S&W 1911TA E-Series Review

Mrgunsngear · September 17, 2011, 06:15 PM

Finally got a chance to put a few rounds through my new Smith and Wesson 1911 today. Here's a quick review...

Initial Impressions:
This is a good looking gun. Frame to slide fit is very good and the fish scale type slide serrations provide some serious grip when racking the slide. The night sights were your standard Trijicon 3-dots and were very bright (as expected). The factory grips were good looking and also provided a positive grip but I like my 1911s to have magwells so I knew they would have to go. The safety is an ambi type and positively engaged, or clicked, each time but didn't take a lot of effort to manipulate. Here's how it came out of the box:

I put some magwell duragrips on and a replaced the MSH with a Fusion stainless MSH and magwell combination. I cleaned the gun before heading out to the range as well. I brought 20 Winchester Ranger 230 grain JHP +p rounds, 150 winchester white box, and 50 fiocci fmj rounds with me to put it through it's paces.

This thing is accurate and has a great trigger. It's adjustable but it didn't have any overtravel from the factory so I left it as is. The barrel/bushing fit on this gun is tight, like Les Bear tight, and I was worried this may create a reliability issue once it got hot. It didn't. I used a Chip McCormick 10 round powermag, Wilson Combat 10 round mag, the factory mags, and 3 Wilson Combat ETM mags and did not have one failure of any kind. The recoil was as expected with 41oz 1911 and wasn't much worse when using the +p rounds. I really can't think of anything negative to say about this gun (I don't mind the external extractor).

Bottom line: I absolutely recommend this gun for anyone looking for an accurate and reliable 1911.

catnphx · September 17, 2011, 09:28 PM

I put one of these in my hands last week at Sportsman Warehouse and I've been thinking about it ever since. It's a nice looking gun and fit good in the hand. They were selling them for $1,150 at Sportsman's. I'm thinking about getting one of these in Q1 next year but I'm going to check out the Ruger SR1911 too, which also is getting very good reviews.

Well done on the purchase ... is this your first 1911? I don't yet own one but will soon enough.

Mrgunsngear · September 17, 2011, 10:03 PM

It's currently number 6 in my collection (I've sold a few as well...) but is my first S&W 1911. I love their M&Ps and I grew up across the street from the factory in Springfield so I'm naturally drawn to their products

It's probably my favorite 1911 now, the Sig Tacops with threaded barrel is a close second; only losing out because I had one FTF through about 500 rounds...

bac1023 · September 18, 2011, 01:12 AM

Very nice.

I love 1911s.

Strongarm6R · September 18, 2011, 05:15 AM

I certainly see one of these beauties in my future. S&W certainly knows how to make a great weapon even greater

federali · September 18, 2011, 09:00 AM

I too bought an S&W 1911 when I decided that I should own just one 1911. I'm extremely pleased with the gun. It has an excellent trigger and, so far, has shot anything I put through it, be it jacketed or lead. It's also more accurate than I can shoot.

1911s don't break down and re-assemble as easily as a Glock or SIG. That's the only downside.

Mrgunsngear · September 18, 2011, 01:54 PM

True, but the ergos and trigger are second to no other design IMO. ...and if this one is as reliable as my Glocks/FNs,M&Ps/ect this will be a real winner.

Mrgunsngear · September 24, 2011, 07:16 PM

Update:

Went to the range with her today again and found out it doesn't like MFS 2000 (Hungarian stuff from Cabelas) ammo at all. I ran 50 rounds through it with only Wilson ETM mags and it FTE'd 3 times.

I also put another 100 rounds of Win White Box and 18 rounds of Ranger 230 +p through it with 0 issues; it seemed the problem was confined to the MFS stuff.

csmsss · September 24, 2011, 07:48 PM

What shape is the bullet on that Hungarian ammo? Is it shaped like a truncated cone?

orionengnr · September 24, 2011, 10:07 PM

I've been eyeballing the Scandium-framed Commander-sized S&W 1911s for several years now. I have a friend who owns one of the GunSite editions.

I carry a steel Commander-sized 1911 and the 8 oz less weight would be welcomed. The two-tone Bobtailed E-series Scandium Commander they introduced this year has captured my attention as few guns ever have.

I am not in a financial postion to buy one right now, but I hope to own one by late this year or tax refund time next year...

bdb benzino · September 25, 2011, 01:32 AM

Quote:

The two-tone Bobtailed E-seriesScandium Commander they introduced this year has captured my attention as few guns ever have.

I am not in a financial postion to buy one right now, but I hope to own one by late this year or tax refund time next year..

Funny, I feel the same about the bob tailed commander E series S&W, and also about the financial situation. At tax refund time she will be mine...... Oh yes mine. Hahaha. But seriously these are sweet looking 1911's and I can't wait to get my hands on one.
Congrats on yours and enjoy!!

Mrgunsngear · September 25, 2011, 09:16 AM

The rounds are round nose and appear to be identical to any regular 230 ball ammo...

