Gentleman !
My first post, i'm new to the forum, however I've been carrying a Smith on duty for years
I just purchased a NIB S&W 4516-1 from an gun collector... I plan to keep it as a home defense gun. I've already ordered a Hogue grip. I have a couple of questions someone may have some input on :

- I plan to load it with Federal 230 Gr. Hydra-shok and fit a Wolff 17 lb. recoil spring to soften the frame impact. Has anybody tried this combination ?

- Are there Novak tritium sights available that fit the factory dovetails ?

Thanks for any info

Whysk,

Welcome to the forum.

Unless I was using over-pressure ammo (like .45 Super) I never use anything other than a standard weight recoil spring.

Remember, that spring works both ways. Yes, it slows the slide going forward, but it also speeds it up going forwards. Less impact coming back, more going forward.

I won't try to second guess Smith's engineers for that one.

Good luck with your 4516, they are wonderful pieces.

Yep, Novak's makes night sights for them. Brownells carries them.

I've got some mags for one for sale in the Accesories forum by the way.


Cat

__________________
Think for yourself.

Yep, if it's not broke, don't fix it!

Why does everybody have to switch recoil springs immediately after obtaining a new autoloader? It obviously must be that the designers of the gun did everything right except for that spring. Changing it is the current modification of choice for every backyard gunsmith. If the gun cycles correctly and shows no signs of battering, a change isn't necessary.

Bruce

Your gun should have the dual spring setup, which Wolff doesn't make replacements for anyway. I always replace the recoil spring in any used gun I get, but always with the stock spring. The only time I go away from stock is with competition guns that are using a lot hotter or a lot lighter than standard spec rounds in them.

Not all 4516-1's use a duel recoil spring. The stock spring for the single spring version is 16 lbs. That weight works just fine for a wide varity of loads and most shooters don't need anything else. Wolff has the single spring but the duel spring will have to come from the factory.

__________________
AL
Pax Per Potens

Thanks for all the Info !
I started using Xtra power springs in my 1911's and Glock's for competition use, so I guess it's become a habit to replace the factory standard with the next weight up, along the lines of "slightly heavier must be better than original".

(Catshooter, I'll get back to you RE the 4516 magazines)

Cheers all !

"so I guess it's become a habit to replace the factory standard with the next weight up, along the lines of "slightly heavier must be better than original"."

I just have to ask this question. Again, if the gun cycles correctly and there is no sigh of battering or other malfunction, why would a knee jerk assumption that heavier is better be made?

Bruce

Bruce, when I started out in IPSC, I was using a Colt MK-IV Series '80 in .45 ACP, firing a constant diet of 230 Gr. hardball. I would shoot @ Spangdahlem AFB in Germany, there where a lot of more experienced IPSC shooters who all recommended an X-tra power spring (18.5 lb) for extended hardball use. Shok-buffs and the heavier spring were said to protect a frame that wasn’t designed for the quantity of full power ammunition an IPSC shooter could rack up over the years in training and competition…
Granted, my 4516-1 being destined for a house gun, the factory weight will probably suffice, however I still feel more comfortable using a slightly heavier spring in my IPSC/EPP competition guns, due to the volume of rounds fired.

Cheers, Rob

I've had a 4506 for 20 years and its fed everything from ball to 200 gr +P CorBon ammo with equal aplomb. There's never been any feeding problems with the stock spring. I too, felt the need to go up a bit with the recoil spring but found out it wasn't necessary with this pistol and I image the 4516 is similar.