945-1

[huthike]

First of all, I'd like to say that I blame all of you enablers on here. Here I was, happy as a clam collecting wheel guns, until I stared noticing posts about 3rd gens and then pc pistols and....well.

Picked up a 945 a few months ago on a big auction site for what I thought was a pretty good deal. Shot it and understood what all the fuss was about.

Then yesterday, I went to Cabela's to look at a S&W 1911 they had for sale - plain jane, nothing fancy, but I didn't have one, so...

But when I looked in the case at the 1911, just beside it was another 945! Looked in good shape, box and papers, 2 mags.....1499. They gave me another 50 off, I had 300 in Cabelas points, so around 1100 otd. Nice!

My quick and dirty research on the charts makes me think it's a 170173, 945-1. Fired case shows manufacture in 2002, though, which is different on the charts. Also, the pc logo is on the opposite side from the one pictured on p. 462 of SCSW-4.

The pics are from my phone after the cleaning. Enjoy!

 

[Sevens]

Maybe a 170259... just like the 170173 except it isn’t wearing the billboard “945” on the left side of the slide.

I believe that my first 945 is the same one (I only have two.)

Beautiful!

 

[brucev]

Home run! Congratulations! Sincerely. bruce.

 

[kraynky]

Hot Diggity Dog! You done it up right good! Didn't just find one of my Holy Grails, but TWO! 2 Nice ones too! Congratulations!

 

[huthike]

Sevens, I don’t find the code you listed in the charts I have. Maybe mine aren’t the latest?


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[Sevens]

I did find two tiny differences between the one you just got and the one I have. First is that yours says “Mod 945-1” and mine simply says “945-1.” I can only guess and go by memory but I’ll say that yours having “Mod” is much more scarce and mine style is the commonly found one.

Also, your grip screws are the hex head, and from what we have seen, the PC used those on the earliest pistols, (likely ran out of them and changed suppliers) and then went to the slightly less attractive slot head screw which is also much more common on 945’s.

I think you should start by calling S&W with the SN and ask them for a SKU/product code and see what they say.

As for my pistol, I was so sure that it should be a 170173 based on the work in skjos’ thread but I dug out my aluminum PC case and it has an end label. Mine must have somehow went back to S&W before going out again, the listed SKU is 670173. I believe S&W uses the leading 6 to denote a gun that was back to S&W and shipped out a second time. The remaining number wants me to believe that originally it is a 170173 but now I am just not sure.

I got mine via a pawn shop, Texas I think, it was a Gunbroker purchase years ago.

Always a deeper mystery!

 

[Erocksmash]

Fantastic find sir, I blame the forum as well for my recently acquired 945. Took a look at it at the lakeland show and wouldn't let go,(when I found out what the fella was asking) guy was out smoking wouldn't back right away. I said that's ok I'm not moving or letting this thing go haha..

Was Never been a big 1911 fella or a .45acp guy at that,guess I at least need something in that caliber, this gun has changed that, doesn't feel like a 1911, feels like a S/A 3rd gen... and and a fantastic shooter to boot

 

[skjos]

Sevens, I don’t find the code you listed in the charts I have. Maybe mine aren’t the latest?

The charts can be found here:

Catalog of Performance Center 945 Variants

They are a work in progress and S&W always throws us some curve balls. Your pistol looks to be 170173, but it is missing the billboard, and the non-laser etch model number is absolutely unique. Perhaps we need a 170173(A) and 170173(B).

It could also be a 170259 like Sevens stated, but the serial number and mfg date don't match up (along with the grip screws). Perhaps I should also add a grip screw row.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Things get snapped up too quickly around here. I do not think that I have ever seen a 945.

 

[Jeppo]

To further complicate things...

I did find two tiny differences between the one you just got and the one I have. First is that yours says “Mod 945-1” and mine simply says “945-1.” I can only guess and go by memory but I’ll say that yours having “Mod” is much more scarce and mine style is the commonly found one.

Also, your grip screws are the hex head, and from what we have seen, the PC used those on the earliest pistols, (likely ran out of them and changed suppliers) and then went to the slightly less attractive slot head screw which is also much more common on 945’s.

Mine says “945-1” but does have the hex head screws.

 

[huthike]

Skjos, thanks for the link - the charts I had saved were older versions.

I emailed the mother ship for the product code. Results pending.


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[huthike]

WOW. Emailed S & W last night and got a response early this morning.

Product code 170173.


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