S@W 1911, Opinions please

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Hello. New Smith fan here. Just bought a new 686 a few months ago and Im a Smith fan through and through so far.

Im considering a 1911 in .45 ACP as an option for my next handgun. I have heard ALOT of good about Springfields 1911, and have had my eye on their Loaded Stainless model for some time now.

But I have since discovered Smiths line of 1911. I really like the looks of them from what i can see on the internet. Im wondering if any of you who own one can tell me about your experiences with it.

The only questionable thing I can see so far is that the Smith 1911s all have an external extractor. My brother had a nice Kimber with the external extractor and had alot of issues with it. It was very finicky with ammo brand and had ejecting issues if a certain brand of ammo was not used. His other 1911 that had the internal extractor has zero issues whatsoever. He advised me to stay away from any 1911 that has an external extractor. My brother has sent 10s of thousands of .45s downrange so his experience in this case is well founded.

So what i was wondering, is if the Smith 1911 is fussy about ammo with its external extractor. This is my main concern. I would also like to know about accuracy out of the box, and general construction and longevity. Are their 1911s as good as their wheelguns? Thanks in advance for your input, but please lets keep this about 1911s as it is the ONLY auto I have ineterest in owning. Suggestions for other makes/models of 1911 are welcome as well...

 

[wewaslim]

My friend has one, and it will function with anything from hollowpoints to cast target loads. We put 150 rounds through it a few weeks ago with no issues. It's as accurate and easy to shoot as my Gold Cup Series 70 about 2/3 the price. I think they're a great value for the money. Bill.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Thank you Bill...Good to know, because when I get a 1911 I would really like to keep going with the Smiths...

 

[rock doc]

Dooman,

I bought the target model (108284) a few years ago and it'll fire & extract any 45 acp I load into it. It was reliable & accurate out of the box and very well made. S&W perfected the external extractor decades ago. Apparently Kimber is still working on theirs.

I don't recall any forum member complaining about their external extractors not working, but some complain that the "original" Browning 1911 design had the internal extractor.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Yes, the model you have pictured rock doc is the one that I am really looking at. My next purchase is still a few months down the road and Im trying to decide between a nice 1911 and the S@W 460. So far Im liking what Im hearing about the S@W 1911s. Thanks very much for the input.

 

[pace40]

Buy it, you'll like it.

I'm pretty sure they're a good pistol but I may have to check a few more to be positive...

 

[Ky Bob]

Dooman,

S&W perfected the external extractor decades ago. Apparently Kimber is still working on theirs.

+1......................

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Geez Pace40! I have to clean the drool off the keyboard now. Thanks alot!

 

[robctwo]

I bought a Springfield SS loaded and a S&W1911PD Commander with CT grips about the same time a few years ago. The S&W had a much nicer trigger out of the box. The SA is a nicer range gun, full size and SS weight, the S&W is much lighter with the scandium frame, nicer for carry, better bedside gun with the laser.

The external extractor is not an issue for reliability. It is slightly more complex for a full detail strip.

 

[flashnyellow]

I bought my SW1911PD #108283 in January. I have shot 520 rounds of FMJ and HP with no problems. It shoots great!

Ronnie

 

[Pokerstar]

I'm pretty sure they're a good pistol but I may have to check a few more to be positive...

That is a beautiful collection - and, Happy 100th Birthday! The 1911 entered service on March 29, 1911

 

[smitty_bs]

Here's my S&W 1911. Fixed Novak sights, no forward serrations, short guide rod, and wood grips. Utterly reliable. Love it!

 

[Wee Hooker]

I've got 3 SW 1911's along with a few other brands. The S&W 1911's are reliable no matter what I feed them and are nicely put togeather.

 

[Bob H]

SW1911

I have a Model 178011 and a 3" Pro both are reliable and fun to shoot, I'll recommend them to anyone.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

Thank you all very much for the input. That puts to rest the question of the external extractor for me. I was inclined to think that S@W makes a good 1911, but hearing from people who actually have one (or many) seals the deal for me. My 1911 will be a Smith...

Now,I have to decide if I want to get the S@W 1911 or the 460XVR.....glad I have some time to think it over! LOL!

 

[oldman45]

Best gun on the market. I bought two within a month of getting the first. It is the most accurate, dependable gun right out of the box I have ever owned. As of now, I have shot the one I carry daily over 5,000 rounds and never had any issues. It is comfortable to handle as well as carry.

I am not being one sided as some do and suggest a gun that I own without having shot others. I own several brands of 1911, including Colts. The newer S&W 1911 guns far exceed the others in quality, fit, feel, accuracy and feeding.

My purchse followed shooting one that a friend purchased. Since then two of my friends have purchased their own after having fired mine. An attorney friend ordered him one a few days back after firing mine.

Out of all my handguns, various types, makes and calibers, the S&W 1911 is far superior to any of them and I own some pricey guns.

As to the extractor issue, I have some articles written by respected people in the firearm industy that says the external extractor is an improvement over the internal and less prone to bending or failure.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

oldman45: Thanks for the info, thats just the kind of experience I am looking for.

What amazes me is that I'm seeing the S@W 1911s are priced very compareable to the Springfields I was looking at before. Makes it an easy choice!

There is one specific model on GB thats has caught my eye. I will PM a moderator and see if i can post it to get opinions from you all...

 

[davek610]

budsgunshop.com has 3 used PD models in stock right now. If I had money to spend on one I wouldn't be telling you this.

 

[RIDE-RED 350r]

I found one of these for $800. Returned to S@W for an unspecified warrantee repair and now for sale. Good buy?
Product: Model SW1911

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

I have a stainless 108282 and a 4.25" PD model. Both have been very good guns. The only malfunctions I have had can be attributed to ammo. They don't like Magtech brand but run 100% with everything else I have tried including, Federal/American Eagle, Remington/UMC, Winchester, Speer, and PMC, both FMJ and JHPs. I had another 108282 but my wife liked it so much that she claimed it, so i finally signed it over to her and used it as an excuse to buy the 1911PD.
I have a Colt Combat Elite, which is also a very nice, and more expensive gun, but I can't shoot it any better than the S&W 1911s.

The price is good on the one you linked to, but are you sure it's been properly repaired and works right? I'd want to thoroughly examine it and test fire it before buying it because the warranty doesn't extend beyond the original owner.