Looking for feed back on the SW1911.

[New York Hunter]

I'm looking for some feed back on the SW1911, good or bad! I was going to buy one last summer but I had some other financial obligations I had to take care of. So now I'm thinking about getting a SW1911 model #108282 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14718&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y) again. I was also looking at a Springfield Custom Loaded FULL-SIZE 1911-A1 Stainless model #PX9151L (http://www.springfield-armory.com/prod-pstl-1911-fs.shtml). But I honestly like the SW1911 better. Now I've never fired either one of these two pistols, I was just comparing them side by side. Everything I've ever read about either of these pistols has been great. I was wondering what the guys and/or gals that owned or even fired a SW1911 thought of them. Thanks, NYH!:)

[Chewspit]

I love mine. I've also shot several Springfields and like them too, but I think the Smith looks better.

[MapleCove]

I just purchased a S&W 1911 PD 5" and love it. I've only shot about 200 rounds throught it, but if functioned perfectly. It shot to point of aim with Winchester and Federal ammo without any problems at all.
From what I've seen and read, it's a hard one to beat for the money.

[New York Hunter]

Chewspit, thanks for the reply. This will be my first 1911. The only 1911 I've ever fired was my friends Colt, not sure what model it was (can find out), but it was nice!:)

[New York Hunter]

MapleCove, thanks, I heard the same thing about being a great deal for the money! Again thanks guys!:)

[SpecialT]

Mine has been great. I've had it (same model you're looking at) for about a year and a half. Got about 600-700 rounds through it without a single malfunction. All CCI aluminum cased Blazer 230 FMJ's.

SW makes some good guns. I've got a bunch. In fact I'm looking at getting another one soon.

Mark

[lwt210]

I am over a 1000 rounds with mine and after a little tweaking, it is now running strong.

By tweaking I mean weeding out the bad magazine that came with the gun (one of the Novak ACT mags), tuning the sear spring, and fitting the slide stop that came with it. I also had a grip screw bushing back out and had to replace that and Loctight it. All basic stuff.

Out of the box, it was a great shooter but I did have a few jams with that bad magazine and sometimes the slide would lock back with rounds in the gun (fitting the slide stop cured this).

Don't let any of the above scare you away from this fine pistol though. I have owned a Colt and two Springers in my past and this Smith is by far my favorite. She is a true keeper.

But like most things, I wanted to modify mine in a couple of areas. One being replacing the full length guide rod with a standard GI plug and short rod. Used the Ed Brown parts for that and replaced the barrel bushing with a Brown model. Nothing wrong with the one that came with it I just wanted to tighten up the 25 yard groupings a little.

Since I can tear one down just about all the way, I went ahead and fitted a Hardcore slide stop, a firing pin stop, a narrower thumb safety, a Brown tac mag release, the grips and put some hex head grip screws on it.

Did the pistol really need any of this? Nah, not really. Just wanted to do some things to it and it all turned out great.

After a thousand or so rounds, the slide has not loosened any and the only wear has been some blueing lost from the beavertail safety that came with the gun. If I had one complaint it would be the blueing of the mag release (which I replaced) and the beavertail which has several places where silver shines through. I may replace it one day too or just cold blue it.

It is grouping in the less than two inch range, offhand with just about any ammo right now. Off of a rest, it tightens up even more. And again, I haven't tried any match ammo out of it yet.

It carries well and is a great pistol for CCW. Another thing Smith could have done was to jack up the price a hundred bucks and put the Novak tritium sights on it to begin with. I may replace those one day too.

Hope this helps you out. Springers are fine pistols also.....but this scandium framed .45 from Smith is great. Pic included.

[lwt210]

nuther pic

[DennisE]

I just got hold of a used 1911SC in excellent condition. Already I like it better than the 2 Colt Commanders I've had. Dennis

[sundance43.5]

The pistols in the Smith and Wesson 1911 line are proably some of the best 1911's on the market. They are definitely the best value. I love my 5" 1911PD.

[Stony]

I was also going to get the SW1911. They didn't have one at all the shops I looked at (well within a decent price range. All $800+ out the door. I ended up with a Kimber Stainless for 750$ OTD oddly enough? ANYWAYS, what I was meaning to throw in for your consideration was, Smith is 100% USA MADE to the best of my knowledge. SA have alot of parts made in Brazil. Many of their guns are made totally in Brazil. I'd spend the bucks to stay USA made if I could. Don't get me wrong, SA are damn fine guns- it just sorta gets under my patriotic skin that SA advertises as America's oldest amrory, and yet they ship stuff in from Brazil. Maybe SOUTH America's oldest armory???

[spober]

Id like one of the first smith 1911 with the billboard RM ,err laser etching.Ugly but very Smith n Wesson.

