as well, comparable to my Colt Commander that I had custom work done to.

 

[TSQUARED]

My 645 has much tighter slide to frame fit than my 5906 - it is also more the more accurate of the two. Both have functioned flawlessly digesting all my handloads.

 

[Glock 'em down]

I miss my 645.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

I sent my 645 to Novaks and he fitted a 4516 upper to it, rounded off the trigger guard, did an action and accuracy job on it and now I have a big 45 and a compact (kind of) 45. Whenever I am the range some guys try to figure out what I am shooting, particularly with the short upper on. Even with the regular upper/barrel the rounded guard throws even Smith devotees off at first. One local guy who is an avid collector(unlike me I am an accumulator), just about drooled when I told him a a story about Smith trying to keep the 645 before the 4506 and made 10 guns like mine to see how they would work, when he started to hyperventilate I told him the truth. He still won't talk to me. I guess I won't ever be invited to join the SWCA.

 

[Kev M]

I guess my 645 is the misfit of the bunch. There is definitely some looseness on the slide to rail match up. If I rotate it quickly in my hand you can hear the give in it as it rattles a bit.

 

[BSkerj]

I have always owned revolvers until I saw a 645 in our local gun store. It was LNIB..made in the late 80's...so I bought it on a whim. Not knowing much about auto's, I really lucked out. The whole gun is tight and is scary accurate. I carry mine in a IWB Kolster almost everyday. Never had a issue with feeding or firing. It has been one of the best gun purchases I have made.

 

[sniper47]

I picked up my 645 about six months ago and love it. I have owned two 4506's and the first one I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn door with it. The second 4506 is much better, but the 645 is by far my favorite big frame .45acp that I own. It is more accurate that either of the 4506's and on par with my Colt. I like it as much as my Colt 1991A1 and that has been tricked out with lots of goodies.

 

[Nframe357]

I had a 1987 mfg 645 that I got from it's original owner, it was very well put together and extremely accurate asd reliable. It would even feed empty cases, I traded it away a couple of years ago and have regretted it since. I'm picking up a 4506 in a week or so and hope it'll fill the void. I also miss my 645!

 

[OleSarge]

645 - Twenty + years

Purchased my 645 hot off the assembly line. Very low serial number, 3 digits. This has been my favorite semi-auto of any make. Extremely accurate and dependable. I have many handguns to choose from, if I were reduced to choosing only two, they would have to be my 645 and .357 4" wheelie.

 

[R Cubed]

Purchased my 645 hot off the assembly line. Very low serial number, 3 digits. This has been my favorite semi-auto of any make. Extremely accurate and dependable. I have many handguns to choose from, if I were reduced to choosing only two, they would have to be my 645 and .357 4" wheelie.

My 645 came to me some 4 years ago '86 vintage - It is heavy but I like that about it - very durable and reliable. Only feed issue was some handloads not sized correctly. This is a keeper... as is my 4" M19 (no dash) - we are in agreement and all is right with this universe ...

It took me some time but I located 3 additional magazines that are all stainless - I'm glad I got them then as today folks are proud of them. And, my frame and slide fit is tight.

 

[TSQUARED]

My 645 easilly outperforms my 659 and 5906 in the accuracy department. Also it has been totally relaible even with 185 gr. LSWC ammo.

 

[Fischer]

I have one of the transitional 645s. Looks like a 4506 but is stamped 645. I have seven 3rd gen S&Ws and although I can't tell a difference in slide fit, this one is easily the most accurate. At 15-20 yards, it will typically put everything into one ragged hole. Oddly enough, my next best shooter is a 457S, followed closely by one of my 1006s. Go figure...

 

[W Fargo]

I love my 645. It is in great shape except for a few small markings... but it rattles even more than my Glock! hahaha! No really.... slide - frame finish is ab-so-lute-ly terrible. Annnd.. it ain't very accurate either...

But I still love it.

(I do believe she's an old gal, though.... serial is TBA 30** don't know when she was built.)

 

[Denver Dick]

I ran across a lovely NIB 645 back in June of this year and bought it. I wasn't looking for one, but I'm a sucker for a NIB Big Boy S&W Auto for a fair or better price. Needless to say, I'm very happy. And yes, it's a real tight baby . . .

 

[Ramya]

^$% Issues

I need help, I have a early 645 that fires in single action and every couple of shots goes to double action. I have dissembled it to look for worn parts and have found the sear has imbedded it's contour in the hammer.
The hammer seems to be the culprit, Has anyone else had this type of issue?
Thanks in advance...

 

[surfgun]

Just buy a hammer from Brownells, install. I replaced one, out for bad hammer hooks.