Smith & Wesson E-Series .45 1911

[LockedBreech]

About three years ago, I prosecuted a case involving an attempted murder of a LEO. One of the perpetrators used a gorgeous Smith & Wesson E-series 1911, stainless with wood grips. Stolen from under a truck seat in an unlocked truck, of course.

I was offended at such a lowlife having such a nice gun and using it so heinously, so I promised myself that if I got the perpetrators behind bars, I’d get myself one as a victory gift. The case was successful, I put the two attempted cop-killers away, both effectively for life, but when I actually tried to get the 1911 I could only find it for $1200-1300. I couldn’t afford that at the time so I deferred the dream.

Well, last week I came across that exact 1911, a stainless E-series full-size .45, on a qualified purchaser sale for $800 including shipping and tax. I just had to do it, so it’s on the way.

Now that it’s on the way, I’ll use this thread to post impressions / updates. I’ve been reviewing the “art and science of 1911” thread and I’m sorta relieved it has an external extractor so I don’t have to fuss with that.

Other than quality ammo (I have Federal AmEagle 230-grain and Gold Dot 230-grain and will probably just order some more of both) and some Wilson magazines, if anyone has any suggestions for success I’m all ears. I have a great Colt Series 80 basic GI 1911 but this is my first “a couple bells and whistles” 1911.

[KevH]

For what they are the E-Series S&W's are actually pretty decent. They ditched the firing pin safety and they're not Nighthawk or custom quality, but they're usually pretty well put together for average use.

[kwb377]

Not an E-Series, but I bought a basic Model #108285 new @ 2008.

I installed C&S trigger/hammer/sear/spring kit and an Ed Brown thumb safety. I carried it for a couple of years on-duty as an investigator and have a few thousand rounds through it...it's been nothing but 100% reliable.

[45dotACP]

IIRC the external extractor on the S&W E series 45s was one of the better ones and got the nod of approval from the likes of Hilton Yam

Sent from my SM-A326U using Tapatalk

[FrankB]

My E Series was less when I bought it, but it’s a great pistol. I added nice wood stocks, a Wilson Combat sear/trigger/hammer. The slab sides were mirror polished. The properly fitted sear and hammer made the trigger spectacular.
ETA: I just saw your actual purchase price, and that’s what I paid. It was a steal!

[LockedBreech]

The only thing giving me pause is the huge variety of Wilson magazines. I’ve had an awesome experience with my $38 ETMs but I’m not crazy about the baseplate with the raised letters. Are the Vickers ETMs worth $60 (!) and/or do the $45-48 HD/+P ETMs work fine with standard pressure 230, because that’s all I’ll be shooting. I’ve worked on two different shooting cases involving 230-grain Gold Dot. That round does the trick without +P.

[Robinson]

The E Series guns tend to work and don't have the firing pin safety so that's a plus. The one I have has run fine since I bought it. The trigger is decent.

If you want to change out the sights it can be a little tricky because they don't use the standard Novak sight cuts. 10-8 discontinued their rear sight for these guns, but I think one or two manufacturers still offer them.

[Amp]

The only thing giving me pause is the huge variety of Wilson magazines. I’ve had an awesome experience with my $38 ETMs but I’m not crazy about the baseplate with the raised letters. Are the Vickers ETMs worth $60 (!) and/or do the $45-48 HD/+P ETMs work fine with standard pressure 230, because that’s all I’ll be shooting. I’ve worked on two different shooting cases involving 230-grain Gold Dot. That round does the trick without +P.

The HD/+Ps have the flat wire springs and they work great. I've had no issues with mine shooting 230gr standard pressure ball/hollow points thru multiple 5" 1911s.

[JTQ]

You sound like you have a pretty good knowledge base so you're probably good to go.

In the Wilson line-up, if you want an 8 rounder, get something from the ETM line-up, they should all be good. If you're picking something beyond the baseline ETM, there should be some reason, like you roll in the sand a lot - pick the Vickers mag, otherwise the baseline ETM is really all you need.

The full size 7 round 47 is my mag of choice.

[LockedBreech]

The E Series guns tend to work and don't have the firing pin safety so that's a plus. The one I have has run fine since I bought it. The trigger is decent.

If you want to change out the sights it can be a little tricky because they don't use the standard Novak sight cuts. 10-8 discontinued their rear sight for these guns, but I think one or two manufacturers still offer them.

That’s great to know, thank you!

Thanks y’all, I think I’ll go with the ETM HD/+P with the aluminum base pad. Can’t quite get myself to spend the Vickers money. I’ll update the thread once I have a decent number of rounds downrange.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk