S&W 1911 questions - looking for info

blackdeuce

blackdeuce

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I have a fair number of S&W revolvers, but never purchased a semi-auto S&W. I snagged one on GB last night that looks interesting. It's a 108295 which includes factory installed Crimson Trace grips (I think it's a 108282 with the CT grips added). Price was right and feedback I found on this forum was positive for this model. My son recently picked up a Colt Delta Elite and this gave me the bug to seek out a 1911...

This is a discontinued model, so I suspect it's been sitting somewhere for a while. Can someone date this? Serial number is UBZ4406. I checked my S&W book and couldn't find it.

I also wondered if any particular ammo is recommended? I've not bought 45acp ammo. I have a Colt 1911, but it was a gift and is a safe queen.

One post I found on the internet mentioned a 1000 round break-in period. Is that for real? This guy was having issues with stove piping.

I've read the discussions about the new E series being similar to the 70 series Colts. I'm guessing mine is the equivalent to the 80 series Colts. I'm cool with that.

I'm not sure what type of trigger this one has. Does anyone know if it's the target trigger that I've seen referenced?

For those that remember me, I took a break from S&W collecting, but didn't sell any. My son got me interested in "investing" in guitars, so I now have a number of them. LOL.
 
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My friend's new E series is fantastic. Incredibly accurate and NO issues from the first round. We were shooting it today in 22 degree weather and it never skipped a beat.
 
Buy a Colt.

Better value retention.

No funky mods like external extractor.

You'll be happier with a Colt.
 
Rpg said:
Buy a Colt.

Better value retention.

No funky mods like external extractor.

You'll be happier with a Colt.
Click to expand...


Too late. :) This one is on it's way. I did some reading and found a lot of positive feedback from S&W 1911 owners. I figured I'd give it a shot and the price was very good.

I do have a Combat Elite and my son has a Delta Elite.
 
I have a SW1911PC pistol with a serial# of UCZ9767 and it has a MFG date of April 13th, 2016 which is on the box end label. Your's is only a couple of years earlier I would suspect. Does your's have a fired case envelope? The date will be on that.

As an aside, mine shot extremely well out of the box. I suspect your's will too. I handload using 200g SWC's and had no issues with feeding.
 
824tsv said:
I have a SW1911PC pistol with a serial# of UCZ9767 and it has a MFG date of April 13th, 2016 which is on the box end label. Your's is only a couple of years earlier I would suspect. Does your's have a fired case envelope? The date will be on that.

As an aside, mine shot extremely well out of the box. I suspect your's will too. I handload using 200g SWC's and had no issues with feeding.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information! I'm not sure whats' included. I can see some paperwork tucked in the lid of the case. It was sold as NIB, so a fired case might be included. With the holiday, I probably won't see the gun until next Tuesday.

I'm looking forward to this one. :)
 
I have a couple 1911's by S&W with on being the scandium Commander and the other all stainless full size. They are both the E series and perform perfectly. Well built, attention to detail, reliable and a good value for the $.
Congratulations on your new purchase.
On a parting note, I have never had an issue with the S&W factory supplied magazines and currently do use Wilson Combat 47 series magazines, but from time to time, I do read complaints about the magazines. Since exploring the different the different types of magazines, I suspect that certain bullet types are not the best compatible with all magazine feed lips. This is a whole entire subject that anyone with a 1911 45 should educate themselves with.
 
Had the same mod ate everything it was feed shot a lot of 200swc handloads through it also sti trojan I found I shot more so parted with sw I still have a 9mm pro series I love and has been flawless you will love it a great shooter
 
Zebra War Wagon said:
I have a couple 1911's by S&W with on being the scandium Commander and the other all stainless full size. They are both the E series and perform perfectly. Well built, attention to detail, reliable and a good value for the $.
Congratulations on your new purchase.
On a parting note, I have never had an issue with the S&W factory supplied magazines and currently do use Wilson Combat 47 series magazines, but from time to time, I do read complaints about the magazines. Since exploring the different the different types of magazines, I suspect that certain bullet types are not the best compatible with all magazine feed lips. This is a whole entire subject that anyone with a 1911 45 should educate themselves with.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information.

In the S&W archives on their website, they show some better photos of this model (108295). I noticed that the magazines says Wilson Combat on the base of the magazine. I thought that was a little odd, but I have no real knowledge of the S&W 1911s. I've always focused on revolvers.
 
