Shooting S&W's 1911

[federali]

Finally got to put my new S&W 1911 through its paces. I fired Magtech JHPs, hard cast bullets from Mid South Shooters Supply and some Magtech ball. The 1911 put all the rounds in one ragged hole with strong ejection and no stoppages of any kind. It was the constant praise for this gun, here at glocktalk, that convinced me to buy it and I'm glad i did.

[paul45]

I,m really glad it works! What a great feeling getting a nice quality firearm...

[ShootCraps]

I have heard lots of good things about the S&W 1911s. I really need one. ;)

[larry starling]

Sound's like you got a winner...enjoy!;f

[Freeze N]

Yea this Smith 1911 thing is begining to get me PO'D. Now I am going to have to buy another gun. Dang it anyway. No gunaholics chapter's in my area. That 1911sc in stainless sure looks purty!!!!!

[buddyRoland]

Haven't heard anything but praise for the gun. It's on my to get list.

[Glock21Owner]

I will be picking up my S&W 1911 this Friday. I ordered the basic version with Novak sights because I honestly don't like the slides with the serrated front which damn near every 1911 comes with these days (save the Ed Brown versions but I just don't have that kind of moolah). Now I need to get a holster for it but want one that will not affect the finish.

[.45MoonClip]

I can add another positive comment to the SW1911 experience. I purchased a model #108284 about a month ago and it also has been a flawless, accurate shooter. I couldn't be more pleased with a pistol, even though it has the "evil" full length guide rod, serrated slide, ambi-safety and the 'dreaded' external extractor. In spite of all of these "flaws" I love the pistol. It just ain't the way JMB designed it. I'm trying to get over it!

federali - what kind of bullet weight and powder charge are we talkin' with those Mid-South hard casts? (if you don't mind sharing)

[RugerFan58]

Originally posted by .45MoonClip
I can add another positive comment to the SW1911 experience. I purchased a model #108284 about a month ago and it also has been a flawless, accurate shooter.
I also bought the adjustable sight model. Made the mistake of letting my wife shoot it. It's still mine in name only now.;f ;f

[spober]

maby the Sc model but im sorry ,i for one cant overlook the external extractor.you may as well buy the 945 and get a real custom pistol that looks very much like a 1911 but isnt.

[jmg]

My buddy and I have been shooting an all stainless SW1911. Awesome. One-ragged-hole accuracy, reliable ( I think I had 1 failure to return to battery once), great sights. If I had the extra scratc I'd get one in a heartbeat. Skip the $1900 Wilsons and the like. If you can afford a Les Baer, Wilson etc...fine, but I think the SW is the best buy for ~$700

[federali]

The load is 8 grains of Accurate Arms #5 behind a 200 grain, hard cast, round nose bullet made by Brass Plus.

Incidentally, if there's a fly in the ointment with the S&W .45, I discovered, after putting away my gear and collecting my brass, that most of the rims were bent slightly inward. I believe that this is being caused when the shell collides with the ejector. Next time I'm at the range, I'll index the rounds into the chamber so that I can figure out if the rim bending is indeed on the ejector side or the extractor side. Perhaps repeated reloading of the same brass may eventually cause a situation where the rim will not slide under the extractor upon chambering. For this reason, I think it is wise to stay with factory loads for self-defense.

[.45MoonClip]

Thanks for the reply on your load, federali: I have been loading 230 grain hardcast by an old shooting buddy who likes to cast his own. I've had good results with 4.6 grains of Bullseye although I have used AA#5 to good effect also. Just curious. The S&W1911 seems to shoot these into one ragged hole at 50' (indoors)
I am pleased with the gun. I usually load a 200 grain LSWC - cast by the same fella. I may try AA#5 for a change.

[Glock21Owner]

Just came back from the range with my bottom of the line S&W 1911 with Novaks and I am extremely impressed with this pistol. Consistent, tight accuracy and lots of oohs and ahhs from my fellow shooters. Love the grips, love the serration on the rear of the slide, etc. This is a very happy purchase!

[Remander]

How is the trigger on the S&W 1911 these days?

I tried one when they first came out, and it had a VERY heavy trigger. Otherwise, it seemed to be a very nice pistol.

[Glock21Owner]

I really don't have anything similar to compare it to, but I liked it. Felt just right, not a lot of creep; not sure that's what you wanted to hear but as for me, no complaints!

[Solit Hit]

My avitar says it all. I have several 1911's including a Springer and 2 Kimbers but I use the Smith DK model in IDPA. Love that trigger.

[Skpotamus]

If I want to collect a gun, I'll go get an original John Browning Design. If I want to carry a 1911, I'm sticking with my S&W as it has a few advances over the original design and has worked way better than any other 1911 I have owned or shot, including a Springfield Loaded, a Kimber Custom II and a Colt 1991.

S&W has basically produced the "glock" of the 1911 world. A gun that straight out of the box works 100%. No break in period, no finnicky "has to be the perfect load and round", and damned accurate.

Funny thing is, it's the ONLY S&W semi auto that I like.

