Model 745 question

[BaldEagle1313]

I won an auction for a 745 that was listed as "imported from a foreign police department" (no mention of which one), sold as-is no return. So yes, I'm aware I took a chance bidding on it.

It shows the holster wear you'd expect from a duty weapon, but it isn't egregious.

When looking it over at my FFL today, the decocker doesn't function. I don't imagine that's something done deliberately by the original buyer.

Mag disconnect works fine, the trigger feels very nice when I had to use it to get the pistol off full cock.

Since no return is possible, does the collective wisdom here think this is something that may be a simple replacement part, or have I maybe bought a pig in a poke, just bad luck that I ended up with the pistol that had a non-functioning decocker?

The TBN serial number range isn't specifically mentioned in SCS&W #4 so could be anywhere from 1987 to 1990-ish.

 

[snw19_357]

Sounds like the simple replacement part would be the decock lever in the frame, which would have to be fit.
They may have removed it so it had a 'manual safety' but did not decock.

Remove the slide, are there two levers on the right side of the frame?

TBN is likely 1987, maybe 1988 if it sat around.

 

[bobsguns]

I wouldn't rule out the decocker being deactivated, IMO.

Much like the Beretta 92G models that were marketed to LE departments in that it prevented the safety from being engaged, the original owner MAY have wanted to not worry about the decocker being engaged by accident?

Of course, I could be off my rocker too...................

Regardless, it should be an inexpensive fix, IMO.

 

[BigMuddy]

I didn’t know the 745 has a de-cocker? I have never owned one, but the 745 is a SA semi automatic. It has a safety lever on the left side but I don’t think it is supposed to drop the hammer. Maybe I am wrong. I also never heard of a PD using them but I guess it’s possible.

Dan

Edit: I found this in an article on the 745.
“The enlarged safety lever is only a safety, it isn’t a decocker” I’ll also add…. I always wanted one of those.

 

[1775usmarine]

If you won where I see you won it, you got it for a steal.

 

[6string]

I didn’t know the 745 has a de-cocker? I have never owned one, but the 745 is a SA semi automatic. It has a safety lever on the left side but I don’t think it is supposed to drop the hammer. Maybe I am wrong. I also never heard of a PD using them but I guess it’s possible.

Dan

Edit: I found this in an article on the 745.
“The enlarged safety lever is only a safety, it isn’t a decocker” I’ll also add…. I always wanted one of those.

I was thinking the same thing.
The 745 has a single action trigger, not a double action trigger like on the 645.

 

[Engine49guy]

I had a 745 years ago, the safety lever did not decock the hammer, IIRC my assumption was so you could practice dry firing it without the hammer striking the firing pin.
Now I'm trying to recall if it interrupted the trigger, I don't think it did.
The 745 was intended as a competition gun not as a duty weapon, the 645 was the duty weapon version.

 

[Sevens]

The 745 left side (only) safety lever is not a decocker — it works exactly the same as the Model 52 series. (and 845, 952, 3566 Limited)
Also, the 745 has never had a magazine disconnect safety, and this is very unlike the 52 and 952 pistols.

IIRC my assumption was so you could practice dry firing it without the hammer striking the firing pin.

This is true — and also not a good idea.

The hammer repeatedly smacking against the firing pin and spring could arguably stress/weaken these parts. However the hammer repeatedly pounding the safety drum could do the same thing, and this part is much, much tougher to source for replacement.

 

[stansdds]

If it is a Model 745, it is more of a target pistol version of the 645. The trigger will be single action only and the safety locks and blocks the firing pin, but does not drop the hammer. Interesting that a foreign law enforcement agency would have such a thing.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

Thanks to all for the quick responses. I'll admit I assumed (and we all know the adage about assuming) it would function like my 645, just SA only. Never occurred to me the lever would be only a safety and not also de-cock the firearm.

I may spend the dough to have it lettered, just to satisfy my curiosity about what foreign place it was sent.

Thanks again.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

If you won where I see you won it, you got it for a steal.

Since my username is the same there as it is here, I think that's a pretty safe presumption. Yes, it was a lot less than as one that's in much better cosmetic condition, but I bought it to shoot, not look at. It'll be interesting to shoot my 645 and 4566 at the same time and compare the trigger feel.

 

[cmansguns]

Model 745 for 3 years a competition pistol!

When I got my Model 745, it appeared to me to be brand new in box, and the seller didn't have much interest in anything but fantastic plastic so I lowballed and got it.

At home started checking and found S& W only made these 3 years 1987 to 1990 and designed specifically for ISPC Competition. Mine is serial number TBF 2766, product code 103721, julian date 7307 = November 3, 1987. Roy confirmed a ship date of November 1987.

The large lever is only a safety..........no decocker function at all.

Great shooter, darn nice sights for me, best of the 2nd Gen guns I feel.

 

[Dave_n]

I have two post the IPSC logo and they are delightful to use and accurate up to 25 feet. I also have an early 645 (first year from the SN) and as mentioned one (645 has a decocker, the 745 does not. Dave_n