Smith 645 shooting great!

[Jjed]

I had a Smith & Wesson 645 with adjustable sights about 20 years ago, I liked the gun but I was just getting into IPSC shooting and the safety and the trigger where a problem, so I sold it to go with a 1911. Always wanted another 645 or 4506 but the prices where high on everyone I had seen. About 3 weeks ago I found one at a shop near home that was a x police side arm, it had some wear mark’s, came with 3 mag’s and two safari holsters, got it for $350.00. Used some mothers mag and aluminum polish to clean up the scratches. Took it down to the range to try it out, 8 of rounds of cast through the same hole, I’m happy.

[Love Life]

That whole series of firearms in all calibers was just fantastic. I had a 4013 TSW I paid $249 for (police trade in) that would shoot one ragged hole at 15 yds and a slightly larger hole at 25 yards all day long. Fed, fired, and ejected flawlessly. Somehow it ended up with my brother and he still has it.

The 9mm and 45 acp in the series are also phenomenal. I always wanted one of the 10mm's. You have a very solid firearm and got it for SWEET price!

[Frank46]

One of the members of our club always seemed to be shooting his newest gun of the week. Let me shoot his 645 and just one ragged hole. Was duly impressed. Since he didn't reload I must have picked up close to 2000 S&B 45 acp cases. Chamfer the primer pockets slightly with the case neck chamfer tool and they load nice in my dillon. Frank

[rintinglen]

Really good guns that were badly under-rated when they were in production. A little large for a hideout, ok way too big for a hide out, but darned accurate nonetheless. I regret parting with mine, but I just "had" to have a Sig, so it went down the highway. The Sig P220 is really good, but no better, than the 4506.

[Petrol & Powder]

I've never been a fan of most S&W semi-auto pistols but I make an exception for the 645. It was only in production a few years and the LE pistol market was very competitive during that time. The 645's I've seen shot well. Everyone I've talked to that had one, loved how it shot and hated the weight when not shooting it!
I suspect S&W stopped making the 645 due to high production costs and competition from lighter pistols in the same market. I don't know this for a fact, but S&W may have intentionally taken a beating on profits during the production of that model in the hopes of capturing a larger share of the market. S&W held a huge market share in the revolver world but got caught behind the curve when LE transitioned to pistols. They may have made a really good pistol and sold it for less than they could afford for the few years they made 645's. The competition from Glock, Beretta, Sig, H&K, Walther and others was just too much and S&W lost that LE market share. The result was a really over-built pistol was available for just a few years in the late 1980's while they attempted to regain that market share. That effort turned out to be good for you!

[wcp4570]

I've always loved S&W revolvers but never cared for the looks of their autos until about 8 years ago. I found a really nice 39-2 and bought it and started shooting the 39 and promptly fell in love with it. Needles to say I've got other S&W autos but have not been able to add any 45 models to my safe. I would love to have a 645 or 4506. I like the first, second and third generation Smith autos, all metal no plastic guns.

wcp

[Love Life]

The S&W autos are beautiful to me. They have the same beauty to me as the Glocks do.

They are serious guns made for serious business. No trying to compromise and be a duty gun and/or a concealment piece. They are all business. Plus they are all steel (except for my TSW). Just outstanding guns.

If I could go back in time to when Laryy's pistol and pawn had the 9mm and 40 S&W versions for $250 apiece I'd buy several of them.

[cwheel]

My 645 was the most accurate dependable 45acp I've ever had. This thing would shoot, and give good groups out of almost any ammo that would fit into the mags. What caused me to trade it in was the fact that it weighed so much more than the 1911's that it was quite a pain to carry. Mine got assigned to use as a house pistol for over 15 years and then traded in on a new Springfield XDs 45 to use as a CCW. Those of us who have a 45 XDs Springfield have them back at the factory now gathering dust for the safety recall with no real return date in sight. At this rate, I should have kept the 645 a little longer. The LEO who had this 645 said he did a change, got rid of it for weight again, went back to a 1911. Fine pistol at the range, but not much fun to carry.
Chris

[Petrol & Powder]

cwheel - You nailed it! Great range gun, just too heavy to carry all the time.

[Love Life]

Too heavy for what kind of carry? I usually pack a S&W model 28 plus several speed loaders for hours at a time all over the mountains here. A good belt makes heavy a non issue.

Now for CCW, they are a mite large.

[cwheel]

I packed mine in a nice Bianchi #5 using a Wilderness Instructors belt. OK to have that weight fishing in bear country. The LEO who packed this one in a duty rig for a couple of years said by the end of the day you sure noticed the extra weight. He said he might as well pack a S&W 29 44mag for the weight. I liked it ( and still do ) and for the price, couldn't refuse. As a backup gun hunting, going up the hills, every oz. extra you feel fast in the high country. That factor put me back to packing a 1911. I still think my personal accuracy was much better with the 645, very high quality firearm. Both were larger than I wanted to have for CCW use, I kept the Colt. To have a CCW that's worth anything, you must have it with you and not in the safe. That's what caused me to buy the Springfield XDs compact 45 couple of months ago, one that I would, and could carry. I guess that trade might not have been the best move either with all of them setting in a pile at the factory waiting to get fixed in the recall.
Chris

[Love Life]

You're in Wellington? I'm a hop, skip, and a jump down the road from you. I eat at Rosies after a day of wandering. We should go shoot stuff sometime.

