Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 945

[chipichawa]

SKU: 170300

The gun I'm looking for is the one from the picture on the S&W website.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=53932&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15714&isFirearm=Y

However, every time I find one on GunBroker, the bottom frame is black and not stainless like in the picture. Does anyone have any insight into this? Maybe I should just call S&W.

Also does anyone have an opinion on similar looking stainless two-tone 1911s? Also I've considered the Kimber Eclipse. Am I leaving anything out?

[bwiese]

The DOJ Roster lists the following 945 as approved handguns for sale in CA:

Smith & Wesson 945-1 (2-Tone) / Stainless Steel ... Pistol 5" .45ACP 1/16/09
Smith & Wesson 945-1 / Stainless Steel................. Pistol 5" .45ACP 12/31/08

The picture your catalog page refers to appears to be the 2-tone one, since the bbl seems blued while frame is stainless.
I believe it's a 945-1 even though the catalog just lists the main model # and not the sub-model/variant.

If you get via Gunbroker delivered to your CA FFL make sure it is marked "945-1" and is in one of the two configurations above, otherwise your FFL cannot transfer it to you.

[chipichawa]

two different two-tones?

thanks for the help bill. so during the search i've come across two different two-tones. one with the black frame, and one with the stainless frame. of course i'd prefer to get the stainless frame from the original s&w site, but can't seem to find it out there. lemme know if u have any ideas. i might just have to call s&w...

[tiko]

Hear a lot about 945 but never see a real one anywhere in Sacramento area! Hopefully I'll see it one day..or....s.h.o.o.t...it, just a dream.

[Overkill]

There are multiple 945-1s on Gunbroker right now. Do a search for "945", and look through the listings. Very few will note that they are the -1 version, but actually are when you look at the pictures. BTW, even the stainless versions have blued beavertails and mainspring housings. There are a couple two-tones. However, this one is the only one that appears to be like what you are looking for:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=108707068

Aside from the Kimber Eclipse, there is also the Springfield Black Stainless.

BTW, the 945 is not a true 1911. You won't find many parts that are interchangeable. However, it is in a whole other class of handgun from the Kimber and Springfield. I've owned one, and they are exceptional pistols.

[Joey_H]

I have a 5" 945 and its one sweet-shooting pistol. Mine is all stainless in finish, the frame isn't blackened. Its a little bigger and heavier than a 1911, but not to the point where it feels odd. The bit of extra weight makes it kick a mite less than a full size 1911. The slide to frame fit is very tight, and the worksmanship is very high quality. It shoots very accurately and isn't fussy about the ammo. It gobbles up my SWC lead reloads without any problems. I bought mine used on GunsAmerica for a very reasonable price. It was used but not abused, it looked practically new and came with a S&W Performance Center aluminum hard case, an extra mag, and a spare recoil spring. Since the 945 is still on the approved list I had no problem buying it, I completed the transfer very painlessly and inexpensively using Mike Suchar for the FFL duties (http://www.suchar-enterprises.com).

[rivviepop]

I completed the transfer very painlessly and inexpensively using Mike Suchar for the FFL duties (http://www.suchar-enterprises.com).

Your dealer is blatantly engaging in an illegal business practice; he is on paper charging $40 for a PPT when the legal limit per the law is $35.

His page: http://www.suchar-enterprises.com/SEWEB/html/PPT.htm

The law: http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs.php#8

On a PPT he cannot collect "dealer fees" and cannot tax as such.

[X-NewYawker]

I had a Performance Center 945 (with the "scale pattern" cocking serrations. It was a great, tight, accurate gun but in the end I couldn't put it OVER a 1911 and off it went in a trade.

[Suchar-Enterprises]

Rebuttal to slanderous post











Sorry for the HUGE post.

God Bless and Thanks

Michael

[Joey_H]

I'd like to mention in addition to the S&W 945 Mike has completed several PPT transfers for me, received and DROSed an OLL to me, he received and DROSed a Ruger .22 pistol I purchased from an out of state private seller, heck he even sold me a very sweet Sig P6 for a great price. All of these transactions were handled by him in a courteous and professional manner, and all of the fees have been very reasonable. I double-checked my receipts and I've never paid more than $35 for the DROS on any of my transactions. He's very knowledgeable about OLLs and gave me excellent advice on what parts to purchase and the legal pitfalls to avoid in owning one. He even assembled the parts for me and the rifle works perfectly. And no I do not have any business association with Mike, I'm simply a satisfied customer. He's a good guy and he's become a good friend. I never hesitate to recommend him to my gun buddies, they've all started to use him as well.

[bwiese]

Mike,

Thanks for clarification.

[Not sure, but there may be issues in CA commercial code advertising something not
legally possible. ]

But I'm not sure why we get all bent out of shape for a $10 difference. Frankly, the PPT amount capturable by the dealer needs to be raised given all the grief he has to run thru, esp for handguns (Roster verification, safety demo, etc.)

[rivviepop]

(sorry for the threadjacking)

Mike, as Bill said thanks for the clarification. The problem here is that many of us have in fact been ripped off and blatantly lied to about these fees, I myself have a long winded story with a FFL who, when confronted about charging me $45 for a PPT and the illegality of it, did a double take and started claiming it was for "storage fees" for keeping said firearm for 10 days as required by law. This FFL directly engaged in an illegal thing and lied to my face - but of course my gun was in his possession so like everyone else I paid the fees just to get it out of his store.

The sad fact is that my story is not uncommon -- all over Calguns there are many stories of this happening with dealers flagrantly charging more than they are allowed to make extra money. (I will leave the tax issue out of this, I'm not an accountant and will believe what you say - but I've never, ever been charged tax on a PPT, so will believe this is the individual FFL's take on the tax code).

I'm happy to see that it was just an honest mistake on your website and that it's been corrected to reflect the legal limits. The issue of the cost is never the problem (as Bill points out, maybe it should be more) it's that we have way too many FFL holders in California violating what is written legally. I apologize for maybe writing it a bit harshly, but in my personal experience a nice reasonable inquiry into the practice has never been met with a resolution -- you sir are the first to have approached it as such. The exception, not the norm.

I wish you all the best in your practice.

[eaglemike]

continuing off topic

This is somewhat off topic - continuing the dealer PPT fee subject. I will give my business to the dealer that treats me the best, and I will tell all my friends. The dealer that doesn't give me grief over transfer fee will end up with a LOT of good business. I always make it a point to buy something in the store when I do a PPT, too.

I've been looking at the 945, too. Looks like a very sweet gun.

all the best,

Mike

[SnWnMe]

The 945 is the perfect 1911. So utterly reliable and very accurate.

The two tone is all stainless.

[eaglemike]

Well, it's true - this site can be a bad influence (or a very good influence!). Davidson's used to have one of the two-tone 945's in stock....... now the search for additional mag's begin..... After reading several articles, I'm looking forward to seeing how well they work.

all the best,

Mike