945-1 Question

[Biggymu]

Hello all, I'm a new member of this forum and have a question regarding a recent acquisition. I have a 945-1 with an EBH prefix on the serial number that I have learned was one of 30 produced specifically for the Ellet Brothers back in 2006.
I have been studying pictures of this series of pistols and notice many of them had ambidextrous safety levers. My example does not have this. I am a lefty and would very much like to install one of these on this pistol. This is a change I can reverse. The grip panel on the right side is already relieved for this option.
My main question is can this ambidextrous part be obtained? Was there a specific brand used? Or was this an in house made part.
I would like to keep it original in appearance. Any advice or info is greatly appreciated.
Edit: this is a compact pistol also.
Rick.

 

[IAM Rand]

I would imagine you could. I would send it back to S&W to do the work. I have used a local gunsmith to add one to a S&W 1911PD. I just think that because it is a 945, it would be best to go back to the PC Shop.

 

[4T5GUY]

As to safety, most 3rd gens can be converted from ambi to left side only (perhaps that was done to yours as I doubt in a small production group of 30 there would be different configurations), so presumably they could also be converted from single to ambi.

It's a 945-1 so its different from most 3rd Gens.

I've read, (for what that's worth,) that 1911 thumb safeties fit but I have no experience.

Jim

 

[Biggymu]

Here are some pictures

 

[s&wchad]

I don't think any of the parts interchange with a 1911 (maybe sights). The 5" version did come with an ambidextrous safety and some of the compacts may have as well.

Phone S&W and ask, but they've been out of production for some time and the factory didn't even have recoil springs the last time I phoned. They couldn't even tell me the diameter, length and lbs spec...

 

[hoytx10]

I'm not aware of any of the 945s, other than the 5 inch versions, having ambi safeties. I believe most 945s came with grips that are cut for ambi safeties.

 

[Biggymu]

You may be correct. I have yet to even see a photo of a compact with the ambi safety. The the top rear of the right hand grip has a relief behind it. This may be tougher than I thought. I will call S&W when I get a break. Thank you all for your replies.

 

[Doug M.]

I have a compact. I would not have bought it if it did not have an ambiguous safety, as I am left handed.

 

[Biggymu]

That's promising. Would you happen to have a photo of that side of your pistol?

 

[cherrypointmarine]

There's no way I would send a 945 back to the factory for work . Contact BMCM here on the forum and talk to him . As a lot of us will attest , he is a true artist when it comes to our S&W's .

 

[Biggymu]

https://smith-wessonforum.com/smith...i-have-word.html?highlight=BMCM#post141896915
Simply reading the above post makes me a complete believer. Very glad to have come here. I have quite a bit to learn about this firearm.

 

[4T5GUY]

Would you happen to have a photo of that side of your pistol?

Here's a picture of one with an ambi and one w/o. As hoytx10 mentioned even the single sided one has the right grip relieved for an ambi.

Jim

 

[stang1911]

I'm almost sure the 5" 945 had wilson combat 1911 wide lever ambi thumb safety so you could use probably any 1911 safety.

 

[4T5GUY]

OK I had a little extra time again so I did some measuring.

I'm sure most here already knew this, (I didn't,) but the 945 frames are wider than the Colt GM, CC and OM. Not a lot and I didn't write down the numbers.

Wilson may have been outsourced for some parts but it seems they would have had to modify their ambi's. The two half's, (or at least one side,) where they connect has to be longer for perfect engagement.

Jim

 

[Biggymu]

Jim, thank you for going to the trouble! This is a learning experience for sure. I would never have guessed a difference in width existed. I wonder if Wilson can offer any insight? It does make sense that only one side needs to be different. Fascinating.

 

[4T5GUY]

I suspect in the near future you'll be looking for recoil springs.

Fortunately they are the same as the Chief Special .40 & .45's. Unfortunately they are the same as the Chief Special .40 &.45's.

Jim

 

[Biggymu]

After calling both S&W and Wilson combat, unsurprisingly, neither could offer any constructive information. I was told by S&W they don't offer the service of fitting ambi safeties for this weapon anymore.
Wilson has no idea what a Smith 945 is. So armed with Jim's information, I measured my 945 frame and that of a Colt military 1911 I have. The difference was @.007 in width. The slot/blade configuration of the Wilson safety should make this a workable installation, providing all else is compatible.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. It is reversible at any rate, and if it works, others may find value in it.
Thanks to all for your valuable input. I will follow up if it works.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Alternative recoil springs

I suspect in the near future you'll be looking for (compact 945) recoil springs.
Fortunately they are the same as the Chief Special .40 & .45's.
Unfortunately they are the same as the Chief Special .40 &.45's.

See posts #17 & #19 for alternative recoil springs for the CS40-CS45s in this forum thread:

CS40 added to the collection (last content added: alternate recoil springs tested)

.

 

[Biggymu]

This is golden. Thank you.

 

[Biggymu]

So, what are the symptoms of needing a new recoil spring on an 945, other than obviously broken coils? I've personally never had to replace a recoil spring on any semiautomatic pistol I've ever owned. I don't fire thousands of rounds though any of them.

 

[stang1911]

Next step is to find a matte black finish thumb safety.

 

[KAC]

Depending on the caliber of the semi-auto you should replace the recoil spring every 2000-3000 rounds. Heavy recoiling rounds, like 10mm, should be replaced around 1000-1500 rounds. IMHO

 

[Biggymu]

Next step is to find a matte black finish thumb safety.

I'm going to give this one a go:
1911 - Ambi Thumb Safety - Extended, Combat Paddle, Bar-Stock, Black

 

[Doug M.]

I'm sure most here already knew this, (I didn't,) but the 945 frames are wider than the Colt GM, CC and OM. Not a lot and I didn't write down the numbers.

Jim

**
I found out the hard way; I bought a particular holster for mine assuming that it would work, but the pistol is just a bit too wide. I ended up ordering a custom holster for it and will have to wait until it arrives. Depending on my skill and energy, I might put a string in the gun leather sub forum.

 

[Biggymu]

Here are the results of the ambidextrous safety install. After carefully fitting the part, it functions perfectly and the finish matches almost exactly. The thicker frame made almost no difference in the fit and function of the parts (.007). The grip panel was grooved for this option and allows proper throw. So a successful endeavor and completely reversible.

 

[4T5GUY]

Good job looks great. I'm glad it worked out so well for you. Thanks for the update.

It's amazing that all the grip screw slots indexed the same. Something I can attest to is that 1911 SHORT grip screws work perfect on the 945's. Probably just me but the factory large head slotted ones detract from the overall quality.

Jim

 

[Biggymu]

The all black pistol has such a completely different vibe! That's cool. I do like the Allen screws on yours.
I did find when I dug into it, the Briley bushing was completely loose and had backed out. So using the amazing tutorial by BMCM, I obtained the locktite 680 and corrected that issue.

While playing with it, I got a Wilson 10SEN22 recoil spring. Using reference marks made on the slide and frame without a spring, I checked the marks with the factory spring. With the factory spring in place, there was just the slightest indication of spring bind.
I cut one full coil and then the next off the Wilson until I had to remove almost 3 full coils to duplicate where the factory spring stopped. This made the Wilson spring considerably shorter than the stock unit.
It is a much stiffer spring with thicker flat wire. Racking the slide feels the about same. I will have to see how it performs. I don't have any type of measuring devices for spring tension of this type.