I am thinking about getting a new .45acp pistol and was wondering what are your favorites, 1st,2nd,and3rd in the S&W lineup. I want one for carry purposes,Mainly, concealed carry in a IWB holster. What do you like?
Joseph

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joseph whitney

The 4513 is hard to beat. Unless you find a PC Shorty 45

If you have a good belt, the 4516 is a sweet 45 too. Just a little heavy.

I do carry my 4566 IWB at times. Its nice and flat, but fairly heavy too.

If it fits your hand the CS45 is a great little 45 as well. Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI.

I was never a plastic gun fan untill the M&Ps arrived. I think you should try one before you buy something else.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

I have many 45 autos. Was a huge 1911 fan, and then I bought a M&P 45. I still shoot the rest of them, but I always take and shoot the M&P.

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Eric

M&P45C. Very nice gun.

I love my S & W full size 1911. It's as accurate as any handgun I own, the factory trigger is superb, and it functions flawlessly. I'm not at all bothered by the weight (38 ounces) probably because I'm so used to firing revolvers that weigh significantly more than 38 ounces. As great as this gun is I can think of no reason to buy a polymer framed gun like the M & P.

I carried my 457 for a while ITWB. Then I switched to a 4566. Now I carry 1066. I have carried a S&W 1911 several times but I prefer 3rd Gen stainless steel guns, but any of them would do the job.

The big monster 4506.

I'm becoming a huge M&P fan. I have a full size in .45 already (in addition to a fullsize and compact 9) and it is an excellent pistol, especially after a Burwell trigger job.
If you can't dig the plastic gun, then I also have a pretty good opinion of their 1911 series, really nicely done pistols.

Another vote for the 4506.

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Sie vis pacem parabellum

1911PD with 4.25" barrel is pretty hard to beat in my opinion, light weight and thin. Had a 4596, which was similar to the 4516 and it was a nice carry gun but heavier than the 1911PD. My third choice would probably be a M&P. YMMV

I'll give a another vote for the 45 M&P. Shoots great, feels good in your hands, and is light weight for a full size gun.

My three favorites are all in my safe or on my hip:
1. PC Shorty .45 (the only thing that would make it more "perfect" would be if it were DAO)
2. 4536TSW (no rail)
3. 4556
I love all 3.
Gonzo

For concealment - they're hard to come by, but if you can get your hands on a 457s, you'll be well armed. My 457s shoots right along with my 4506, which was totally unexpected. If you can't find the stainless version, the 457 is a good choice.

Thanks for your input. I was wondering about the 645 or 4516 or are they too heavy for a carry gun?
Joseph

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joseph whitney

IMHO neither the 645 nor the 4516 are TOO heavy for carry. A good belt and holster make the difference.

I use a Don Hume holster with a 511 gunbelt. Very comfortable with my 4516-3.

Back when I had a 645, I used a similar set up with no problems. 645 went to feed the divorce attorney or I'd still have it. Regards 18DAI.

You did not describe how & for what purpose you're thinking of carrying.
I happily carried my 645 on a duty belt in a Safariland security holster but it's a big gun. It would take a determined effort to conceal & it's pretty heavy. I don't know if you can find the high quality concealment leather which would be needed.

I got the divorce, but managed to keep the best of my guns (premarital assets).
Russ

The 645/4506,4516 are not too heavy for carry unless you're 100lbs soaking wet, they just require the picking of the proper clothing to hide them and like already stated a good belt/holster combo. I sometimes carry one of my 4506's and have no problems with it.

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Sie vis pacem parabellum

I've carried the 45 ACP round in several different sidearms over the years.

For duty I presently carry the S&W M&P in 45, before that carried a Glock 21C, and before that carried the 4506.

For concealed carry I've owned two (2) Star PD's, a Colt Commander, a Llama (piece of junk) kept it for all of

I highly recommend the M&P version. I have not carried not shot the compact version of the M&P but would tend to believe it would be very good.

Not to sound like a traitor, you might consider the Glock model 36 (I think I have it right). A slim line 435 ACP that felt very good in my hand, but did not shoot it.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

1911

.45 in anything else just seems strange to me.

I had a SW1911. I'm a big fan of 1911s and tried the Smith in 2003. Mine was 100% reliable but....

Mine was loose (trigger, barrel & slide lug with excessive loose breech). After it broke, being under warrantee, I sent it back to S&W with a note of what needs repair. (I requested a new slide/ barrel). They informed me it was with-in tollerances and sent the pistol back with around 300 dollars worth of new parts, yet the same old slide with the loose breech now at .008 inch. I traded it while looking brand new.

So my advise is to check out the SW1911 well if you purchase this model.

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NRA Benefactor Member

+1 for the M&P. I have 4 of them and they have all been 100% reliable, accurate, with excellent fit & finish.

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US Army-Retired,EOD,VCDL

Your search can start and end with the Shorty 45. It doesn't get any better, end of story. If it fits your hand.


Cat

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Think for yourself.

