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Old 05-15-2011, 09:35 PM
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I made the mistake of following one of the 4506 threads here and ended up getting a 4506 from Cabela's Rapid City Store. Now I'm hooked on the .45 cals and need more. I blame the forum; I know I'm keeping some great company here. My question is as follows. In researching the shorter all stainless models I keep seeing references to the 4516 and the 4566. I know the 4516 has the shorter barrel; both have the ambi decocker/safety and are SA/DA. Given access to both models, other than buying both, what's the general consensus and why? My intent is for CC. Help!!!!
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Old 05-15-2011, 09:48 PM
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I don't own either. I do own a 4506 and a 457S which is a close cousin of the 4516. If you intend to carry the gun I think the 457 is better than the 4516 or the 4566 because of the lighter weight. The 4516 is about 3 ounces lighter than the 4566 which makes it a little more desireable for carry. The 457 is about 6 ounces lighter than the 4516.

I think it is hard to beat the 457 series for price and utility. Having said that I find myself looking to possibly purchase a 4516, especially the 4516-2.

Bill
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Old 05-15-2011, 10:13 PM
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I've carried a 4516 frequently over the years. They tend toward the heavy, it's true. But they are hell for tough, that's for sure. They make a fine carry peice.

Never had a 4566, can't comment.


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Old 05-15-2011, 10:56 PM
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Default 4513

Go 4513. Alum. Frame, same size as 4516. Actually a little better gun than the 457 ( which is still a great gun )
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Old 05-16-2011, 07:25 AM
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I have had a 4516 and one of my main carry guns is a 1066 (same frame and weight as the 4566 but in 10mm). Both guns are heavy, but once you get used to the extra weight it isn't a problem. All of that being said, if your main intent is for CCW, get the 4516/4513/457. They are more comfortable to carry. The difference doesn't seem big, but the dove tail of a 1066, or 4566 in your case, digging into your side takes time to get used to. The 4516 is just short enough that it doesn't do that.
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Old 05-16-2011, 07:40 AM
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When I went into law enforcement our issue sidearm was the 4506-1. At first my off duty/vest gun was a 3913. After getting my hands on a 4566, I started carrying it and a model 640ND off duty/640nd going on my vest. I've tried the 4516, and as good as she is for a CCW, followup shots were not as quick as with the 4566, which you could describe as S&W's version of the Colt Commander. Years later during a moment of stupidity I sold my 4566, had buyers remorse. It wasn't long before I had another, that I like even better. It has the flush hammer and is decocker only. She will be my cool weather gun here in Oklahoma.
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Old 05-16-2011, 01:46 PM
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I own examples of both the 4516 and 4566..........well.......one 4516 and three 4566's.

So I guess if I could only own one it would be the 4566. The 4566 is only an inch longer and holds one more round in the mag.

I really like both pistols. The 4516-3 is carried off duty and on court days. The stainless decock only 4566 is my duty pistol.

The Melonite 4566 is my range toy/fun to look at pistol.

So, I vote you get a 4566 first - THEN get a nice 4516 - before they cost $700 a piece! Good luck! Regards 18DAI.
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Old 05-16-2011, 02:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FirebirdV8 View Post
I have had a 4516 and one of my main carry guns is a 1066 (same frame and weight as the 4566 but in 10mm). Both guns are heavy, but once you get used to the extra weight it isn't a problem. All of that being said, if your main intent is for CCW, get the 4516/4513/457. They are more comfortable to carry. The difference doesn't seem big, but the dove tail of a 1066, or 4566 in your case, digging into your side takes time to get used to. The 4516 is just short enough that it doesn't do that.
FirebirdV8,

What is the difference in dimensions between a 4516 & a 1066? All I can find online is the barrel length & overall length -- nothing about the height or width.

Thanks!
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Old 05-16-2011, 09:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmr0323 View Post
FirebirdV8,

What is the difference in dimensions between a 4516 & a 1066? All I can find online is the barrel length & overall length -- nothing about the height or width.

Thanks!
Saddly, I sold my 4516 in an act of stupidity, so I can't take a direct measurement. However according to the 2003 catalog a 4513TSW is 7 3/4 inch OAL and the 4566TSW is 7 7/8 OAL. That doesn't sound like much, but for me that made the difference between the beaver tail digging into my side or not. Of course, I'm not a 45 ACP guy, so my 1066 won out over my 4516-2.
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Old 05-16-2011, 10:13 PM
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Like you, I'm not a 45 ACP guy, either. .40S&W was my caliber of choice until I began researching the 10mm cartridge. If you've been following a thread by Bad_Man_One, I'm about to buy a custom drop-in barrel that will convert a 4516-2 into a 10mm pistol, a "1016", so to speak. With that, I'll be evenly split between 40's & 10's.

I already have a 1006 and I have a 1066 on the way. My interest was in whether the 4516 was significantly smaller than the 1066 -- whether it would be worth the price to convert it. I hope so, because I went ahead and placed the order this evening. :-)

By next week, with luck, I'll be able to give _you_ all the dimensions.

Cheers!

cmr
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Old 05-16-2011, 10:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmr0323 View Post
Like you, I'm not a 45 ACP guy, either. .40S&W was my caliber of choice until I began researching the 10mm cartridge. If you've been following a thread by Bad_Man_One, I'm about to buy a custom drop-in barrel that will convert a 4516-2 into a 10mm pistol, a "1016", so to speak. With that, I'll be evenly split between 40's & 10's.

