Model 645

[44 Mag Fan]

Anyone know much about the Smith 645.I had one about 30 years ago and about all I remember about it was that it shot great and was heavy. I think I sold it to buy a 586.I have a chance to get one, but I need some info on the 645,are they good, bad , any mod's needed or will it just be a safe queen. I plan to shoot it so it wont be in the safe very long.

 

[raidersrule]

From what I know they're very hardy guns that function well and you can expect it to shoot tremendously. Someone with more experience will chime in shortly.

 

[824tsv]

Hello,
I bought mine new in 1988. It has adjustable sights. As far as i'm concerned you couldn't ask for a nicer .45 pistol. They are super reliable to the point that they will feed empty cases. They are big and heavy and built like a tank. Mine's a keeper.

 

[ultratec00]

I had a 645 for quite a while when they first came out. As mentioned, one of the few 45s out of the box that would feed empties. Reliable and accurate. Given that, my preference is still the gen 3s (4506 and 4566). To me the gen 3s are a little more ergodynamic and also like having the dovetail front/rear sights. My 4566 does anything my 645 did and it feels a lot better.

 

[flagman1776]

I've had mine since they first came out. Weight never bothered me as I was in uniform with a decent belt & holster. Great gun to shoot well. Which is why I still own it.

 

[Aircrewman]

I had one when they first came out and carried it for a while. Like the others above have noted : reliable as all get out!, heavy, which helps dampen recoil, good ergos for a really good feel. I sold mine and have not regretted it because I felt that the gun was just not accurate enough. It is surely one of Smith and Wesson's great autos but the standard for accuracy wasn't very high for them. They were not necessarily inaccurate but three to four inches at 25 yards was not good enough for me.

 

[SonnyJames]

The 645 is a beast. It is a tank as everyone else has said and they are tack drivers. I am amazed at how their accuracy compares to some of the ultra high end customs @ 25 yards. I shoot Wilsons and Nighthawks and find the 645 still my favorite go to gun. SW really hit the proverbial bullseye with this fine weapon. I utilize this weapon when I sleep at night and protect my family. If to poop hits the fan, this is what I grab. Good investment either way sir.

 

[Printer]

Hi 44 mag fan, I worked on the development of both the 645 and the 686 models in the 80's while in R&D at Smith. Both were great guns. The 645 was exceptional. If I remember correctly, it would shoot about 4 inches at 25 yds out of the box which isn't bad and its easy to "tighten up" if you know what your doing. Reliability was exceptional and as mentioned in here it would feed empty cases. At one time we experimented with a 10mm/45 conversion whereas you could take a 645 and change the slide, barrel and magazine and shoot 10mm. Unfortunately they didn't make it for production because of liability reasons. Also in the 80's we made a special one that was engraved and auctioned it for the Olympic games. It was a beautiful gun but there were some "funny" problems that occurred while makeing this gun that I can't talk about here but if you contact me I'll tell you about them. They were funny.
Bob St.George
Chief Armorer Instr.
S&W (Ret.)

 

[Airdale]

Hi 44 mag fan, I worked on the development of both the 645 and the 686 models in the 80's while in R&D at Smith. Both were great guns. The 645 was exceptional. If I remember correctly, it would shoot about 4 inches at 25 yds out of the box which isn't bad and its easy to "tighten up" if you know what your doing. Reliability was exceptional and as mentioned in here it would feed empty cases. At one time we experimented with a 10mm/45 conversion whereas you could take a 645 and change the slide, barrel and magazine and shoot 10mm. Unfortunately they didn't make it for production because of liability reasons. Also in the 80's we made a special one that was engraved and auctioned it for the Olympic games. It was a beautiful gun but there were some "funny" problems that occurred while makeing this gun that I can't talk about here but if you contact me I'll tell you about them. They were funny.
Bob St.George
Chief Armorer Instr.
S&W (Ret.)

Bob,
I still have my 645 and in fact just had a pair of custom grips made from Brazilian Cherry for it. Wondering if I could get the back story on this pistol.

Thanks,

Dick Caliendo (Airdale)
(caliendor @ bellsouth (dot) net)

 

[PALADIN85020]

The 645 is indeed "built like a tank." It's heavy, large, and as reliable as a self-loader can ever be. Even empty cases feed from the magazine and go right into the chamber. Because of its weight, recoil is mitigated very nicely so that sight recovery is easy. I bought mine brand new in the box in December, 1986, at which point it was definitely state-of-the-art for a .45 auto. As S&W's first .45 ACP semiauto, it's become a bit of a collector's item as well.

The downsides are few. It's heavy, it has limited mag capacity for its weight compared to say, an H&K USP, and the right-side safety lever screw sometimes works loose - easily cured with LocTite. For some hands, the DA trigger may pinch the trigger finger. All in all, it's well made, sturdy, reliable and accurate enough for combat/self defense purposes. A fine handgun. You can probably view re-runs of "Miami Vice" where actor Don Johnson, as Sonny Crockett, used it as his primary handgun.

John

 

[SoFlaNut]

I've carried mine for 26 yrs. good shooting gun. I put of 659 Pachmayr grips and it fits my hand like a glove. Just put in a new recoil spring and recoil guide rod, shoots better then new. Good for another 26+yrs.

 

[Superflywimpy]

I love the S&W 645

I have had mine for over 25 years now. The design is so good it will cycle empty casings . Only drawback is that is that its heavy. I have six magazines for it that have the metal base and follower. I have thought of trying to change the sights but changed my mind. I figured I'm already hitting the target. Why bother.

 

[James Bond]

I've carried mine for 26 yrs. good shooting gun. I put of 659 Pachmayr grips and it fits my hand like a glove. Just put in a new recoil spring and recoil guide rod, shoots better then new. Good for another 26+yrs.

Where did you find a recoil guide rod for your 645? They are hard to come by these days...

 

[Dark Knight]

I like them. Everyone says they are so heavy. It is a 5 inch full sized gun. What's the weight compared to a 1911?

"You can probably view re-runs of "Miami Vice" where actor Don Johnson, as Sonny Crockett, used it as his primary handgun." - I liked that show. Bren Ten, 645, 4506, Detonics Combat Master were all very cool, and Crockett was never shy about laying down the lead! Fun times.

 

[SoFlaNut]

recoil

Where did you find a recoil guide rod for your 645? They are hard to come by these days...

S&W happened to have one laying around.First called they didn't have one said I could be placed on a waiting list. Second call when I went to place the order they found one.