Post by TBT on Feb 11, 2006 22:35:24 GMT -5
Got in my Smith and Wesson Stainless 1911 (model 108282) the other day and figured that I would post a review in here. Well, as much of a review that can be had from such as me. Take it for what its worth.
Initial Impressions:
Taking it out of the box and picking it up I really like how it feels. The SW Billboard Roll Mark on the side isn’t as bad in person as it is in pictures. That’s even kind of an understatement. It doesn’t bother me at all in person. I’ve no opinion yet on the black fire controls. I could like or dislike them. Only time will tell. Nice looking government model overall.
Fit and Finish:
The slide to frame fit is great. I would put it a little worse than my Kimber and a little better than my Springfield. That’s splitting hairs though, all these guns are tight. The Kimber is just a tough act to follow. Pulling the slide rearward is tough. The slide is tight and the wolf springs that come stock in the guns are rigid and of good quality.
Finish is standard stainless. I don’t really know how to judge this. It’s not too shinny and not too dull. Lol. Wha? I dunno. The fire controls though, ugh. Well not ugh really but there is a brownish cast to the grips safety. Not real present but in good light you can tell it’s not as black as it should be. That kind of bugs me. The trigger is also kind of rough looking but not too bad.
Function:
More on this in the coming days when I get a chance to get down to the range but so far so good. I put two mags through it off my back deck yesterday (or was it the day before?) and was impressed with just that little bit. Tossed an apple off the back deck out about 7-10 yards or so and was able to shot the apple and then shoot the pieces that blew off with the first shot (using the deck railing as a rest of course). Accurate, handled well, low muzzle flip, very little perceived recoil. The trigger is lighter than I expected and is actually pretty good. One thing that really stuck out was the way the thing threw the brass. About 6 feet up and 10-15 feet back. It was just ripping the cases out of the chamber. That’s good. Guess that external on those Smiths really do work as well as people say.
The sights are great. The stock Novak Low Mounts are a nice touch and so far seem to be real fast on target. I'll have to use them more to be sure but its a nice touch none the less to include them. I'm still bitter that my Kimber only came with plain black blade sights ...
Overall I’m very happy. It just feels like a shooter and a keeper. I’ll most likely leave the billboard alone but I think I will probably replace the trigger and grip safe once you guys teach me how to detail strip this thing. I might send it back to SW but I’ve been eyeing some nice aftermarket parts that I might want to try myself.
So, very nice gun, good buy so far, they could have done better with the aesthetics of the trigger and grip safety. I won’t “recommend it” until I’ve shot it more, but I’m very encouraged. More on this later.
Initial Impressions:
Taking it out of the box and picking it up I really like how it feels. The SW Billboard Roll Mark on the side isn’t as bad in person as it is in pictures. That’s even kind of an understatement. It doesn’t bother me at all in person. I’ve no opinion yet on the black fire controls. I could like or dislike them. Only time will tell. Nice looking government model overall.
Fit and Finish:
The slide to frame fit is great. I would put it a little worse than my Kimber and a little better than my Springfield. That’s splitting hairs though, all these guns are tight. The Kimber is just a tough act to follow. Pulling the slide rearward is tough. The slide is tight and the wolf springs that come stock in the guns are rigid and of good quality.
Finish is standard stainless. I don’t really know how to judge this. It’s not too shinny and not too dull. Lol. Wha? I dunno. The fire controls though, ugh. Well not ugh really but there is a brownish cast to the grips safety. Not real present but in good light you can tell it’s not as black as it should be. That kind of bugs me. The trigger is also kind of rough looking but not too bad.
Function:
More on this in the coming days when I get a chance to get down to the range but so far so good. I put two mags through it off my back deck yesterday (or was it the day before?) and was impressed with just that little bit. Tossed an apple off the back deck out about 7-10 yards or so and was able to shot the apple and then shoot the pieces that blew off with the first shot (using the deck railing as a rest of course). Accurate, handled well, low muzzle flip, very little perceived recoil. The trigger is lighter than I expected and is actually pretty good. One thing that really stuck out was the way the thing threw the brass. About 6 feet up and 10-15 feet back. It was just ripping the cases out of the chamber. That’s good. Guess that external on those Smiths really do work as well as people say.
The sights are great. The stock Novak Low Mounts are a nice touch and so far seem to be real fast on target. I'll have to use them more to be sure but its a nice touch none the less to include them. I'm still bitter that my Kimber only came with plain black blade sights ...
Overall I’m very happy. It just feels like a shooter and a keeper. I’ll most likely leave the billboard alone but I think I will probably replace the trigger and grip safe once you guys teach me how to detail strip this thing. I might send it back to SW but I’ve been eyeing some nice aftermarket parts that I might want to try myself.
So, very nice gun, good buy so far, they could have done better with the aesthetics of the trigger and grip safety. I won’t “recommend it” until I’ve shot it more, but I’m very encouraged. More on this later.
