Teach me about the Smith and Wesson ''E'' series 1911.

General Firearms Handguns - 1911
1

I want to get a black one, with a 4.5’’ barrel. No suppressor in the future.

Here’s what I wanna know:

What is the trigger like, and who makes it?

What is the safety like, is it ambi, and who makes it?

What are the mainspring, trigger, and recoil spring weights?

Who makes the barrels?

Is the anything else (misc.) I should know.

Do they come in 9x19mm, and if so, are there any good single stack 9x19mm magazines?

It will go nice with a S&W Model 19 I just inherited. (Which I need to shoot. It has only 150 rounds through it!)

My mission, and why I want one:

I want a single stack 9x19mm handgun, and I currently have no desire to get a Kahr pistol, and add non-standard non-findable parts to my inventory. I want my weapon serviceable by ME. I’m willing to learn the quirks of the 1911 more thoroughly to do so. I would have bought an HK but P7M8 parts are scarcer than 1911 parts. I would have just gone without, but a family member said they’d pay for it, because I payed off their mortgage.

I also want to own a S&W 1911, and like their external extractor.

Glock couldn’t have just made a single stack 9x19mm G19 sized gun, huh?

2

http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/01/s-e-series-1911-first-look.html

http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011/04/s-e-series-detailed-review.html

http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html

http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_770151_-1_757752_757751_image

I do not know of any plans for a 9mm version of the “E” Series guns, but sooner or later one will probably show up.

I do not know the specific mfg of the parts, but the ambi-safety worked fine while it was on the gun. The barrel is functional and accurate. The trigger is the run of the mill 3 hole aluminum unit. It does what it is supposed to do. The trigger mechanism on mine are great and break nicely with a hint of creep. I have no idea who makes them and I’m not certain it matters. They work properly and the guns as a whole are excellent examples of what can be done with a production gun that doesn’t break the bank.

3

As noted in the above post, 10-8 is the best source of info on the ‘E’ series. I’ve been diligently looking for one, and have yet to see one in my local stores. Here’s another threaddiscussing the ‘E’ series, with some links to the threads on 10-8.

4

Thanks guys. I want to keep this thread bumped, just in case any good info showed up. However, I appreciate the links.

5

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_785108_-1_770151_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

This is the model I want.

Could this be safely, and RELIABLY converted to 9x19mm?

I assume the extractor could be a problem. Am I wrong?..

Magazine Catch - would be changed to 10-8 Performance model.

Sights - would be changed to 10-8 Performance model.

Slide Catch - would be changed to 10-8 Performance model.

Safety - would be changed to non-ambi model.

Grips - would be changed to CTC grips.

Hammer - would be changed to the type used on MEU(SOC) contract pistols. Can’t remember the name right now.

6

no, the breechface is larger for .45 vs. 9mm. not a cost effective option to convert as the best way is to have a dedicated 9mm slide built and then there are a few concerns. your best option is to start off with a dedicated 9mm. i have had a couple of springfield loaded models in 9mm that performed well. you may want to look at one of those or an STI in 9mm for your project. if you need the commander length a colt would be one to look at as well.

7

You would basically have to replace the entire top end of the gun and then mill the frame out so that it would accept a ramped barrel.

Give it time if you can. Since S&W has 9mm 1911 guns they will likely carry that through to the “E” Series sooner or later.

Otherwise, you may want to consider some of the options majette laid out for you.

8

S&W is pretty much the brand I want. As they offer high end 1911 features for standard production prices, and I like their external extractor design.

I will wait until the 9x19mm model comes out, with melonite finish, commander slide, and bobbed scandium frame.

At least I know what I want now.

Still. Any other information would be appreciated. Thanks, all.

9

Im a huge fan of the “E” Series guns. If I hear of anything I will post it.

Knowing what you want is the key to getting the gun you want. :agree:

I hope you don’t have to wait too long.

10

Same here. Hope I don’t get beat up for having a 9x19mm 1911 with 4.25’’ barrel, and external extractor.

A Colt Commander hammer would work on a 9x19mm gun right?..

11

Yes. Parts like the hammer, sear, etc. are the same from caliber to caliber. Extractors will be different as will slide stops and firing pins (although many manufacturers use the .38 super/9mm firing pins in .45 ACP guns). The firing pin hole in the breech face would be sized according to which firing pin is being used.

12

If you’re going to run hard in a dirty environment may I suggest you look at the grip safeties without the “rock-catcher” slot?

