Yet the SW1911TA.45 is more than just a pretty face. It’s an impressive handgun.
There is negligible play in the slide and all fittings are tight with very little recoil or backlash during trigger compression.
All this precision adds up to less wear and tear complemented by greater accuracy.
And then there’s the pretty face; the SW1911TA.45 is done up in a durable black Melonite finish but is also available in stainless steel for traditionalists.
However, as author Robert Campbell points out in his article “SW1911TA.45—Smith & Wesson’s Rail Gun” at USConcealedCarry.com, the rail is what separates the men from the boys with 1911s:
“An accessory rail is the TA .45’s major split from tradition, allowing the user to mount a laser or light system to aid in target identification and acquisition during low-light lethal force encounters.” (Read more at USConcealedCarry.com)
The SW1911TA.45 is no slouch when comparing the 1911’s standard features to the competition either. The sights are Novak low-mount with three-dot pattern tritium inserts for bold contrast in low light. The beavertail grip safety is designed with a funnel-like memory groove that allows for proper safety activation.
The slide lock safety design is ambidextrous, making the weapon flexible for close-quarters operation or opposite hand practice at the range.
While the Melonite pistol on the SW1911TA.45 is impressive on its own merit, it’s complemented by the checkered and laminated wood grips with subtle ranges of grit and adhesion to suit even the most demanding hand.
The extractor is the standard Smith & Wesson, but has an opening on top of the chamber that allows the shooter to see if there is a live round in the chamber. The firing block and drop safety on this weapon have been replaced by a lighter firing pin combined with a heavy-duty spring without any significant drop-off in quality.
During test firing, the SW1911TA.45 performed admirably, sustaining zero failures to feed, chamber, fire, or eject over 1000 rounds. Recommended ammo for this weapon is the Black Hills 185-grain TAC load. The gun is also a strong candidate for concealed carry because there are SW1911TA.45 specific holsters on the market, particularly at Wild Bill’s Concealment or at Covert Carry.
The SW1911TA.45 is an excellent firearm for shooters that spend a lot of time training at the range or those seeking to develop tactical field skills and look good doing it.