4506517
Member
Oh wow......that's beautiful.
Do you mind me asking what the $ damage was?
Do you mind me asking what the $ damage was?
Found a 845 (45 Limited) and....
- Thread starter BLUEDOT37
- Start date
SW CQB 45
Member
your single action 845 does not have a decocker....its only a hammer block.
the paddle needs to be inline with the bore for it to fire.
it will use the same as 4506 recoil springs so be sure to spring appropriately for your loads.
personally, I would not hammer stiff loads.....light to medium and enjoy and giggle with the accuracy potential.
the paddle needs to be inline with the bore for it to fire.
it will use the same as 4506 recoil springs so be sure to spring appropriately for your loads.
personally, I would not hammer stiff loads.....light to medium and enjoy and giggle with the accuracy potential.
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OP
Yes thanks, I understand, & I've already fired it. But that's not the issue (I don't know if this is a problem or a trait of the gun since I've never had one before & it seems odd).
Let me re-word it some:
One thing I noticed, & maybe it's normal (?) for this series, but if you try to dry fire it (no Snap Cap or a fired/unfired case in the chamber), the hammer doesn't drop all the way down to hit the firing pin, it stops just before. Something has to be in the chamber or the hammer won't strike the firing pin. It's visually & audibily apparent. (The decocker/safety is horizontal in the fire mode, it's not down in the blocker position) Either with the mag in or out. Why? What is the feature of the gun that does this, or does it have a problem?
SW CQB 45
Member
BD, you say that you have fired the gun and it runs?
refresh my memory.....an 845 does not have a magazine safety nor a firing pin safety, correct?
this is just me throwing some guesses in your direction.
are you resetting the trigger to the correct position?
I have seen some guns (not necessarily the 845) have a click for believed reset and the hammer falls to half cock.
The 845 trigger I believe does has some adjustment for OT and I am wondering if this is your culprit.
refresh my memory.....an 845 does not have a magazine safety nor a firing pin safety, correct?
this is just me throwing some guesses in your direction.
are you resetting the trigger to the correct position?
I have seen some guns (not necessarily the 845) have a click for believed reset and the hammer falls to half cock.
The 845 trigger I believe does has some adjustment for OT and I am wondering if this is your culprit.
Bruce51
Member
First let me say that is one great looking gun.
As far as the falling to halfcock instead of firing without something in the chamber I don't have a clue.
There are two notches on the hammer for the sear to engage.
The hammer should fall completely, every time the trigger is pulled, empty chamber or not. I don't understand how it could fail to fall forward, but still fire everytime.
Put a pencil into the barrel, eraser side down, cock the hammer, point the gun up, pull the trigger and see if the pencil is launched from the barrel.
Let us know if you figure out the problem as it sounds unusual to me.
BLM
Btw I ordered a spring for the 745 from Midway. It was much longer and stronger than the original spring. It fits the 645 4506 1006 and others. I works great for full power loads.
As far as the falling to halfcock instead of firing without something in the chamber I don't have a clue.
There are two notches on the hammer for the sear to engage.
The hammer should fall completely, every time the trigger is pulled, empty chamber or not. I don't understand how it could fail to fall forward, but still fire everytime.
Put a pencil into the barrel, eraser side down, cock the hammer, point the gun up, pull the trigger and see if the pencil is launched from the barrel.
Let us know if you figure out the problem as it sounds unusual to me.
BLM
Btw I ordered a spring for the 745 from Midway. It was much longer and stronger than the original spring. It fits the 645 4506 1006 and others. I works great for full power loads.
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OP
SW CQB 45: BD, you say that you have fired the gun and it runs?
BD37: I've loaded primer-only cartridges, one-by-one, & it fires them.
SW CQB45: refresh my memory.....an 845 does not have a magazine safety nor a firing pin safety, correct?
BD37: Not that I know or can tell but it's new to me.
SW CQ45: are you resetting the trigger to the correct position? I have seen some guns (not necessarily the 845) have a click for believed reset and the hammer falls to half cock.
