Smith & Wesson sent me a full-size 1911 from their Performance Center. All Performance Center guns are given an extra degree of attention during the fitting and polishing of the parts. The PC1911 with ports features a satin-finished stainless steel slide and frame. For dramatic effect there are three ports on each side of the slide towards the muzzle end. Fit between the slide and frame is tight and wobble free. The gun is outfitted with black parts for an attractive contrast. Its magazine release, slide stop, beavertail grip safety, barrel, external extractor and magazine well all stand out against the bead-blasted stainless steel. To add a splash of color, S&W adds blue G10 grips. The craftsmen at the Performance Center also undercut the triggerguard where it meets the frame and checkered the front strap at what looks to be about 50 LPI. This is fine enough that it won’t catch up on clothing when worn concealed, nor is it coarse enough to abrade flesh during a long range-session.
My test gun would be perfect for competition use with its ambidextrous extended thumb safeties, magazine well, high sweep beavertail grip safety, and windage and elevation adjustable rear sight. Slide and frame edges are very lightly beveled to prevent cutting the shooter or expensive leather holsters. My sample’s trigger pull measured a crisp 3.75 pounds.
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With my targets set out at 25 yards I fired three five-shot groups with each ammunition. The best groups are reflected in the accuracy chart. Aggregate group size for those three ammunitions was under 1 inch, and that made me a big fan of the S&W 1911 from the Performance Center!
