Scandium commanders: SW1911Sc ORM vs. NRM vs. SW1911PD vs. SW1911Sc E Series

[Cossack]

I've been thinking about getting a LW Commander to supplement my Colt Gov't, which is one of my favorites and main carry guns. Since I already have and love the Colt, I've thought about getting a used XSE Commander or the newly release LW Commander from Colt. However, I'm also a big SW fan and have heard nothing but good about the SW1911s, so I'm looking hard at them as well.

Obviously the E-Series, as current production, is the easiest to acquire, but the fish-scaly motif is a bit of a turnoff for me - it's got a horrible Innsmouth hybrid look

One of the things I love about the 1911 is the grip shape, esp. with the swell of the arched mainspring housing, so I don't know about the bobbed frame, but I want to try that out as it seems it would make the gun more concealable. That would lock me into the E-Series. But otherwise, unless there are issues with the earlier models of Scandium-frame SW1911 Commanders, I think I'd prefer an older one.

Anyway, while the differences between the original SW1911s and the E-Series are more apparent and have been well covered elsewhere, I'm wondering if there were any differences between the commander versions of the original "Billboard" SW1911Sc, the standard smaller logo SW1911Sc, and the SW1911PD. Are there any advantages or disadvantages to any one of the above, or should I just look for the best deal I can find regardless of which label it has?

Is the Small/New Roll Mark SW1911Sc Commander the only one that came in a Stainless/Silver finish? I've only seen the Commander ORM and 1911pd in black, and the E-Series in either Stainless/Black or all black.

Anything else I should know about or consider?
Thanks!

 

[SAFireman]

Cossack,

I am with you 100% - I do not like the fish scale looks.

I have had my Colt Commander bob-tailed and it feels like a round-butt revolver - I absolutely love it!

I had one of the 1911pd models. It was very well built and carried like a dream. It shot well, and never bobbled....I can not for the life of me understand why I sold it, but I did.

The recoil was a bit more intense than the steel commanders, but not unreasonable.

Good luck in your search.

 

[AveragEd]

I bought the two-tone E-Series for three reasons - it comes with night sights, I liked the idea of the bobbed grip frame and I found it attractive. The "fish scale" look didn't turn me off because it's different from what we usually see on 1911s.

I didn't give a lot of concern to its long-term durability because I don't plan to shoot it a lot as I have two S&W Performance Center 1911s in .38 Super and .45 ACP for that. I've owned the Sc for about five years and can honestly state that less than a box of shells have been through it.

As far as offering first-hand ownership experience with the guns you listed, I cannot do that. I hope you find some folks who can.

Ed

 

[Model 15-4ever]

Cossack,

That was quite a mouthful. Not sure what the question was in there...

I've owned and shot the original Billboard 1911SC, the later Small Print 1911SC, the later 1911PD, and both versions (all-black and bi-tone) of the E Series 1911SC. So I have some experience with them.

The original series of three guns have the swartz-style firing pin safety which is acutated through the grip-safety. This design has been somewhat controversial over the years, because the release of the firing pin safety is based on timing of the grip safety. Through normal wear, it is possible that the timing would go off, wherein the grip safety releases the sear and hammer prior to the firing pin safety being released. The end result is a misfire. Not so hot on a defensive pistol.

On one of the three original series pistols I owned, the timing went bad after less than 500 rounds. I returned it to S&W and it ran fine for another 1500 rounds until I sold it. The other two guns ran fine with no issues.

The guns themselves were reasonably accurate, quite durable, easy to carry, compact and accepted all standard 1911 parts. I sold them to buy other guns (like we all do). I see they are no longer offered.

The E-Series guns have many features that are hot right now including the bobtail style frame. The tritium sights are an excellent design with serrated rear sight face. They do NOT use the schwartz-style firing safety, or indeed any FP safety at all... they use a lightweight titanium firing pin which serves the purpose of a drop safety. The front strap of the grip frame is undercut and well-checkered.

Other features of the E-Series guns I didn't care for. The trigger is a unique dimension, made for the unique dimensions inside the frame, and standard 1911 triggers cannot be fitted... you are stuck with the long trigger than comes with it. Both guns shot significantly low, and others have noted the same tendency. The fishscale serrations look is an acquired taste that is slow to acquire. Despite being lightweight and having a bobtail, the guns are rather bulky for a concealed carry pistol, being fitted with fat wood grips and wing-like ambi thumb safety, tall sights, extended mag release, and big beavertail grip safety. Also, they were not particularly accurate for the money spent. The recoil spring is a guide rod system, which I also don't care for. I sold them for those reasons.

The E-Series 1911 TA is a very accurate pistol. I had both versions but sold them because the lack of trigger interchangeablity was annoying. I don't like long triggers. Also, the guns were not set up as I prefer a 1911 and so rather than spend more $$$ getting them how I wanted, I got rid of them.

IMHO, given the MSRP on the E-Series 1911SC guns, you are better off either spending a couple hundred extra for a Dan Wesson Guardian (in the case of the E Series), or a couple hundred less on a Ruger LW Commander (in the case of the original 1911PD). Yes I have both of these guns and they are excellent.

 

[Taj]

The S&W scandium 1911's are an outstanding carry gun. I literally wore out an old LW Commander, which actually didn't take very long. The frame eventually cracked on the Colt from continued use of duty ammo. Scandium, alloyed with the aluminum, keeps the frame from work hardening and subsequently cracking. Makes the pistol stand up much better to continued use. I worked for Smith during the intro of the Scandium line and saw many thousands of rounds fired through test guns. Great product, great company.

