945 mags.

[Doug M.]

I bought that compact 945-1 from here. The seller only has two OEM mags. All indications are that mags are scarce or made of unobtanium.

A couple of questions:
1) will the mags from a full size 945 work other than being long?

2) Is anyone aware of a source for OEM mags at all? I've done a bit of searching and got more confusion than enlightenment.

 

[4T5GUY]

I have not seen any 6rnd 945 magazines for sale and I'm always looking.

Yes any 945 magazine will fit/function but as you stated they will stick out.

Not much of an alternative but CS45 mags are the same BUT the mag catch/release slot is not in the correct place for the 945. They even have the extra vertical indentations. It's been discussed here that one could replicate the correct placement on non 945 magazines. CS45 mags are available occasionally.

Jim

 

[toddcfii]

Interestingly Numrich has 945 7 round magazine tubes available cheap right now. Search | Numrich Gun Parts

And they have the rest of the parts for 4506 mags so it looks like you could build 945 full size mags no problem. Your welcome.

 

[Doug M.]

I presume it would not matter which version of the 4506 parts are used?

 

[4T5GUY]

Just wondering.

Is there any reason why the 3.25" 945's had those vertical indentation magazines? (Like the CS45's.) Did S&W just use the readily available CS45 mags and modify them for the 945 or was there an actual need for them?

I've never tried an 8 rnd 945 mag in my 3.25". I've also never tried an 8 rnd, (or 7,) in my CS45. It'd probably be fine for fun range time.

Any thoughts?

Jim

 

[jughed440]

Maybe the part # will help in your search for spares??
Found this NOS 6 round mag (and a couple of full size) at a LGS a few years ago.

 

[hoytx10]

CS45 mags are exactly the same as 6 round 945 mags. The CS45 mag needs a higher notch cut into it to function properly in a 945. CS45 mags are much easier to find.

945 mag followers are exactly the same as 4506 followers.

 

[Doug M.]

Thanks for the insights. I am ordering enough to make 4 mags.

 

[toddcfii]

I think the 7 round springs may guy be different than the 4506 mags??

 

[4T5GUY]

Magazine spring S&W part number 262600000 is the same from 4506 down through 4516.

Jim

 

[toddcfii]

Magazine spring S&W part number 262600000 is the same from 4506 down through 4516.

Jim

I think the relevant question is are they the same for each size of 945 magazine? 6, 7 and 8 round? I kind of doubt it.

 

[4T5GUY]

I think the 7 round springs may guy be different than the 4506 mags??

My input was about the 7rnd 945 tubes that you gave a heads up to Doug M. I wasn't commenting about the 6rnd ones. But….

Interesting enough the 6rnd 945 magazines have the same number of coils. I'm assuming since the 6rnd mags are obviously shorter than the 8rnd 945's, the springs will compress more and over time stay that way. Maybe this explains why the 6rnd ones "appear" shorter. (?)

*** Edit to ad ***
CS45 magazine spring is S&W part number 262600000 also. I suspected but it's always nice to find out for sure. I just needed a reason.

Jim

 

[4T5GUY]

Doug M you didn't mention it but you're eventually going to need a few recoil springs too. Maybe sooner than later.

The 3.25" 945-2's share the same recoil springs as the CS40/45. They are also not readily available unless you hoarded a bunch when they were abundant and cheap a few years ago. (Luckily I did.)

If you haven't already checked it out, BLUEDOT37 did an outstanding write up on alternative CS 40/45 recoil spring ideas. It's still at the bottom of this page.

Jim

 

[BLUEDOT37]

For future references

.

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

.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I've done a bit of searching and got more confusion than enlightenment.

Tell me about it, they made so many variations.

Congrats on your catch!

.



.
.
.



.

 

[hoytx10]

I was looking at midway yesterday and it also looks to me that the 6 round, 7 round and 8 round magazines all take the same magazine spring.

Makes sense, an unloaded 6 round magazine's spring is compressed exactly the same as an 8 round magazine loaded with 2 rounds.

 

[Doug M.]

The parts came in and I assembled them. Only one problem. I managed to order 2 sets of butt plates, and no catch plate. I've ordered, but it means this weekend's planned test shoot might not be all I was hoping.

 

[hoytx10]

The parts came in and I assembled them. Only one problem. I managed to order 2 sets of butt plates, and no catch plate. I've ordered, but it means this weekend's planned test shoot might not be all I was hoping.

Did you end up getting the 7 round magazine tubes from numrich?

 

[Doug M.]

Did you end up getting the 7 round magazine tubes from numrich?

*
Yup. It seems like everything will work as I was told. Just got to wait for the correct parts. Oh well, another oak leaf cluster for my "Own Worst Enemy" award.