Most underrated 1911, the Billboard

[PA Guns & Ammo]

All I can say is this pistol is way underrated and barely noticed. I'm talking about the S&W Billboard 1911 JRD prefix. I cannot tell you how beautiful and accurate this thing shoots! I would HIGHLY recommend before laying out the dough for a new S&W 1911 even a PC 1911, is to get one of these. Built with a bunch of high end parts from the factory.

 

[SmithNut]

Not sure who is "under-rating" them??
There are so many models made now that these may be a bit "dated" by the newer 1911 crowd, and there are some pretty cool configs out there, including PC models, but.....
These were the first 1911's produced by S&W, the JRD prefix is the initials of the gentleman who designed/spearheaded the initiative, I believe his name is Jason R Dubois (spelling likely incorrect). There were lots of reports/rumors that the first guns had lots of Performance Center fitting, they did them right.

Where is yours in terms of serial number? I have misplaced my owners manual that came with mine, it shows pics of "how to" use the gun, and the gun in those pics, as I recall, was something like JRD002x something. Mine was purchased when they first shipped and is in the JRD014x range, so among the first 100-120 shipped, give or take, and is a fantastic shooter, fit and finish is absolutely first rate.

If I ever decided that a 1911 was the tool to carry, I'd grab this (with my Milt Sparks Summer Special), before any of the Colt or Kimber models I own.

Regards, and Nice Gun!!

 

[chaparrito]

Mine's a 108282, serial prefix JRE. I think you don't hear too much about them because people who own them are quietly keeping and loving them. It's my first and only 1911 and it was love at first shoot. Mine has thousands of flawless reloads through it. Never a problem. Accurate and a joy to shoot in IDPA. I have not modded or upgraded it.
I don't like stripping it very much, but that's me. I paid 600 for it new in the box unfired from the original owner about 3 years ago.

 

[chaparrito]

Meant to add, is the JRE prefix the second production run? My SCSW is unclear on that other than mention of JRD being the first. SN is JRE1132

 

[bankjob]

Would be interested to know. JRE 000492

 

[mcole]

mine is a jrd 3xxx. very accurate. mine has a briley barrel and bushing from the factory. like is so much had aaa grade ivory grips made for it with the little silver s&w grip insert. will never sell this one. mcole

 

[chaparrito]

What is, and how do you tell a briley barrel and bushing? Are there marks?
Thanks!

 

[t-bird]

All I can say is this pistol is way underrated and barely noticed. I'm talking about the S&W Billboard 1911 JRD prefix. I cannot tell you how beautiful and accurate this thing shoots! I would HIGHLY recommend before laying out the dough for a new S&W 1911 even a PC 1911, is to get one of these. Built with a bunch of high end parts from the factory.

I don't own a billboard, but I do own a PD, E-series 5 inch and a e-series SC. And all I can say is they are some of the best 1911's made, period.

 

[upcountry]

I have a Billboard SC commander. It's been kind of a safe queen 'til I decided to bring it to a club IDPA match. Accurate, easy to shoot and easy to see why it would be a great carry gun. But she's back in the safe.

 

[fat tom]

I have a Billboard SC commander.

Me too. Sold my two 5" guns (one blue,one stainless),but kept the Commander. Like you,I've shot it some,but I have other shooter grade guns that see more use.



f.t.

 

[DanP7]

All of the S&W 1911's are underrated.

Nice pistola

 

[fat tom]

Me too. Sold my two 5" guns (one blue,one stainless),but kept the Commander. Like you,I've shot it some,but I have other shooter grade guns that see more use.

f.t.

Got a surprise a while ago while looking through the safe for something for a forum friend. A blued 5" Billboard! I KNOW I sold one,so I guess I must have had TWO! CRS ain't ALWAYS a bad thing.

f.t.

 

[SmithNut]

Got a surprise a while ago while looking through the safe for something for a forum friend. A blued 5" Billboard! I KNOW I sold one,so I guess I must have had TWO! CRS ain't ALWAYS a bad thing.

f.t.

Don't you just love it when that happens...

I think I'll go open my safe to see if there's anything "new" out there...