BD37: Either by cycling the slide or with my thumb. Same symptom either way. It does have a half-cock & that is where it seems to stop when the chamber is empty, but not when it's loaded.
SW CQ45: The 845 trigger I believe does has some adjustment for OT and I am wondering if this is your culprit.
BD37: It may, I don't know, but I don't see how the trigger would know/detect if the chamber is loaded or not & allow/not allow the hammer to fall fully & strike the firing pin. Best I can see it functions right when it needs to (loaded) but limits the hammer travel when it not loaded?
Maybe someone with a 845 can confirm how their's works?
PS: It does not have a magazine safety or firing pin safey, just the blocker safety.
BD37: I've loaded primer-only cartridges, one-by-one, & it fires them.
SW CQB45: refresh my memory.....an 845 does not have a magazine safety nor a firing pin safety, correct?
BD37: Not that I know or can tell but it's new to me.
SW CQ45: are you resetting the trigger to the correct position? I have seen some guns (not necessarily the 845) have a click for believed reset and the hammer falls to half cock.
BD37: Either by cycling the slide or with my thumb. Same symptom either way. It does have a half-cock & that is where it seems to stop when the chamber is empty, but not when it's loaded.
SW CQ45: The 845 trigger I believe does has some adjustment for OT and I am wondering if this is your culprit.
BD37: It may, I don't know, but I don't see how the trigger would know/detect if the chamber is loaded or not & allow/not allow the hammer to fall fully & strike the firing pin. Best I can see it functions right when it needs to (loaded) but limits the hammer travel when it not loaded?
Maybe someone with a 845 can confirm how their's works?
PS: It does not have a magazine safety or firing pin safey, just the blocker safety.
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OP
What am I missing??
What weight spring did you order? Original is 14#?
- - -
Okay, I'm officially not going to worry about this anymore, I hope.
1- With no mag in, nothing in the chamber, the muzzle up, the hammer cocked, pull the trigger & the hammer stops at half-cock before it hits the firing pin/frame.
2- With no mag in, pencil down the barrel & eraser in the chamber/breach, the muzzle up, the hammer cocked, pull the trigger & the hammer goes fully to the frame/firing pin, & stops, & the pencil flies out.
...makes no sense, I'm going to bed, my head hurts!
- - -
PS: Didn't go to bed yet, my head stopped hurting, I think I know what's going on, at least I hope.
- With nothing in the chamber to absorb the hammer/firing pin's energy, the combination of the hammer bouncing off the frame & the firing pin's strong spring, pushes the hammer back away from the frame with just enough momentum to make it to half-cock where it stops. It only appears to have stopped there, not gone past & then back.
- With something in the chamber, to absorb the hammer/firing pin energy & slow it down, it stops because the firing pin's spring can't push the hammer back by itself, that much, without the rebound energy.
What do you think?? It's either this or it's got some electronic sensor hidden inside.
What weight spring did you order? Original is 14#?
- - -
Okay, I'm officially not going to worry about this anymore, I hope.
1- With no mag in, nothing in the chamber, the muzzle up, the hammer cocked, pull the trigger & the hammer stops at half-cock before it hits the firing pin/frame.
2- With no mag in, pencil down the barrel & eraser in the chamber/breach, the muzzle up, the hammer cocked, pull the trigger & the hammer goes fully to the frame/firing pin, & stops, & the pencil flies out.
...makes no sense, I'm going to bed, my head hurts!
- - -
PS: Didn't go to bed yet, my head stopped hurting, I think I know what's going on, at least I hope.
- With nothing in the chamber to absorb the hammer/firing pin's energy, the combination of the hammer bouncing off the frame & the firing pin's strong spring, pushes the hammer back away from the frame with just enough momentum to make it to half-cock where it stops. It only appears to have stopped there, not gone past & then back.
- With something in the chamber, to absorb the hammer/firing pin energy & slow it down, it stops because the firing pin's spring can't push the hammer back by itself, that much, without the rebound energy.
What do you think?? It's either this or it's got some electronic sensor hidden inside.
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SW CQB 45
Member
I say lube it, loads some rounds and go shooting.
if you have some issues where it does not fire, call SW for a return tag.
