S@W 1911, Opinions please

My friend recently bought one and thought the trigger was a little looser than it should be. Since neither of us is a gunsmith he sent it back just to be sure. He got it back with a new trigger and we took it out today. It is really nice. No play or creep and it shoots great. His 18 year old son has only shot one time before, and out of the eight guns we had he liked that one the best. I think it's a very good value all around.
 
Other things to consider are:

S&W is made in the US.

It carries a lifetime warranty. S&W does not care if you are the original owner or not. The gun will be covered by warranty unless damage is due to abuse.
 
I also own a 1911 PD. But I hear some negative things about it on other forums. Things like MIM parts and a "schwartz safety" Now I'm wondering it it is a good choice for ccw even though I've shot a few thousand rounds through it with nary a hiccup. Your thoughts?
 
Not to be argumentative, but from their site:

Service Info - Smith & Wesson

1. Lifetime Service Policy

We will repair any defect in material or workmanship without charge to the original purchaser for as long as you own the handgun.

Not that they have never fixed a gun for someone who isn't the original owner for free, but I wouldn't expect or count on them doing so.

Regarding the Schwartz safety, S&W's design is different from a true Schwartz safety and sturdier in my opinion. Rather than using a little pin that rises up when the grip safety is depressed, S&W uses a lever made from a stamped piece of steel, along the lines of what they had in their 3rd generation autos except that it operates off the grip safety of the 1911.
As far as the MIM parts, there are dozens of threads regarding them on the forum. While some bad MIM parts have been turned out, the same can be said of cast or machined parts as well.
 
I purchased the 1911ES back about 6 months ago. I wanted a 1911 to carry every day and needed to be more concealable than a full size. It has been great. Flawless and very accurate!! Scandium frame, so it is light enough to carry. Might be a little bias though, out of 8 handguns, 5 are SW! Their 1911's are awsome. IMO, much better than the Springfield AND Kimber.
 
Not to be argumentative, but from their site:

Service Info - Smith & Wesson

1. Lifetime Service Policy

We will repair any defect in material or workmanship without charge to the original purchaser for as long as you own the handgun.

Not that they have never fixed a gun for someone who isn't the original owner for free, but I wouldn't expect or count on them doing so.

Regarding the Schwartz safety, S&W's design is different from a true Schwartz safety and sturdier in my opinion. Rather than using a little pin that rises up when the grip safety is depressed, S&W uses a lever made from a stamped piece of steel, along the lines of what they had in their 3rd generation autos except that it operates off the grip safety of the 1911.
As far as the MIM parts, there are dozens of threads regarding them on the forum. While some bad MIM parts have been turned out, the same can be said of cast or machined parts as well.

I have bought used S&W guns that needed minor things or parts. I called S&W and they took them back to repair without question. On two occasions, they sent me the parts I needed free of charge. Not once have they asked if I was the original purchaser. None of the S&W guns I bought new have needed any work or parts.
 
I have bought used S&W guns that needed minor things or parts. I called S&W and they took them back to repair without question. On two occasions, they sent me the parts I needed free of charge. Not once have they asked if I was the original purchaser. None of the S&W guns I bought new have needed any work or parts.

Ditto here. I've never had a bad experience with S&W CS. Difference in my used repairs is that I had to pay inbound shipping.

BTW, I have three SW1911's, two colts (70 and 80GCNM) a Sig Target and Para. ( Had a Springfield but it wouldn't run so it's gone!) I'll match the build quality and reliability of any of my SW1911's against any of them.
 
new S&W 1911 108282

Hope I won't be disappointed. After watching an older gentleman at the range table next to me shoot his S&W 1911 108282 today I couldn't stand it. Got home, made purchase of one online and should be in my hands in 8-10 days. I to am in the category of older, but don't know about the gentleman part. What I do know is after shooting his pistol that S&W1911 108282 was sure a lot sweeter shooting than my Colt series 80 officer's model which is no slouch. His was stock, and had the sweetest trigger pull. I am fired up for an Olman.
 
Depends on Features and Price

Having owned Colt, Taurus, Kimber, S&W, and Springfield Armory 1911s the only one I definitely wouldn't buy again is Colt. If I decided to try another Taurus it would only be after I disassembled it and checked it out (spotty QC). With all the others it would depend on what features I wanted and what I could afford.
 

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