A few years back, I just had to have one of the CZ American CZ452 rifles with the threaded barrel... Ordered it, had to wait, once it came in I took it home and since I didn't have any room in the safe decided to store it under my bed. When putting the rifle/box away, I noticed another box just like it, when I opened it I found another rifle identical to it, then remembered that the "need" for this rifle was long standing and had bought the first one I had seen, three years earlier, at the same shop no-less.... Oh well, old age and waning memory can be a good thing - everyday is Christmas...

Enjoy your "new" bill-board M1911.

 

[PUPP86]

All of the S&W 1911's are underrated.

Nice pistola

Absolutely! Have a Scandium framed Commander (JRF3xxx) that has well over 2500 rounds through it. Only have had two issues: 1) replaced the recoil spring (just because I thought it was a good idea based on the round count) and a loose plunger tube that I noticed one day while cleaning. Quick trip to a local shop who re-staked it with no further issues. Could have been like that from day one and just never noticed. It had just the tiniest bit of play.

No complaints either on the factory ACT mags or Wilson's and has fed everything I gave it.

 

[dakota1911]

From threads on other forums I think the JRD and JRE guns were early and people from the performance center were aiding in training and assembly. Not sure if that is true have a Commander size pistol I bought new in 2005. The fit and finish on it are great. I put a pair of Carbon fiber gripes on it in this picture. Need to take another picture with the original grips.



Lovely pistol. The FLGR is a larger diameter than many other pistols. Oh an the S/N is JRE6***.

 

[wlp624]

What is, and how do you tell a briley barrel and bushing? Are there marks?
Thanks!

Briley is a first rate custom pistol manufacturer in Texas, and they developed a very accurate system for keeping the barrel to bushing tolerance to an absolute minimum, as well as allowing the barrel to glide smoothly through the bushing as the slide moves back and forth during the firing sequence. Instead of the bushing being in a fixed position, mated to the front of the slide, the Briley bushing is shaped like a wedding ring (it's even gold in color) and is free to gimbal about the axis of the barrel. Look at the front of the pistol and you'll see two notches in the bushing housing, at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. These allow the bushing ring to be removed, but be very careful here, unless you are very familiar with the construction of this little beauty, it can be the devil to reassemble.

This is an old picture, and I've acquired the Billboard and several more S&W 1911's since it was taken, and I agree, they are all joys to own and shoot.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

I held a new PC S&W 1911 and I did not like the feel of it and the fit and finish. Never fired a newer S&W 1911 but when racking the slide, it felt rough. My Billboard is like butter. Not knocking the new ones, just giving you a comparison.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Not sure who is "under-rating" them??
There are so many models made now that these may be a bit "dated" by the newer 1911 crowd, and there are some pretty cool configs out there, including PC models, but.....
These were the first 1911's produced by S&W, the JRD prefix is the initials of the gentleman who designed/spearheaded the initiative, I believe his name is Jason R Dubois (spelling likely incorrect). There were lots of reports/rumors that the first guns had lots of Performance Center fitting, they did them right.

Where is yours in terms of serial number? I have misplaced my owners manual that came with mine, it shows pics of "how to" use the gun, and the gun in those pics, as I recall, was something like JRD002x something. Mine was purchased when they first shipped and is in the JRD014x range, so among the first 100-120 shipped, give or take, and is a fantastic shooter, fit and finish is absolutely first rate.

If I ever decided that a 1911 was the tool to carry, I'd grab this (with my Milt Sparks Summer Special), before any of the Colt or Kimber models I own.

Regards, and Nice Gun!!

Mine is JRD9323 towards the end of the run I guess. I would love to get another one. You can still find these at a reasonable price due to the fact no one really knows the history of these pistols.

 

[Miles2014]

108282 SW1911

SW-nation,
I picked one up a while back...non-billboard...love it. Mine starts with the UCYXXXX prefix. Anyone know if this was built in the PC factory? Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[at-home-daddy]

I had a billboard 5" and, later, a billboard 4.25" Sc. I sold both, and miss that 5" so damn much...wish I could go back in time and slap myself on the back of head for even thinking about selling it (sold it here, but PMs sent a couple years later about possibly buying it back go unanswered...the seller mentioned he was dealing with an fatal disease...very sad, seemed like a nice guy). It was my first 1911 and save for a brief feeding issue that was solved by a new spring, it was a flawless performer. It was one of the very early serial # that I'm certain had some PC involvement, based on its fit and finish (and rumor to that effect).