W/O the gun in front of someone....it is hard to diagnose.
RANGE REPORT is requested!
if you have some issues where it does not fire, call SW for a return tag.
W/O the gun in front of someone....it is hard to diagnose.
RANGE REPORT is requested!
Sorry for lousy quality photo.
The 745 I've got is nice but no comparison to my 845.
About 10yrs ago LGS had it in the case listed as a "645 Performance Center" for $800. I was confused, went to the book dept and did some quick research, determined it was an 845. LGS would not negotiate so I pd $800 which over the years has seemed to be about the norm when I see one for sale. Underpriced in my opinion. No box or paperwork, one mag w/perf ctr logo. All 8 rd .45 acp S&W mags have worked, even early ones w/metal followers and floorplates.
My 52-2 shoots better but is a completely different animal. Prefer the 845 to my 952-1. I got the 952 at same LGS about the same time, clerk thought it was a 52 and price was $800, but that's a story for another time.
Kevin
handgunner356
Member
The hammer is most likely falling and simplely "bounce back" to the half cock position on a empty gun. Both my 745 and 845 will do this, nothing to worry about. All the 645/745/4500 full size mags will work, early 945 mags have two mag catch notches and will work but will catch on the first(945) notch and have to be moved on in. I load a real mouse fart load in my 845 and use a 9# spring in it, but 14# would be where I'd start with a standard hardball load. I like the pivot trigger on the gun over the 1911 style, it makes the pull seem lighter than it actually measures. The Briley bushing housing is screwed into the slide and does use a special tool but like CQB 45 said you can just clean the threads and a drop of loctite if it has backed out. I don't take the ring out myself although it will come out where the housing is slotted. I just oil the ring and barrel well before I install it, takes a little finesse sometimes to get it back together. Enjoy!
Bruce51
Member
I can't find the original 845 spring stock number.
The Midway spring #227209 is for most guns. Read the listed reviews.
This is a long spring. It feels heavier than #14. It does function and drops cases close to the shooter.
I have 945 springs and these are either 24298 or 264380000
I believe that is a S&W part number. These are similar to the original spring in my 745.
Have fun! That one is a keeper.
Bruce
The Midway spring #227209 is for most guns. Read the listed reviews.
This is a long spring. It feels heavier than #14. It does function and drops cases close to the shooter.
I have 945 springs and these are either 24298 or 264380000
I believe that is a S&W part number. These are similar to the original spring in my 745.
Have fun! That one is a keeper.
Bruce
OP
Good info
That's pretty cool! I think I'm going to be keeping an eye out for a companion to mine too, at the next gun show (the BIG ONE, Wanenmacher is 11/9), but I doubt I'll be as lucky as with this one.
It's the only thing that seems logical, but honestly, I don't see it no matter how many times I repeat it.
Thanks for the info guys.
I did a quick check for mags & saw that Midway actually had the S&W mags (S&W# 23675000) for the 645/4506 family In-Stock & ordered a couple. (Ordered last night & just got an email saying they shipped it today! Good job Midway!)
If you find any other "good to know" info on the 845, please pass it on.
I pulled out all our 45 Autos to compare them but the 845 out shines them all. Sure hope it shoots as good as it feels. I plan on going to the range by Wednesday, at the latest.
I like caressing it, but now it's time to play rough with it.
.
S&W 45 Autos: The old & the new
845 & 1911sc-E
.
That's pretty cool! I think I'm going to be keeping an eye out for a companion to mine too, at the next gun show (the BIG ONE, Wanenmacher is 11/9), but I doubt I'll be as lucky as with this one.
It's the only thing that seems logical, but honestly, I don't see it no matter how many times I repeat it.
Thanks for the info guys.
I did a quick check for mags & saw that Midway actually had the S&W mags (S&W# 23675000) for the 645/4506 family In-Stock & ordered a couple. (Ordered last night & just got an email saying they shipped it today! Good job Midway!)
If you find any other "good to know" info on the 845, please pass it on.
