First purchase in a long while: 845 PC

[heekma]

Howdy folks,

Been a while since I had reason to post some pics, but I have a reason now!

This weekend I picked up a LNIB 845 PC with the correctly numbered box, all paperwork, a light and normal recoil spring and two PC marked 8-round mags.

This 845 lacks the front serrations and "Model of 1998" rollmarks, making this one of the first Lew Horton run made between 1995-97. I think 300-500 were made during this run.

This is easily one of the best fitted and finished guns I've ever owned, and gives up nothing to a Wilson or Baer.

The slide is the tightest I've ever felt, zero movement, zero movement to the barrel hood, and yet racking the slide is so effortless it feels like the recoil spring is rated for 8 lbs. instead of 16.

The trigger is the lightest I've ever encountered as well, my guess is well below 3 lbs. and maybe close to 2 lbs. Trigger reset is shorter and faster than any 1911--or any other gun I've ever encountered as well.

The slide, frame and barrel are numbered to each other, which is neat to see.

Haven't been to the range yet, but if it's at least as accurate as my 4506, I think it'll be a keeper.

I'll try to take a few close-up pics of the Briley Spherical Bushing and a few other bits tonight.

Here's a quick and dirty pic of the gun, laying on my dirty knee (only way to take a pic in the sunlight late yesterday evening)

Best,

Heekma

 

[timn8er]

Very Nice!

 

[zerbertz]

Beautiful! Where can I get one?

 

[Erich]

Oh yeeeeah! Very nice find!

 

[Kevin G]

Very nice find.
This one was sitting on the shelf at LGS marked as a "645 PC" about 8yrs ago. No box, just one PC mag (all the Smith 8rd .45acp mags fit it). Was relatively new to Smiths, pretty sure there was no 645 PC. Store had a book section, was able to determine what I was looking at, it went home w/me.

It's a heavy gun, little recoil, mine can make the cutest little cloverleafs if I do my part.
Enjoy, Kevin

 

[SW CQB 45]

Nice find.

Use caution as you might have the softball recoil spring in there.

Only target loads with that one.

I would definitely call SW Customer Svc and get two fresh recoil springs for softball and hardball loads.

call with your serial number.

 

[AzRedleg]

I stumbled across a NIB 845 with the "845 model of 1998" etched on the slide about two years ago. It was a complete item. Pistol and extra magazine still wrapped in the VCI paper. I couldn't believe my luck. The price was a steal and I purchased it immediately.

Then, I spent an agonizing 10 minutes figuring out if I should fire it. It's seen several thousand rounds now and it is an easy 1 inch pistol at 25M from a rest, probably better if I really worked up a load specifically for it. Maybe the favorite of my PC autos. Just a superb piece of craftsmanship. Now I need to find a good one like you purchased!

Mine has a very long throat and is the only .45 I own that I can load a Lyman 452460 SWC to max length and still properly headspace. I don't know if this is "normal" for the 845s or not since I unfortunately own only one.

I found that unless I was shooting max loads the "normal" spring was too heavy. It does work fine with +P type loads. The "target" weight spring that came with mine is perfect for lighter to mid range loads.

 

[heekma]

Nice find.

Use caution as you might have the softball recoil spring in there.

Only target loads with that one.

I would definitely call SW Customer Svc and get two fresh recoil springs for softball and hardball loads.

call with your serial number.

Hi SW CQB,

I have the heavier spring in for sure. In fact, just to be extra sure, I put in the spring from my 4506 and it felt just the same as before...almost like there was nothing in the gun but a spring, just effortless to rack the slide.

Best,

Heekma

 

[SigFTW]

Very nice!!!!!!

 

[heekma]

I stumbled across a NIB 845 with the "845 model of 1998" etched on the slide about two years ago. It was a complete item. Pistol and extra magazine still wrapped in the VCI paper. I couldn't believe my luck. The price was a steal and I purchased it immediately.

Then, I spent an agonizing 10 minutes figuring out if I should fire it. It's seen several thousand rounds now and it is an easy 1 inch pistol at 25M from a rest, probably better if I really worked up a load specifically for it. Maybe the favorite of my PC autos. Just a superb piece of craftsmanship. Now I need to find a good one like you purchased!

Mine has a very long throat and is the only .45 I own that I can load a Lyman 452460 SWC to max length and still properly headspace. I don't know if this is "normal" for the 845s or not since I unfortunately own only one.

I found that unless I was shooting max loads the "normal" spring was too heavy. It does work fine with +P type loads. The "target" weight spring that came with mine is perfect for lighter to mid range loads.

Hi AZ,

Thanks for a ton of great information on an auto that's hard to find detailed information on. If you can think of a way for me to check the throat depth of mine, we'd have a case sample of at least two to determine if the throats were deeper on these than on a 4506.

Best,

Heekma

 

[RGPM1A]

Very nice gun. I really enjoy mine. Anyone who has a 952 or 52 and would like a similar gun in 45 this is the gun to get.

 

[44wheelman]

Sweet buy!

I've been after one for a while..just not whilling to pay those ridiculous internet prices (they pop up very rarely now).

"Settled" on the 945.... very happy, but if I ever find an 845, it will fit right between my 745 & 945.