As a 1911 is next on my list of guns to acquire (yes, I know, heresy and all that), how are you liking the Smith 1911?
My SW1911 > Sliced Bread
I think it is about the best outta the box 1911 you can find under $1000. The STI 1911 carry guns are good, too, for a little more $$$.
It is my preferred carry weapon and the weapon that goes in the quick-access safe next to the bed every night. Reliable, more accurate than I. Makes me look like I know how to shoot well. What's not to like?
I did not know how accurate it was until a local bull's eye shooter asked to try it. He took his one-hand stand, let fly with a magazine and we brought the target back. Kinda humbling when some dude shoots your own gun better than you do, making groups half the size you do at 25 yards. With one hand.
Maybe if I was in a war zone, I'd prefer an internal extractor, but the S&W external beast is just that: a beast. It works with no fiddling.
The fit & finish s good and the controls very positive.
It loves its Wilson 47D and the 10-round equivalents. The Wilson 47D mags came with it from the factory and they worked great. No need to experiment on another 7 or 8 round mag. I own 6 or 7 47Ds and one 10-rounder. Need to get more 10-rounders.
I also loves Remington 230gr Golden Sabers and feeds them like hardball. Real slick, no hesitation. Only HP it had troubles with was the Speer Gold Dot, a common problem load for 1911s.
Anyways, I have only done light mods to it:
1. Now has grip tape on front strap. The vertical cuts were OK, but the grip tape rawks. Grip tape also behind the rear slide serrations to maximize the area that is grippy when I manipulate the slide.
2. Trijicon tritium night sights
3. Slimmer Chip McCormick cocobolo grip panels. My wife shoots it better with these and I shot these or the stock panels equally well.
Get a good-quality carry holster of the Milt Sparks VM2 type (real deal or clone), a good belt & mag holster and you'll be good for carry.
My next carry gun will be a SW1911PD, the Commander-length scandium-alloy frame deal.
