I am looking at a used SW1911. Serial number is DCZ9762. Is there a way to tell the year it was manufactured from the serial number? Thanks in advance.
No, the end of the box can be dated or inside the box usually has a fired cartridge and it's dated. If none of those are available to you post a Pic if one is available or call S&W.
I gather if you call S&W they will give you that info. I too have an E-series .45 the same as yours, but I can’t recall when I bought it. I replaced the MSH with a steel version when the plastic OE part split. Other than that, it’s been a pretty much trouble free pistol. I’m not wild about the wavy serrations and the fish scale style grip panels, but several people have remarked favorably about it when I have it at the range. I can be indifferent about the styling excesses because the gun is a pleasure to shoot.
I doubt you can go wrong with a S&W 1911. Having said that as much as I own 95% S&W firearms, everyone and his brother (and sister by now) makes 1911's and most of them are high quality firearms with a wide variety of features; I would shop around for the specific features that you want. I have higher priced "better brand" 1911's, but to be honest my favorite is an ATI 9mm Commander.