S&W PC 1911

[Biscut]

I have a new in box PC 1911 from about 5 years ago. I am retiring in less than 30 days. I am planning on getting it out to the range soon. It got me thinking of the history of S&W and the 1911. I spent the last month tweaking a Springfield 1911 V12 model and just got it to the perfect point of reliability.

I was hoping to hear from you on this board your round counts and your experiences with the S&W 1911 PC models. Or non PC is good discussion as well.

Thanks in advance.

 

[M29since14]

Mine is older than yours. It's the model with wavy serrations rolleyes front and rear, and the Wilson adjustable rear sight. It's a super gun. One of my favorites. Good shooter. Feeds, extracts, and ejects everything. Good trigger. Good sights. Everything works like it's supposed to - and never a malfunction. Not the slightest bit concerned about the so-called external extractor. I'm not wild about the grips and the mag well, but I've never bothered to change them. I'd buy it again if I didn't have one.

 

[RGPM1A]

I have a new in box PC 1911 from about 5 years ago. I am retiring in less than 30 days. I am planning on getting it out to the range soon. It got me thinking of the history of S&W and the 1911. I spent the last month tweaking a Springfield 1911 V12 model and just got it to the perfect point of reliability.

I was hoping to hear from you on this board your round counts and your experiences with the S&W 1911 PC models. Or non PC is good discussion as well.

Thanks in advance.

I have one of the older PC1911s from when they first came out. It has been very reliable with no malfunctions at all. Is a very nice bullseye gun with a 2.5 pound trigger pull. Round count is well over 5K.

The only complaint I had about the gun was the factory trigger fitment was terrible - it literally flopped around in the frame. Replaced it with a Wilson combat ultralight trigger. Over the years I replaced the mainspring housing with a S&A arched unit with mag well and also added extended slide, thumb safety and mag release.

 

[Sevens]

Not my intention whatsoever to hurt anyone's feelings but in the best interest of the discussion and the information in the discussion... we should make it clear that we don't have enough information here to separate what are certainly two different models from extremely different price points — that were built in much different ways.

A PC 1911 from the last 5 years is basically a production pistol. The original PC 1911 series from the real Performance Center arrived first with a JMB serial prefix and like the other elite PC guns that went extinct in 2011, these true PC 1911 guns were elite, hnd built and fitted works. And their original MSRP were extremely high by almost anyone's measure. If I remember correctly (check this!) but it was actually $2,400+.

These more recent PC 1911 pistols, easily identified by their slick red or blue stocks and the lightening cuts in the slide of the Govt size model are simply not in the same echelon.

 

[Biscut]

Not my intention whatsoever to hurt anyone's feelings but in the best interest of the discussion and the information in the discussion... we should make it clear that we don't have enough information here to separate what are certainly two different models from extremely different price points — that were built in much different ways.

A PC 1911 from the last 5 years is basically a production pistol. The original PC 1911 series from the real Performance Center arrived first with a JMB serial prefix and like the other elite PC guns that went extinct in 2011, these true PC 1911 guns were elite, hnd built and fitted works. And their original MSRP were extremely high by almost anyone's measure. If I remember correctly (check this!) but it was actually $2,400+.

These more recent PC 1911 pistols, easily identified by their slick red or blue stocks and the lightening cuts in the slide of the Govt size model are simply not in the same echelon.

I don't question your statement. I don't have enough experience to say otherwise. I have a Springfield V12 stainless. I had to properly tension the extractor myself. Now that I did it's running 100% with crappy Wolf ammo...dirty but hey its ammo.

Explain the "real" PC. My PC 1911's are about 5 years ago. Mine is the blue stock with the slide cut outs. Haven't shot it yet. I get that S&W isn't what people think. I grew up a little west of the plant. I know they hired many a gang banger back in the day for the menial jobs. They did also keep those not so great guys away from the more important processes on the lines.

No hurt feelings here. For the price paid I do not have delusions or grandeur. I will say the 2 PC 1911's I have are nice and tight and beautiful to behold. Doesn't mean they will shoot 20k rounds without an issue. That is to be seen.

 

[Sevens]

It was about 1990 or 1991 when the idea for the Performance Center was conceived and executed. Gather up a handful of the finest craftsmen they had on the property and give them space in their own facility to do true full blown custom work and custom guns spec'd out by the buyer.

One of their earliest projects was to finish up the last of the Model 52-2's before S&W took them out of production. And it was soon concluded that full ordered customs were going to be cost prohibitive and low volume, so they came up with some ideas and made those instead. The Briley Custom, the 3566 Limited and 3566 Compact. The Shorty40 and shortly after, the Shorty9 and 45.

All of these pistols started as over sized frames and slides and were fitted together by hand, one at a time and along with the Model 52, they became (with no contest and with no argument) the most elite semiautomatic pistols to ever wear the S&W logo.

By 2011 the very last of these pistols were shipped and the true Performance Center was dismantled. These days, S&W continues to use the name and the esteemed logo for production guns with odd or added features. That you can purchase a robin's egg blue "PC" .380 Bodyguard almost literally turns my stomach. They make "PC" versions of the new S&W Victory and these pistols are not high quality in any way you would choose to measure it.

