945 Question

[craigcpa]

Greetings. Is there any difference, or maybe I should ask, what is the difference between a (compact model, anodized black color) 945 and a (compact model, stainless color) 945 with "Performance Center" etched into the slide?

 

[craigcpa]

Greetings. Is there any difference, or maybe I should ask, what is the difference between a (compact model, anodized black color) 945 and a (compact model, stainless color) 945 with "Performance Center" etched into the slide?

 

[at-home-daddy]

I hate to state the obvious, but...color?

There are no design differences.

 

[craigcpa]

Originally posted by at-home-daddy:
I hate to state the obvious, but...color?

There are no design differences.

Granted. But the stainless has the etching, whereas the anodized black does not. Why the difference?

 

[at-home-daddy]

I'd have to see the pictures to see exactly what you mean, but if the stainless has a large 945 emblazoned on the left slide flat, and the blued has a much smaller "Smith & Wesson" stamped there instead, the stainless will likely be an older model. As with their 1911 line (that, too, once had large "billboard" lettering), the model designation is more subdued in newer models.

 

[18DAI]

The etching simply indicates later production.

IIRC there were some .40 stainless, laser etched compact 945's as well.

Then again, the new 3.5" blue 945 has rollmarks....I think. Regards 18DAI.

 

[at-home-daddy]

If you go here, look at my 5" stainless with the stamp...then look two pics above it at the 5" stainless with the etching. Same gun, no design differences -- mine's just newer.

 

[craigcpa]

Originally posted by at-home-daddy:
I'd have to see the pictures to see exactly what you mean, but if the stainless has a large 945 emblazoned on the left slide flat, and the blued has a much smaller "Smith & Wesson" stamped there instead, the stainless will likely be an older model. As with their 1911 line (that, too, once had large "billboard" lettering), the model designation is more subdued in newer models.

Thanks "at-home." here are the pix:

So the stainless is older?

 

[PeterBergh2]

Originally posted by craigcpa:
Greetings. Is there any difference, or maybe I should ask, what is the difference between a (compact model, anodized black color) 945 and a (compact model, stainless color) 945 with "Performance Center" etched into the slide?

Based on the pictures you posted, it appears that by "compact" you refer to a 3.25" barrel. They were produced for two different distributors at about the same time. SCSW has the full story.

 

[craigcpa]

Originally posted by PeterBergh2:

Originally posted by craigcpa:
Greetings. Is there any difference, or maybe I should ask, what is the difference between a (compact model, anodized black color) 945 and a (compact model, stainless color) 945 with "Performance Center" etched into the slide?

Based on the pictures you posted, it appears that by "compact" you refer to a 3.25" barrel. They were produced for two different distributors at about the same time. SCSW has the full story.

I apologize for the "compact" description. Clearly, with a 3.25" barrel, I guess I should have described them as "sub-compacts." You are correct!

Additionally, would the version of either of these make it more desirable or valuable?

 

[at-home-daddy]

Normally I would say, yes, the stainless is older, but if the above poster is correct I'd be less inclined to say for sure. Distributors can specify changes of that sort, and perhaps that's the case here. I'm afraid I'm not as well versed on the compact sizes as I am the 4" and 5" models.

But to the heart of your question: there are essentially no differences, save for the slide marks and grip screws.

 

[PeterBergh]

Originally posted by at-home-daddy:
Normally I would say, yes, the stainless is older, but if the above poster is correct I'd be less inclined to say for sure. ...
But to the heart of your question: there are essentially no differences, save for the slide marks and grip screws.

If memory serves, I bought mine (one with stainless finish and one with black finish) within a month or two of each other. I have not noticed any functional or engineering differences. (I consider grip screws and finishes cosmetic differences.) Both of mine are marked 945-1.

 

[rbert0005]

The stainless version is the older one 2001, or so. The black one is the current edition.

I have checked out the new ones and found nothing to make me think they are all that different.

Bob