A very early Model 645 .45 Auto

[Kavinsky]

The custom Model 645 has a matte black teflon finish. The mag bases were trimmed to fit flush on the grip frame. The extra slide is from a Model 4516 which was specially fitted to the Model 645 frame. I have had this gun over two decades. I'm sure somebody still offers the special finish. My guy is long since retired. I will have to take different new pictures and post them. Thank you for the interest.

thanks and I look forward to seeing a new photo of that gun.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

M39,
I have a 645 modified just like yours, mine is still SS finish. Wayne Novak did mine, who did yours?
Great gun, will never wear out.

 

[BUFF]

I bought my first Model 645 s/n TAK2138 from the first batch the Salt Lake City S&W distributor received, on January 2, 1986. The magazines had stainless steel sheet metal floorplates that, when you did a hard mag insert, with your mag hand slapping the mag into place with the palm of the hand, and then quickly moved the support hand forward and then down, to join the off hand over the strong hand, sometimes the floorplate's cut and swaged tab was unable to retain the floorplate in place. The floorplate slid forward, off of the magazine bottom, which then would lead to the mag spring, mag follower and any cartridges in that magazine, being enthusiastically ejected out of the bottom of the mag and gun. Not desired performance, especially in a big-time match!

There was another problem involving the sheet metal magazine followers and the magazine safety/disconnect. Upon discovery of both flaws, S&W issued a recall for the first few hundred 645 pistols.

I got the recall notice mailed to my house (I always filled out and mailed in the warranty cards.). S&W wanted me to return the pistol at their expense. I replied that mine was working fine and that, as a police officer I was not allowed to carry the new .45 by my department regulations, and so my 645 was probably going to be a range toy. I said I was still interested in having the new parts sent out, and if my original parts appeared to cause problems, I would have my local S&W warranty station install the new parts.

Surprisingly, S&W agreed to do this and mailed me four new magazine followers, four new springs, and a few other bits I can't now recall. They are still around here somewhere in S&W's little clear plastic bag.

I never had any problems with the 645 malfunctioning, so never used the parts; they are around here somewhere.

My new .45 ran flawlessly. The big, brawny pistol cycled perfectly, and the heavy, robust stainless steel construction and many sharp edges and corners combined to make a highly effective cudgel of the pistol should cudgle become a better option in a particular moment than shooting, with the corrosion resistant stainless steel keeping cosmetic values high.

I used my M-645 as my house gun after myself and friend Dennis Tueller spent an afternoon feeding the pistol every single cartridge loading of .45 ACP we could access, mostly factory but also many handloads. We fired over 1,600 rounds through the gun in a single afternoon with only one failure; one of my handloads done on my progressive Hornaday outfit had smashed the replacement primer into the primer pocket sideways. The pistol just flat worked.

Good pistols, that lead to a diverse family of likewise excellent huckers of 230 grain punkin balls. Good pistols indeed.

 

[waffenmac]

I bought one in 1987 along with a used 469 in the box at a little gun shop in Clarksville TN when I was with the 101 kept them both till the early 90s after I got out of military and went back to school.Sold them to my brother with the caveat that I could by them back ,but he sold them not even a year later.Still have reciept for them 700.00 for both no tax or anything.

 

[Model39]

M39,
I have a 645 modified just like yours, mine is still SS finish. Wayne Novak did mine, who did yours?
Great gun, will never wear out.

My Model 645 was done by a company called Final Option Enterprises. The company is long out of business. I had this done a long time ago. The finish was done by another company in Texas after the gun was customized, as I wanted a truly unique look similar to the Model 39 ASPS that I own. I know that company is out of business too.

 

[Model39]

New Pictures of Custom Model 645

thanks and I look forward to seeing a new photo of that gun.

Here are more recent pictures of my custom Model 645. The presentation case was made for me last year by another forum member who I can't remember (I'm sorry). He did a great job for me. I didn't bother to show the extra 4516 slide with it. I have also replaced the factory grips with finely checkered Rosewood grips, which give a better grip surface. Again, please excuse my poor photography skills.

 

[sniper47]

Here are more recent pictures of my custom Model 645. The presentation case was made for me last year by another forum member who I can't remember (I'm sorry). He did a great job for me. I didn't bother to show the extra 4516 slide with it. I have also replaced the factory grips with finely checkered Rosewood grips, which give a better grip surface. Again, please excuse my poor photography skills.

