S&W 645 vs 1911

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StainlessFan

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Hi guys,

Seems like the smith .45s go for pretty reasonable prices, and come with features that are usually only found on more expensive 1911s... Plus it was the gun of choice for Sonny Crockett! Just wondering, why were they discontinued/not popular?

If there's anyone who has one and a 1911, how do they compare in size and ergonomics? I've read that they are big pistols, but seeing as they're single stack are they really much bigger than a 1911?

People in the states seem to be getting them for <$500... Can't believe you can get a full stainless steel pistol with front/backstrap checkering, ribbed barrel, and novak sights for that price! Does anyone know what an acceptable price in Canada would be?

Do they have issues with galling or something, or were the problems with stainless steel fixed by the late 80s?

Would appreciate anyone's opinion who owns one, thanks!
 
StainlessFan said:
Hi guys,

Seems like the smith .45s go for pretty reasonable prices, and come with features that are usually only found on more expensive 1911s... Plus it was the gun of choice for Sonny Crockett! Just wondering, why were they discontinued/not popular?

If there's anyone who has one and a 1911, how do they compare in size and ergonomics? I've read that they are big pistols, but seeing as they're single stack are they really much bigger than a 1911?

People in the states seem to be getting them for <$500... Can't believe you can get a full stainless steel pistol with front/backstrap checkering, ribbed barrel, and novak sights for that price! Does anyone know what an acceptable price in Canada would be?

Do they have issues with galling or something, or were the problems with stainless steel fixed by the late 80s?

Would appreciate anyone's opinion who owns one, thanks!
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Seasons 1 & 2 he used a Bren Ten in 10mm and season 5 he used a smith 4506.
 
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Had both. Sold the 1911. Like the beefier grip of the 645 and couldn't keep the 1911 as I liked my 645 & Sig 220 better. They are not that common and go for around $700 for excellent condition, in my experience. Might get a beater for $500 here.

I see no flaws in my SS, it's a beauty.
 
I'm with ^^. I even changed the standard grips of my 4506 out for the hogue versions, a little beefier and a better fit for my hand. The slide on the 4506 is wider than my 1911 but the overall dimensions are similar. I paid $800 for the 4506, in fantastic shape with 4 mags. It is an awesome shooter.
 
Nice looking guns! Definitely can see it's a bit bigger than the 1911, looks badass!

How is the SA trigger pull?

Of course Sonny used the Bren Ten for the first two seasons, I just don't see myself ever finding one up here for a sane price... The 4506 is pretty much the same gun as the 645, no?
 


Pretty similar, this pic it still wears the factory delrin grips. Kind of hard and slippery. Single action pull isn't bad, not 1911 crisp but doable. The double action pull feels like squeezing a sponge.
 
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Trigger pull is very soft on mine... someone obviously did some work on it. I was thoroughly impressed with it when I got it. It is a little bigger than a 1911 but the weight is close. Might be a little heavier but it's balanced well. Not sure why S&W killed the 645/745 model so soon as there seems to be a lot of love for them online. I've never handled a 4506 but they were the replacement.
 
Smith didn't really "kill" the 645, it simply changed to the 4506 when they introduced the 3rd Gen series of pistols, which were popular in the US with law enforcement. LAPD still authorizes the 4506 for carry and its quite popular. I work with an ex LAPD officer who still has his 4506-1 that he bought at the PD store there and carried for several years. He imported it when he moved up here, and despite my best efforts there is nooo way he will part with it. I own and have owned several of the 3rd Gen Smith's and they are all excellent pistols, solid, accurate, and reliable. Unfortunately they fell victim to the fantastic plastic craze.

As for a comparison with 1911's, I have owned numerous makes. I enjoy shooting them, but the Smith's always work. The 1911's, not so much.
 
I have both. The smith is very accurate and has nice trigger pulls in both single and double action, once you get used to the take up in the single action stroke. It is VERY large in the hand. I have smaller hands and have trouble wiping the saftey off reliably on the draw stroke. That said, it shoots like a dream. I won't sell it, but will probably shoot a 1911 more then i will it.
 
IIRC it wasn't a darling of IPSC because there were no 10 round mags.
Now with the new(ish) rules it doesn't fit where it should,
Nice pistol though.
 
st1264 said:
SampW645b0001_zpsc45cd84b.jpg

SampW645a0001_zpsd88e0344.jpg

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Had both. Sold the 1911. Like the beefier grip of the 645 and couldn't keep the 1911 as I liked my 645 & Sig 220 better. They are not that common and go for around $700 for excellent condition, in my experience. Might get a beater for $500 here.

I see no flaws in my SS, it's a beauty.
Click to expand...

What's the receiver they're sitting on? - dan
 
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