Performance Center Autos?

[ShrinkMD]

I was checking out a 952 at the store, but I am more interested in a higher end 45. Can anyone compare and contrast the M945 vs the PC 1911? Does the fit of the slide and overall quality compare to the 952? The 945 looks an awful lot like a 1911...is it?

Thanks

 

[shawn mccarver]

Originally posted by ShrinkMD:
I was checking out a 952 at the store, but I am more interested in a higher end 45. Can anyone compare and contrast the M945 vs the PC 1911? Does the fit of the slide and overall quality compare to the 952? The 945 looks an awful lot like a 1911...is it?

Thanks

The 945 is not a 1911. It is a single action version of the S&W Third Gen auto, but built to almost match tolerances. It is accurate, reliable and due to the slight size increase and beefier parts, more durable than a 1911. It can go much longer without a rebuild.

 

[sasu]

I just recently did some research to compare the Model 945 to high end 1911s.

Model 945 advantages over 1911:
- no delicate barrel link
- 0.25" lower bore line
-> less muzzle flip
-> cartridges feed into chamber in a straighter line -> more reliable
- better bushing design (Briley)

The 945 grip angle is 3 degrees more upright.

In general I believe the 945 is a better, more modern design, which has some 1911 weaknesses corrected.

I ended up ordering a 945.

 

[JoeS]

OTOH lets say in 15 years your 945 needs a rebuild and S&W has discontinued it sometime in the past. Who is going to rebuild it? Can you get the parts? When one of their pistols goes obsolete this can be an issue, probably more so on a low volume model.
There are literally dozens of top quality places that can rebuild a 1911 should it become necessary. Also, every accessory and part in the world is readily available for a 1911, theres one place to get stuff for a 945.
I'm sure the 945 is nice, just a different aspect to consider.

 

[NCTexan]

OTOH lets say in 15 years your 945 needs a rebuild and S&W has discontinued it sometime in the past.

I have a more realistic concern...

That in 15 years, I will need a rebuild or have been discontinued!

That said, I am still very interested in a 945.

 

[ShrinkMD]

I wondered that a bit, too, but I figured that since S&W is supposed to stand behind their product, that as long as I am the first owner that the Performance Center would stand behind it.

How many rounds would you imagine a pistol could shoot before needing a rebuild? Do 1911's "go bad" after a couple thousand rounds, or are we talking 20, 30, 40k down the road. That is a lot of shooting.

 

[sasu]

I would guess an all steel 45 auto will go at least 100k rounds with only minor parts breakage (pins, springs, etc). At that point the barrel might be ready for replacement. The frame and slide should last forever.

 

[missiondude]

I have a 945 that I bought used, although it was shot very little if at all. One of the members here turned me on to it. Get one, you will absolutely love it. I hope to be able to shoot to its abilities at some point, but for now I am having a blast using it in steel matches. Fit and finish are great, although the Briley bushing takes some finnesse in reassembly.

 

[animalmother]

The 945 is a great gun and a better deal than a high-end 1911 in my opinion.

 

[Sgt Preston]

Sgt Preston here. I have had both the 945 & a "medium grade" 1911 (Springfield "loaded"). I truly & honestly love both. I have also shot lots of rounds thru my best friend's Les Baer, his Kimber, his Colt, his STI & his Dawson Precision. While they are all great guns, the 945 (both mine & his) are the one that (in my opinion) are the easiest to clean & maintain & that I simply shoot the best. Hope this helps. Sgt Preston USMC LLA

 

[MWB]

Get a few 'copies' of the high wear parts for your spares kit while they're still readily available. Unless you shoot an incredibly large amount of ammunition, it will be quite difficult to 'wear out' an all steel third generation Smith, especially a tightly fitted P. C. gun.

 

[JoeS]

Originally posted by ShrinkMD:
I wondered that a bit, too, but I figured that since S&W is supposed to stand behind their product, that as long as I am the first owner that the Performance Center would stand behind it.

How many rounds would you imagine a pistol could shoot before needing a rebuild? Do 1911's "go bad" after a couple thousand rounds, or are we talking 20, 30, 40k down the road. That is a lot of shooting.

No they don't go bad after a couple thousand rounds, you might change recoil springs at 2k rounds or such.
For some people its a lot of shooting for others its not. If you were an active competitive shooter 40k isn't really all that much.
S&W will probably stand behind it to the extent that they still have parts for it but obsolete is obsolete.
I ran into this in a slight way a while back when I had the bright idea of upgrading a 639 which is a pistol I've always liked. Guess what? Nothing is available for them anymore, no match barrels, bushings, nada.
I doubt its much of an issue for a casual shooter but its something to consider if you anticipate a high round count and plan to keep the pistol a long time.

 

[BPHORSEGUY]

Originally posted by JoeS:
OTOH lets say in 15 years your 945 needs a rebuild and S&W has discontinued it sometime in the past. Who is going to rebuild it? Can you get the parts? When one of their pistols goes obsolete this can be an issue, probably more so on a low volume model.
There are literally dozens of top quality places that can rebuild a 1911 should it become necessary. Also, every accessory and part in the world is readily available for a 1911, theres one place to get stuff for a 945.
I'm sure the 945 is nice, just a different aspect to consider.

 

[Kevin G]

Mod 845,although no longer produced,might deserve some consideration. Nice pistol.
Kevin