WC has this set up on the Specops9; so do others but that’s the easiest reference point. My point is that the smooth sweep grip safeties leave no room for debris or rocks to get caught which can block the hammer as it comes back with the slide cycle.

I know, WC did it for better concealment on theirs, but it works great on regular guns as well.

13

Maybe it’s just me but it seems like you would have to really like that specific external extractor a LOT, because once you get done replacing everything you’re talking about replacing to make it a 9mm the way you want it, I would guess you could afford a semi-custom from one of the various makers of high-end 1911s. If part of the attraction is the price, that part will be long gone by the time you do the conversion, won’t it?

14

I’ve decided to wait until they just release one of them in 9x19mm. Or find a damn good reason I need to be armed with a .45 ACP gun, and add a new caliber into my stable. Which is EXTREMELY unlikely to happen.

The cost of parts to get the gun the way I want it (not including the most expensive parts: sights, and magazines) it’ll be under $100. Right around that mark.

Wait… hold on. Somebody mentioned this: Why replace the beavertail safety?

15

Sorry! I posted that about the grip safety in the wrong thread. I meant for it to gone in the thread about the frame/slide build up.:suicide2::suicide2:

The only reason I can give is the meds for my knee made my head foggy. :alcoholic: The surgery is later today so the goofy meds will end soon.

My mistake! I apologize.:rolleyes:

16

I think you’re going to be waiting for quite a while, considering that the 9x19 guns involve quite a bit of retooling and changes to the overall gun in order to make run reliably, and with this new run of 1911s, coupled with the fairly niche status most 9x19 1911s have, it would be quite a while before Smith would want to create an entirely new line of tooling and divert resources into making one.

There are many good handguns out there with impeccable reputations that come in 9x19 that are also 1911-style, from Wilson Combat to STI to a few others, but I would bet you’ll be waiting a few years at least for Smith to begin to consider such a beast.

Also, is there any reason, aside from it being a different caliber to feed, to resist the idea of using a .45 ACP? there are benefits to the caliber.

17

There are benefits, but they aren’t really applicable to me. I’m going to start handloading soon, and I’m really close to just calling it off and buying a Kahr. So the main reason I’m going to go with 1911 is because parts for a 1911 are very easy to find. Magazines are plentiful, springs are everywhere, etc. I’m pretty sure a model in .45 would actually make this even more true. I just prefer the cheaper caliber for more training.

Also, 1911s are cooler than hell, easier to shoot, and easier to find holsters, sights, and other things for.

But as a ‘‘service’’ gun, it’d be hard to justify buying 3 of them (training, service, backup) unless I were saving money somewhere else. Like logistics.

But I’m not trying to get anybody to convince me to buy one, or justify my purchase. I’ve already done the math in my head, and have decided to do it. I just had an easier time deciding knowing that S&W makes 9x19mm models already, so I wouldn’t have to wait that much longer for one.

But if I was going compact .45 1911, it’s hard for me not to take the easier way out, and buy an HK45C, my main reason for going with a 1911, was because neither HK or Glock makes a single stack 9x19mm pistol. Which led me to my only reliable options: Kahr, or 1911.

See my dilemma?..

I think sometime within the next year, I’ll take the plunge and integrate .45 ACP S&W 1911s into my ‘‘armory’’. One reason being that .45 is extremely easy to find in the United States, and if all else fails, I will be flexible, and will have learned to effectively shoot the two most common pistols in the U.S.

This is a pretty hard one for me. As I don’t need it. I want it. I’m just trying to rationalize it for myself.

Sorry for the rant, you kind of opened up a can of worms for me. :expressionless:

18

Handloading for the .45 is just as easy as the 9x19. I agree regarding a compact 1911 vs. an HK45C, although I will tell you I have a lot easier time concealing a full-size 1911 than I do an HK45C, and i’m a big guy.

ALso, if you want a small compact 1911-style single stack in 9x19, you might consider the Springfield EMP.

19

Magic you might want to wait a little while longer until the teething process is complete on these. I have read a lot of guys having issues and S&W having to replace guns…

Here is one instance that wasn’t pretty but worked out in the end. There are a few other threads elsewhere…
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_5_4/111263_UPDATE___My_defective_SandW_E_Series_1911_____HAS_BEEN_REPLACED_by_SandW.html

20

I must have missed it, but did S&W say they were making an E series in 9mm???

C4