I pulled out all our 45 Autos to compare them but the 845 out shines them all. Sure hope it shoots as good as it feels. I plan on going to the range by Wednesday, at the latest.
I like caressing it, but now it's time to play rough with it.
.
S&W 45 Autos: The old & the new
845 & 1911sc-E
.
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Bruce51
Member
This morning I pulled the 745 from the safe to check how it could possibly end up at half cock during normal firing.
Since mine has never fallen or returned to half cock during normal firing I needed to check this out.
Now if the safety lever is completely pushed down the hammer sets to half cock and stays there when the lever is pushed back up.
The only way the hammer falls to half cock is if I release trigger pressure while lowering the hammer.
I'm wondering if there maybe some binding between the frame and the drawbar, just enough to catch the hammer notch when firing. Since it goes to half cock with the magazine in or out I would clean and check the drawbar for indications of binding. I might also consider a mainspring change.
Since I'm unfamiliar with the grips on your gun I would remove them to see if anything rubs or needs cleaning.
That's all I have. Interesting problem. I hope it works well for you.
BLM
Since mine has never fallen or returned to half cock during normal firing I needed to check this out.
Now if the safety lever is completely pushed down the hammer sets to half cock and stays there when the lever is pushed back up.
The only way the hammer falls to half cock is if I release trigger pressure while lowering the hammer.
I'm wondering if there maybe some binding between the frame and the drawbar, just enough to catch the hammer notch when firing. Since it goes to half cock with the magazine in or out I would clean and check the drawbar for indications of binding. I might also consider a mainspring change.
Since I'm unfamiliar with the grips on your gun I would remove them to see if anything rubs or needs cleaning.
That's all I have. Interesting problem. I hope it works well for you.
BLM
OP
Curiously strange
I don't know, it's curiously strange, but since it's new to me I don't know if it always did it or it just started before I got it. In searching the web for more 845 info, I did run across this post on another forum which seems to indicate this person didn't have/notice it before on his 745. (No one replied to his post.)
I have an S&W 745 and use it for limited class pin shooting. I noticed that when dry-firing after a table is shot, before benching the gun (we must bench with the hammer down), The hammer bounces back to half-cock. It didn't do this before. The factory mainspring is 20 lbs. I have been (for months) running an 18 lb. Wolff to slightly lighten the trigger. I thought the spring may have something to do with it and put a 20 lb. back in. The hammer still bounces back to half-cock. The trigger doesn't reset, however, so I have to pull the hammer back and then pull the trigger to ease it all the way down to rest. The firing pin channel is clean and the pin moves freely. The gun runs well otherwise. I don't see light strikes on the spent primers and the hammer will go all the way down(and stay down) when I do the pencil test. I even tried a new,spare factory firing pin "just to see" but the bounce remains. Weird, huh? Any ideas? This is (to me) Smith's simplest auto-pistol which makes this even weirder to me.
-----
I plan on field stripping it later today & seeing what I can see, now that I've got more info on disassembly.
FYI : One thing I just realized, on this model, is that the 845, externally, looks like a 4506-1, not a 645/745, having the rounded grip frame, one piece grips, dove-tail front sight and smooth frame side between the slide & trigger. Weird why S&W didn't given it a 3rd Gen. model number variation rather than the 2nd Gen's.?
I don't know, it's curiously strange, but since it's new to me I don't know if it always did it or it just started before I got it. In searching the web for more 845 info, I did run across this post on another forum which seems to indicate this person didn't have/notice it before on his 745. (No one replied to his post.)
I have an S&W 745 and use it for limited class pin shooting. I noticed that when dry-firing after a table is shot, before benching the gun (we must bench with the hammer down), The hammer bounces back to half-cock. It didn't do this before. The factory mainspring is 20 lbs. I have been (for months) running an 18 lb. Wolff to slightly lighten the trigger. I thought the spring may have something to do with it and put a 20 lb. back in. The hammer still bounces back to half-cock. The trigger doesn't reset, however, so I have to pull the hammer back and then pull the trigger to ease it all the way down to rest. The firing pin channel is clean and the pin moves freely. The gun runs well otherwise. I don't see light strikes on the spent primers and the hammer will go all the way down(and stay down) when I do the pencil test. I even tried a new,spare factory firing pin "just to see" but the bounce remains. Weird, huh? Any ideas? This is (to me) Smith's simplest auto-pistol which makes this even weirder to me.