Belt or hip weight seems to be non-isse for me at this time. I like to keep as much weight around the waist as I can instead of sticking it on my back in a pack.

[cwheel]

I live about a mile away from there, where are you ?? I'm one who likes to keep the weight to a minimum. More often than not it comes into play when having to pack a deer out. Getting older, every oz. packed counts. Some places I hunt, firing a shot is like sounding the dinner bell for the bears, and other critters. Although, getting a deer tag in this state is about as likely as winning the lottery. Most years I hunt out of state like this year it was Idaho.
Chris

[Love Life]

I'm over in the wonderful frontier settlement of TRE. I can usually be found in Jack Wright pass, Risue Canyon, Hoye Canyon, etc wandering around trying not to become bear or mountain lion food!

The Bison and Rim Fires have moved alot of the predators around this year. The coyotes are thick this year as well.

I didn't consider packing out animals. I haven't hunted anything larger than coyotes since 2007 or so.

Dick

[cwheel]

Well Dick, you do live close, I'm on the other side of the hill. Sure we will, or have run into each other already, it's a small place. Just shooting up in Jack Wright couple of days ago sighting a old Winchester. Mountain Lion trapped about a block away from the house a week or two ago. According to Fish and game, 3 more lions still here on the loose. Fires have moved critters into places we don't normally see them. Fresh sheep kill on Upper Colony. Don't be walking around unarmed here for awhile.
Chris

[Love Life]

I heard of the sheep kill over on upper colony. Last winter a friends horse had claw wounds on its flank. he is right outside Coleville.

I never go hiking without a pistol or rifle. Out there alone and unafraid you are no longer the Apex predator.

[cwheel]

I'd hate to piss off my old mare, in a lion VS horse conflict, think the old 1100 lb. girl would hold her own just fine until I get there to help out. I do miss my 645, but I don't miss carrying it. Here, as you know firearms are carried often by many for the reasons discussed above. We haven't even talked about the bears yet. Lack of LEO present in the area takes it down to you dealing with your issues, calling LEO's to file the proper reports, Fish and Game to remove the caucuses when the dust settles. Love living here, but this area has it's share of risks. Being ready to deal with them comes with the ground we live in. Still not that bad, consider living in a city dealing with a bunch of gang punks, I choose the critters, easier to tell who is who.
Chris

[Love Life]

I love this place. A free state, and place where you can roam and you take care of your own.

It isn't as bad as Alaska, but loafing around the area presents it's own unique risks. A firearm is pretty much a prerequisite for this area!! I'm just waiting for winter to hit full force so I can slap on the snow shoes and get at it!!

[seagiant]

Hi,
I think this thread took a wrong turn!

[Love Life]

yeah, it should have taken a left turn at Albuquerque.

back to the 645...great gun!

[seagiant]

Hi,
Having bought a new bike,I was looking to garner up a little money for mods and upgrades. Looked at my stable of pistols to sale a couple. The S&W 645 and the 1006 aren't going any where! Yea,they are a little heavy,but what always makes my laugh is friends of mine complaining about a pistol 3 ozs. heavier than a 1911,when they have 30 lbs. of gut hanging over their belt!;)

[Love Life]

Plus they make great emergency boat anchors! You still using the RCBS mould for your 10mm?

[Jjed]

thanks for the replys.
Ya i figure when i run out of ammo this thing will make a great club.

[seagiant]

Plus they make great emergency boat anchors! You still using the RCBS mould for your 10mm?

Hi,
You betcha! Have not found any better design out there,although I would take a MiHec clone if it was offered as a non-pin regular brass 4-cavity mold!

[Love Life]

Oh dear Lord...RCBS mould porn has arrived.

[Petrol & Powder]

thanks for the replys.
Ya i figure when i run out of ammo this thing will make a great club.

With that pistol and cartridge you should finish the job LONG before it's empty !
Enjoy. :drinks:

[redgum]

Such a great pistol that I think was overlooked a bit in it's time.
I have owned three 645's & a 4506 over the years and each was utterly reliable and more accurate than me. They all feed empty cases right out of the mags, hell, I reckon they would feed rocks,
If you could get 'em in the mag.
Recently sold the last 645 (reluctantly) but I still have the 4506 and I reckon I always will.

[No_1]

I also have both a 645 and a 1006. Traded my Ruger P89 straight up to a guy who said the 645 was too heavy and did not have enough capacity. Got the 1006 as a gift from my Dad. Both are very nice pieces.


Hi,
Having bought a new bike,I was looking to garner up a little money for mods and upgrades. Looked at my stable of pistols to sale a couple. The S&W 645 and the 1006 aren't going any where! Yea,they are a little heavy,but what always makes my laugh is friends of mine complaining about a pistol 3 ozs. heavier than a 1911,when they have 30 lbs. of gut hanging over their belt!;)

[Jjed]

After shooting the group in the picture i tryed it out at 100 yards on a 20 inch steel target, hit it 2 out of 4 times with the other's coming close. with lyman cast hollow points. i think this will be a great carry gun for when i am walking on the hill's around here. with the size of the coyote's i have seen around here and i hear them almost every nite i dont go with out a sidearm.
Pics of the lyman hp shot through milk jugs.

[cwheel]

Love Life, my 645 and 5 mags are sitting for sale at America West Guns in Carson. Sure he'd make you a deal if not already sold. Gun in factory box with all paperwork and cleaning brush, 5 mags. Great gun, just to heavy for me day to day.
Chris