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Suppressors S&W 1911??

skeetlee

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 13, 2008
1,564
35
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Central Illinois
I have been looking for a new 1911. I dont have any and i most likely will only buy or own just one so it needs to be a nice piece. I was looking at the S&W 1911's on line and doing a bit of reading. they seem like a nice value. Some will say that they dont like the external extractor, but that doesnt mean squat to me. Actually it sounds like a step above the original design. The model i am looking at is a basic model of there, with adj sites. No front cocking serrations and thats a plus in my book. Don't know about the so called MIM parts. I dont even really know what that means except i figure its a cheaper way of making the parts. Whats the opinion of these 1911 for our hide members here. I like reading what most of you have to say, so i thought i would ask here. Give me the good bad or the ugly. I am a big fella, and i can handle the truth!! LOL!!! Thanks guys! Lee
 
Re: S&W 1911??

I have a S&W alloy commander size pistol and I really like it. Nice trigger and good shooter. Has a firing pin safter that does NOT screw up trigger pull and I think the external extractor is easier to keep clean. I have a Springfield 45 also that is very good too but I have done a lot work to get it there. The S&W is my concealed carry weapon - I guess that is the highest compliment I can give (sold my Glock 22 after getting the S&W).
 
Re: S&W 1911??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mj2evans</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a S&W alloy commander size pistol and I really like it. Nice trigger and good shooter. Has a firing pin safter that does NOT screw up trigger pull and I think the external extractor is easier to keep clean. I have a Springfield 45 also that is very good too but I have done a lot work to get it there. The S&W is my concealed carry weapon - I guess that is the highest compliment I can give (sold my Glock 22 after getting the S&W). </div></div>

I had the same pistol, the "scandium" version,
it performed flawlessly, fed everything and was accurate....
great pistol..
 
Re: S&W 1911??

i have an earlier stainless S&W full size 1911. i am very happy with it. very reliable and more then accurate.
my dilikes are plastic MSH, front cocking serrations, and vertical grooves on the grip front.
the MSH is an easy fix. if you have some work done to personalize it, you are limited in what you can do to the front grip, but they sure look good replacing the front serrations with ball cuts--cam
 
Re: S&W 1911??

I have 2 S&W 1911s. First one I got was a 1911 Performance Center for IDPA, second was a base model for CCW. I have no legitimate complaints with either of them with approximately 10,000 rounds combined through them.

The bad:

1911PC - The stock ambi-safety is HUGE. My hands aren't big enough to cover the safety and depress the palm safety at the same time. When I don't keep my thumb on the safety I constantly hit it. I will be replacing it with a Wilson Combat ambi-safety shortly. It's heavy, but then again it isn't a carry gun. Wilson Combat sights are nice, but not the ideal setup for me.

Standard 1911 - Does not have an ambi-safety but the one it does have is a much more manageable size. I often shoot lefty so this is kind of a big deal. Wish it had night sights. Stock grips are shit. Barrel ramp was a little rough when I got it (didn't cause any problems but I polished it up anyway). Machining is rough on the inside of the slide although this is not uncommon with other base model 1911s I've had. Wish it had 30LPI checkering on the front strap.

None of these "flaws" affect form or function.

The Good:

1911PC - Shoots as well (maybe better) as my thunder ranch. The external extractor is a good design in my opinion - some people don't like them. VZ Operator Grips make it even better. Great trigger. Extremely reliable.

Standard 1911 - Good trigger. Daily carry gun. Enough said.

S&W customer service is second to none for me, although I live in MA so YMMV. Any questions just ask.

-Eric
 
Re: S&W 1911??

Everybody makes a nice 1911, and some don't. That being said, I have 9 1911's. I have Customs, Chinese, an Argentinian Liscensed copy, Colts, Springers, etc. If I were you, and it was my first, I would get a Colt series 80. The trigger pull thing mentioned is a non-starter.
 
Re: S&W 1911??

I just recently swapped guns for a S&W 1911PD, their scandium framed commander-length pistol and I'm completely blown away by the gun. Trigger is superb, frame/slide/barrel fit is VERY tight, everything is well put together and looks great. As for range results, take a look at the targets in the picture below... that's my pistol, those are my targets, and that's the first time I fired this gun...
15470_10100107134408649_6857742_55300856_176293_n.jpg
 
Re: S&W 1911??

The STI looks like a nice 1911 but i absolutely hate front cocking serations. That's my only requirement! Maybe i am weird, but thats just the way it going to go down!! Thanks fellas, I always appreciate your help!! Lee
 
Re: S&W 1911??

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The STI looks like a nice 1911 but i absolutely hate front cocking serations. That's my only requirement! Maybe i am weird, but thats just the way it going to go down!! Thanks fellas, I always appreciate your help!! Lee </div></div>

Another option with STI is starting with a stripped frame/slide kit. They have one without front serrations...
wink.gif
Of course then you're getting into a custom built pistol w/a custom built price.
 
Re: S&W 1911??

I've got the alloy version. It is really impressively light. I'm not a huge 1911 person (had a few but never held onto them) but I think this will probably end up being my token 1911 for the long term.

Fully loaded it's lighter to carry than my 4" XD.
 
Re: S&W 1911??

Smith and Wesson makes a greta 1911. I shoot 100,000 rounds on average a year thru handguns, mostly springers and customs, but I shoot alot with guys that shoot the Smiths. Kimber made the external extractor unpopular, their design sucks and did not function. The smiths are reliable and fine shooting. If you like 1911 design with external extractor, the smith is for you. Excellent customer service as well.