-----
I plan on field stripping it later today & seeing what I can see, now that I've got more info on disassembly.
FYI : One thing I just realized, on this model, is that the 845, externally, looks like a 4506-1, not a 645/745, having the rounded grip frame, one piece grips, dove-tail front sight and smooth frame side between the slide & trigger. Weird why S&W didn't given it a 3rd Gen. model number variation rather than the 2nd Gen's.?
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OP
Trigger adjustment screw & new grips
Got a couple new questions:
- I disassembled, cleaned & oiled this & noticed an adjustment screw on the trigger assembly, inside the frame. It seems like it's purpose is to adjust the play/slack out of the trigger. The screw is very easy to turn & makes we wonder if it will lose it's adjust with use/firing?
Does anybody have any experience with this?
- I noticed that if I adjust the screw (up) to eliminate the trigger play completely & I cock the hammer to half-cocked, it only takes a little pressure on the trigger for the hammer to slip out of the half-cock notch. If I adjust the screw so there's a little bit of trigger play/movement, & put the hammer in half-cock, pulling the trigger (moderate pressure) does not cause it to slip out of half-cocked. This is were I left it.
Does anybody know what the correct way to adjust this screw is?
I added some Hogue grips & I really like the change in feel. The soft rubber vs. hard plastic and the curved backstrap vs. the straight are a good improvement for me.
Off to the range tomorrow to shoot it. Will let you know how it goes.
.
845 Limited
.
.
845 Limited
.
Got a couple new questions:
- I disassembled, cleaned & oiled this & noticed an adjustment screw on the trigger assembly, inside the frame. It seems like it's purpose is to adjust the play/slack out of the trigger. The screw is very easy to turn & makes we wonder if it will lose it's adjust with use/firing?
Does anybody have any experience with this?
- I noticed that if I adjust the screw (up) to eliminate the trigger play completely & I cock the hammer to half-cocked, it only takes a little pressure on the trigger for the hammer to slip out of the half-cock notch. If I adjust the screw so there's a little bit of trigger play/movement, & put the hammer in half-cock, pulling the trigger (moderate pressure) does not cause it to slip out of half-cocked. This is were I left it.
Does anybody know what the correct way to adjust this screw is?
I added some Hogue grips & I really like the change in feel. The soft rubber vs. hard plastic and the curved backstrap vs. the straight are a good improvement for me.
Off to the range tomorrow to shoot it. Will let you know how it goes.
.
845 Limited
.
.
845 Limited
.
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SW CQB 45
Member
Me personally, go for the minimalist of overtravel.
Trigger slack/creep is only one time per mag and if you never take your finger off the trigger and only release the trigger to the point of reset....you will never experience any more slack....until you let off completely or new mag.
My two cents.
I recall mine being easy to rotate and never had an issue with the screws moving during shooting.
Trigger slack/creep is only one time per mag and if you never take your finger off the trigger and only release the trigger to the point of reset....you will never experience any more slack....until you let off completely or new mag.
My two cents.
I recall mine being easy to rotate and never had an issue with the screws moving during shooting.
handgunner356
Member
Usually set mine to the point of set/no set, then back off a quarter turn. Never had them move on me but a drop of Loctite doesn't hurt anything.
The Hogues are a good call. Mine came that way. I also have never had the adjustment screw move.
I prefer the look of the Limited to mine, but I bought what came along.
I prefer the look of the Limited to mine, but I bought what came along.
OP
Range report
Got to shoot the 845 today & it's really in it's own league, at least as far as what I've ever shot. Never even had to pickup a screwdriver to adjust the sights as it hits where I pointed it, as best I could. It's the first auto I've ever shot that feels (trigger wise) like my best revolver's. The sights are big & easy to use. The action effortlessly feeds them in & spits them out, ready for another.