Ok, I am not an expert in metalurgy, but I wasn't aware you could blue stainless steel? I thought only carbon steel was capable of being blued. Can someone clue me in here?

 

[brian_a_mcmillen]

I'll have to get a picture of mine but it is just like the rest of these (stainless) but has adjustable rear sights. I still have the original box, cleaning kit, wrapping paper etc. I got it from my dad about 15 years and he had never taken it out of the box. I think I have about 200 rounds through it. Like someone else said, it is built like a tank!

 

[Model39]

Ok, I am not an expert in metalurgy, but I wasn't aware you could blue stainless steel? I thought only carbon steel was capable of being blued. Can someone clue me in here?

The finish on the Model 645 is a black teflon finish, not a standard blue finish. The gun after it was customized, was sand blasted then the teflon was applied. This particular finish is as tough as nails. If I remember correctly it cost me about $225 with both slides and 7 magazines to be done back then.

 

[625smith]

Here is my 645 with adjustable sights. It is a I think it is an 1988 vintage.

 

[sniper47]

The finish on the Model 645 is a black teflon finish, not a standard blue finish. The gun after it was customized, was sand blasted then the teflon was applied. This particular finish is as tough as nails. If I remember correctly it cost me about $225 with both slides and 7 magazines to be done back then.

Thanks.

 

[Chefjon]

My 645 has a serial #of TAK1220. Could anyone provide a "birthday" for it?

 

[jp zanoya]

I bought the first 645 to show up in our area. I didn't like the trigger, and sent it to Novak's, where they converted it to single action, changed the sights and safety.
The result is basically an all-stainless version of the 745. Like everyone says, 100% reliable. I have even run 250gr SWCs through it without problems.

 

[Kavinsky]

Here are more recent pictures of my custom Model 645. The presentation case was made for me last year by another forum member who I can't remember (I'm sorry). He did a great job for me. I didn't bother to show the extra 4516 slide with it. I have also replaced the factory grips with finely checkered Rosewood grips, which give a better grip surface. Again, please excuse my poor photography skills.

thanks again for taking the time out to take some new photos of your gun for posting here, its a beaute and very unique.

so you based this sort of off of the ASP then huh? (if I'm getting the acronymn right?)

 

[Model39]

thanks again for taking the time out to take some new photos of your gun for posting here, its a beaute and very unique.

so you based this sort of off of the ASP then huh? (if I'm getting the acronymn right?)

I have 2 Model 39 ASPS which are black teflon coated. They look very good, and when I heard I could get the same type of finish applied to my Model 645, I did. The custom design on the Model 645 is not similar to the ASP, just the finish. Pictured below is one of my ASPS tp show the finish.

 

[sniper47]

My 645 has a serial #of TAK1220. Could anyone provide a "birthday" for it?

I got TAK1473. Hi Cuz!

 

[Kavinsky]

I have 2 Model 39 ASPS which are black teflon coated. They look very good, and when I heard I could get the same type of finish applied to my Model 645, I did. The custom design on the Model 645 is not similar to the ASP, just the finish. Pictured below is one of my ASPS tp show the finish.

ah I see, actually if I remember correctly that was the gun that James Garner (if I got his name right) had bond cary past the Browning 1903 in the continuation books in the 80's

so how well does that gutter sight work on it and have you ever thought of maybe trying this kind of modification with a 669 double stack?

 

[BUFF]

My 645 has a serial #of TAK1220. Could anyone provide a "birthday" for it?

Most of the TAK-prefix 645's were made in 1985, and were the first production run for the pistol.

 

[Kavinsky]

Most of the TAK-prefix 645's were made in 1985, and were the first production run for the pistol.

what of the ones made past that? say 87 - 88 before the 645 transitional model came out?

and was the 86 run TAS by any chance? as the serial on Crockett's 645 for S3 is TAS7586

 

[Model39]

ah I see, actually if I remember correctly that was the gun that James Garner (if I got his name right) had bond cary past the Browning 1903 in the continuation books in the 80's

so how well does that gutter sight work on it and have you ever thought of maybe trying this kind of modification with a 669 double stack?

The sight takes a little while to get use to. I wouldn't try it on any other gun. I have a Model 669 and a Model 6906 and the factory sights are just fine. Both my ASPS are retired. Thanks for the interest.