S&W Performance Center 9mm 1911

[Mr. Goodtimes]

What do the experts think of this gun? I recently attended the smith S&W M&P armorers course and have been given the opportunity to buy an M&P pistol at a significant discount, however something about the M&P just doesn't really get me too excited so I was considering buying the 627 with the 8 shot cylinder or maybe a 686 SSR. This weekend though the shop I work in got a SW 9mm 1911 in and that got me thinking. How is reliability on one of these? I'd be interested in picking one up for a carry gun and replacing the magwell, hammer, beaver tail and guide rod (replace with GI) with all Wilson parts. Todd's 9mm 1911 got me thinking so I started looking at one of these as I can get a pretty sweet deal on one. I think it would go nice with an SME carried at 11:30.

[JV_]

http://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?311-9mm-1911

[JAD]

That was a good thread, JV, but other than Julie G's endorsement (which should be good enough for anyone) there was little that specifically addressed the OP's OQ about the S&W. I'm interested (though lord knows I don't need another 1911 of any sort).

[Rich]

I like to stick with the Colt 70 specs.

I did have good luck with a Colt 80S Combat Elite I bought in the late 80`s


I'm not a fan of the long extractor like on the S&W or Sig ( Advice given to me when I was starting getting into 1911`s)

I do love the S&W revolvers J, K, L


And wouldn't mind trying out the 8 shot 357 snub nose
I thinks its the LW model 327 ?? I'll go to the S&W website to make sure. Edit yes its the M327

Speed loaders or moon clips might be a problem

8 shot of 38spl +P sounds pretty good

[jetfire]

According to the dudes at 10-8 Performance, but external extractor on the S&W 1911s is the best external extractor 1911 design yet, which is sort of damning by faint praise. The Pro Series 9mm 1911 gun they have is one of the few factory 9mm 1911s that I've seen run well right out of the box, which is something. I'm just not sold on the idea of 9mm 1911, Todd's experience aside to really get all hot and bothered about them. If it was a .38 Super on the other hand...

[BWT]

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765798_-1_757898_757896_757896_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

Do you feel lucky Punk? Well, do ya?

[BLR]

S&W is one of the precious few 9mm 1911 makers that lighten the slide.

Of the people that I am personally aware of, the 9mm Pro Series 1911 is considered the best non $2k+ one out there.

[Jim Watson]

They do?
The Sw1911 Pro 9mm catalogs the same 41 oz as the .45. Do they take off just enough to make up for the smaller hole in the barrel?

It would still be my first stop if I were rearming.

[Mr. Goodtimes]

Thanks for some advice guys. I think I'll end up giving the pro series a try. It will start off as a game gun and if it proves to be reliable I'll use it for a carry piece. I'm getting into reloading too so, my next 1911 may be a Wilson .38 Super.

[jetfire]

my next 1911 may be a wilson .38 super.

dooooo eeeeeeeettttt

[JAD]

Thanks for some advice guys. I think I'll end up giving the pro series a try. It will start off as a game gun and if it proves to be reliable I'll use it for a carry piece. I'm getting into reloading too so, my next 1911 may be a Wilson .38 Super.
Because I've been too busy to reload I've been feeding my Wilson .38S factory ammo. It's been easy to find and pretty cheap (less than $20 a box from Midway or SGA).

[Rich]

Because I've been too busy to reload I've been feeding my Wilson .38S factory ammo. It's been easy to find and pretty cheap (less than $20 a box from Midway or SGA).

Never really knew why the super didn't get more followers

[Rich]

Thanks for some advice guys. I think I'll end up giving the pro series a try. It will start off as a game gun and if it proves to be reliable I'll use it for a carry piece. I'm getting into reloading too so, my next 1911 may be a Wilson .38 Super.

I do like Wilson 1911

[JAD]

Never really knew why the super didn't get more followers
It doesn't have followers.
http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/Hamer.jpg
It has leaders.

[Rich]

According to the dudes at 10-8 Performance, but external extractor on the S&W 1911s is the best external extractor 1911 design yet, which is sort of damning by faint praise. The Pro Series 9mm 1911 gun they have is one of the few factory 9mm 1911s that I've seen run well right out of the box, which is something. I'm just not sold on the idea of 9mm 1911, Todd's experience aside to really get all hot and bothered about them. If it was a .38 Super on the other hand...

I know a guy who sent a S&W 1911 back to the factory 5 times
But hey that was in 45ACP not 9mm

Like you not sold on 9mm 1911

[Rich]

It doesn't have followers.
http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/history/Hamer.jpg
It has leaders.

Nice

[BLR]

They do?
The Sw1911 Pro 9mm catalogs the same 41 oz as the .45. Do they take off just enough to make up for the smaller hole in the barrel?

It would still be my first stop if I were rearming.

Looking at the pictures, it appears to be a lightened slide.

Dunno how much or how effective.

All that said, a 9x23 finish reamer, 10 min of work, and you got yourself a nice heater. Just sayin'

[echo19]

My 1911 Pro Series in 9mm has been flawless. Not only does it go bang every time, it is one of the most accurate guns I own. The only issue I had was the size of the grips was not allowing for the firing pin safety to disengage. That was easily remedied.

[Shipwreck]

I have had a custom 9mm 1911 before. The recoil level is pretty low. I have seen the S&W one too, and have been tempted.

I do like 9mm. One negative I considered was the magazine capacity for such a large gun, compared to non 1911 9mm handguns of the same size. I can carry 15-17+ in my Beretta 92, over the 9-10 rounds in a 9mm 1911. But, if you are a 1911 fan, I think you will be pleased :)

[Little Creek]

Thanks for some advice guys. I think I'll end up giving the pro series a try. It will start off as a game gun and if it proves to be reliable I'll use it for a carry piece. I'm getting into reloading too so, my next 1911 may be a Wilson .38 Super.

I think the only difference between a 9mm 1911 and a Super 38 (38 Super) 1911 is the magazine, barrel, and recoil spring. I used to run a Wilson Combat Super Grade Accucomp LE (named after Letham-Enos) in 38 Super back in the day, 1980's, when a single stack 1911 in 38 Super was the hot setup for IPSC/USPSA. Finished 21st at the Nationals one year with it too. Of course there were only about 450 competitors that year.