I had reloaded some soft target loads with 4.6gr/Bullseye & 200gr SWC & 230gr RN cast bullets the day before just for this. Also tried some of my stiffer loads using 7.0gr/Unique with the same bullets, plus a 200gr/TMJ-SWC. Finished with some 185gr/JHP +P loads using Power Pistol. No problems whatsoever. The brass all basically went in the same area except for the hotter loads which, of course, kicked more up & out than the others, but definitely not like my 1911. The felt recoil is quit different from my 1911. Way smoother & more straight back & without any twist. Even the +Ps some how seemed like I was shooting a big 22 auto. This was at an outdoor range (usually go to the indoor one) which kind of changes the shooting sensation, but it's just a smooth shooter. My son & the range master tried it & both liked it too. I hope to go again soon & try it some more & take more time with it. (I still hate chasing/loosing brass though.)
Got to shoot the 845 today & it's really in it's own league, at least as far as what I've ever shot. Never even had to pickup a screwdriver to adjust the sights as it hits where I pointed it, as best I could. It's the first auto I've ever shot that feels (trigger wise) like my best revolver's. The sights are big & easy to use. The action effortlessly feeds them in & spits them out, ready for another.
I had reloaded some soft target loads with 4.6gr/Bullseye & 200gr SWC & 230gr RN cast bullets the day before just for this. Also tried some of my stiffer loads using 7.0gr/Unique with the same bullets, plus a 200gr/TMJ-SWC. Finished with some 185gr/JHP +P loads using Power Pistol. No problems whatsoever. The brass all basically went in the same area except for the hotter loads which, of course, kicked more up & out than the others, but definitely not like my 1911. The felt recoil is quit different from my 1911. Way smoother & more straight back & without any twist. Even the +Ps some how seemed like I was shooting a big 22 auto. This was at an outdoor range (usually go to the indoor one) which kind of changes the shooting sensation, but it's just a smooth shooter. My son & the range master tried it & both liked it too. I hope to go again soon & try it some more & take more time with it. (I still hate chasing/loosing brass though.)
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OP
Reunited, again
Got a pleasant surprise this afternoon. The gun shop that I bought the 845 at called to let me know they were doing inventory & found the original box for my gun. Wow!! They had told me, twice, when I bought the gun, that it only came with the gun & one mag.
The box is a little scratched up & seems like it had been left in the heat causing the label to peel up & the foam to dry a little but it has most of the original items inside that include an unused PC mag, the (extra) target spring & a guide rod (minus the plunger/spring). It also has the owners manual, warranty cards & a PC services price list sheet, but not the PC 845 "Limited" brochure I've seem in other's pictures. I cleaned up the box & was able to remove & straighten the label after heating it up with a hair dryer first. No fired cartridge envelope, but I don't know when S&W started doing that?
The label allowed me to finally confirm when it was built, 01/09/1996, not in 1995 as I believed.
It was good of the dealer to make the effort to contact me & let know they found it. Now that my favorite gun has it's box back it doesn't feel like an orphan to me any more.
.
845 Limited
.
Got a pleasant surprise this afternoon. The gun shop that I bought the 845 at called to let me know they were doing inventory & found the original box for my gun. Wow!!
They had told me, twice, when I bought the gun, that it only came with the gun & one mag. The box is a little scratched up & seems like it had been left in the heat causing the label to peel up & the foam to dry a little but it has most of the original items inside that include an unused PC mag, the (extra) target spring & a guide rod (minus the plunger/spring). It also has the owners manual, warranty cards & a PC services price list sheet, but not the PC 845 "Limited" brochure I've seem in other's pictures. I cleaned up the box & was able to remove & straighten the label after heating it up with a hair dryer first. No fired cartridge envelope, but I don't know when S&W started doing that?
The label allowed me to finally confirm when it was built, 01/09/1996, not in 1995 as I believed.
It was good of the dealer to make the effort to contact me & let know they found it. Now that my favorite gun has it's box back it doesn't feel like an orphan to me any more.
.
845 Limited
.
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