My experience mirrors that of 44wheelman.
For my 21st birthday, June 19, 1987, I bought a S&W Model 645 with fixed sights, Serial Number TAV1466.
Jeff Cooper ran an article about this time in American Handgunner on the 645, scoffing it. Called it a "Grown Up Model 39", didn't like the overall scratchyness and sharp edges of the 645.
It had a horrible single action trigger pull with alot of creep, a heavy "trigger cocking" double action pull, was overly large in the grip area, had a long trigger reach for my finger. The ambidextreous safety would also loosen and fall off- the had the allen/hex head screw.
To correct the trigger problem, I listened to the advice of a noted East Coast gunwriter and sent it to a noted East Coast "Pistolsmith". After his "work", the hammer followed the slide on every shot. I sent it back, the returned it with a blue hammer. I ended up getting a stainless hammer from Novak's and sending it and the 645 back to the original 'smith (Novak's did not want to work on the other guys mistake, don't fault that). After the better part of a year, I got it back with a slightly lesser horrible single action and double action pull .
To correct the sight point of aim issues, I bought a BoMar adjustable rear sight and had my Father do the machine work with me the install. Worked out very well.
It was my only .45 ACP for years and I shot it alot, eventually, the trigger quit working and the 645 languished in my collection for years, unfired.
One day I was looking at it and decided that a factory trigger job could be tolerated to get it back shooting. One thing it was/is reliable in feeding and ejecting ammunition. It DOES feed fired cases.
A call the Smith & Wesson got me the authorization to return it. A few weeks later, I received a phone call from the S&W employee fixing my 645, (a long Italian/Greek name- Olympio ? I appoligize for not knowing, but he is excellent in his work and should be commended). He went over the gun and replaced all the worn out and mismatched parts and updated the safety. I was charged a modest labor fee and had the 645 back within the week.
It had a good trigger now and was 100% reliable.
A friend knew I had it and wanted it. I ended up trading him for some stuff I had more use for. I sort of soured on it and wanted it to go to someone that would give it another chance.
At the time I bought it, the market for a .45ACP pistol was slim- Colt's Government, Gold Cup, Commander and Combat Commander, SIG 220 (with the stamped slide) Star and S&W. The 645 was the best "bang for the buck" I thought. Well, sometimes things don't go as you think.
