New SW 1911 and not too happy...

SuicideHz · #1 11-05-06, 19:01

Well, I received it Thursday and am not too happy with it. Asked my FFL to show me how to install the slide lock so as to not create the "evil scratch" and with all of his experience and expertise, couldn't help scratching it.

I don't have the problem with the extra burr in front of the ramps like a lot of guys report- mine is machined and beveled nicely.

But, the barrel looks like a gray plastic toy barrel with a herringbone pattern of machine marks in it. Looks really crappy:

The inside of the slide is nothing but bad machining marks- can't clean that area with a patch. It will totally shred on the marks:

I've got the all too common problem of extra metal in the breachface that leaves marks on the brass:

(if you know what you are looking for, you can see it. If not, check out the 1911 forums...)

NASTY gouges on this part of the barrel:

After putting 125 rounds through it, the slide stop wore through the finish in 4 places. You can also see where my FFL put the small scratch in the frame:

The trigger is sloppy as all hell. There is about 0.045" of play in it- up and down. It wiggles the full amount of the gap that you see in the following pictures:

It only took 3 days and 125 rounds for these fucking marks to appear:

Absolutely beautiful fronstrap serrations:

Uneven as they could possibly be. Goddamn wave...

No FTFs or FTEs in 100 rounds of WWB or 25 rounds of 185gr. Golden Saber.

I'm calling S&W tomorrow at lunch and asking for a return receipt label.

Milkman · #2 11-05-06, 19:24

That is an ugly pistol.

Have you considered a custom?

rob_s · #3 11-05-06, 19:27

Yikes!

"best buy for the price" indeed.

David Thomas · #4 11-05-06, 20:24

Well, at least the grips look nice.

Every stock S&W 1911 I have handled had the "Rat-L-Trap" trigger, except for the performance center guns.
I am not surprised. Calculated risk by S&W: most people would not have noticed any of those flaws or if they did they wouldn't complain to S&W.

SuicideHz · #5 11-05-06, 23:46

I can't help it. That's the way I am. I should have bought a used Kimber TLE/RL like I've seen for $800-850. That way, any small scratches or blemishes could be seen as battle scars. These problems are just ridiculous.

Oh, the grips are nice wood grips but the medallions are crap. Very waxy looking- not sharp and crisp like a freshly minted coin or anything...

bigbore · #6 11-06-06, 00:04

Does it work?

**VA_Dinger** · #7 11-06-06, 13:58

It certainly does not look like a best 1911 S&W has let go out the door. That being said the only part that truly affects function is the sloppy trigger. That in itself would be a show stopper for me. I would send it back for that reason alone. You cannot take away the 1911's #1 advantage (Trigger) with a fit that sloppy.

FYI- 1911's in this price range are not going to be perfect. Especially after a few hundred rounds. Metal to metal contact tends to remove finish and show wear marks. Even more so on a production gun. I know that does not help to explain away all of your guns issues, but it’s something to remember.

SuicideHz · #8 11-06-06, 13:58

Don't give me that "Does it work" bullshit...

I didn't buy this ******* thing for combat or duty. I bought it to have a somewhat decent 1911.

Look at the ******* wear the slide stop caused on the frame after 125 rounds.

I bet if there was a single scratch on one of your RRAs, it would be back to Geneseo in a heartbeat.

Edited by Va_Dinger to remove a few inappropriate phrases.

Hint - Let's play nice.

SuicideHz · #9 11-06-06, 14:01

How about the machine marks all over the barrel and those bite marks on the ears that hold the link in place?

How about the extra material on the breechface that leaves it's mark on brass?

Maybe I should just stick with Glocks or buy an H&K if I want a .45...

**VA_Dinger** · #10 11-06-06, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuicideHz

How about the machine marks all over the barrel and those bite marks on the ears that hold the link in place?

How about the extra material on the breechface that leaves it's mark on brass?

No one is saying your gun is "Fine". It certainly has a few "Issues", while I'm not sure how many of them would actually affect function or reliability (Other than the trigger wobble).

FYI - This is a production gun. It did not receive much if any hand fitting or tuning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuicideHz

Maybe I should just stick with Glocks or buy an H&K if I want a .45...

That's probably true if every one of these imperfections bothers you this much. Some of them are very typical of production 1911's in this price range. That being said yours should certainly should go back. It's worse than most.

Just don't expect "Perfection" in this price range.

