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chriskm1968
Member
yeah i know what you mean! still i might have to have one of each. i have seen the 745 with the adjustable sights, but they seem to be kinda rare.
smith 645/745
- Thread starter chriskm1968
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VIM
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My brother in law has a 745 that I have shot a lot throught the years and it is a really nice accurate gun. I have a 4506 that will feed most anything thrown it's way with no problems but I always did like the looks of the 645 better than the 4506. I kick myself for not buying a 745 and a 645 back in the day but that does leave something to look for on the used shelves at the gun shops.
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VIM
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chriskm1968
Member
yeah i know what you mean my brothers 745 will feed an empty casing, it's the only gun i have ever seen do that!
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.
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.
I just purchased my second 745 which was in great shape. I am using 180 gr. cast bullets at about 775 fps. I took the gun to the range and it would eject the fired cartridge but not cycle a new round into the magazine and the hammer was not fully cocked. I tried several different magazines which did not help.
I am wondering if the recoil spring is to heavy? Anyone recommend what weight to use? I found one article saying for target loads a 10 pound is about the correct weight. Would a variable load spring work?
I know one time my 41 would not fire one type of ammunition and replacing it with a lighter spring worked.
Thanks for your help.
I am wondering if the recoil spring is to heavy? Anyone recommend what weight to use? I found one article saying for target loads a 10 pound is about the correct weight. Would a variable load spring work?
I know one time my 41 would not fire one type of ammunition and replacing it with a lighter spring worked.
Thanks for your help.
handgunner356
Member
Yes if your using a 180@775 you need the lighter spring. The 10# usually works good in these guns and I've used the variable rate ones in the past with good results.
TSQUARED
Member
I purchsed a new unfired old dealers stock S&W 645 without box or papers and 5 new magazines a few years back. My 645 has been extremely reliable with a wide variety of bullet weights and shapes and provies 2inch groups at 50 ft. The gun is a pleasure to shoot. Shooting it in IDPA/USPSA I have to remember that the safety on S&W's is the opposite of 1911's.
The S&W 845 is much more accurate than the 645/745 since it has the Briley barrel bushing.
The S&W 845 is much more accurate than the 645/745 since it has the Briley barrel bushing.
I own two 745s and really love both of them. The 745 has a match coned barrel. The ramp is polished and will function with standard or match grade ammo. You may have to replace the spring (which I did) if shooting 185 grl semiwadcutter ammunition. The pistol could be originally purchased with an adjustable rear site which mine have.
The trigger is crisp and clean, great for Bulleye competitions. You can adjust the trigger to remove any free travel and the trigger stop can also be adjusted, although the grips need to come off for this adjustment.
I had the my slide tightened. They will shoot the x-ring out at 25 yards.
Not a carry firearm.
The pistols have stainless frames and some gunsmiths will not work on them.
Be careful when cleaning. The mainspring is held in place by a small slot. If it is worn the whole spring assembly will shoot across a good size room.
The trigger is crisp and clean, great for Bulleye competitions. You can adjust the trigger to remove any free travel and the trigger stop can also be adjusted, although the grips need to come off for this adjustment.
I had the my slide tightened. They will shoot the x-ring out at 25 yards.
Not a carry firearm.
The pistols have stainless frames and some gunsmiths will not work on them.
Be careful when cleaning. The mainspring is held in place by a small slot. If it is worn the whole spring assembly will shoot across a good size room.
I picked up one of the 745s with the adjustable sights close to 20 years ago. Now have over 25K rounds through it, S&W replaced a bad extractor at around 15K and it still outshoots any of my other many handguns. I then was able to pick up another just like it but second hand. Only about 8K through that one without hiccups and in between these two, a 645 came into my collection. I can safely say that the 745 is a magnificent target pistol (i had no problems with the European style safety as I used to have a Walther PP in the early 1960s in the UK). Recommend anyone to buy either. Now if only an 845 would come along that I would not have to mortgage my house again!! Dave_n
