Hi all new member first post I have a question about the model 645 my local place has one that I happen to find on a back shelf and I don't know much about them I have a 6906 and a 3913 that I love. I know this is an older model just looking for a little feedback if anyone has one thanks in advance
S&w 645
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In the interest of full disclosure, I do not have a 645. I have two 745’s. (if that matters?)
The 645 was S&W’s first entry in to a .45 ACP handgun. The 645 evolved in to the 4506 pistol. The 645 is much loved by S&W 1-2-3rd Generation pistol fans. The 645 is a 2nd Gen pistol and was produced from 1984-1988. The single stack magazine had a metal floorplate and holds 8 rounds. More modern magazines came with a black plastic floorplate and they are in very good supply.
The 645 is a DA/SA pistol, and that means with the hammer down on a loaded chamber, a long pull of the double action trigger will cock and release the hammer much like a S&W revolver does. Each subsequent shot is single action, the hammer will fall from a short trigger pull.
The 645 has a manual decock lever, if the hammer is cocked and you lower the decock lever, the safety will block the hammer’s path to the firing pin and drop the hammer for you as well. In addition there is a passive firing pin lock, the firing pin is unable to move forward and is locked in the rearward position until the trigger is pressed which actuates a lever that unlocks the firing pin so that it is able to travel.
The 645 was offered with either a simple blade rear fixed sight or the adjustable rear sight with protective wings. The 645 was only offered in a full stainless steel finish.
The 645 also had some real 1980’s pop culture fame as it was featured in early seasons of TV’s Miami Vice.
In 1988 the 645 was retired with the introduction of the 3rd Generation Model 4506. The 3rd Gen’s most noticeable improvements included better sights, options for sights, and ergonomic improvements that generally made all the pistols feel a little more slim in the hands.
The 645 was S&W’s first entry in to a .45 ACP handgun. The 645 evolved in to the 4506 pistol. The 645 is much loved by S&W 1-2-3rd Generation pistol fans. The 645 is a 2nd Gen pistol and was produced from 1984-1988. The single stack magazine had a metal floorplate and holds 8 rounds. More modern magazines came with a black plastic floorplate and they are in very good supply.
The 645 is a DA/SA pistol, and that means with the hammer down on a loaded chamber, a long pull of the double action trigger will cock and release the hammer much like a S&W revolver does. Each subsequent shot is single action, the hammer will fall from a short trigger pull.
The 645 has a manual decock lever, if the hammer is cocked and you lower the decock lever, the safety will block the hammer’s path to the firing pin and drop the hammer for you as well. In addition there is a passive firing pin lock, the firing pin is unable to move forward and is locked in the rearward position until the trigger is pressed which actuates a lever that unlocks the firing pin so that it is able to travel.
The 645 was offered with either a simple blade rear fixed sight or the adjustable rear sight with protective wings. The 645 was only offered in a full stainless steel finish.
The 645 also had some real 1980’s pop culture fame as it was featured in early seasons of TV’s Miami Vice.
In 1988 the 645 was retired with the introduction of the 3rd Generation Model 4506. The 3rd Gen’s most noticeable improvements included better sights, options for sights, and ergonomic improvements that generally made all the pistols feel a little more slim in the hands.
When I was commanding a couple of drug task forces in the 1990s I carried a 645. No, I didn't because of Miami Vice. I've never seen that show. I carried it because it was big and shiny. When we did raids I wanted a big shiny gun so everyone knew it was big and shiny.
I still have my 645. It's always been a great shooter. I've never had a malfunction of any kind. It feeds everything I've run thru it including some old dirty reloads I had laying around. With the weight of the gun recoil is mild.
The only downside is it's big and heavy. If you carry it all day you'll know it.
I still drag it out occasionally. It's just a fun gun to shoot.
I still have my 645. It's always been a great shooter. I've never had a malfunction of any kind. It feeds everything I've run thru it including some old dirty reloads I had laying around. With the weight of the gun recoil is mild.
The only downside is it's big and heavy. If you carry it all day you'll know it.
