Smith and Wesson has brought a new subcompact 1911 in .45 ACP to the market in their SW1911 line. The SW1911 Sub Compact Pro Series is a tiny 1911 with an obvious eye on the concealed carry market.
The SW1911 features a Scandium frame, carbon steel slide, and stainless steel barrel, which all weighs in at only 24 ounces unloaded. The gun is offered in matte black.
The gun loads 7+1 of the venerable .45 ACP and launches the rounds through a 3″ barrel. Sights are typical three-dot.
Due to the reliability problems sometimes encountered with shrinking the 1911 platform, S&W installed an oversized external extractor to ensure positive extraction. Smith and Wesson also equipped with subcompact 1911 with a three-hole trigger and a full-length guide rod. I personally do not care for the skeletonized-type triggers, but your mileage may vary.
Specifications
- caliber: .45 ACP
- standard magazine capacity: Â seven rounds
- barrel length: Â 3″
- overall length: Â 6 7/8″
- weight (unloaded): Â 24 ounces
- frame: Â scandium alloy
- slide: Â carbon steel
- barrel: Â stainless steel
- full-length guide rod
- oversized external extractor
- sights: Â three-dot
List price on the SW1911 Sub Compact Pro Series is $1264.
Smith & Wesson 1911 Subcompact
2013 SW1911 Update
This SW1911 pistol, introduced at the 2009 SHOT Show, is still in the Smith & Wesson catalog. Â The MSRP has dropped to $1,159. Â While not “cheap” by many people’s understanding of the term, the price is lower than the introductory price of $1,264.
The gun has gained a lot of respect from even the most traditional of 1911 enthusiasts. These guns look good and run great. For the price, they are actually a very good deal. Sure, more than $1k for a handgun is a little over the top for many people, but for a real 1911 fan the price is not bad at all.
I’ve had a chance to shoot these guns on the range, but I have not had one in my possession long enough for a complete review. If this changes, I will update this article with my observations.
14 replies on “Smith & Wesson Model SW1911 Sub Compact – Pro Series Pistol”
Just purchased the S&W sub compact 1911 ‘Pro Series’.
I thought my Colt ‘New Agent’ series 90 was the finest
.45 CC made, until this S&W came along. In one word, SMOOTH!
It’s now my new CC pistol. What a fine weapon!
Hi Stuart,
Thanks for taking the time to post a report!
–Richard
Great gun–replaced my Glock 27 (in my opinion Glock not as safe–like the grip safety of a 1911). Shot over 600 rounds, couple of FTF at the beginning–use Gold-Dots (dept issue)–I also like the fact that 230 grain .45 hardball can be effective, the only auto-pistol round that can claim that (WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam can testify to that fact). Recoil easy to manage–still don’t understand why the 1911 platform is so expensive–oh well.
I saw the Pro compact .45 at a recent gun show. I was curious and picked it up to heft it. This was an epiphany. This gun felt like it was custom made for my hand. Keep in mind I have an S&W M59 9mm that is a pleasure to shoot, and I carry a Kel-Tec P11 9mm, simply because I can carry it as a pocket gun.
I expect that firing the .45 with an alloy frame and 3″ barrel shouldn’t be any worse than firing my Kel-Tec with hot ammo. Anyway, after handling that .45, I WANT ONE!!!
I have owned this weapon for 5 months now…about 4500 rounds down the tube with 0 problems. The frame is fine, extractor works perfectly, and cheap-o mags still function. Great deal for 1000.00 gun.