S&W 945 vs 1911

Camprunner

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I was wondering are they similar? is one more accurate out of the box? how are they different?
 
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Originally posted by Camprunner:
I was wondering are they similar? is one more accurate out of the box? how are they different?

Similarity: they are both single action. Differences: One is a 1911 and the other is not. The 945 is slightly bigger, some would say more robust and of course, they use different magazines. The 945 is really a target grade single action version of the Third Gen S&W autos.
 
The other differences would be that the Smith has a fixed Briley barrel bushing. The Colt has a toggle link on the barrel the Smith does not. The Smith has an external extractor the Colt's is internal.
The Smith is very accurate out of the box but a Colt could be as accurate or modified to be more accurate. Shawn gave you some good info as well Bruce
 
I think it might be worth pointing out that the 945 is a semi custom pistol out of the performance center that comes at a pretty hefty price tag. Their retail is over $2300.
If you start looking in the world of $2300 1911s that kind of money buys a very nice pistol there as well.
 
I just went through the process of choosing between the S&W 945 and a Les Baer 1911. This is what I found out about the 945 compared to a 1911.

945 advantages:
- no delicate barrel link
- 0.25" lower bore line because there is no barrel link
- more ergonomic grip
- simpler and more reliable external extractor (not that you can say there is anything wrong with the 1911 internal extractor, either)
- better barrel bushing, by Briley

Different
- grip angle three degrees more upright

Disadvantages
- proprietary magazines so you cannot use your existing supply of 1911 mags
- upright grip angle not well suited to fast shooting (but then again some people say just the opposite)
- minimal aftermarket parts available

The 945 has a strong reputation as an accurate, reliable and easy to shoot pistol.

I decided to buy a 945. And then to fill a 1911 void with a SW1911DK. I am still waiting for both of these guns.
 
Sgt Preson here. I have had both a 1911 & a PC 945. In general the typical 1911 is an assembly line built gun. The 945, on the other hand, is a Performance Center built gun, where 1 gun smith builds & "signs" each gun. My 945 is simply a better designed & built gun than my 1911. The 945 is also a more modern varient of a 1911. The 945 is a "target gun", built to considerately tighter tolerances than my 1911. Both are excellent at "defensive work". However if you want "tight groups at longer distances" & to be impressed by your own shooting, buy the 945. The Performance Center also builds a PC 1911 which I'm sure is equal to the 945. Hope this helps. Sgt Preston USMC LLA
 
Originally posted by sasu:
I just went through the process of choosing between the S&W 945 and a Les Baer 1911. This is what I found out about the 945 compared to a 1911.

945 advantages:
- no delicate barrel link
- 0.25" lower bore line because there is no barrel link
- more ergonomic grip
- simpler and more reliable external extractor (not that you can say there is anything wrong with the 1911 internal extractor, either)
- better barrel bushing, by Briley

I decided to buy a 945. And then to fill a 1911 void with a SW1911DK. I am still waiting for both of these guns.

I take issue with some of this. I don't see the barrel link as particularly delicate. I've been shooting 1911s for the better part of 40 years and I don't know that I have seen that part fail, certainly not on any of mine.
The extractor on the 1911 is a piece of metal, period. On the 945 you have the extractor, a spring, a pin, probably a plunger of some sort. That adds up to more complex in my book.
The 1911 extractor can be finicky if not set up properly but does have the advantage of being very easy to remove for cleaning.
Ergonomics seems personal to me, I've not ownd a 945 but played with one for a bit, I can't say that I preferred it over the 1911, in fact it seemed considerably larger. I will also have to note that the trigger pull on the sample I was looking at did not feel nearly as crisp as my Springfield Armory TRP, which is a far less expensive pistol.
I wouldn't mind having a 945, I have a nice used one spotted locally for $1300, but I don't know that its any priority.
 
