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One more 1911 joined the family, S&W this time!

2K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  SamPacecho 
#1 ·
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.

 
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#3 ·
Thanks for the review, beautiful 1911.

I have looked at the E series, and glad someone else finds them the same as me,
Nice, pretty, good finish, ok trigger, but not near STI, Dan Wesson, or tight as SA. Good buy for the price.

Nice Guns though, may own one sooner or later.


Jim
 
#5 ·
Nice looking piece. You all have danced around the $$'s. So, what is the msrp and what can one expect to pay for a new one?
I really like the front strap texturing on a 1911. It really makes a good grip for me.
I realized the other day that I had no (none, nada) .45acp's other than what was in my gun and what was stored for shtf. Wally was out, of course, so I picked up two 50 count boxes ($26+ per) at the local gun shop. I keep looking round, and figured that $53 was most of the way to dies for .45acp, and put them back. Looks like I get to order some more toys. :)
 
#6 ·
The retail price of the tactical model seems to be hovering at around $1100 to $1150. Slick Guns has one listed for $995 right now, which is less than I paid for mine at distributor cost.

I really like the one Gino posted with the bobbed grip. I wanted one of those but when offered the one I ended up with I couldn't turn it down, especially in all black.
 
#7 ·
Got to figure around the $1,000.00 to $1,200.00 LOP.
Put another 75 rds thru it and 75 rds thru my Kimber tonight shooting IDPA.
Both ran great.
Tractiongrips, sorry to hear you had problems with Kimber, my CDP II has been a great pistol so far. I use it almost every week and it just keeps getting better.
As for the S&W, I agree with you on the trigger, mine is good, but I'm going to buy and fit one in to get rid of the up and down movement and make the creep alittle less. As for the safteys mine are tight. The frame to slide is on par with my Kimber, Para and SA. Not custom, but for the $$ it's not bad.
So far the 7 and 8 rd mags that came with it are working fine also.
Did you shoot it yet? Mine is very accurate, I also have Crimson Trace laser grips for mine. And I can hit the side of a barn no problem:)
 
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