Every time I sign on I get a message to participate by asking a question, so here I go.

Was considering getting a .45 acp for carry and leaning toward a 1911. However, after shooting my 4506 (love it but a little large for carry), I just could not justify buying an expensive 1911 when used S&W 3rd Generations can be obtained at very reasonable prices.

Question is which one - 4566 or 4516? With the 4566 I can use my 4506 mags but the 4566 may still be too large for easy carry. The 4516 is smaller but I have concerns about the barrel being too short to develop sufficient velocity with standard 230gr loads. Has anyone chronoed their 4516 or similar size?

Finally, are the alloy framed versions of the two good or should I go with the steel frame?

Thanks,

I've carried both the 4566 and 4516. Still carry the 4566. I still have my 4516-3 but I've been using the aluminum framed PC Shorty 45 MKII for off duty. Very light, as well as acurate and reliable.

I would not be concerned about 45 performance from the 4516's 3.75 barrel. If the velocity loss/difference from a 5" is even 100 fps, I'd be VERY surprised. I use Winchester Ranger 230 grain. Great round for self defense. I like Speer Gold Dot too.

The thing that concerns me about "short" barreled 45's more than velocity loss is reliability. In my experience "short" 45's often exhibit problems with reliable functioning. FTF, FTE, pick your favorite malfunction.

The "short" barrel S&W 45's are not subject to these maladies in my experience. Back when I first went searching for a compact 45, I tried all the "best" models, and many that were recommended to me. The Sig 245, the Colt Defender, Kimber CDP, Star, Deutonics, and the S&W's.

The only models to function 100% were the 4516 and 457. My old partners Colt Defender was a close second, but it choked twice when it got very dirty.

If you want a pistol for concealment I'd go with the 4516, from your two choices. You might want to look at the 4513TSW, and the CS 45 as well. Very fine light weight compact 45's. The CS 45 has a short grip on it too. It didn't fit my hand well, or I'd own one today. I went with the 4513TSW instead.

The early 4513TSW with the grip cutout and 6 round mag is another excellent choice. I'm currently searching for one myself. I had one but sold it to feed the divorce attorney. Very compact and reliable too.

The 4566 is a favorite of mine. I finally found a Melonite 4566 and will qualify with it next month as a duty pistol. I'm a big guy so I can carry the 4566 IWB with no problem. it is alot of pistol though. No more difficult to carry than the average 1911 in my opinion.

Both the 4566 and 4516 are excellent pistols that will serve you well. Why not just buy both? Regards 18DAI.

The 4566 is next on my list.

Well...actually, the 640 no dash in .38 Special is next, followed by the 4566 and finally a 4 inch model 66 no dash with stainless steel rear sight.

Or, I would settle for a 66-1 if the price was right.

But yeah, the 4566 rocks!

I have the 4566 and did have a 4513. While I really like the 4566, I miss the 4513 terribly; It carried much better. I do carry the 4566, but it gets heavy by the end of the day. Of course a good quality belt and holster go along way when lugging around that much steel. If I were carrying in the open (vs. concealed), I would be much happier with the 4566.

I never had reliability issues with the 4513 when using quality factory or hand loaded ammo.

May I also suggest the 4563 (alloy frame version of the 4566) as it will carry a little lighter. I have a few alloy versions of Smith autos for that reason. I am also a big fan of the 4583/4586 (DAO versions of the 4566). I have never owned a 4513/4516/457 but have shot a 4516 and thought it would make a sweet carry gun.

I have a 4506-1 and carry a 4566 on duty and a 4516-1 off duty. All are great guns. I like the 4516-1 over a 4513 due to the extra weight to take up the recoil. Soon I plan on getting a 4563TSW for possable replacement as my duty gun. The CS45 is another good carry gun. That and a 4513 are on the short list. I love the 3rd Gen. 45's!!

Thanks for all the replies, they were very helpful. I have decided to try and find a 4516/4513/457 first and get a 4566/4563 later.

I recently bought a 457S. The gun is the perfect size for carrying if you want a .45. I carry a 3913 in a Fist kydex holster. The fit is a little loose and the 457 will be just a little more snug in the same holster. The empty weight of the 457 is a few ounces more than the the 3913 but they conceal about the same. For the money that the used 457 models are selling for they are a real bargain. The 457S models are a little more expensive but they are also a good buy.

Bill

Save your 3d gens for fondling, showing off to friends and indoor range work.

For carry get the uber-ugly M&P 45c. Your back will thank you and another scratch or ding won't ruin your day.

I have owned a 457 for many years. It is the most reliable of all my handguns. At the time of purchase, the stainless model was not in stock at my tiny local gun store. If I had to do it all over again, I would have waited and got the stainless model.

The M&P is actually thicker through the slide than my 4513 and 4516-3.

Not to mention that the bottle of Formula 409 in my kitchen has a better trigger than any M&P I've fired. Regards 18DAI.

Be careful with the 3rd gen. S&Ws. The blasted things are additive. I bought a 5906 and then wanted a 6906 right away. Then came along the 4566 and then I had to have the 4516 I have resisted the 4506 so far.

Well, I went to the range for requals yesterday and my 4516 was giving me fits, FTFs mostly on the second round of a string. It is a -1 and I have an assortment of magazines so I don't know if that is it or not. I may need to send it in for a tune up, and a possible conversion to DAO.

Bullman check that your followers are black, and that the tiny plastic raised dimple is still present on them. The dimple prevents the next round up from moving forward under recoil.

I saw a guy at the range with a 4566 that behaved similarly to what you describe. He asked me to examine it. I put two of my new 8 round mags in it and it ran through both with no problems.

He put his mag with well worn black follower in and she choked on the second round. Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI.

I got some yellow ones too. May be the holster as well, I have a paddle holster that rides high near the mag release and noticed a couple of times when carrying the CS45 in it that it would sometimes trip the mag release. Either way, I want to get the gun converted to DAO anyway, so..........

I carry a 4566TSW and have yet to have any failures at all.Accuracy is very good and being all stainless its easy to care for.

I may be one of the very few but I am NOT a fan of alloy or Toys R Us plastic frames..I know many people carry the Glocks and more power to them if thats what they like.
I find with a all stainless sidearm I am able to get into some pretty tough area's up here (weather wise) without any adverse effects..

I purchased a new 4566TSW and still have not fired it , thats how much I like this pistol I have another..The one that I carry daily has fed quite a bit of rounds through it without a failure so this other still sits new in the box..

The problem I have with the alloy frame models is the gouging, which I have witnessed on my S&W 4003TSW..I have also seen rail failures (never on a Smith alloy frame though) But I have on a Sig 220..

Go with the 4566 and I bet you will be quite pleased..

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Sound like me.. I am only after a 10mm now..I am currently looking at a 1006...