Finally caved and got an X300T to round out my Zoomer-Fudd 1911 setup (SW1911TA).
If you’re looking for a great first 1911, check out the S&W E-Series lineup. The external extractor’s on the SW1911s help with sustained reliability without needing to worry about tuning them. Once you get some good mags, they should run flawlessly as long as you keep them oiled.
I’m almost 1k rounds in with no failures, was able to polish the internals for an even better trigger/action, and get the trigger reliably/safely down to 3.5lbs with a very short reset (verified by repeated safety checks and live fire over multiple days/weeks).
man that front strap checkering is siiiiiick.. those grips are not my cup of tea but the rest of it is :) I have a Sig 1911 with an external extractor and they're so much nicer than the internals.. I really wish they'd all switch to them at some point
Thanks man and I agree! These grips took some getting used to for me (visually) but are functionally hard to beat. The rectangular cutouts let my fingers sink in a bit for greater leverage which makes it even easier to shoot fast and maintain accuracy. I actually tried them out on my Sig 1911 first and liked them enough to buy a second pair (VZ Fallout grips) for this S&W. I did have to sand them down a bit for them to actually be comfortable. Out of the box, they're like cheese graters lol
When I decided to get my first 1911 and being wary of the '1911s are finicky and need to be tuned' trope, I figured I'd look for ones with external extractors (EE) since it'd be one less thing to tune. As a lefty, S&W and Sig 1911s were my viable options because of the EE and ambi safeties. Having owned both, all I've ever needed to worry about tuning (out of the box) was mags. I run WC ETM/500 mags and have yet to run into any failures in my Sig/S&W across different Ball/JHP loads.
My understanding is that even JMB intended for the 1911 to have an EE, but the military wanted it internal so the troops would't mess with them (that logic, I don't understand lol).
https://preview.redd.it/t7goc3a2ms9g1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=47bc9ac375db3b98168bcd0be8d6eafdf1507032
Seriously, those freaking extractors are the source of most issues along with magazines. Sig's 1911s are very underrated.. VERY. Your description of the grips is making me want to look at them harder 😂 I'll check them out
Exactlyyyy! And they’re worth a shot IMO. Check out the clearance section for them (I’ve been able to get both pairs for ~$15 cheaper that way). If you decide to buy a pair, use some 600 grit sandpaper to round off the edges, dab a bit of oil to restore the color, and wipe them dry 🤙🏽
Wow!
Is it zoomer fudd because of the external extractor? Haven’t heard that before but I like it as it fits haha.
I just can’t do an external one on a 1911, or not until I have a bunch more at least lol, but I’ve always liked the serrations on the slide on the S&Ws.
Somewhat! I'm Gen Z and think the 'Zoomer' name is funny. I also really like 45ACP, which makes me a 'Fudd' according to the internet lol. I figured that 'Zoomer-Fudd' blended the non-traditional, modern, aspects of this 1911 (Slide serration style, External Extractor, Magwell, Pic-rail/light, crazy grips, etc.) with it still being an all-steel 1911 in 45 'AARP'
I'm the opposite in that I can't do an internal extractor haha. The external ones on this S&W and my Sig 1911X have been 100% reliable without ever needing any attention. I don't mind it aesthetically, but I can definitely understand the visual preference for the internal extractors
That makes sense! I’m a millennial but love 1911s, and thus 45 as well. I just got one in 38 super, so we’ll see how that goes.
Am I shooting in the 2020s or 1920s? You can’t tell from the gun or ammo lol
External extractor is more reliable or less maintenance for what I understand. It’s great we have options. I like the Sig Scorpion, but may get a S&W one eventually as I like the look overall. Yours looks dope
Edit: saw another comment of yours: I’m also left-handed 1911 fudd gang lol
The design may be old, but they just shoot so well. Paul Harrell (RIP 💔🕊️) has a number of vids where he uses/talks about the pros of 1911s in 38 super, so I'm sure it'll be a blast haha
TBF, it's not just the guns/ammo parallel of the 1920s/2020s. The socioeconomic parallels blur the lines, too 😵💫
Thanks man and lefty fudds ftw 😂🤙🏽