[DennisE]

LOL! Mine is an early billboard S&W 1911SC and proud of it! Dennis

[Mitrod3]

my 2nd 1911 was the S&W (billboard edition) you are looking at. i took it through 1000's of rounds before deciding to mod it out. it was and is one fine gun all the way around. she was excellant out of the box and POA = POI. only thing i did originally was lighten the trigger to bring it in line with my other 1911's in terms of a 3.5 to 4 lb trigger pull which is where i like my guns.

i recently bought a 1911PD because of the quality of the 1st S&W.

also have five Springers.....fine guns and good shooters.

but, if you are heading toward the S&W, go for it.

be safe, shoot well.

[New York Hunter]

Thanks a lot for replying, I really appreciate it! I'll probably get one this spring or even summer. Everything I've ever read about the SW1911 has been great. I just wanted to hear what other people thought of theirs! ^c

[cjblackmon]

NY Hunter,

I have a S&W Performance Center 1911 I picked up month ago, while I was waiting on the Springfield Leatham Legend TGO1 I ordered back in October 2005. I also had a Springfield Loaded (sold it to my friend when I bought the S&W)that I used for IDPA and Single Stack Matches but I never got used to the "6 O'clock aim" and it had fixed sites, so during a match, shooting plates screwed me up the first couple of shots because I'm so used to shooting "point of aim". I liked my Springfield very much it was accurate (when aimed correctly) and never gave me any problems.

I got my Springfield Leatham Legend two weeks ago. This sucker is beautiful! The pictures you see on the internet do not do it any justice, and it shoots wonderful. I've had 0 malfunctions in over 500 rounds (I'm still breaking it in), and it feels like it was made for my hands, it's a match made in heaven!

Here's the Problem, I've got my S&W PC1911 tuned and dailed in now, I can't put it down! Everyone keeps asking me why I'm not shooting the TGO and I say that I'm so confident with the Smith and it's running so well. Although the TGO has been reliable at the range with no malfunctions, shoots great, and is so accurate. I hate changing anything if it's working for me especially the gun!

So I have had a Springer Loaded and still have S&W 1911. IMHO...if you picked up the S&W you wont be disappointed. I'll say this...Had I bought the S&W first, I might have never ordered the TGO1. I'll shoot the TGO1 in a Match, someday...

[kraigster414]

The best of the current out of the box 1911a for under a grand. I love my 1911sc Commander.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kraigster414/SW1911sc/smith1911novaktrits003.jpg

[CarloPonti]

I love my full size S&W 1911. Had it for sale recently on Glock Talk. Took one of my Glocks out at the same time I took the 1911.

No comparison. I love Glock and will always love them, but 1911 pistols are in a different league. No malfunctions.

Had the billboard numbers/letters bead-blasted off the gun.
Beautiful. I would like a scandium commander sized one for summer carry.

Look here. http://glocktalk.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=5324273

carloponti

[Boston_Irish]

Love my SW1911's!
I own three of them, just plain love them!

[cjblackmon]

Kraigster,

Here's mine with the Grips I got from your friend. Didn't you take yours off recently?

Chad

[Catbird]

This SW1911 is my personal favorite of all my 1911s.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/Catbird1/SW1911-P01.jpg

[kraigster414]

Originally posted by cjblackmon
Kraigster,

Here's mine with the Grips I got from your friend. Didn't you take yours off recently?

Chad

Chad, I change grips like Imelda Marcos changes shoes. Yes, I have since installed thin profile grips (VZ Gators) and I really like them. Here they are along with my Tucker Texas Heritage IWB and thin monogramed AlumaGrips, the best of the IWB holsters IMHO. (Yeah, I like the Sparks Versamax 2 but I like the Tucker better -more comfortable and because it's thinner, even easier to conceal.)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kraigster414/SW1911sc/VZgatorgripssw1911scoutdoors002.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kraigster414/SW1911sc/tuckertexasheritage1911commander.jpg

[cjblackmon]

How in the Hell do you guys post your picture directly on the thread????

[kraigster414]

Originally posted by cjblackmon
How in the Hell do you guys post your picture directly on the thread????

http://photobucket.com/

Photo sites like the above make it very easy.

[cjblackmon]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e256/cjblackmon/MySTIHiPowerandPC1911008.jpg

Thanks Kraigster!!!

[SilverState]

For under $800, they are an excellent value and are 100% reliable right out of the box with all ammo:

http://sincitypitbulls.freeservers.com/SW1911PD.JPG

[kraigster414]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/kraigster414/SW1911sc/smith1911novaktrits003.jpg

The best of the out-of-the-box 1911s for under a grand. Shown is the S&W 1911 Scandium Commander. Folks seem to love 'em. You will too.