 

[Grapeshot]

1911SC

Long time lurker. Very active on opencarry.org under the same screen name.

Bought a performance shop 1911SC, dual tone, small roll mark commander shortly after they came out - serial #***3880. Has been my EDC since. It has never burped or hiccuped.

It shoots every bit as well and accurately as my Les Baur TR Special does.

IMHO - you could do a lot worse. Heartedly recommend it.

 

[rkmdogs]

I own a 1911PD1 and have shot it very little. I bought it used, and one of the things that was different, someone had installed slim grips on it.
I love them! Did not know about them before, but have now put them on my 1911as well! Have a problem with initial cocking. Don't know if the shorter action required a stronger spring - but in my old age am having trouble cocking the action. No problem tho on my full size 1911!
I also don't like the long trigger, and not having rounded edges like on an A1 action--- it affects my grip!
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/rkmdogs/Remington Rand .45L amp SampW 1911PD1R - 03.jpg

 

[Dirtman]

I am strongly considering an S & W E Series 1911. I own, and really like, four MPs. Two 40 calibers and two 9mms. I have always wanted a MP 45 in DEB. Now I can't make up my mind on which one to buy.
So many guns and so little time and money!

 

[Have gun-will travel]

I have a Colt light weight commander and a S&W E series bobtail. The S&W to me is a better shooter than the Colt hands down. I personally like the fish scales and the 2 tone finish. I also have another Commander series 70 brushed nickel If I could have just one of them it would be the Smith

 

[Zebra War Wagon]

I have the S&W 1911 E sc Commander and just love it. I don't CCW it, but I am starting to develop a consideration to carry it. It's accurate, reliable and perfect for CCW; IMHO.
The attached target was from 100 or so rounds of regular 230 grain ball at 100' with a 2 hand hold, single weak hand and single strong hand.

 

[DIB]

SW1911sc sku#150109 Camfour Exclusive

Here's mine. Understand production was limited to 300-400? Any comments?

 

[Grapeshot]

Here's mine. Understand production was limited to 300-400? Any comments?

My understanding was that the Performance Shop turned out 500 of these.

Mine came with 2 eight round magazines that look very much like Wilson mags - same style follower.

Chased a few aound the country, trying to buy one. They were always sold. Finally found an FFL who had exacly what I wanted and for $795 + S&W was running a discount = buy any semi-auto, get $100 off. It really upset me to put out $845 - so much so that I had CrimsonTrace grips waiting for it.

 

[DIB]

Feel lucky to get one of these SW1911sc sku#150109 Camfour Exclusive
Not any out there for sale. Sweet roll marked commander 1911.

 

[Cossack]

Thanks for the replies, everyone. They've been very helpful.

Cossack,

That was quite a mouthful. Not sure what the question was in there...

Sorry I got wordy back there - to distill it down to the essentials (and you addressed many of my queries already):

I'm considering LW Commanders. I don't like the looks of the E-Series, so I wouldn't buy one unless I fall in love with the bobtail and/or unless they have some great advantages over the older models. (you all address this point well - thanks!)

I guess my main unanswered question is this:
Are there any significant differences between 1)the old/large roll mark 1911Sc, 2) the small roll mark 1911sc, and 3) the 1911pd, or are all three essentially the same?

Is the small roll mark 1911sc the only S&W option that came in all stainless/silver?(not a big deal, but I'm curious).

Thanks for the tip on the Ruger LW Commander as well. I was aware of it, but hadn't looked closely at it yet.

 

[DIB]

You might want to consider this Ruger. Ruger® SR1911® * Centerfire Pistol Model 6702 Also available in two tone.

 

[g650lw]

I was fortunate enough to get a Gunsite edition when they were still available - what a fantastic gun!

 

[Cossack]

One other question about the "Pre-E" versions with the Swartz safety - can they take any other 1911 grip safety, or is the grip safety different as part of the safety mechanism?

If they can take other 1911 grip safeties, would switching to a traditional flat grip safety (without the big bump) be likely to make the fp safety less likely to disengage, making the firearm less reliable?

I'm used to the traditional Gov't model grip safety, and while I'm not unwilling to try out the popular bumpy kind, It's comforting to know it could be switched out.

 

[sniperinblue]

I have the SW1911sc E-series and I really like it. However, when I first got it it was a jamming machine. I tried 10+ different loads and several different magazines, all with the same result, stove pipes and feeding issues. I put 400 rounds through it trying to break it in, which took quite a while with the constant malfunctions. So, I shipped it back to Smith and they did some tweaking. It is now flawless in operation with anything I feed it and any magazines that I use. I have about a thousand rounds through it now and it is accurate and reliable. It will enter my EDC rotation soon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[B/STOCK]

Regarding the firing pin. Is this for the early model E series or their predicators? If for the E series is there a serial # end for this fireing pin? I am I little confused. Thanks

 

[Dirtman]

I have the SW1911sc E-series and I really like it. However, when I first got it it was a jamming machine. I tried 10+ different loads and several different magazines, all with the same result, stove pipes and feeding issues. I put 400 rounds through it trying to break it in, which took quite a while with the constant malfunctions. So, I shipped it back to Smith and they did some tweaking. It is now flawless in operation with anything I feed it and any magazines that I use. I have about a thousand rounds through it now and it is accurate and reliable. It will enter my EDC rotation soon.

The S & W warranty service is great! I had some issues with my MP 9c so I sent it to them for repairs. The repairs didn't quite fix the problem (failure to feed last round in mag.) so I contact them again and sent it back. No charge either time and they sent me an extra magazine for my trouble.