Originally posted by Sgt Preston:
Sgt Preson here. I have had both a 1911 & a PC 945. In general the typical 1911 is an assembly line built gun. The 945, on the other hand, is a Performance Center built gun, where 1 gun smith builds & "signs" each gun. My 945 is simply a better designed & built gun than my 1911. The 945 is also a more modern varient of a 1911. The 945 is a "target gun", built to considerately tighter tolerances than my 1911. Both are excellent at "defensive work". However if you want "tight groups at longer distances" & to be impressed by your own shooting, buy the 945. The Performance Center also builds a PC 1911 which I'm sure is equal to the 945. Hope this helps. Sgt Preston USMC LLA

I own a S&W 1911 that is currently being turned into my "Bullseye 45." Other than the trigger it has been a great shooter straight out of the box. I recently had the misfortune of owning an "Performance Center" revolver. (Model 327 2.5 inch .357 Mag) that I dumped. I will never again buy into the Performance Center advertising hype, and the up charge that comes with it. I love Smith and own several of them, but in my opinion, avoid the Performance Center as it is a waste of money.
 
Originally posted by PaulCG:
Originally posted by Sgt Preston:
Sgt Preson here. I have had both a 1911 & a PC 945. In general the typical 1911 is an assembly line built gun. The 945, on the other hand, is a Performance Center built gun, where 1 gun smith builds & "signs" each gun. My 945 is simply a better designed & built gun than my 1911. The 945 is also a more modern varient of a 1911. The 945 is a "target gun", built to considerately tighter tolerances than my 1911. Both are excellent at "defensive work". However if you want "tight groups at longer distances" & to be impressed by your own shooting, buy the 945. The Performance Center also builds a PC 1911 which I'm sure is equal to the 945. Hope this helps. Sgt Preston USMC LLA

I own a S&W 1911 that is currently being turned into my "Bullseye 45." Other than the trigger, it has been a great shooter straight out of the box. I recently made a mistake and purchaced a "Performance Center" revolver. (Model 327 2.5 inch .357 Mag) Due to an issue involving quality control I decided to dump the thing and cut my loss. I will never again buy into the Performance Center advertising hype and the up charge that comes with it. BTW, expect to wait longer for any repair, as it is a PC gun. Don't get me wrong, I love Smith and own several of them, but in my opinion, avoid the Performance Center, as it is a waste of money. Just my opinion.
 
That's a good assessment of the differences. The grip angle was not a factor for me. The 945 comes with a smooth crisp 3+ lb trigger out of the box and my 945 has fed evry reload from 185 gr. LWC to 230 gr. jackter without any reliability issues. I'm sure that you will enjoy shooting the 945.
Originally posted by sasu:
I just went through the process of choosing between the S&W 945 and a Les Baer 1911. This is what I found out about the 945 compared to a 1911.

945 advantages:
- no delicate barrel link
- 0.25" lower bore line because there is no barrel link
- more ergonomic grip
- simpler and more reliable external extractor (not that you can say there is anything wrong with the 1911 internal extractor, either)
- better barrel bushing, by Briley

Different
- grip angle three degrees more upright

Disadvantages
- proprietary magazines so you cannot use your existing supply of 1911 mags
- upright grip angle not well suited to fast shooting (but then again some people say just the opposite)
- minimal aftermarket parts available

The 945 has a strong reputation as an accurate, reliable and easy to shoot pistol.

I decided to buy a 945. And then to fill a 1911 void with a SW1911DK. I am still waiting for both of these guns.
 
I had a 945-1 and did not care for the firing pin safety.

the no dash original config 945 has no silly FP safety set up.

my 945-1 Firing Pin Safety plunger was chewed up from contact (meaning the timing was off or was not getting enough lift) but it never miss fired.

The 945 grip is larger that a 1911 grip and the grip safety is sunken into the frame lines and I was having difficulty depressing the grip safety with my large 3XL hands.

while I am not picking one over the other,

I prefer the 1911 grip over the 945 in the area of depressing the grip safety out of quick draws.

while my 945 ran with my LB Monolith off a sandbag at 25 yds in the accuracy dept, all my 1911s have been 100% reliable as did the 945.

from a duty standpoint, no one makes a duty rig for the 945 and the only reason I sold my 945-1 was to buy a gun back that I mistakenly sold and wanted it back. it basically cost me my 945.

if I were looking to buy another 945, it would be the no dash.
 
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