Zebra War Wagon brought up an interesting point about magazines. I own a couple of Colt's and also use Wilson 47D magazines in those without any issues. My bullet of choice as I said is a 200g SWC. They feed and function well in the Colts from the Wilson 47D magazines. Not so in the S&W. Only the magazines that came with my PC 1911 (Metalform MFG) will feed 200g SWC's.
 
Although it is NOT the same model, I have a 1911 Sc "Billboard" that feeds anything I put into it, is very accurate and is totally reliable.

I also have a Colt Officers Model for the early '80's....My Sc shoots rings around the Colt without being finicky either.

I could care less as to which type of extractor it uses....John Browning used both to VERY high levels of reliability....ie. the Browning Hi Power

Randy
 
They each have their champions, but any Smith 1911 will be fine. All the Smith 1911's are fairly recent innovations and have sound metallurgy and features. I like the S&W Billboard 1911, it is on the cheaper side around 800-900. A Rock Island would probably be a functional shooter. Some purists will claim that Colt made the only 1911 (and the only revolver) and are the only firearms in each category worth owning. Any S&W 1911 would be a good shooter, get what you want.
 
blackdeuce said:
View attachment 262574

View attachment 262575

I have a fair number of S&W revolvers, but never purchased a semi-auto S&W. I snagged one on GB last night that looks interesting. It's a 108295 which includes factory installed Crimson Trace grips (I think it's a 108282 with the CT grips added). Price was right and feedback I found on this forum was positive for this model. My son recently picked up a Colt Delta Elite and this gave me the bug to seek out a 1911...

This is a discontinued model, so I suspect it's been sitting somewhere for a while. Can someone date this? Serial number is UBZ4406. I checked my S&W book and couldn't find it.

I also wondered if any particular ammo is recommended? I've not bought 45acp ammo. I have a Colt 1911, but it was a gift and is a safe queen.

One post I found on the internet mentioned a 1000 round break-in period. Is that for real? This guy was having issues with stove piping.

I've read the discussions about the new E series being similar to the 70 series Colts. I'm guessing mine is the equivalent to the 80 series Colts. I'm cool with that.

I'm not sure what type of trigger this one has. Does anyone know if it's the target trigger that I've seen referenced?

For those that remember me, I took a break from S&W collecting, but didn't sell any. My son got me interested in "investing" in guitars, so I now have a number of them. LOL.
Click to expand...
I have had 1911 and revolvers since 1980. I have been reloading for them and rifles from the same date.
I have shot 357 / 44 mag revolvers in IMHSA. My 1911's (3) shoot groups at about 2 inches at 50 yards plus.
I have two 45's (5 inch and 4.25) and one 38 super (comander)
I have one Springfield gov mil spec that I put a Matchgrade barrel in. I have two fusion (45 and 38 super) kits that I built.
These shoot groups just as good as the 5 inch gov model.
If you handload 200 gr LSWC over 4.5 gr Bullsey works very well.
Remember work up hand loads from 10% lower.
Have fun and be safe:)
 
I have the early billboard model, it shot great right out of the box. Nothing but reloads in 230 rn 233 rn and 200 swc. I bet you will find the fired case and envelope in the case when you receive it. The date fired will be on the envelope. My guess is you are going to really enjoy shooting this one. By the way, mine came with Wilson Combat mags also.
 
I bought my first M 1911 in 1960 from the predecessor to the CMP for the sum of $17.50. It was so clapped out that it shot patterns not groups. But, with the guidance of my boss at the LGS where I worked part time I fitted a new barrel and barrel bushing, tightened the slide to frame fit and did a very rudimentary trigger job using a new sear. Wonder of wonder, it now shot like it was supposed to. Later in life I made my main living as a pistolsmith rebuilding and modifying M 1911s. That is a long winded way to tell you that I know my way around the M 1911s. ...... IMHO, the "funky modification" your S&W has by way of the external extractor is one of the best engineering design changes that could happen to the Colt 1911 design. You will be very pleased with the function and reliability of your handgun's extraction because of that external extractor. The original JMB design with the internal extractor was IMHO the weakest part of the entire design. It was and is the continual source of problems in function the original design has. With enough shots downrange, the internal extractor will fail. Keep you external extractor lubed and it will function as long as any other part will. You will be enjoying your new purchase long enough to be passing that handgun on to your grandchildren. .......
 
