I just thought I'd put up a little note mentioning the new addition and what I think of it from the start. Today I received the S&W SW1911TA in .45 caliber. It is the tactical model with a light rail, night sights, checkered front strap, scalloped slide serrations, and many other nice features. Overall it is a fine weapon. It looks like a piece of art as long as you don't get close enough to notice the lawyer roll marks.
Some observations I've made:
-the frame to slide fit is decent, but nowhere near as tight as my Dan Wesson Specialist.
- The trigger has a little slack when you take it up, and has a slightly longer reset than my STI Escort (the Dan Wesson just takes a flinch to reset, so I can't compare the two). It is a far cry better than the Rock Island and ATI that I have here, but I was expecting perfection for the price point.
-the black finish looks amazing, and all machining is very well done. I can't find tool marks on it anywhere.
-the thumb safety feels a little sloppy. It isn't bad, but I'm used to the distinct click in both positions and this one just doesn't impress me. Still better than the imports I have, but not custom shop material if you ask me.
-the grip safety rattles a bit, another small annoyance that probably would go unnoticed to most folks, but it is there.
-the grips are beautiful and the S&W logos and branding are clean looking on the slide (minus the small, subdued lawyer talk beneath it)
-the low profile night sights are easy to pick up in bright light or in the dark.
-The plastic hard case is a nice touch. S&W has disappointed me lately shipping just about everything I've ordered in cheap cardboard boxes. I was happy it came in a case like they all should. Even a RIA comes in a plastic case!
Overall, I feel this is a great gun for the money. It's not going to make me regret buying the Dan Wesson Specialist, but for the price I'd say it would be a good deal for somebody looking for a railed 1911. After a few bad experiences with Kimber pistols, I'm glad there are plenty of nice offerings. I'd recommend the E-Series to anybody who's been eyeballing Kimber pistols and others in the same price range. It isn't the tightest fitting pistol out there, but it isn't the most expensive either, and I believe it would make an excellent service pistol.
Some observations I've made:
-the frame to slide fit is decent, but nowhere near as tight as my Dan Wesson Specialist.
- The trigger has a little slack when you take it up, and has a slightly longer reset than my STI Escort (the Dan Wesson just takes a flinch to reset, so I can't compare the two). It is a far cry better than the Rock Island and ATI that I have here, but I was expecting perfection for the price point.
-the black finish looks amazing, and all machining is very well done. I can't find tool marks on it anywhere.
-the thumb safety feels a little sloppy. It isn't bad, but I'm used to the distinct click in both positions and this one just doesn't impress me. Still better than the imports I have, but not custom shop material if you ask me.
-the grip safety rattles a bit, another small annoyance that probably would go unnoticed to most folks, but it is there.
-the grips are beautiful and the S&W logos and branding are clean looking on the slide (minus the small, subdued lawyer talk beneath it)
-the low profile night sights are easy to pick up in bright light or in the dark.
-The plastic hard case is a nice touch. S&W has disappointed me lately shipping just about everything I've ordered in cheap cardboard boxes. I was happy it came in a case like they all should. Even a RIA comes in a plastic case!
Overall, I feel this is a great gun for the money. It's not going to make me regret buying the Dan Wesson Specialist, but for the price I'd say it would be a good deal for somebody looking for a railed 1911. After a few bad experiences with Kimber pistols, I'm glad there are plenty of nice offerings. I'd recommend the E-Series to anybody who's been eyeballing Kimber pistols and others in the same price range. It isn't the tightest fitting pistol out there, but it isn't the most expensive either, and I believe it would make an excellent service pistol.