[Martowski]

Curious how you who own Smith and Wesson 945 pistols feel it compares in accuracy with your nicer 1911's? Have been thinking of picking up a Dan Wesson Specialist and I already have a PC1911 from the S&W Performance Center, but wondering if a 945 might be another comparable option.

How does the 945 feel in hand compared to a 1911? I don't have huge hands so I typically put Greider short solid triggers in all my 1911's.

Thanks!

 

[dakota1911]

You might want to cruise the S&W forums as there have been threads about these and pictures. There might be some posts about them in the S&W area on this forum. First of all there is no "one" 945. Mine is an early no dash 5 inch but there were dash 1 and dash 2 guns. There were shorter barrel lengths for sure and I heard there was a 6 inch. There were SS ones like mine and blued ones and bicolor ones. Time for a picture.



I have pretty large hands and love mine but although they look sort of like a 1911 I don't think many of the parts interchange. The magazines for instance are different. I am not sure you could put a short 1911 trigger in one. Maybe a question for one of the S&W boards.

Accuracy of mine is up there with the best 1911s. You are under three inches at 50 yards with a Ransom rest and the right ammo. In Colt land a few of my Gold Cups and my SCG and oddly enough my WMK WWI repo did that from the factory.

In prep school and college I used to shoot bullseye and I used a Colt Gold Cup, a S&W 52 and a S&W 41. If I had had this back then I would have been all S&W, but, as I mentioned, it fits my hand well. On 1911s I like a flat MSH and long trigger.

I would try and at least hold one before you buy it if possible.

 

[RetiredRod]

I don't own a 945, but one of my best shooting buddies does. Until he got his 945, my several thousand dollar custom built 1911 was the most accurate gun in our shooting circle. The 945 changed that. It is the most accurate center-fire handgun I have ever personally shot or seen shot. It's accurate and it's reliable. How rugged it is, I have no idea. It has an excellent trigger and sights, and is a joy to shoot.

 

[Martowski]

Thanks. Unfortunately I have no way of looking at a 945 in person, so it would be a "sight unseen" deal. Will probably stay with another 1911 but would love to see a 945 in person.

 

[jfrey]

I can't really speak for the 945, but my FIL has an 845 and it is a real shooter. Will hold it's own with the 1911 any day. Fantastic trigger. He also has a 952-1 which is the blued model that is the best 9mm I've ever shot. That includes my Hi Power too.

 

[Condition One]

I own the 945 that RetiredRod is talking about. It is the most accurate pistol I have ever shot and I have a Wilson CQB and a Baer long slide. I purchased this pistol back in 2001 and I don't ever remember having a failure of any kind.

 

[rbert0005]

Here is just a tease for you.

Bob

 

[Martowski]

Wow... that is one fantastic looking pistol.

Anyone know of any shops in the Dallas, TX, area that might have one in stock to look at?

 

[rbert0005]

Not like this.
There were 68 of these made in 03.

There were some made that are similar though. You would have to keep your eyes open for one.

Bob

 

[NDL]

The M945 is amongst the most accurate 45s with an incredible trigger - with the only downside being proprietary parts. I'd say it has a grip that's somewhat better for smaller hands than the 1911. They're becoming a collectible - so I'd strongly consider getting one.

And by strange co-incidence I happen to have a twin to the one rbert0005 has. We have 2 of the 68. Here's a pic of mine:

 

[jjfitch]

The 945 is indeed one of the most accurate 1911's period, along with the 952, PPC-9's and the early PC 1911's. They are everything you need for 1.5 inch at 50 yards and nothing you don't.

I have recently contemplated selling a few guns and completing this list:
S&W;
52
PPC-9*
952
945
41*
PC1911 (early model)*

Target models:
M/K17*
M/K14*
M/K19*

6* down and 3 to go!

Nothing like cutting X's at 50 yards!

 

[Martowski]

Okay, out of curiosity, what should I look for in a 945? Should I look for a no dash, -1, etc? I saw some have "wavy" slide serrations like those pictured above, yet others have scalloped ones. Any insight?

 

[NDL]

What I would look for is NIB - there's still a bunch available. I wouldn't make myself nuts with the various iterations.

 

[peacebutready]

What I would look for is NIB - there's still a bunch available. I wouldn't make myself nuts with the various iterations.

Where should one search? Gunbroker?

I guess they were too pricey for S&W to continue making them.

 

[pacific keeper]

I really like mine also ...

 

[easytoremember]

Please beware there are no accessories that I know of for this pistol. Nofiber opticsight, no grips...... nothing. Other than that I love mine. With a 1911 you can customize it till you runout of money.

 

[Case XX 6383]

I have a 945 and several 1911's. It is not a 1911, but many parts interchange. I hated the trigger and put in a grieder 1911 trigger. I've ran a 1911 hammer but changed it back. The hammer in the picture is a Springfield 1911 hammer. It is a bigger feel than a 1911 so small hands may not like it. I rarely shoot it but I wouldn't let it go, because I told the guy I got it from that I wouldn't.