The extractor debate truly does go both ways, both have good points and bad points. One thing is for certain -- if you wish to own a Smith & Wesson 1911 pistol, you will have a more modern external extractor. Both extractor designs have proven to work. S&W has also proven that they can make a fantastic 1911 pistol and I have owned two myself and both were terrific pistols. At their price point, Smith & Wesson makes an extremely competitive handgun.

If the conversation gets steered toward the extractor, both sides should be prepared to lose as much as they win, simply put.
 
S&W 1911 questions - looking for info

Nice find!

My 108282 is an early Houlton gun and is my go to .45 for field use. If I work at it, it is as accurate as any 1911 I've owned or shot. My NM Colt is heavier and has a more target ready trigger, but it won't see the field use my SW 1911 does.

That said, many of the early Houlton guns and some of the Billboard guns suffered from poor QA in the machining process which left rough spots and burrs that made the guns finicky about ammo for the first several boxes of ammo...

If yours is not feeding perfect out of the box, you can go for the extended break in period, send it to CS, or look for the rough spots on the slide or breach face yourself.

If it is all smooth, shouldn't need a break in period for reliability, but they do keep shooting nicer over time :D
 
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I absolutely cannot find a fault with my S&W Pro Series 1911 in 9MM. The fit and finish is superb. Accuracy and reliability are excellent, especially with 124-135 grain ammo. The external extractor is a very worthwhile upgrade, though it does take away slightly from the classic 1911 profile. If I could find a used Pro-Series in .45 ACP locally, I'd dump my Springfield Range Officer for it!
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20170101_163732_zpss2kqs3kw.jpg
 
Kimber had problems with the external extractor. So did S&W, but they fixed their problem in the 1950's. S&W knows how to do EE's. Kimber fixed their problem also, but by the time they did, the damage was done. I have both a Kimber with the last generation EE that runs flawlessly. I have a couple of Smith 1911's with EE that also run like a top. Some of my other 1911's have internal extractors, and they require tuning and ocassionally replacement. Both work, the EE just works better.
 
I have and love a Colt Gov't Model, and I have a S&W 1911PD on the way. It seems like there's plenty to love about both. As for keeping value, I think there are some many other well established names in the 1911 game now that it's not just the Colts that make good investments.

I know the internal/external extractor is basically beating a dead horse at this point, but remember that most of JMB's other pistol designs had external extractors, and the other design with an internal extractor was later redesigned to have an external one. You don't hear anyone complaining about external extractors on High Powers!

The 1911 is an anomaly in the pistol world with its internal extractor. I like it either way, as long as it works! I guess that's the test: do I like it? does it work? :)

You're right about yours being more or less equivalent to a Series 80 Colt - they both have firing pin block safeties. They function differently, as has been well explained in other threads in this forum who know them better than I do.
 
blackdeuce said:
I've read the discussions about the new E series being similar to the 70 series Colts. I'm guessing mine is the equivalent to the 80 series Colts.
Click to expand...

Colt Series 80 have a firing-pin safety controlled by the initial pull of the trigger. Kimber and the older SW1911's have firing-pin safeties controlled by the initial compression of the grip lever. Kimber and S&W use different mechanisms to achieve that, but the operation is the same.
 
steamloco76 said:
I absolutely cannot find a fault with my S&W Pro Series 1911 in 9MM.
[...]
If I could find a used Pro-Series in .45 ACP locally, I'd dump my Springfield Range Officer for it!
Click to expand...

Be aware that the 9mm vs .45acp SW1911-Pros are completely different guns ... they are not just different chamberings. The 9mm is a Series-E (no firing-pin safety), and the .45acp is not a Series-E ... it has a grip-lever-controlled firing-pin safety.

Stupid of S&W to use the same model number for two very different guns.
 
It showed up yesterday and it looks real nice. I confirmed that it's a Houlton, Maine gun. Trigger pull is nice. I haven't had a chance to shoot it.

The magazines are stamped "S&W". I ordered a couple of Wilson Combat magazines today. Brownells has them on sale for $25.99. If you spend over $99, you get $10 off and free shipping. I added a magazine for my son's Delta Elite and a magazine loader. Got me over $99. :)
 
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