Making Of A S&W Performance Center 1911

A detailed look inside the belly of the beast:

Holy that’s a lot of hands-on work.  I bet at Glock they just show up, hit the big green button then go eat schnitzel and drink awesome beer the rest of the day.

I’ve handled a few of the performance center handguns… they are really nice.  Worth the price though?  I suppose there are different ways you can justify it.

American-FlagI like the idea of all the American jobs this creates.

Thoughts? Does this make you want a 1911 from them more, or are you disappointed that human error can be a factor in the performance of your gun?

15 COMMENTS

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SittingDown December 6, 2013 at 04:01 am

LOL @ Glock green button. Why complicate perfection? ;)

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doyletoo December 6, 2013 at 01:12 pm

+1! LOL
Mmmmmmm. Schnitzel!

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dave w December 6, 2013 at 04:58 am

The first thing they do at glock in the morning is melt down all of yesterdays irregular glocks and add them to todays batch.

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Tito December 6, 2013 at 05:25 am

Irregular Glocks??!! Impossible. That’s crazy talk right there. Gaston will be paying you a visit to discuss this. Ha.

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triggernoob December 6, 2013 at 06:08 pm

Mmmmm…Yes melt down plastic. It’s recyclable!

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2Wheels December 6, 2013 at 06:01 am

I’m a Colt man myself, although S&W makes some fine 1911s.

The nicer 1911s cost what they cost… There really is no getting around that. If that bothers you, stick to tupperware and don’t whine to me about what I paid for my guns.

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mafbloggerdanny December 6, 2013 at 12:11 pm

100% this makes me want to buy a SW1911. I can’t afford to get a performance center model, but i hope my next 1911 purchase will be a Smith and Wesson! American made! American jobs! A gun that’s integral to American history.

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triggernoob December 6, 2013 at 06:08 pm

‘Merika!

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Todd S December 6, 2013 at 12:36 pm

I’m actually glad to see human hands and expert craftsmanship.

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Ross December 6, 2013 at 02:09 pm

As an engineer who designs high tolerance machined parts… this is painful to watch.

90’s of the hand fitting wouldn’t be needed with a single high tolerance CNC machine and a top-notch professional. The last few strokes? sure, hand fit. But take all that fitting, checking, fitting, checking, fitting, checking out of the equation. One man with a good setup could produce more “hand fit” pieces that an old codger who thinks he needs to take the last .025″ down with files.

I do appreciate the hand built, hand fit idea, and the joy of owning something a man crafted with as little computerization as possible… but shit for production that is stupid.

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triggernoob December 6, 2013 at 06:09 pm

Hand fitted with tears of virgins!

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James P December 7, 2013 at 03:13 pm

Outside of a competition gun(like the one in the video), I’d prefer a gun with drop-in replacement parts.

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Ed December 7, 2013 at 08:41 pm

Don’t worry man, there are a lot of companies who will use their mill to fuck up your Glock’s slide with speed holes. I’m sure they’ll take a good chunk of money for it too.

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Tim December 9, 2013 at 05:38 am

Do they eat a lot of schnitzel in Smyrna Georgia?

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Scott December 18, 2013 at 05:35 pm

I own the 4.25″ Commander PC1911 and I have the say, it’s an outstanding piece. It’s my first S&W and one of many 1911’s in my collection.
Yes, it’s worth the price I paid, IMO ($1245)

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