I still drag it out occasionally. It's just a fun gun to shoot.
flagman1776
Member
I carried my M645 as my duty weapon and yes, it's big and heavy but not an issue in a proper holster. It's never bobbled, ever. I'd put it on right now and consider myself well armed.
Perfectly good pistol, still. Probably liked best by those with large hands, but acceptable for small, also.
I have a sentimental attachment to the 645.
The first one I ever saw was pointed at me by an Anchorage P.D. Officer. It was a mistake but it was the first time I’d ever seen a S&W 45 acp semi-auto. We, (eventually,) talked a bit about how nice they were and he let me “kinda” look at it. By the time I could afford one, the only thing that was offered new, (and I got,) was the 4506. But I did eventually get a 645.
I like it for what it is. For me it’s a great looking/shooting pistol that was S&W’s first entry into the .45 semi market.
I like it so much I’m gonna punish you all with ANOTHER picture of it, (again,) complete with the Ed Brown extended nonsense I put on it back then.
Jim
The first one I ever saw was pointed at me by an Anchorage P.D. Officer. It was a mistake but it was the first time I’d ever seen a S&W 45 acp semi-auto. We, (eventually,) talked a bit about how nice they were and he let me “kinda” look at it. By the time I could afford one, the only thing that was offered new, (and I got,) was the 4506. But I did eventually get a 645.
I like it for what it is. For me it’s a great looking/shooting pistol that was S&W’s first entry into the .45 semi market.
I like it so much I’m gonna punish you all with ANOTHER picture of it, (again,) complete with the Ed Brown extended nonsense I put on it back then.
Jim
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Charlie Foxtrott
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I have one that I really like!
If it is not beat up, and you can get it for a decent price. You should do it. You will not regret it.
If it is not beat up, and you can get it for a decent price. You should do it. You will not regret it.
twistedracer
Member
I’m the third owner of my 645.
The first owner never shot it.
2nd owner shot 50 rounds through it and couldn’t hit the target at 7 yards.
I paid him $50 more than he paid for it, $500.
It was bone dry when I took it apart. Clean and lube, my RO friend and I put 50 flawless rounds through it dead center on the bullseye.
Been stuck in my safe beside my 1911’s since. I’m thinking 2nd owner was scared of it. Good thing for me.
I really need to break it out and shoot it again.
The first owner never shot it.
2nd owner shot 50 rounds through it and couldn’t hit the target at 7 yards.
I paid him $50 more than he paid for it, $500.
It was bone dry when I took it apart. Clean and lube, my RO friend and I put 50 flawless rounds through it dead center on the bullseye.
Been stuck in my safe beside my 1911’s since. I’m thinking 2nd owner was scared of it. Good thing for me.
I really need to break it out and shoot it again.
oink
Member
I remember the hype when they first came out, that they would feed an empty case. Well maybe. I had had very good luck with my 659 and 669 which I still have. They've seen a lot of use over the years and look the part.
Well I got one of the 645s when they first came out. But mine never was reliable enough to trust as a duty gun although I did carry it for awhile. It was good at some techniques highly frowned upon, especially now days. Later when the 4506 came out I traded my 645 in on a brand new 4506, also an early one. It was never reliable enough for a duty gun either so I sold or traded it off, I don't remember which.
I know the two models must be good guns because so many people like them. I guess they just weren't for me. I get along well with a 1911 and have good luck with Glock 45s too. Oh well!
Well I got one of the 645s when they first came out. But mine never was reliable enough to trust as a duty gun although I did carry it for awhile. It was good at some techniques highly frowned upon, especially now days. Later when the 4506 came out I traded my 645 in on a brand new 4506, also an early one. It was never reliable enough for a duty gun either so I sold or traded it off, I don't remember which.
I know the two models must be good guns because so many people like them. I guess they just weren't for me. I get along well with a 1911 and have good luck with Glock 45s too. Oh well!
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I've got one and pull it out about once every month or three. It is one of the Smiths I'll never sell. (I've got 4 S&Ws in .45: A 4566TSW, the 645, a 4513TSW that is my regular .45 carry gun, and a 1911 SCe. They are all keepers as far as I'm concerned.
