Don’t have a TRP, so I can’t compare. I will say that I think the E-series is the most underrated 1911 out there. Extremely good, reliable gun at a very good price.

 

1911-purists will always choose the Springfield over the e-Series because they dont like the external extractor on the S&W's. However, even Larry Vickers has said that S&W is the exception...they are the ONLY company to get the external extractor correct. I own an e-Series, it is currently my only stainless 1911 and I totally dig it. It's performance has been flawless so far...zero malfunctions in over 4500 rounds, and like yours, extremely accurate. I shot the TRP and its a really nice pistol (especially like the full dust cover model), but I would not say its a "better" 1911 than the e-Series.

However, fit and finish definitely goes to the TRP, they just did a nicer job. If I remember correctly, the controls (trigger, safety lever, slide stop, etc) just seemed a bit more refined and they blended in with the pistol. I like the roll marks on the TRP much better than the laser etching on my e-Series...but it obviously wasnt a deal-breaker for me, especially considering MSRP is almost $700 cheaper than the TRP. I dont mind the unusual slide serrations either. The only thing I truly dislike (esthetically) on my e-series is the black parts...they stick out like a sore thumb against the stainless finish. I much prefer how Springfield did it on the stainless TRP.

So yes, FOR THE PRICE, I would say with no hesitation that the e-series is every bit as good a 1911 as the TRP. In fact, I think it's the best bang-for-your-buck 1911 available.

 

I had a SS TRP some years back...very nice gun indeed. Nothing wrong with the TRP though I did trade it away. But I for sure do still have my S&W E-series and do not plan on ever getting rid of it (just sayin).

 

I have both and IMO the TRP is head and shoulders above the E Series. I'll admit I'm basing this on a sample size of 1 each, but my E Series is below my Rock Island in terms of fit and finish. Every single piece on that thing that can rub, does. After 50 rounds the gun looked like I had shot 5,000. Deep gouging on the trigger, the slide and dust cover rub really bad, you can still see the machining marks all over the inside of the frame and on the feed ramp, magazines stick, and the trigger is very heavy. It just doesn't feel like a quality tool at all.

My TRP is the exact opposite.

 

I have both and IMO the TRP is head and shoulders above the E Series. I'll admit I'm basing this on a sample size of 1 each, but my E Series is below my Rock Island in terms of fit and finish. Every single piece on that thing that can rub, does. After 50 rounds the gun looked like I had shot 5,000. Deep gouging on the trigger, the slide and dust cover rub really bad, you can still see the machining marks all over the inside of the frame and on the feed ramp, magazines stick, and the trigger is very heavy. It just doesn't feel like a quality tool at all.

My TRP is the exact opposite.

My experience with the E Series differs.

Nothing rubs, the fit and finish is at least as good as that of other similarly priced production pistols, and there’s not a tool mark anywhere inside or out, even in “hidden” areas.

I’ve been a very early adopter of The E Series, and in fact rolling design and production changes were implemented due to the difficulties encountered with my original very early production example which S&W eventually had to replace.

The replacement pistol has been exemplary in function, and acceptably accurate for a production pistol.

I’d recommend one to a friend.

 

My experience with S.A. is mixed (no TRP):

- an early "Loaded": never ran reliably; long a dedicated frame for a .22LR conversion. With >20yrs of experience debugging 1911s now, I might ought to get it running: with 150,000rds of .22LR through it, the trigger is scary smooth.

- a Trophy Master, bought used on G.B. (last I'll do that!). The former owner had done work on it: ugly and in some elements wrongly, but it ran. Won my division in a lot of steel plate matches shooting it. Impossible to know if the reliability was a result of or in despite of the bubba'ing.
--
SW1911PC, as I understand it: an E-series with more hand-fitting "polish" in the P.C. Utterly reliable: in >4,000rds, zero failures. Due to fit and polish, extraordinarily accurate. All ergos are great: smoothed to the point of a "melted" treatment; trigger light and crisp; checkering and slide serrations functional and attractive. The pistol is an amazing value considering all the features, the accuracy and the OotB reliability.

 

I have both and have used both in competition for many years. I agree with comments made that the E-Series pistols are likely the most underrated in the category. Excellent value at their price point for what you get. The TRP is also an excellent pistol, but I believe they are a bit overpriced. I was lucky enough to find mine in the 2nd-hand market, so sticker shock wasn't an issue. I don't know if I would pay full retail for one, though. (Full disclosure: I prefer to get my pistols 'used' whenever possible.) If torn between the two, and budget is an issue, you're not losing anything by going with the S&W, in my opinion.

 

I bought a used commander size E series a while ago for $950. Guy bought it, new, and returned it, one day later. (Got a Glock instead.) He said it jammed and shot left of aim. It did not shoot left of aim. It did jam. A couple of finger turns with a finish reamer helped. Some 800 grit sandpaper where the barrel feed ramp met the barrel chamber for an ever so slight radius did the rest. It has not jammed since. On anything. I think I added a bit of relief to the sear to fix very minimal trigger creep. For whatever reason, the grips don’t feel just right. But that is me. Nice gun. I like the external extractor. The fish scales on the slide work well. I think that I got a good one on fitting otherwise. To be fair to S&W, I think it might have straightened itself out with 500-1000 rounds. It is very very light in weight. Really a lot of gun for the money. I prefer used guns. Drives the price down. I like it even more if there is a perceived problem. Really drives the price down.

 

And it certainly helps if you know how to correct minor problems in an other wise good firearm.

 

Well, a small marriage is not difficult to eliminate, so such options can be taken either used or discounted. But if there is a serious defect, then even half the price may not be profitable, because the elimination of the marriage can take much more money.

 

I don’t think the E-Series can be as good as TRP because I believe it’s parts are made with larger “interacting tolerances” to minimize hand-fitting during assembly. I do believe they are more consistent gun to gun because of that, so while you can have a great TRP or a so so TRP you will always have a decent E-Series.

E-Series was my first 1911 and same as mentioned above was always reliable but only has combat accuracy. Great options for the price, no doubt.

 

Here is my Series E. I run Chip McCormick Power Mags and not one feed / ejection issue. I love this gun. I owned a Sig P220 when I got this lovely and the Sig is now history.

 

Here is my Series E. I run Chip McCormick Power Mags and not one feed / ejection issue. I love this gun. I owned a Sig P220 when I got this lovely and the Sig is now history.

Very nice! For the last five years, my EDC is essentially the same model pistol: the SW1911PC, as I understand it, is a SW1911SC sent through the S&W Performance Center for some detailing, then packaged with distinct finish and furniture. Near 5K rounds without a malfunction. Controls crisp and positive. Ideal texturing on the grip frame and MSH. The OEM grip stocks were a bit thick for my hands: replaced them with a different set of S&W stocks. Between those ergonomics, the really good fitting and the Briley barrel bushing: excellent practical accuracy.

One point of which to be aware: the SW1911PC frame finish is soft, doesn’t wear well carried in a Kydex holster. Even my skin is wearing bright points on the textured areas ( my skin oils and/or sweat is unusually caustic ). In your photos, the finish on your SW1911SC looks likely to be the same finish. So in case that new look is important to you, just giving a heads-up regarding Kydex.

Yours has a rear sight better suited to CCW than the factory sight was on mine ( replaced fairly early on ). Glad to see S&W(?) has improved that.

Thanks for posting.