I carry my 4506 whenever I go out in a Crossbreed Supertuck which is also super comfortable. A good belt is a must. I like an extreme cant to keep the grip from printing. My spare goodyear helps too. Plus with the cooler weather here a loght jacket helps. If I need better concealment for more social situations a 642 in a MIKA holster gets the nod

Not a S&W, but take a look at the .45 Beretta PX4. The rotating barrel design is accurate, and does a nice job dampening the recoil to almost nothing (I am guessing the Cougar does similar, but never shot one in that caliber). I never liked polymer before that, and it kept me with hammer fired pistols a little longer.

I have a 1006, and the main thing holding me back from getting a 45x6 is the magazines. First off, magazines always are expensive (single stacks, I try for ten). Then, I also have to consider that they are very similar to my 10mm magazines. I have 9mm and .40 magazines for the same platform (92/96), and I refinished them differently just for that reason. I would just hate to go to the range with the .45, and accidently bring my 10mm magazines. Plus, I don’t think I could bear to refinish stainless magazines.

But the one .45 is plenty. I doubt I'll get another in the near future, unless I find a great deal. Even then, I may just pass it off to someone else. If Beretta ever puts out a .45 PX4SC, that is an exception.

"too big" and "too heavy" are relative terms. Not just to the individual but also to the time of year, dress code of the day, and even personal energy level. While a 1911 or 4506 (of which I own both) may be the perfect carry for some, they would be WAY to large and heavy for my tastes.
Bottom line is that smaller and lighter is generally preferred. ( Read: Nobody ever gripes their carry piece is too light or concealable. It's why 11 oz 357 revolvers rule :-))

All that said, there are some very nice compact 45's out there that are made by S&W and others. I'd be looking hard before buying anything.


FWIW, I too was a Plastic gun hater(!!) until I handled a M&P 45. This gun opened my eyes and is now one of my favorites. It has even replaced the home protection revolver in the safe by the bed. The compact model weighs in at near a pound under the weight of a 4506 and allot less than a standard 1911. ( Only about 5 oz more than a new model 60 revolver) . I'm not saying this is "the gun for you" but I will say it's certainly worth a look.

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Dave

I don't personally have but one S&W autopistol - the 1911PD with 4.25" barrel. Mine has the laser grips and I love it. It is thin, accurate, and a Commander-sized 1911 is 'ideal' for me. That being said, I would probably select a couple of M&Ps as a second and third choice. I have an XD45 (4") and love it. I'm sure the M&Ps are as good or better. I got a Kholster and occasionally carry the XD, but for me though the 1911's thinness makes a huge difference. Also, I get a consistent firing grip on the draw every time with a 1911, whereas sometimes I have to adjust with the XD. The 1911 is a 'known quantity' for me.

The 2 .45's I currently have are the S&W 4506 and a Kimber .45.

They are as different as night and day, but I like them both.

S&W 4506




The Kimber with Laser Grip.



Both are very accurate guns.

As you asked the S&W lineup, do you mean the current lineup? I ask as many are referring to non-catalog items. Currently you have 1911, 625 and M&P. I would prefer a 645 with night sights. So the closest S&W that actually had night sights is the 4506. If S&W ever made a 4503 with a scandium frame the would be the cats meow!

dondavis,

The Smith in the photo is a 4516 no dash, not a 4506. Nice piece too.


Cat

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Think for yourself.

You couldn't be more correct. Old age typo I guess.

Thanks - it shoots well too.

I carry or have carried: Glock model 36 single-stack, Colt Gov't 1911, Colt Combat Commander stainless, Colt Commander Lightweight, Colt Officer's and Officer's Lightweight. The Glock is the easiest to carry of these; the Commander Lightweight comes in second.
Sonny

Trying to find out value of a s&w PC 4513shorty and what makes it special from the perfomance center. Any info for me? Thanks

I paid $750 shipped for mine. It is the PC 4513 Shorty 45 MKII. It came with the original box and docs, and two mags. It was used, some light carry marks, about a 95% gun.

What makes it special is the features. Full box rails, match barrel, Briley bushing, light weight compact 45 with 7+1 capacity.

It is rare that you see one in good condition for less than $850. IIRC there is a like new example up on Gunbroker for $1200 +. Optimistic asking price in my opinion. They went new for less.

I will tell you that in my extensive experience with S&W TDA 45's, including shooting PC pistols, and my own PC CQB 45 prototype, there is no finer S&W TDA 45 than the Shorty 45.

I was getting under 2" groups at 15 yards with the first two magazines.

Member Tjpopkin, who has an extensive handgun collection once told me that the very last pistol he would part with was his Shorty 45. IIRC he called it the finest 45 he owned. He was absolutely correct, and I thank him for his sage advice.

If you can find one for $850 or less, buy it, shoot it, love it! Regards 18DAI.

Recently, my wife and I shot our friend's S&W 1911 .45 Doug Koenig Edition we were surprised that although we own several Glocks, M&P 45, and a very old Colt Combat Commander .45acp, among others, we both fell in love......with the pistol. Probably the smoothest, sweetest pistol we've ever shot. But, as with all 1911s, "it is not a beginner's pistol."

Other choices would be my wife's Glock 36, compact .45, highly reliable, easy to maintain, etc........and half the price of the above S&W 1911 DK.

Any S&W in double/single action, like the 4506 are good choices but heavier.