You won't be sorry you picked it up. It's a solid gun.
You won't be sorry you picked it up. It's a solid gun.
Most Model 645's are accurate and boringly reliable. They are also heavy, built like a Tiger tank, and may last forever. The only known issue is that on some, the pressed in barrel bushing may loosen. Unless it gets really loose, it's not a problem and this does not happen to all Model 645's, just some.
If you like the trigger on the 3913 and 6906, then you will love the trigger on the 645. Most have very crisp and reasonably light single action triggers and the double action tends to be smoother and feels lighter than on the compact S&W pistols. I'm guessing this is due to the geometry of the fire control parts in the big S&W pistols.
Oh, there have been a bunch of engineering changes to the magazines for the 645/4506. The first magazines had metal followers and a metal floor plate that was retained by a spring tab. These should not be used for serious work as the floor plate can come forward and off of the magazine when handled roughly or during a quick mag change. The metal follower may also not lock the slide open after the last round. There are at least 2 threads on this forum discussing magazines for the 645/4506.
If you like the trigger on the 3913 and 6906, then you will love the trigger on the 645. Most have very crisp and reasonably light single action triggers and the double action tends to be smoother and feels lighter than on the compact S&W pistols. I'm guessing this is due to the geometry of the fire control parts in the big S&W pistols.
Oh, there have been a bunch of engineering changes to the magazines for the 645/4506. The first magazines had metal followers and a metal floor plate that was retained by a spring tab. These should not be used for serious work as the floor plate can come forward and off of the magazine when handled roughly or during a quick mag change. The metal follower may also not lock the slide open after the last round. There are at least 2 threads on this forum discussing magazines for the 645/4506.
snowman.45
Member
I bought 645 when we were first authorized to carry semi-autos. As the guy responsible for writing department orders, as well as the range master, it was left to me to come up with a weapons selection and policy. After testing a couple of different pistols, the policy was refined to state that the only pistols that would be accepted were American-made double action pistols with steel frames in .45 ACP. The Chief absolutely refused to authorize a 1911 or any other single action. There were only two available at the time; the 645 and the Colt Double Eagle. Needless to say, the Colt was not selected.
As someone mentioned above, the 645 would feed empty brass. I tested it and couldn't believe it when I found it to be true. When the 4506 came out, I immediately switched. I also bought a 4506 when they first became available. I was on a waiting list until they arrived. That was a great little plain-clothes and off-duty piece. I've had three of them over time, as well as a 4566 and 4513. I don't have any of those models now, but wish I did. I saw three 4516s in the used case at Cabela's in Glendale (AZ) a few weeks ago. I may go back and see if they are still there.
UPDATE: I went to Cabela's today to check on the 4616's. There were two there marked at $500 IIRC. There was also a 645 I believe was marked $650. All three were cosmetically challenged and displayed a lot of carry wear. I didn't bother to look at them for shooting wear or function as they were marked higher than I would be willing to pay for them.
As someone mentioned above, the 645 would feed empty brass. I tested it and couldn't believe it when I found it to be true. When the 4506 came out, I immediately switched. I also bought a 4506 when they first became available. I was on a waiting list until they arrived. That was a great little plain-clothes and off-duty piece. I've had three of them over time, as well as a 4566 and 4513. I don't have any of those models now, but wish I did. I saw three 4516s in the used case at Cabela's in Glendale (AZ) a few weeks ago. I may go back and see if they are still there.
UPDATE: I went to Cabela's today to check on the 4616's. There were two there marked at $500 IIRC. There was also a 645 I believe was marked $650. All three were cosmetically challenged and displayed a lot of carry wear. I didn't bother to look at them for shooting wear or function as they were marked higher than I would be willing to pay for them.
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I like the 645 so well that when I got my first one, I just had to have another! Perfect handgun for me. My only complaint was that they didn't make it with a double stacked magazine. Then it would have been the ultimate handgun.
