845 Wow...who knew...

[bc1023]

$1,000 may have been a bit optimistic. But I would have been entertained watching the bid go on to $2k. I'm not interested and will say the majority of us here are not either. They are works or art with great craftsmanship, don't get me wrong, but they don't really outshoot my 4506, well maybe, I'm not sure, but my 5" 945 doesn't really outperform my 4506 when comparing the cost between the two.

Interesting. I find the 945 and 845 night and day compared to the 4506. Not sure how you factor cost into it. Of course they cost more. They're much better pistols.

 

[colt_saa]

There were two different Model 845's made, the Model 845 .45 Limited, like pictured above, and the Model 845 of 1988. I have an 845 Limited, but have never seen a good photo of the 1988 version. Both were Performance Center pistols.

You must have missed this thread:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/372626-wonderful-845-a.html

 

[BUFF]

"You must have missed this thread:"

I did. Thanks for the photos in the thread.

 

[03Fatboy]

I'm with you 18. An 845 is on my buy sight unseen shortlist and I think I let one get away last year because i couldn't make the drive with my schedule. Although I'm not sure I'm forking out $2k in a bidding war.

And again, my 4506-1 R4, which was purchased by an LEO at the LAPRAAC around 2008 shoots fantastic and I'm not a trained marksman. I believe it was dated by S&W around 2004/5 if memory serves me. That 945-1 is gone now and I'm going to try a 945 no dash soon if I can strike a decent deal. Will see how it does.

 

[03Fatboy]

Interesting. I find the 945 and 845 night and day compared to the 4506. Not sure how you factor cost into it. Of course they cost more. They're much better pistols.

My reference to cost was relative to the OP's original post. In other words, $1,000 bid was wishful thinking if he thought he was going to buy the pistol, that's all.

My post acknowledges the quality and craftsmanship involved in making these and that is the exact reason I like the 945 and 845. I haven't shot an 845 but I have shot a 5" 945 and several different 4506's and the cost relative to difference in accuracy was not warranted.

I Know they cost more, and are fine pistols at that, but I don't believe that because it cost more makes it is a "better" pistol by default. Heck if your ever in town, I'd be more than happy to let you shoot my 4506.

 

[18DAI]

03Fatboy one of my 4506-1 R4 is an ex LAPD gun too. It is the one I was referring to in my post. My shooting partner says its a 1 inch gun at 25 yards.

Im convinced the LE 4506-1 R4s got some special attention or were built to tighter tolerances than the regular production 4506-1s. Although there is nobody left at the factory to confirm it.

The barrel on mine is harder to get out of the slide than my Briley bushing PC 45s. Very tight tolerances. Regards 18DAI

 

[bc1023]

My post acknowledges the quality and craftsmanship involved in making these and that is the exact reason I like the 945 and 845. I haven't shot an 845 but I have shot a 5" 945 and several different 4506's and the cost relative to difference in accuracy was not warranted.

I Know they cost more, and are fine pistols at that, but I don't believe that because it cost more makes it is a "better" pistol by default. Heck if your ever in town, I'd be more than happy to let you shoot my 4506.

I honestly think its an apples to oranges comparison. You're talking a DA/SA service pistol that was relatively mass produced in the 4506 vs a mostly hand built and hand fitted target pistol in the 845.

My opinion of the 4506 is not nearly as high as yours. I think they're very tough, rugged, and reliable. However, accuracy and refinement aren't two things I associate with it at all. The 845 is entirely different. To me, its better, but I like high end pistols.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Note that the first run of 845 Limited pistols was in 1995 and they made 500 of them.

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Per Lew Horton's letter (see link), 435 were produced between 1995 & 1997.
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Lew Horton 845 Limited letter

.

 

[BUFF]

"Per Lew Horton's letter (see link), 435 were produced between 1995 & 1997."

Nowhere near enough!

I mainly bought my 845 to fill in a perceived gap; 645, 745, 845, 945... I have never shot my 845. In fact, I haven't shot the 745 I have now, either, although I used to shoot his twin when I was really flush and had two of them.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

...I have never shot my 845. In fact, I haven't shot the 745 I have now...

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I (gotta) shoot mine cuz I ain't gettin' any younger.

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