The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: bafsu92 on June 22, 2010, 09:54:32 PM
-
I've got an offer for my Kimber I've got listed for a full sized SW1911PD. I don't know much about them but they seem to have good reviews. I'm for the most part a 1911 purist so I'm not really keen on the external extractors on the S&W & Sig 1911's. Supposedly it's pretty reliable but I'm just not sure. The other issue is I'd have to spend $60+ for a good ambi safety since I'm a lefty so I'm not sure if it's a good deal. Does anyone have any experience with these?
-
While it may not be a purist's 1911 the S&W 1911PD is a very good gun. I've had one for several years and it has been boringly reliable (not a single problem to date) and is very accurate. It is what I use to introduce people to 1911s as it is lighter weight but is still absorbs much of the recoil. I have never had a moments regret about buying it. Lord knows I can't say that about too many of my other purchases. ;D
-
thanks Ichiban. Everything I could find sounded positive and if anyone knows how to make an external extractor it should be S&W. I Like the idea of the scandium frame and if I really ended up hating the top end I could always swap out one of the Series 70 Colt slides I have squirreled away.
-
If all things were equal (which they never are) and I had to choose between a S&W and Kimber, I'd go with the Smith. YMMV.
-
I could see that, I've had some exceptional Kimber's and some that were not so great. I even had one that I took in trade that if I didn't know better I would've sworn it was a chinese built copy of a Kimber. When I sent that one back to them it came back to me with an entire new top end and many hours of machine work on the slide along with all new, fitted lower internals. Basically everything that could be done that kept the same serial number. I will give them credit though, it was all done at no charge and no argument and I wasn't the original owner. Excellent service.
-
I've heard alot of good about S&W 1911's and experienced a little bad.
My future SIL bought one used, plenty of problems, a few trips to Springfield for repairs (about 40 miles) and they counldn't correct the problem. He traded it away on a Bushmaster to get rid of it. Our local FFL wouldn't even put the gun on consignment.
A fella at my range had identical FTE problems with all sorts of assorted mags, same thing and that was a high end Doug Koenig model.
"Caveat Emptor"....good luck.
In all fairness, I've heard similar issues with a lot of other brands of 1911's, including some budget busters...
-
I still haven't decided to take it. I've never really debated this much on something in this price range before. I've read and heard a lot more good than bad but the bad I've heard really scares me. If I knew the person involved I'd probably pull the trigger but I always worry that I'll be the one to get someone else's problem.
-
We're pretty restricted up here so I couldn't buy everything I wanted to try. S&W is well represented (since they build them here) and so is Para Ordnance. I'm used to the series 70 and 80 systems with internal extractors so I went with the monster extractor that Para uses.
I have no complaints with the Para, like "Mikey", it'll eat anything I feed it and poop it out on schedule every time.
Smith & Wesson should stand by everything they make and from reports I've read, they do just that. My SIL had a turd but that doesn't mean they're problematic. Darn near every other auto loader on the planet uses an external extractor, some better than others I guess.
-
I can't speak for thier run of th emill 1911s, but thier dk model is very nice. Its also a deal at about $2500. it would cost you alot more to build that gun.
-
YES YES YES!!!!
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm182/twyacht/The45.jpg)
I can personally vouch for a S&W 1911. Mine is a Gold Cup, with a few "tweaks" but it is a 100% reliable, no muss no fuss 45ACP platform
NO issues, eats all ammo, added Wolff Springs, trigger job, ambi-safety, Novak Sights, and use Wilson Combat Mags. That's cause I'm a lefty, and I like Wolff Springs.
The amount of "meat" on the extractor, makes it very simple and effective. It is not just "thrown" together. Like the M+P, S&W got their 1911 line right.
They know how 1911 owners, buyers, are. ;)
I will pass this one down, it is that good.
-
What about the extra "drop Safety" that ties in with the grip safety twyacht? I've read someone saying it affected the way they had to grip the pistol, like it took a lot more force to activate than you'd normally need in a 1911. I would assume you could remove it but the last thing you really want to do is start removing safeties from a carry gun.
-
Owned the pistol for over 3 years, bought it NIB, never had to change/alter/modify my grip. Grip safety is very easy, and has never been a concern or issue.
Too many variables, from "someone" having to grip harder to activate. Most of that was pre-2005 production, and has long been resolved by S&W. Per Coptalk forums: Jan 2004. Massad Ayoob.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_167_28/ai_110457309/
Cocked and locked .45s are still found in police holsters in Denver, Las Vegas, and a host of smaller PDs. S&W's new one takes regular 1911 magazines, and is made up of the best 1911 after-market parts on an in-house frame and slide. Though they're assembled at the moment by the master pistolsmiths of the Performance Center, price is equivalent to entry-level Kimber and Springfield Armory guns similarly configured. The grip safety operates the passive firing pin safety that drop-safes the pistol, though on a different principle than the old Swartz parent of Colt's that Nehemiah Skids revitalized for the Kimber 11 series. I had a little trouble making the grip safety work, but most people didn't, and it's being tweaked at the factory anyway. I'm authorized to carry a drop-safe 1911 on duty, and look forward to testing the S&W 1911 in the field.
Recently--and prematurely buried next to Colt in the cemetery of guns that fell out of favor with police departments--Smith & Wesson is climbing out of the grave. As far as the law enforcement market, S&W is "back from the dead and ready to party."
That's also why I have a full size M+P .40. ;D
Please do not remove any safeties. It can burn you in court, let alone cause a AD or ND.
-
I was going to make the trade but in looking for SW1911's on Gunbroker I ran across this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=175656066 (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=175656066)
I decided I'd rather have the rail and the ambi-safety and I planned on selling the Crimson Traces off the pistol I was going to trade for anyway so $200+ cheaper seems like the way to go. I ended up trading my Kimber for 2 Sigs, a P220 and a P226 so I may just sell one of those and put a little cash with it and buy the gunbroker S&W. My wife's been wanting a 226 so maybe if I give this one to here I can just buy the Smith.
-
WOW how did I miss this thread??? :o
I have been carrying a S&W1911PD for 3 years and it has been the pride and joy of my collection. IMHO I can't find a production 1911 that compares to the S&W. The internal parts are heavy and well machined, the only MIM parts on the gun are the hammer and slide catch. I cannot endorse this firearm enough.
Here are a thousand words.
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/WhiteFeather93/IMG_00322.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/WhiteFeather93/IMG_092412.jpg)
-
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/WhiteFeather93/IMG_00322.jpg)
Thats hot
-
WOW how did I miss this thread??? :o
I have been carrying a S&W1911PD for 3 years and it has been the pride and joy of my collection. IMHO I can't find a production 1911 that compares to the S&W. The internal parts are heavy and well machined, the only MIM parts on the gun are the hammer and slide catch. I cannot endorse this firearm enough.
Here are a thousand words.
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/WhiteFeather93/IMG_00322.jpg)
(http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i28/WhiteFeather93/IMG_092412.jpg)
I don't know how you missed it, but I'm darned glad you found it....WOW, nice photo of a beautiful gun. Man a 1911 is a beautiful thing (do I need psychological help for this?) to look at. Both elegant, and all business at the same time.........JMB was a genius.
-
I don't know how you missed it, but I'm darned glad you found it....WOW, nice photo of a beautiful gun. Man a 1911 is a beautiful thing (do I need psychological help for this?) to look at. Both elegant, and all business at the same time.........JMB was a genius.
+1