YouTube personality, Graham Baates, gives us a video breakdown and review of the S&W Pro Series 9mm 1911.
9mm 1911s have always been a touchy spot. Some see it as a sacrilege of firearms history, and others get flashbacks of reliability and magazine issues. So how does one from Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center do? Pardon the pun, but I aimed to find out.
The Pro Series is a balance between Smith & Wesson’s main production models and the full-on competition models from the Performance Center. Think of it like the premium versions of a car. A little tuned up and with nicer amenities, but not nearly as expensive or difficult to find as a full-on custom. In the case of the SW1911 examined here, it means a handgun with premium features that is still a viable option for everyday carry.
S&W Performance Center SW1911 Pro Series 9mm Pistol
I was curious. I had both heard of and experienced challenges with 9mm 1911s. The Pro Series SW1911 costs multiple times more than a Shield but offers the same 8+1 capacity. So why make it at all? Because reasons, that’s why. Folks like the 1911. No matter what you do to a polymer-framed, striker-fired gun, it will never feel the same as an all-metal 1911. Keeping in mind that this is a carry model, Smith & Wesson made the frame from their Scandium Alloy, which resulted in just under 8oz added in weight when compared to the M&P Shield, for many that’s worth it.
Take a closer look at the build quality in the video below:
Aside from the Pro Series and Performance Center names, what warrants the $1,481 price tag? Description and specifications can be seen below and are taken directly from the product webpage.
Features
- Oversized external extractor
- 3-hole curved trigger with overtravel stop
- Full length guide rod
- Round butt frame
- Grip safety
- Ambidextrous Thumb Safety
Specifications
-
- SKU: 178053
- Model: PERFORMANCE CENTER SW1911 PRO SERIES 9mm
- Caliber: 9mm
- Capacity: 8+1
- Barrel Length: 3″ / 7.6 cm
- Overall Length: 6.9″
- Front Sight: Dovetail White Dot
- Rear Sight: Fixed White 2-Dot
- Action: Single Action=
- Grip: Fully Stippled Synthetic
- Weight: 26.2 oz / 742.8g
- Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
- Slide Material: Stainless Steel
- Frame Material: Scandium Alloy
Suggested MSRP $1481.00 (Less $$ Online)
Live Inventory Price Checker
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Smith & Wesson Sw1911 Pro Series 9mm Luger Semi-Auto Handgun | Brownells.com | $ 1719.99 |
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SMITH & WESSON PC SW1911 Pro 9mm 3" 8rd Pistol w/ Ambi Thumb Safety - Black | KYGUNCO | $ 1423.52 |
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To see how the Pro Series 9mm SW1911 would perform, I hit the range for our standard test battery. Full-Mag +1 because, sadly, some guns can’t run that way starts the test. Next, we ask, “What’s for Dinner?” and try a variety of loads from 165gr down to 65gr, including some steel and aluminum cases. It wraps up with a practical field accuracy test of five shots from seven yards using Nosler 115gr Match.
Results can be seen in the video below:
As one would hope, the SW1911 Pro Series 9mm performed flawlessly. Is this the cheap-o anyone can grab and keep on hand for self defense? No. Is it a functioning, reliable 9mm 1911? Yes. I’m sure some will scoff at the price tag and that’s ok. Not every gun is for everyone, just like not every car is for everyone. I prefer to celebrate diversity and experience as much as I can. In the case of this pistol, I can say my expectation of what a 9mm 1911 can be have been raised.
About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .