Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 945 Compact .45 ACP, 4-Inch, Stainless, SAO, 8+1
This Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 945 is a hand-fitted, discontinued compact .45 ACP built in the United States. It features a 4-inch barrel with a linkless lockup and a spherical barrel-bushing system, plus distinctive Performance Center slide work with fish-scale serrations and polished flats. The stainless steel construction, checkered front strap, and fixed 3-dot sights round out a purpose-built SAO design. Included are three factory 8-round magazines.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Overall Condition: Excellent - Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling - Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: There are minor handling marks from previous use. Please review the photos for a close look at the finish and surface details.
What’s Included
- Three 8-round Smith & Wesson factory single-stack .45 ACP magazines with S&W logo and witness holes; steel bodies with polymer basepads
The Model 945 blends 1911-style single-action ergonomics with S&W Third-Generation engineering. Its linkless lockup and spherical barrel-bushing system are designed for consistent barrel-to-slide alignment. A loaded-chamber inspection port in the barrel hood provides a quick visual status check.
The slide shows Performance Center detailing throughout: fish-scale front and rear cocking serrations, scalloped serrations forward of the ejection port, an external extractor, and a lowered/flared ejection port. Bead-blast matte stainless surfaces contrast with polished flats that create a distinctive "racing stripe."
The stainless steel frame is bead-blast matte and includes a checkered front strap and checkered wood grip panels for secure purchase. Controls include a checkered magazine release, a thumb safety, and a beavertail grip safety. The skeletonized 3-hole trigger supports the pistol’s single-action-only operation.
Sighting is straightforward and durable with low-mount fixed 3-dot sights, both front and rear dovetailed into the slide. Capacity is 8+1 in .45 ACP, and the compact 4-inch barrel format balances carry and shootability. As a discontinued Performance Center build, this example represents a notable PC variant in stainless steel.