The later PC 1911 such as the one with the blue stocks and slide cuts are production guns that are assembled by employees. It would be wholly unfair for me to judge real live people that I haven't met, but a S&W PC post-2011 isn't something created by those artisans from the real PC. These are guns made by the same folks that slap together a thousand M&P tupperware toys daily today.

The Performance Center, the one that we know and love was lightning in a bottle and should be celebrated and remembered fondly.

It does not exist today.

 

[barbsaurus]

JRE Billboard S&W 1911 Reliability

I have the S&W "Billboard" 1911 with a serial number prefix of JRE which I believe places shipping date in 2004. I have not owned any exotic 1911s but I have owned Colt, Kimber, Para, and Springfield 1911s. None felt better in my hand than my "Billboard". I've only shot about 500 rounds through it but it has never malfunctioned. I can't say that of the pricier 1911s I've owned.

 

[Biscut]

It was about 1990 or 1991 when the idea for the Performance Center was conceived and executed. Gather up a handful of the finest craftsmen they had on the property and give them space in their own facility to do true full blown custom work and custom guns spec'd out by the buyer.

One of their earliest projects was to finish up the last of the Model 52-2's before S&W took them out of production. And it was soon concluded that full ordered customs were going to be cost prohibitive and low volume, so they came up with some ideas and made those instead. The Briley Custom, the 3566 Limited and 3566 Compact. The Shorty40 and shortly after, the Shorty9 and 45.

All of these pistols started as over sized frames and slides and were fitted together by hand, one at a time and along with the Model 52, they became (with no contest and with no argument) the most elite semiautomatic pistols to ever wear the S&W logo.

By 2011 the very last of these pistols were shipped and the true Performance Center was dismantled. These days, S&W continues to use the name and the esteemed logo for production guns with odd or added features. That you can purchase a robin's egg blue "PC" .380 Bodyguard almost literally turns my stomach. They make "PC" versions of the new S&W Victory and these pistols are not high quality in any way you would choose to measure it.

The later PC 1911 such as the one with the blue stocks and slide cuts are production guns that are assembled by employees. It would be wholly unfair for me to judge real live people that I haven't met, but a S&W PC post-2011 isn't something created by those artisans from the real PC. These are guns made by the same folks that slap together a thousand M&P tupperware toys daily today.

The Performance Center, the one that we know and love was lightning in a bottle and should be celebrated and remembered fondly.

It does not exist today.

That I understand! No way a hand-fitted 1911 in modern times has a $1500 or thereabouts price point. I would say they are similar to Springfield TRP and a good Kimber (not all Kimbers are "good ). Fit and finish, triggers, sights, are of good quality.

What got me to the PC 1911 was a previous purchase of a SW1911 SC (made in Houlton ME not Springfield MA). Quality control was excellent. Really enjoy that pistol.

 

[1911haulic]

I do like the new PC1911 with the blue grips. I was about to make a purchase before the pandemic Chinese Flu. I have GI issue grades thru WC, I can't really tell a big difference in performance during my stand up free hand range shooting. At 15 feet, they all will get the job done.

My favorite to shoot is a DW Bruin 10mm long slide.

 

[RGPM1A]

Not my intention whatsoever to hurt anyone's feelings but in the best interest of the discussion and the information in the discussion... we should make it clear that we don't have enough information here to separate what are certainly two different models from extremely different price points — that were built in much different ways.

A PC 1911 from the last 5 years is basically a production pistol. The original PC 1911 series from the real Performance Center arrived first with a JMB serial prefix and like the other elite PC guns that went extinct in 2011, these true PC 1911 guns were elite, hnd built and fitted works. And their original MSRP were extremely high by almost anyone's measure. If I remember correctly (check this!) but it was actually $2,400+.

These more recent PC 1911 pistols, easily identified by their slick red or blue stocks and the lightening cuts in the slide of the Govt size model are simply not in the same echelon.

The one I referred to in the reply above is a JMB serial prefix gun. The only thing some of the newer guns had that I wish mine had was a Briley barrel bushing.

 

[824tsv]

I have the newer SW1911PC pistol the same as the O.P.'s and the same 2015 vintage. My personal opinion is that it's a fantastic pistol, has been problem free and runs flawlessly. I find it extremely accurate with my pet hand load (200g SWC over 4.2g of Winchester WST). I have about 3000 rounds through mine. My only complaint would be that the black finish on the barrel where the bushing rides, and the black finish on the barrel hood wears off very quickly. Purely cosmetic.

 

[AveragEd]

My only complaint would be that the black finish on the barrel where the bushing rides, and the black finish on the barrel hood wears off very quickly. Purely cosmetic.

As soon as my barrel's black finish started showing wear, I polished that coating off the barrel hood - the muzzle area's finish is only visible with the slide locked back so I left it alone. I think the gun looks better that way.

Ed

 

[Biscut]

Kinda like the "Glock Smile."

 

[Biscut]

I have the newer SW1911PC pistol the same as the O.P.'s and the same 2015 vintage. My personal opinion is that it's a fantastic pistol, has been problem free and runs flawlessly. I find it extremely accurate with my pet hand load (200g SWC over 4.2g of Winchester WST). I have about 3000 rounds through mine. My only complaint would be that the black finish on the barrel where the bushing rides, and the black finish on the barrel hood wears off very quickly. Purely cosmetic.

Cool beans. This is my first 1911 with external extractor. You've have had no issues with the extractor is great. I always wondered about that.