WhiteFeather
Regular Member
imported post
So after much waiting and some unforcasted delay I present you with my brand new Smith and Wesson 1911PD!!!
As I had stated in previous posts I figured I was going to catch some heat for getting a 1911 with a rail and an external safety. Although it was not my first choice there were reasons I bought this model and the rail, although cosmetically a set back, is starting to grow on me.
Besides the rail it gets the PD (Personal Defense) serial number and markings because it is made with both civilian and Law Enforcement in mind. The slide is a high carbon steel alloy and the frame is S&W's highly prized Scandium alloy. Unloaded the model weighs a mere 32.oz this is roughly half of what your standard 1911 weighs without suffering from the anodized aluminium that most other manufacturers use in their light weight models. The entire pistol has a melonite coating that creates a 68hr hardness rating to help protect the finish. The difference between the Scandium and Anodized Aluminium is pretty simple. Scandium is a new alloy that S&W is keeping very hush hush because it displays all of the strength of regular 440 tool steel but it weighs significantly less. AA is made just by using standard aluminium and a moley coating to creat a steel like hardness. The problem happens when you crack that coating because underneath you only have the soft brittle aluminium. The coating on this model has nothing to do with the bolstering of the material but rather to help midigate the issue with holster wear and weather damage.
I can attest that this pistol has a very solid feel, you would think that having only the frame made of scandium, it would create a very unballanced pistol, but once you insert a loaded magazine the ballance is unparalleled.
The next question that comes to mind is recoil. If this model recoils anymore than a standard .45 ACP 1911 I don't notice it. What I do notice is that while holding it out arms out streched, the lighter weight makes this model very comfortable to shoot. After 220 rounds through the pistol over a two hour period I did not suffer from any pains associated with shooting the larger heavier type handguns or my old 1911 for that matter.
The internal parts of this model are unbelievable. Having only owned a Taurus PT1911 I don't have much to compare it to, but the parts are thick heavy stainless steel that are machined to an amazing quality. There are some MIM parts on the model and I believe they are only the slide stop, sear, and hammer. Those are the only parts I have seen that could be MIM the rest are bar stock stainless. One of the most important things to look for on a 1911 is the lock up. Using a standard two ridge bar the lock up on this model is short of perfection. After handling an Ed Brown and this model on the same day I really felt that the SW1911PD had a tighter lock up.
This model has a drop safety built into the grip safety. There is a small plunger that is deactivated when you press the grip safety, once you have let go the plunger slides upward and blocks the firing pin from free floating. This was an addition made to bolster the sales to LE agencies. I find that this makes the safety a little stiffer but not so much as to hinder the grip.
Now onto the fun stuff!
I spent about two hours at the range after a thorough cleaning and lubing. I had about 200 rounds 230gr FMJ's and 20 rounds of my Winchester Ranger SXT carry ammo. I would have liked to put more through my new gun but the funds did not allow. I like to put at least 400 rounds through any new pistol before I carry it but I experienced no problems what so ever. I had 0 FTF's 0 stove pipes, 0 misfeeeds, the only thing that happened with any regularity was the constant thunder that issued out from the end of this well made firearm. I will be putting much more through it in time but I wanted a enough to shoot through to comfortably and confidently carry this firearm and the quality shown through any doubt I had.
I wanted to get the first 50 rounds through the model to loosen it up and really get a feel for it. This was done at 15 yards in a modified weaver stance.
After a brief cool down period I wanted to test the overall group ability. Using Magtech 230gr FMJ's I used a rest and tried to get a grouping at 25 yards. This was the first time I used a rest and wow am I awful. I feel the I did a poor job at it but all of the shots were about two inches from eachother in areas so I won't complain to much. I even got two bullets through the same hole!
I had 100 rounds left and decided to start practicing for some IPSC and since I had a target I decided to do some in place rapid fire testing.
Starting at the bottom and working my way up the target and farther in distance. I shot at 5 yards (Bottom), 10 yards(middle) and 15 yards(head). The groupings aren't the greatest but I was trying to aim and get a sight picture and pull the trigger as fast as I could.
Parting with my first carry pistol was hard, and I will not say to many things negative about the PT1911 but this model has out performed my every expectation. The fit and finish in my opinion are outsanding, the handling and feel are far beyond my previous model, and the quality is up there with the great custom makers that everyone covets. I would suggest everyone to look and feel a S&W1911 before you decide on any other make because this one in my opinion was the best 1911 under $1100.
