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Smith & Wesson 1911 .45 ACP Pistol

Smith & Wesson 1911 .45 ACP

Classification: Handguns
Category: Pistols
Model Name: 1911 .45 ACP
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Model Number: 1911 .45 ACP

GunReports.com

GunReports.com – -(AmmoLand.com)- The SW1911 operates with two functional variations on traditional 1911 design. The first variation is an externally mounted extractor. John Browning himself saw the extractor as the one weak point in the 1911 system and developed the external design to enhance reliability and maintenance. The second difference is in the control of the firing pin via the grip safety. Depress the grip safety and the firing pin is free to move forward. This is very similar to the Schwartz system that was adapted for use in the Kimber Type II pistols, but Smith & Wesson has claimed new patents on its variation.

Elsewhere, another difference between Smith & Wesson and many other firearms companies is that Smith & Wesson is a manufacturer and not merely an importer of complete pistols or of parts that they assemble in stateside factories. Industry buzz says that in fact, Smith & Wesson has been manufacturing frames and slides for other companies that produce 1911 pistols.

Now it is Smith & Wesson’s turn. We received our 1911 just weeks before its official introduction at the 2003 Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show. This new pistol was finished in handsome satin stainless with distinctive gold graphics. Cocking serrations were cut on the front and back of the slide. Novak low-mount three-dot sights were dovetailed into place. Lockup was via a bushing with a full-length guide rod. The grips were a tasteful black rubber. The mainspring housing was also black and cleanly checkered. Other black accents were the beavertail grip safety, the slide release, left-side-only thumb safety and checkered magazine-release button. The hammer is skeletonized with the sides polished, but the interior of its sculpture and the outer surface continues the theme of using a black contrast. Two eight-round magazines were supplied. We measured the single-action trigger to break at exactly 4 pounds.

When we fired this gun over five different range sessions, we were impressed when it delivered five-shot groups of 3.0 inches and under with virtually every scrap of ammunition we could find in our closet. Most groups were in the 2.7-inch range. If the SW1911 is not a top-grade target pistol, then it is among the most consistent shooting pistols we have seen come off an assembly line in some time. This is not an inexpensive pistol nor is it out of the ballpark, either. It is our impression that the design intent of this pistol was for its designers to hear someone someday refer to the SW 1911 pistol as “old reliable.” We had no failures to feed, extraction issues, or any other problem.

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About:
Gun Reports is a new site designed specifically for the gun enthusiast. When it comes to selecting a firearm, serious shooters can find valuable and detailed reports with specifications on each gun. Explore the latest evaluations on today’s most talked about handguns, rifles, shotguns and other specialty guns. Compare how different guns stack up against similar models in terms of performance and price. It doesn’t matter if you buy guns for hunting, target shooting, collecting or self-defense, with Gun Reports you’ll buy better, safer, more accurate guns…and have more fun shooting because of it.

Register with our site for free and get even greater access to Gun Reports. Members of the site have the ability to share their thoughts and recommendations on featured guns and get full side-by-side gun comparisons.

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Sig Sauer 1911 C3 No. 19GS0031 45 ACP

Sig Sauer 1911 C3 No. 19GS0031 45 ACP

Classification: Handguns
Category: Pistols
Model Name: 1911 C3
Manufacturer: SIG Arms
Model Number: No. 19GS0031

GunReports.com

GunReports.com - -(AmmoLand.com)- An the opinion of many experienced shooters, the 45 Auto is the caliber of choice in self-defensive pistols. However, most of these guns, like the classic 1911 Colt, are big and heavy. Therefore, they often get left behind for a lighter piece, which generally is of lower power. If you still want the power of a 45, why not go to a smaller and lighter gun?

Some of us had come to believe the Colt CCO was the finest 45 available. However, the last version of it, called the Gunsite number O9840CGP, is now discontinued. But fear not, the Sig Sauer 1911 C3 is here, and is an even better, more refined version of the CCO. And it’s cheaper.

Our first impression of the Sig C3 was that someone had stolen the CCO we had on hand, and had copied it in great detail. Only the engraving was missing. Then we noticed some differences, and on inspection these became very significant, entirely in the favor of Sig Sauer. First up were the thin grips. After handling the CCO we grasped the C3 with its grip of slim, fancy-wood panels, and immediately liked it. These make the gun feel smaller and lighter, and about half as thick as the CCO. The slim grip panels were checkered in a pleasing pattern that left smooth wood under the thumb and index finger.

The mainspring housing was checkered steel, not plastic. The frame also had a finely checkered front strap, something lacking—and needed—on the CCO. The well-done handle of the C3 put the Colt in second place, said our test crew. The entire gun had been dehorned, just like all the aftermarket work done to the CCO by its owner. There were no offending sharp edges anywhere. There was an external extractor behind the ejection port. The slide was matte stainless, with a smooth top that lent distinction to the overall look of this pistol. It was our impression the setup of this gun had been influenced by the experiences of real-world shooters, not corporate executives.

The dovetailed front sight of the Sig was not as slanted at its rear as that of the CCO, so we expected it to grab on the front of our Bachman Slide. It did. Ordinary holsters won’t have that problem. The rear sight was a Novak, adjustable by drifting, and locked with a small Allen screw. The sights had green tritium inserts, and the sight picture was excellent.

Takedown was classic 1911. As on the CCO, there was no spring rod at the front, and we had no trouble at all taking this fine handgun apart nor in putting it back together. Fit and finish inside and out were outstanding, superior to that of the Colt and Kahr. To our surprise we found a firing-pin lock in the Sig’s slide.

On the range, the 4.6-pound trigger felt about as good as that of the CCO. Recoil was essentially identical, but accuracy with all loads was superior to that of the CCO. Our best groups were clusters around an inch with Winchester 230-grain ball. We had one failure to feed with Cor-Bon 185-grain ammo, the only failure with this handgun. Accuracy with Cor-Bon in this gun was the worst of any ammo tried. Yet Cor-Bon gave the finest (qualified) accuracy with the Kahr. Obviously any serious handgun needs serious testing with your chosen ammo.

About:
Gun Reports is a new site designed specifically for the gun enthusiast. When it comes to selecting a firearm, serious shooters can find valuable and detailed reports with specifications on each gun. Explore the latest evaluations on today’s most talked about handguns, rifles, shotguns and other specialty guns. Compare how different guns stack up against similar models in terms of performance and price. It doesn’t matter if you buy guns for hunting, target shooting, collecting or self-defense, with Gun Reports you’ll buy better, safer, more accurate guns…and have more fun shooting because of it.

Register with our site for free and get even greater access to Gun Reports. Members of the site have the ability to share their thoughts and recommendations on featured guns and get full side-by-side gun comparisons.

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