I have a 945 that I bought very shortly after they were introduced. It's been a fine, accurate gun. Now, it's showing it's age. Both mag springs are worn out and I have just recently lost one of the grip screws. I have contacted S&W, Numrich, Brownell's and some other dealers and gunsmiths to no avail. Does anyone have any ideas on someone who may stock parts for this gun? IMHO, it's a damn shame S&W is not at least minimally backing a Performance Center pistol that was presented as one of their premier firearms. I requested to talk to someone in the Performance Center but was told that they "don't speak with the public."
S&W Model 945
- Thread starter PeterM
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There was a question about this before and yes 1911 grip screws work great. I tried them in both my 945’s.
Can we assume you have a full size 945?
My 3.25” 945-1 uses the same magazine spring as my CS45, (same with recoil spring.) My 5” 945 definitely has a longer magazine spring than my 845. The 845 magazine spring is the same as all my other full size S&W .45’s.
Jim
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I tried grip screws from my S&W .45, Colt National Gold Cup .45, Model 52 and some other pistols I have with no luck. What did fit exactly, is the grip screws from my STI Trojan 9mm 6". They're exactly the same. STI is another company now. I'll see what happens tomorrow. In the meantime, while I used to depend on Wolff Springs for all my spring purchases, they not only do not have a 945 mag spring-they don't list ANYTHING for the 945. Nonetheless, I will call them tomorrow to see if they know of a crossover.
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Let us know what you find out.
On a similar note, (and it might interest you too,) there was a question about 5” 945 recoil springs not to long ago. There are still no responses.
I checked. My 5” 945 recoil spring, (only got one,) is shorter with less coils than my other full size S&W .45’s. It is longer than the wadcutter springs and was “softer” and easier to re-install than the longer, (and stiffer,) full power load spring for the other .45’s. I don’t have an answer.
Again I was hoping to use 4506 recoil and magazine springs in my 5” 945. Maybe, maybe not.
Jim
On a similar note, (and it might interest you too,) there was a question about 5” 945 recoil springs not to long ago. There are still no responses.
I checked. My 5” 945 recoil spring, (only got one,) is shorter with less coils than my other full size S&W .45’s. It is longer than the wadcutter springs and was “softer” and easier to re-install than the longer, (and stiffer,) full power load spring for the other .45’s. I don’t have an answer.
Again I was hoping to use 4506 recoil and magazine springs in my 5” 945. Maybe, maybe not.
Jim
There are precious few people that work at S&W now that actually have genuine knowledge of what a 945 even is. Also, the “Performance Center” is now simply a trim level of mundane production guns. The true Performance Center as we knew it simply does not exist. The building was literally dismantled and repurposed and that small team of elite craftsmen have long since retired.
Calling S&W about a 945 is now, sadly, akin to calling up the local Chevy dealer to ask about a ‘69 COPO Camaro. They would look at you like you’re speaking Greek.
If you’re talking about the full size magazines, the 8-rounders that fit all the 5-inch and 4-inch 945 Models then your answer is easy — these mags are 100% exactly the same as 4506/4556 magazines except for the location of the magazine catch.
So you can get these magazine springs from Midway or Brownell’s or Numrich or possibly even S&W if you can get lucky and find exactly the right goof on the phone that will agree they recognize the Model 4506 which might be an exercise in futility all by itself.
You can also simply get some from Wolff under the section for the 4506.
Calling S&W about a 945 is now, sadly, akin to calling up the local Chevy dealer to ask about a ‘69 COPO Camaro. They would look at you like you’re speaking Greek.
If you’re talking about the full size magazines, the 8-rounders that fit all the 5-inch and 4-inch 945 Models then your answer is easy — these mags are 100% exactly the same as 4506/4556 magazines except for the location of the magazine catch.
So you can get these magazine springs from Midway or Brownell’s or Numrich or possibly even S&W if you can get lucky and find exactly the right goof on the phone that will agree they recognize the Model 4506 which might be an exercise in futility all by itself.
You can also simply get some from Wolff under the section for the 4506.
Thanks for your reply. I had no idea that the PC had taken such a dive. The S&W Performance Center used to be (for me, anyhow) the top of the mountain short of a hand-built gun. I'll be contacting Wolff tomorrow.
Well I kind of thought there couldn’t be much of a difference and was surprised with the extra “coil” number/length of the 945.
OK, any knowledge/experience about 5” 945 recoil springs? Probably the 4506 would be fine? (Wadcutter and full load respectively.)
Oh and also the S&W “PC” is still going strong making “PC” Shields, 41’s, Victory’s and “such.”
Jim
I can see of no earthly reason why an OEM 4506 spring isn’t absolutely perfect for both the 845 and 5-inch 945.
If you have opened a 4506 magazine and a 945 magazine and you found a different number of coils in the spring then what you have discovered is that S&W used many different suppliers of parts across time.
It’s why the earliest 945’s had hex-head grip screws and later 945’s sported less attractive slotted head screws. It’s also why we have seen multiple variations across PC Limited pistol’s adjustable rear sights.
The earliest 945 magazines literally were 4506 magazines with dual cuts in the body for the magazine catch. With the help of a buddy and a fantastic milling machine, we altered six of my own 4506 magazines specifically for me to use in my 945’s.
I haven’t used a genuine 945 magazine in either of mine in what… five years? All my OEM 945 magazines are stored.
If you have opened a 4506 magazine and a 945 magazine and you found a different number of coils in the spring then what you have discovered is that S&W used many different suppliers of parts across time.
It’s why the earliest 945’s had hex-head grip screws and later 945’s sported less attractive slotted head screws. It’s also why we have seen multiple variations across PC Limited pistol’s adjustable rear sights.
The earliest 945 magazines literally were 4506 magazines with dual cuts in the body for the magazine catch. With the help of a buddy and a fantastic milling machine, we altered six of my own 4506 magazines specifically for me to use in my 945’s.
I haven’t used a genuine 945 magazine in either of mine in what… five years? All my OEM 945 magazines are stored.
44wheelman
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I also have altered 4506 mags with a dual slot to use in my 945. I did notice spring force is less than on the oem 945 mags. I have not experienced any failures. But I am curious behind the motive of S&W increasing the spring force…. Increased reliability, better for target ammo (wadcutter), another magazine to buy?
It’s seems that I forgot that I have shorter 1911 grip screws on my Colts. They have thinner grips panels so I had to use the appropriate length screws. That’s why they are perfect for the 945’s. The standard length 1911 grips screws are too long, (unless you shorten them,) and bind up the 945 magazine.
Sorry for my erroneous input. It’s been a very long time since I messed with the Colts. Pictured are the 1911 grip screws exactly fitting on the 945’s. Both came with slotted head stainless screws.
I’ve made this observation here before but the 3.25” 945 magazines I have were modified at S&W from readily available CS45 mags. Same length/coil number and “extra” top vertical indentations as the CS’s. They just had to add the the location of the magazine catch. I was surprised that the 5” 945’s springs were so apparently different than the other 5” S&W’s. I totally agree with “Sevens” thoughts on this though.
Jim
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Mag springs usually last a pretty long time before they need replacement, unless they are damaged/rust,etc.. In my experience with the 3rd gen 45s that developed feeding issues after some use, its usually the recoil spring. They CAN wear out very quickly depending on power factor of ammo shot and amount of ammo fired in a session as heat is the destroying facter. Guys always came in asking for mag springs, but it almost always is a slide velocity issue that can be fixed by replacing a worn recoil spring. The shorter the gun the more the recoil spring needs to be maintained because they have a limited length. Where the fullsize guns usually have a overbuilt spring.
Yes, new mag springs may fix the issue for a bit, as they will push the rounds up a bit faster and allow proper cycling but if kept loaded they will soon take a bit of a set and the gun will have FTF issues again until recoil spring is replaced. Just my experience.
If I buy a used gun I will usually replace recoil springs sometimes the mag springs just so I know where Im at. Unless the mag springs feel real firm then just inspect and clean.
Yes, new mag springs may fix the issue for a bit, as they will push the rounds up a bit faster and allow proper cycling but if kept loaded they will soon take a bit of a set and the gun will have FTF issues again until recoil spring is replaced. Just my experience.
If I buy a used gun I will usually replace recoil springs sometimes the mag springs just so I know where Im at. Unless the mag springs feel real firm then just inspect and clean.
Does your gun gave grip screw bushings like a Colt? If so you may be able to change bushings and use standard screws
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