SuicideHz · #11 11-06-06, 14:20

A friend bought a GSR recently. I'm thinking I should have ponied up the cash for a GSR or Kimber. I could have waited a few weeks. Hell, I'm getting married in two and there ought to be a little cash to divert into the gun fund...

**VA_Dinger** · #12 11-06-06, 14:22

What model is it? How much did you pay for it?

SuicideHz · #13 11-06-06, 14:26

It's model #108285. I recently replied to a 1911 post with a bunch of it's statistics...

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/w...09&isFirearm=Y

That's the link to their page.

ETA: I paid $775 for it out the door. Had my dealer order it from his distributor.

The worst part is, it has a born on date of 10-17. People have been complaining about the material on the breechface for over a year now. I'm glad SW took care of that issue.

bigbore · #14 11-06-06, 14:35

SuicideHz · #15 11-06-06, 14:44

Aw Jesus Steve! This is the first new handgun I've bought in awhile. My last was a Glock 32 3 years ago. I'm not into having all my guns look pretty- I'd rather they function over anything else.

But, 1911s can be pretty guns and I thought I'd get a nice blue S&W that I could keep looking nice and classy. I won't be carrying it or throwing it around at the range so there's no reason not to think I could keep it in an excellent condition.

It's a little annoying that right off the get-go it's fully of problems. The guys on m1911.org think these flaws are a pretty big deal- but then again, I have 8 points against me now for using the word "crap" twice.

bigbore · #16 11-06-06, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuicideHz

Aw Jesus Steve! This is the first new handgun I've bought in awhile. My last was a Glock 32 3 years ago. I'm not into having all my guns look pretty- I'd rather they function over anything else.

But, 1911s can be pretty guns and I thought I'd get a nice blue S&W that I could keep looking nice and classy. I won't be carrying it or throwing it around at the range so there's no reason not to think I could keep it in an excellent condition.

It's a little annoying that right off the get-go it's fully of problems. The guys on m1911.org think these flaws are a pretty big deal- but then again, I have 8 points against me now for using the word "crap" twice.

1. I'm just pushing your buttons

2. The people that hang out in 1911 sites are anal, cry babies, who ran out of vagisil 10 years ago.
3. I do think your complaints about scratches after use are silly.
4. Send me you scratched up 1911, and I'll send you a brand new one.

I've been meaning to get one to play with, and yours will do me just as well as a new one.

rob_s · #17 11-06-06, 15:52

Personally I'd be concerned about the overall quality of the gun reflected in the details that are readily visible. If it looks like a POS at first glance it likely is a POS>

I also think that people have a right to expect a quality product for their money, and have a right to be dissapointed when it's not quality. Whether or not the gun goes bang is not the only criteria for customer satisfaction.

I think the original poster has a right to be disapointed in his purchase, but I also have to think a little bit of "what did you expect?" I would never have bought something like that sight unseen.

SuicideHz · #18 11-06-06, 16:11

I would hope if anything, a factory direct gun could be bought sight-unseen, right? Maybe that means nothing at all should be bought sight-unseen.

What do you have for me Steve?

"Freaking, crap, hell, etc are NOT allowed." -John C., m1911.org

olds442tyguy · #19 11-06-06, 17:05

Well I'd be a little upset too, but I don't see any need to explode.

Call S&W, or better yet, take Steve up on his offer. I'd call it a lemon based on the SW's I've seen, and every brand has their share.

If it were me though, I'd just shoot the living piss out of it and get it custom smithed later on down the road. Getting a 1911 that's both perfect in appearance and 100% reliable for under $1K is not an everyday occurence.

bigbore · #20 11-06-06, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuicideHz

What do you have for me Steve?

I'll get you an exact replacement. I'll trade you your used scratched one for a brand new version of the same model. I mean that as sincerely as I do smartassly

There are more critical areas that need to work together on a 1911 than probably any other auto loader. The cosmetics you guys are concerned with are meaningless(but expected fromn the 1911 crowd). Machine marks on the barrel and inside the slide?! Boo Fuckin Hoo

"Looks like" means nothing. The S&W 1911 Super Dave drove all weekend looked like a piece of shit. The guy who knows how to use the ugly one will kill the the guy holding the pretty one he was afraid to scratch.

My 1911 looks like a shit, but my arrogance regarding my ability with it I consider well earned - If your not confident you and make the shot playing around, how are you going to make it under stress. If you own a gun for anything other than collection/safe queen, learn how to use it and you wont worry about that petty shit.