SMITH & WESSON PC 1911
Posted May 25, 2023
Smith & Wesson PC 1911 pistol is a modern variant of the classic 1911 pistol. It was introduced in 2003 and has been steadily gaining in popularity over the years. Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center (PC) guns are well known for their exceptional quality, reliability, and accuracy. The PC 1911 is no exception.
The pistol is chambered in .45 ACP and comes standard with 8-round magazines. It has a 4.25” stainless steel barrel with 1:16 twist rifling that does a great job stabilizing the .45 ACP round. The frame and slide are both constructed of stainless steel. The slide has a plain, unadorned, no snag, flat profile. Front and rear cocking serrations provide a secure grip when racking the slide. The pistol comes with a skeletonized low profile rear sight and a snag-free front dovetail sight.
The trigger pull is light and very smooth. The trigger has an over-travel stop which helps with follow-up shots. The manual safety works well, and provides an additional layer of safety for the shooter. The slide lock and magazine release are both located on the left side of the frame and work without issue.
The Smith & Wesson PC 1911 pistol is extremely well designed and aesthetically pleasing. The attention to detail and quality of components is impressive. The stainless steel frame and slide are of very high caliber and the fit and finish are outstanding. The carbon steel frame is durable and strong. The components all lock together perfectly and the gun fits the hand very well.
The PC 1911 is very accurate. The 4.25” barrel does a great job of stabilizing the .45 ACP round, and the trigger pull is crisp and light. The sights are good, and the accuracy of the pistol combined with the excellent trigger pull make it very easy to get on target quickly.
Recoil is very manageable thanks to the recoil spring inside the slide. The additional weight of the steel frame and slide help to absorb the recoil as well.
The gun looks great and performs even better. The quality of components, attention to detail, and thoughtful design all come together to create a precision instrument. Those looking for a highly reliable and accurate pistol should definitely consider the Smith & Wesson PC 1911.
In conclusion, the Smith & Wesson PC 1911 is an excellent choice for those looking for a modern version of the classic 1911 pistol. It is well designed and engineered, features quality components, and provides great accuracy, reliability, and performance. It is a great gun for sport, target shooting, or home defense.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Extremely reliable and accurate
- Durable construction
- Superior ergonomics
- Good weight and feel
- Large magazine capacity
- Ambidextrous safety
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Heavy and bulky compared to other handguns
- Limited customization options
- Can be difficult to maintain
- Magazine release is stiff and awkward.
Who Should Buy
Anyone who is legally entitled to buy a firearm should be able to purchase the Smith & Wesson PC 1911. However, those who don’t have a reliable and properly equipped gun range or training should not buy the gun unless they can ensure they get adequate safety training. The 1911 is a very powerful handgun and has the potential to cause serious injury or death if used incorrectly. Therefore, it is not a weapon that should be taken lightly or used without proper safety measures in place.
Comparisons
| Smith & Wesson PC 1911 | Product 1 | Product 2 | Product 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .45 Auto / ACP | .45 Auto / ACP | .45 Auto / ACP | 9 mm |
| Capacity | 8+1 Rounds | 8+1 Rounds | 10+1 Rounds | 15+1 Rounds |
| Action | Double Action | Double Action / Semi- Automatic | Double Action | Semi-Automatic |
| Barrel Length | 5" | 5" | 4.25" | 4" |
| Weight | 34.7 oz | 38.8 oz | 34.7 oz | 29.6 oz |
| Front Sight | Fiber Optic | Fiber Optic | Fiber Optic | Fixed Night Sights |
| Rear Sight | Steel Novak | Adjustable | Steel Novak | Single Dot Night Sights |
Features / Specs
• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Action: Short Recoil
• Capacity: 8+1 Rds
• Magazine Type: Double stack magazines
• Frame: Aluminum Alloy
• Sights: Wide Notch Rear, Fixed Post Front
• Safety: Ambidextrous Manual Thumb
• Grips: Textured Wood
• Weight: 33.0 oz
• Barrel Length: 5”
Popular Accessories
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- Extra magazines
- Grip panels
- Magazine wells
- Triggers
- Extended beavertail grip safeties
- Sight upgrades (night sights, fiber optic sights, etc.)
- Mainspring housings
- Extended slide stops
- Extended magazine releases
- Extended thumb safeties
Accuracy
The Smith & Wesson PC 1911 is a very accurate handgun. It boasts superior accuracy due to its heavy alloy frame, tight machining, and excellent barrel/slide fit. In hands-on tests of the gun, shooters have consistently found it to shoot well above average. It is an excellent choice for defensive shooting or competition. It offers accuracy off-the-shelf, meaning that with a few simple adjustments you can rapidly increase the revolver’s precision. Smith & Wesson have found that many users are achieving target-video accuracy with the PC 1911 out of the box. Thus, the PC 1911 is an optimal choice for shooters that are just getting into the handgun world, as well as those who demand accuracy from their armament.