I already have a 1006 and I have a 1066 on the way. My interest was in whether the 4516 was significantly smaller than the 1066 -- whether it would be worth the price to convert it. I hope so, because I went ahead and placed the order this evening. :-)

By next week, with luck, I'll be able to give _you_ all the dimensions.

Cheers!

cmr
Another area where the smaller frame can win out is in the weight area. The 3 - 4 oz savings in addition to the smaller frame both length and height wise can make all of the difference when carrying it. This is especially true if you carry IWB cross draw, like certain people I know. Personally, I would get the conversion barrel just to have the option to know how a 1016 would have shot.
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Old 05-17-2011, 06:56 AM
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WOW... nice comments on the 10s... not much help on the 4516 vs. 4566! That's ok, though, cause I've already decided on the 4566. I appreciate those that commented on the original question. ...and thanks to those that added their notes on the 10s... it's always good to hear other's ideas and preferences.
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Old 05-17-2011, 09:14 AM
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I am shopping for a 4516 now, but the 4566 is a must have. I would not trade the 4566 for another Smith of any type. (unless it was another 4566).
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Old 05-17-2011, 10:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OK Hog Shooter View Post
WOW... nice comments on the 10s... not much help on the 4516 vs. 4566! That's ok, though, cause I've already decided on the 4566. I appreciate those that commented on the original question. ...and thanks to those that added their notes on the 10s... it's always good to hear other's ideas and preferences.
Coincidentally enough, there was a parallel question yesterday in BM1's 10mm conversion thread that I thought was simply a restatement of your original question. The subject was changed slightly to 1066 (different caliber) vs. 4516, which is still the same size comparison as the 1076 vs. 4536 (but these gun have frame mounted decockers - ala Sig), so most of the comments still apply. I'll repost the 1076/4536 photo I referenced and the related comments here.

Repost:

For me, the 4516/4536 frames are as small as I want. Any smaller, like the older 6-round 4513TSW and it's a two finger grip on the front strap, which is not my preferred grip style. The beavertail on the 4516/4536 are slightly abbreviated compared to the midsize 10xx/45xx frames, which make a noticeable difference for certain modes of carry, like appendix IWB. Look at the comparison pic and you'll also notice the smaller pistol front strap plus magazine base pad are nearly identical to the front strap alone off the mid and full size guns. For me, the 4516/4536 are the best size/power tradeoff of all the compact 3rd gen guns made. The extra weight versus the aluminum framed guns is a plus for me, as it both dampens recoil impulses and makes the 'swing weight' feel better in my hands.
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Old 05-17-2011, 10:35 AM
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One more photo, but from the other side and the 4536 near field.
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Old 05-17-2011, 10:44 AM
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Desert Dog - thanks for the clarification and your pics. I've been committed to the .40 cals for a long time, having started with a 4006 almost 9 years ago and added a 4013TSW last year. I just picked up a 4506 and was looking for a smaller version, I guess, just because I like the 3rd gens. Your input and comparisons make a lot of sense.
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Old 05-17-2011, 11:00 AM
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I have owned both of the 4516 and the 4566 but finally settled on the 4586 which is double action only. Give up and get both. You probably will sooner or later anyway.
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Old 05-17-2011, 11:04 AM
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My budget says 4566 but my interests says "get 'em all!"
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Old 05-17-2011, 02:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FirebirdV8
[...] according to the 2003 catalog a 4513TSW is 7 3/4 inch OAL and the 4566TSW is 7 7/8 OAL. [...]
Since the O.P., specifically asked for dimensional differences between all stainless .45s it's worth correcting this. Either the SCSW has an error or the 4513TSW has an extra long beaver tail that I haven't noticed. 4516s measure 7.1" by 5.4". 4516 barrels are 1/2" shorter than 4566 and 1066 barrels, not 1/8" shorter like the quoted SCSW OAL implies. A 4516's height with the magazine installed is about a half inch less than a 4566 which holds one more cartridge, but only 0.1" less than an old fashioned GI Joe 1911.

While a 4516's height isn't very short, like a lot of other compacts its grip frame design has to be accomidated during fast reloads. About a half inch of magazine sticks out of the bottom to contain the 7th cartridge and function as a finger rest. Some match shooters have complained that they have to consciously hold their pinky finger away from the magazine well so it doesn't block the well during a reload. I owned my 4516 and shot it quite a bit for over a dozen years without noticing this before I heard the complaints at a match but it's a difference that the O.P. might care about.

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Old 05-17-2011, 03:05 PM
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The numerical dimensions are not sufficient to describe the FEEL of the 4516 over the 4566. The 4516 FEELS "small" compared to the 4566, but is a very robust pistol compared to, say, a Colt OACP. I would not feel undergunned with a 4516 as my primary. It's a heck of a lot more power than the 5-shot snubbies that lots of guys carry as their "only".
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Old 05-17-2011, 03:10 PM
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The Hogue rubber grip also anchors the 4516 very firmly in the hand, for me.

The Hogue is a good alternative for those who find the OEM Xenoy grips too thin or too slippery.

I find I shoot higher scores with the 4516 than I do with the 4566.

98 day and 98 night were my last 4566 qual scores.

I got 98 day and 100 night with the 4516. Only 100 I've ever shot at night - and my 4516-3 doesn't have night sights! Regards 18DAI
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Old 05-18-2011, 12:04 PM
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Thanks to all who have commented. Now my dilemma is which one to buy first. Guess it depends on what shows up first!
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