I've been on a wait list for the LEO discount round nose scandium frame E-Series for about 6 months now as well. As soon as S&W releases one to their LE distributers, I'll be all over it!

csmsss · September 25, 2011, 10:35 AM

I wonder if the OAL might be out of spec by just a tad? In any case, that sure seems like a fine pistol. I like that it comes OOB with the extended thumb safety.

September 17, 2011, 06:15 PM	#1
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	S&W 1911TA E-Series Review Finally got a chance to put a few rounds through my new Smith and Wesson 1911 today. Here's a quick review... Initial Impressions: This is a good looking gun. Frame to slide fit is very good and the fish scale type slide serrations provide some serious grip when racking the slide. The night sights were your standard Trijicon 3-dots and were very bright (as expected). The factory grips were good looking and also provided a positive grip but I like my 1911s to have magwells so I knew they would have to go. The safety is an ambi type and positively engaged, or clicked, each time but didn't take a lot of effort to manipulate. Here's how it came out of the box: I put some magwell duragrips on and a replaced the MSH with a Fusion stainless MSH and magwell combination. I cleaned the gun before heading out to the range as well. I brought 20 Winchester Ranger 230 grain JHP +p rounds, 150 winchester white box, and 50 fiocci fmj rounds with me to put it through it's paces. This thing is accurate and has a great trigger. It's adjustable but it didn't have any overtravel from the factory so I left it as is. The barrel/bushing fit on this gun is tight, like Les Bear tight, and I was worried this may create a reliability issue once it got hot. It didn't. I used a Chip McCormick 10 round powermag, Wilson Combat 10 round mag, the factory mags, and 3 Wilson Combat ETM mags and did not have one failure of any kind. The recoil was as expected with 41oz 1911 and wasn't much worse when using the +p rounds. I really can't think of anything negative to say about this gun (I don't mind the external extractor). Bottom line: I absolutely recommend this gun for anyone looking for an accurate and reliable 1911.

September 18, 2011, 09:00 AM	#6
federali Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2011 Location: Nassau County NY Posts: 378	S&W 1911 I too bought an S&W 1911 when I decided that I should own just one 1911. I'm extremely pleased with the gun. It has an excellent trigger and, so far, has shot anything I put through it, be it jacketed or lead. It's also more accurate than I can shoot. 1911s don't break down and re-assemble as easily as a Glock or SIG. That's the only downside.

September 17, 2011, 09:28 PM	#2
catnphx Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2011 Location: North Phoenix, AZ Posts: 168	I put one of these in my hands last week at Sportsman Warehouse and I've been thinking about it ever since. It's a nice looking gun and fit good in the hand. They were selling them for $1,150 at Sportsman's. I'm thinking about getting one of these in Q1 next year but I'm going to check out the Ruger SR1911 too, which also is getting very good reviews. Well done on the purchase ... is this your first 1911? I don't yet own one but will soon enough.

September 17, 2011, 10:03 PM	#3
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	It's currently number 6 in my collection (I've sold a few as well...) but is my first S&W 1911. I love their M&Ps and I grew up across the street from the factory in Springfield so I'm naturally drawn to their products It's probably my favorite 1911 now, the Sig Tacops with threaded barrel is a close second; only losing out because I had one FTF through about 500 rounds...

September 18, 2011, 01:12 AM	#4
bac1023 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 1,212	Very nice. I love 1911s.

September 18, 2011, 05:15 AM	#5
Strongarm6R Member Join Date: August 20, 2011 Posts: 22	I certainly see one of these beauties in my future. S&W certainly knows how to make a great weapon even greater

September 18, 2011, 01:54 PM	#7
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	True, but the ergos and trigger are second to no other design IMO. ...and if this one is as reliable as my Glocks/FNs,M&Ps/ect this will be a real winner.

September 24, 2011, 07:16 PM	#8
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	Update: Went to the range with her today again and found out it doesn't like MFS 2000 (Hungarian stuff from Cabelas) ammo at all. I ran 50 rounds through it with only Wilson ETM mags and it FTE'd 3 times. I also put another 100 rounds of Win White Box and 18 rounds of Ranger 230 +p through it with 0 issues; it seemed the problem was confined to the MFS stuff.

September 24, 2011, 07:48 PM	#9
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	What shape is the bullet on that Hungarian ammo? Is it shaped like a truncated cone?

September 24, 2011, 10:07 PM	#10
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 5,208	I've been eyeballing the Scandium-framed Commander-sized S&W 1911s for several years now. I have a friend who owns one of the GunSite editions. I carry a steel Commander-sized 1911 and the 8 oz less weight would be welcomed. The two-tone Bobtailed E-series Scandium Commander they introduced this year has captured my attention as few guns ever have. I am not in a financial postion to buy one right now, but I hope to own one by late this year or tax refund time next year...

September 25, 2011, 09:16 AM	#12
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	The rounds are round nose and appear to be identical to any regular 230 ball ammo... I've been on a wait list for the LEO discount round nose scandium frame E-Series for about 6 months now as well. As soon as S&W releases one to their LE distributers, I'll be all over it!

September 25, 2011, 10:35 AM	#13
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	I wonder if the OAL might be out of spec by just a tad? In any case, that sure seems like a fine pistol. I like that it comes OOB with the extended thumb safety.