[cjblackmon]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e256/cjblackmon/MySTIHiPowerandPC1911002.jpg

But for a few dollars more...The Performance Center...

[F350Lawman]

All I can say is I have a 1911 SC Commander...whats not to like!:) :)

[New York Hunter]

Well I really like the full size Stainless Steel SW1911 #108282 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14718&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y) but I just noticed they make a full size Scandium Alloy Frame SW1911SC #108289 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14725&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y) which is the same size but weighs 9.5 oz. less then the stainless pistol. Both pistols have stainless steel slides, the frames are different. Anyone know how durable the "Scandium Alloy Frames" are? The Scandium Alloy Frames have a "Clear Anodized finish", I know this is going to sound really stupid, but what is that? Will the finish wear off? I wouldn't mind the lighter pistol! As always thanks, you guys have been a big help, I really appreciate it!!!;f :)

Here's the spec's on both pistols-

SKU: item_108282
Model: SW1911
Caliber: .45ACP
Capacity: 8+1 Rounds
Barrel Length: 5"
Front Sight: Dot Front Sight
Rear Sight: Novak Lo Mount Carry
Grip: Rubber Grips
External Safety: Single Side
Frame: Large
Finish: Matte
Overall Length: 8 3/4"
Material: Stainless Steel Frame and Slide
Weight Empty: 39 oz.

SKU: item_108289
Model: SW1911SC
Caliber: .45ACP
Capacity: 8+1 Rounds
Barrel Length: 5"
Front Sight: Dot Front Sight
Rear Sight: Fixed
Grip: Wood Grips
External Safety: N/A
Frame: Large
Finish: Clear Anodized
Overall Length: 8.7"
Material: Scandium Alloy Frame/Stainless Steel Slide
Weight Empty: 29.5 oz.

[Boston_Irish]

I have both the Scandium and the stainless. I shoot the heavier one more often and carry the scandium one. There is a difference in the way they "feel" when I shoot them. But that is definitely subjective. The Sc is a nicer carry, you can feel the difference in the weight. I personally shoot the stainless one every weekend and use it for pin shotts as well. If you plan to carry more than you shoot the Sc is your best bet(in my opinion). Remember it is a S&W so it anything goes wrong they will fix or replace it. You can't go wrong with either of them... just my .02
Check out the forum below.


http://smithandwessonforums.com/eve?cdra=Y&s=2171078201

Good luck!

[SilverState]

New York Hunter,

Look above at my previous post. That is the scandium 1911.

[eleckster]

I decided on a S&W after a fair ammount of research. I am throughly enjoying the pistol. It has not given me any problems, but I have only put 200 rounds through it. I have not herd anything bad about them. I just got some leather for it and took it out for diner last night. I think my Glock is getting jealous.

http://www.themansons.net/gallery4/albums/album02/SP1911PD1.jpg

[Skpotamus]

I have a Commander Pd , and a full size this one (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14721&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y) this baby (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=14719&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=)

Both were accurate and flawless until I had a trigger job put on the Scandium which caused slamfires. That had/has nothing to do with the gun, just a poor trigger job that is getting fixed.

[Kinny]

Originally posted by eleckster
I decided on a S&W after a fair ammount of research. I am throughly enjoying the pistol. It has not given me any problems, but I have only put 200 rounds through it. I have not herd anything bad about them. I just got some leather for it and took it out for diner last night. I think my Glock is getting jealous.

http://www.themansons.net/gallery4/albums/album02/SP1911PD1.jpg

Your Glock is not the only one getting jealous. I am too. ;P
What kind of grips are those? Looks very interesting. I'll be buying one more 1911 this year and it's a toss up between the Sig GSR and SW1911PD.

[eleckster]

Originally posted by Kinny
Your Glock is not the only one getting jealous. I am too. ;P
What kind of grips are those? Looks very interesting. I'll be buying one more 1911 this year and it's a toss up between the Sig GSR and SW1911PD.

Thanks for the compliment :)

The grips are Crimson Trace laser grips, custom for S&W. I liked the look and that was part of the reason I went with S&W. I have found the laser to be a unique way of targeting. Lasers can become a debated subject so, what I will say is, try one. I am becoming very fond of this as a carry piece.

I have herd good things about the Sig’s but have not handled one.

[army_eod]

Just picked up my Smith 1911SC and went to the range. Sweet gun. No malfunctions and accurate as all get out. Light, too. I fits in my fanny pack and I also have a IWB from Hume.

[beantown]

Have 6k+ rounds through my 5" stainless and it's running like a champ. Have about 500 rounds through my S&W Scandium Commander. Beautiful guns, great out of the box accuracy, you won't be sorry.

BT