Taken with my new Cannon SX100 IS.
So after much waiting and some unforcasted delay I present you with my brand new Smith and Wesson 1911PD!!!
As I had stated in previous posts I figured I was going to catch some heat for getting a 1911 with a rail and an external safety. Although it was not my first choice there were reasons I bought this model and the rail, although cosmetically a set back, is starting to grow on me.
Besides the rail it gets the PD (Personal Defense) serial number and markings because it is made with both civilian and Law Enforcement in mind. The slide is a high carbon steel alloy and the frame is S&W's highly prized Scandium alloy. Unloaded the model weighs a mere 32.oz this is roughly half of what your standard 1911 weighs without suffering from the anodized aluminium that most other manufacturers use in their light weight models. The entire pistol has a melonite coating that creates a 68hr hardness rating to help protect the finish. The difference between the Scandium and Anodized Aluminium is pretty simple. Scandium is a new alloy that S&W is keeping very hush hush because it displays all of the strength of regular 440 tool steel but it weighs significantly less. AA is made just by using standard aluminium and a moley coating to creat a steel like hardness. The problem happens when you crack that coating because underneath you only have the soft brittle aluminium. The coating on this model has nothing to do with the bolstering of the material but rather to help midigate the issue with holster wear and weather damage.
I can attest that this pistol has a very solid feel, you would think that having only the frame made of scandium, it would create a very unballanced pistol, but once you insert a loaded magazine the ballance is unparalleled.
The next question that comes to mind is recoil. If this model recoils anymore than a standard .45 ACP 1911 I don't notice it. What I do notice is that while holding it out arms out streched, the lighter weight makes this model very comfortable to shoot. After 220 rounds through the pistol over a two hour period I did not suffer from any pains associated with shooting the larger heavier type handguns or my old 1911 for that matter.
The internal parts of this model are unbelievable. Having only owned a Taurus PT1911 I don't have much to compare it to, but the parts are thick heavy stainless steel that are machined to an amazing quality. There are some MIM parts on the model and I believe they are only the slide stop, sear, and hammer. Those are the only parts I have seen that could be MIM the rest are bar stock stainless. One of the most important things to look for on a 1911 is the lock up. Using a standard two ridge bar the lock up on this model is short of perfection. After handling an Ed Brown and this model on the same day I really felt that the SW1911PD had a tighter lock up.
This model has a drop safety built into the grip safety. There is a small plunger that is deactivated when you press the grip safety, once you have let go the plunger slides upward and blocks the firing pin from free floating. This was an addition made to bolster the sales to LE agencies. I find that this makes the safety a little stiffer but not so much as to hinder the grip.
Now onto the fun stuff!
I spent about two hours at the range after a thorough cleaning and lubing. I had about 200 rounds 230gr FMJ's and 20 rounds of my Winchester Ranger SXT carry ammo. I would have liked to put more through my new gun but the funds did not allow. I like to put at least 400 rounds through any new pistol before I carry it but I experienced no problems what so ever. I had 0 FTF's 0 stove pipes, 0 misfeeeds, the only thing that happened with any regularity was the constant thunder that issued out from the end of this well made firearm. I will be putting much more through it in time but I wanted a enough to shoot through to comfortably and confidently carry this firearm and the quality shown through any doubt I had.
I wanted to get the first 50 rounds through the model to loosen it up and really get a feel for it. This was done at 15 yards in a modified weaver stance.
After a brief cool down period I wanted to test the overall group ability. Using Magtech 230gr FMJ's I used a rest and tried to get a grouping at 25 yards. This was the first time I used a rest and wow am I awful. I feel the I did a poor job at it but all of the shots were about two inches from eachother in areas so I won't complain to much. I even got two bullets through the same hole!
I had 100 rounds left and decided to start practicing for some IPSC and since I had a target I decided to do some in place rapid fire testing.
Starting at the bottom and working my way up the target and farther in distance. I shot at 5 yards (Bottom), 10 yards(middle) and 15 yards(head). The groupings aren't the greatest but I was trying to aim and get a sight picture and pull the trigger as fast as I could.
Parting with my first carry pistol was hard, and I will not say to many things negative about the PT1911 but this model has out performed my every expectation. The fit and finish in my opinion are outsanding, the handling and feel are far beyond my previous model, and the quality is up there with the great custom makers that everyone covets. I would suggest everyone to look and feel a S&W1911 before you decide on any other make because this one in my opinion was the best 1911 under $1100.
Taken with my new Cannon SX100 IS.