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:  seven rounds
- barrel length:  3″
- overall length:  6 7/8″
- weight (unloaded):  24 ounces
- frame:  scandium alloy
- slide:  carbon steel
- barrel:  stainless steel
- full-length guide rod
- oversized external extractor
- sights:  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.  The MSRP has dropped to $1,159.  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”
Today at a Gun Show I was looking for a Springfield EMP 40 cal. but to my luck that didn’t have one, so I kept looking. I found this SW1911 Sub Compact Pro Series and loved how it felt, looked,asked a ton of questions, and it was exactly what I was looking for in a daily carry. I paid 900, took it home and cleaned it, and was off to the range.
I wasn’t sure how a baby 1911 would be but after 200 rounds I loved it. Shot well in 2inch gaps and had no problems. Plan on doing another 300 tomorrow so we’ll see how it is at 500.
Make sure to lube up this baby 1911 it will get dry.
Very happy this gun so far.