I’ve owned this gun for over a year now and I’m slowly inching toward the 1k round mark so I figured it’s time to do a review…
When I got the gun in I was impressed with the over all fit and finish of the gun, especially since it’s a production 1911. The trigger was short and crisp as you’d expect with a little overtravel (fixed that), the safety clicked positively on and off, the undercut trigger guard felt good in the hand, and the orignal wood grips were nicer than most facory grips I’ve handled over the years.
Here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons:
Pros:
-Accurate
-Reliable (only 1 malfunction ever which was on the 2nd mag ever through the gun using a Wilson 47D mag FWIW)
-Fit and finish are nice for the price range of the gun
-Comes standard with Trijicon night sights
-Scalloped grip surface on the slide ensure good grip even under adverse conditions
-Top of the slide is serrated to prevent glare when looking through the sights
-Good trigger (consistent pull, crisp)
-Standard 1913 style rail for attaching lights/lasers/ect… (maybe even a bayonet! I kid…)
Cons:
-Cost
-Limited capacity (generally 7-10+1)
-“safety” warning on the frame
-Relatively large roll mark
-Overtravel screw on the trigger (not optimal for defensive guns in my opinion)
-Ambi-safety (personal preference)
All in all I really like this gun and it will be a keeper; not selling this one! Here’s a review where we do some shooting on the steel plates, a tabletop discussion with disassembly/assembly, and some chrono testing with some duty loads.
One other slight “con” on these S&W’s is that the rear sight cut is not a standard “Novak” cut. The standard Novak cut has become so common that there are myriad choices is one wants to replace a rear sight. Not so with the proprietary S&W 1911 cut.
Not a deal killer, IMO, but something to consider.
Good point Rosco, even though I think that more and more manufacturers are making rear sights for these S&W 1911’s now. Even 10-8 Performance has a rear sight for the S&W.
Still kicking myself for not picking up one of these slightly used on the cheap recently. I had a weak moment when my inner adult won; won’t let that happen again, lol!
Plouffedaddy, how is the barrel lock-up on your gun? Every S&W 1911 I’ve ever handled had a poor fitting, loose lock-up. I even looked at a E-series bobtail yesterday and the same issue, albeit better then some I’ve seen. It wouldn’t be too much of an issue for me because I plan on installing a threaded barrel but I feel that a $1100 gun should be fitted better then this.
No issues on mine; I’ve heard of it happening to others though.
Plouffedaddy, how is the barrel lock-up on your gun?
It’s pretty tight around the bushing but I’ve never really checked around the hood or lugs… I’ll check when I get home. Honestly, I just shot it and it’s been accurate so I never really investigated further… I should have though—I’ll check it out.
Got mine in today and put 50 rounds through it no problem. The over all fit and finish is very nice but the action is a little rough but I think that will smooth out over time. I think this gun is way over sprung out of the box and I will be changing springs as well as putting an infinity trigger in very soon. Other than that I like it. She is heavy though
I wish someone would talk me out of buying the one sitting at my gunstore for $850.00. I know myself and havent been able to stop thinking about this gun. I swore a couple of years ago that i would never go back to a 1911. Also giving heavy thought to a Colt 70 Series (hammer bite keeps me away).
I’ll check when I get home. Honestly, I just shot it and it’s been accurate so I never really investigated further… I should have though—I’ll check it out.