[federali]

I would agree that Smith finally got it right. Too many of their 1st and 2nd generation autos felt like bricks and shot about as well. But, I have an S&W 99 that's never hiccuped and I really like their custom shop version of the old model 39 (not sure what the current model designation is). I would own this gun except for the price.

[Clem Eastwood]

Originally posted by jmg
My buddy and I have been shooting an all stainless SW1911. Awesome. One-ragged-hole accuracy, reliable ( I think I had 1 failure to return to battery once), great sights. If I had the extra scratc I'd get one in a heartbeat. Skip the $1900 Wilsons and the like. If you can afford a Les Baer, Wilson etc...fine, but I think the SW is the best buy for ~$700

to whom could you be referring?^8

[NetNinja]

Most underatted 1911 out there. Bought 1 used from my local gun store. The first year they came out from a person who put 1 magazine through it and decided to trade it in for a glock 9MM.

I had to send it in for that recall that S&W issued other than that the pistol has been a flawless pistol. The wilson 47D mags that it came with standard are first rate and I will replace all my mags with Wilsons.

[Pred8tory]

Liked my original (with the big ugly side banner) so much I went out and bought the new SW1911Sc 'Commander' model with the stainless slide. It's turned out to be just as reliable as it's big brother.
http://www.hometown.aol.com/badge130/1911scLeft.jpg
http://www.hometown.aol.com/badge130/1911scRight.jpg

[jsanti13]

25 Yards Free hand.

Had problems seeing the sights on the 1927(Dark Indoor Range).

But the S&W it's on.

[Another19]

Originally posted by federali
The load is 8 grains of Accurate Arms #5 behind a 200 grain, hard cast, round nose bullet made by Brass Plus.

Incidentally, if there's a fly in the ointment with the S&W .45, I discovered, after putting away my gear and collecting my brass, that most of the rims were bent slightly inward. I believe that this is being caused when the shell collides with the ejector. Next time I'm at the range, I'll index the rounds into the chamber so that I can figure out if the rim bending is indeed on the ejector side or the extractor side. Perhaps repeated reloading of the same brass may eventually cause a situation where the rim will not slide under the extractor upon chambering. For this reason, I think it is wise to stay with factory loads for self-defense.

Anyone else experience this with their brass? I'm in the market for a 1911 and am a picky SOB. If anyone does, have you figured out what causes it?

[jsanti13]

I check my brass everytime I fire looking for tell tail signs and never experienced it with my S&W.

:cool:

[RugerFan58]

Originally posted by jsanti13
I check my brass everytime I fire looking for tell tail signs and never experienced it with my S&W.

:cool: +1 No problems here either.;c

[at-home-daddy]

Some SW1911s come with a slight ledge on the breechface; the markings you're seeing may be identation from the ledge as the shell slams back on it upon firing. One of my NIB SW1911s had that...I got the breechface smoothed, and voila, no more markings/indentations. You may want to doublecheck your breechface and see if that's indeed the problem.

[Shaman]

Put my new SW 1911 Scandium through the works last night and she passed - 100 %. Had some CTC's laser grips on from the start and I don't see them comming off any time soon. Fine shooter. Dead nuts accurate. Add that bright laser dot for low light shooting and it doesn't get much better.

[Short Cut]

This one has performed really well right from the box. I has a sweet trigger and a super light Koenig hammer.

http://home.comcast.net/~1911brass/SWPC1911_Esm_right_sm.jpg

[Solit Hit]

I get that every once in a while (slight dent on rim after firing) but it has never caused a problem of any kind reloading it in my Dillon 650. The only thing that bothers me from time to time is the ledge mark left on the base of the casing from the breach face. Both my Smiths do this. Smith says it's not a real problem and truthfully, after over 10 reloading of that brass, I've never encountered a problem.

[JesS2K]

Hey, all

My local shop has one SC model in comance size. It has gold inlay Gunsite logo on left side of slide, small one behind the rear seration on the right side, and on the right side grip. Novak rear with gold dot in the front.

The gun is extreamly light! Lock up is pretty good. Slide to frame fit is only ok, less than most cheap Kimber and Springy I've seen. Trigger is crips, not too light, but poor fitting. It has planty of play(especially up and down).

The shop asking $1,029 for it, I think it's too much for the kind of quality and details the gun has. If it were ~$700 like other have said, it'd be on my hip right now!

What's your take?

[Skpotamus]

That's pretty close to MSRP on that gun. My 1911Pd model had a sticker price of $850 new. Mine has no creep on the trigger, well fit, a little heavy. Very good fit overall.

I'd probably pass on that particular model and look for another one with better fit (and price). If you can't find it cheaper in your area, you might ask the clerks if they have any more in the back you could handle.

[freepatriot]

Originally posted by jsanti13
25 Yards Free hand.

Had problems seeing the sights on the 1927(Dark Indoor Range).

But the S&W it's on.



Nice shooting.



Finally someone posts a target that does not make me suspicious, i.e., one-inch group at 50 yards, offhand, while blindfolded.

;f

[freepatriot]

Originally posted by Short Cut
This one has performed really well right from the box. I has a sweet trigger and a super light Koenig hammer.

http://home.comcast.net/~1911brass/SWPC1911_Esm_right_sm.jpg































nice knife.