Thats all....I just wanted to mention the Model. I've never been able to find one, have hunted them for a good long time, and have no actual hope of ever getting one. I'm too smart and too jaded to hope or ask to buy one.....That is all......Zebulon

I can only confirm that at least one exists. I saw it in a pawn shop in the mid-90s priced the same as used 4506s. It looked odd to me but it eliminated the 4516’s need to hold your pinky clear of the mag well during a fast reload. I’ve not seen the quantity produced but for each odd model this forums has an expert. I’d try a WTB thread. Good luck.

Here is a 4596 I found NIB a couple years ago. Definitely a a better choice over a 4516 for guys with larger hands.

Attached Images

4596 702.jpg (82.7 KB, 283 views)

The S&W 4596:

Proof positive that some folks at Smith & Wesson love "Frankenguns" as much as some of us do!

John

Ouch John! I've already admitted my lust over this pistol....That's all I can do.....Unless one of you guys love me enough to remember my plight around Christmas this year......Zeb

If you give up finding an original although some fitting might be required a Frankengun “4596” wouldn’t be hard to put together. That way you could avoid the ugly early trigger guard and have a stainless safety and slide stop.

That's a great point, k22fan!
And it's a shame to see a man yearn, Zebulon.

A great line I read once stated: "Don't stop building castles in the air. Start building foundations beneath them!"

It would be relatively simple and inexpensive (compared to an original NIB 4596) to build your own.

A 4516 slide would practically jump on to a 4506 frame with no fitting at all (same magazines, even).

That's the beauty of interchangeable parts. (Thanks, Eli Whitney! And all this time I thought he was just famous for inventing the "Cotton 'Gin" even though I could never find it in the liquor store).

In the early '90s when S&W was playing their "One new gun per week" number jumble game, they weren't doing it because there was such a compelling need.

They were doing it because they could.

And so can you!

John

So, essentially this is a full size frame with a compact barrel and slide? Like taking a 5906 frame and putting a 3913 barrel and slide on it. Which I recall that S&W actually did at one time.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Yes!

John

Yup, nothing more'n a compact upper slapped on a fullsize lower.
You could even do it in tactical livery ala TSW


Cheers
Bill

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Because they don't make a .46

Bill gets it!

John

Yes Guys....you all get it for sure...I had a 5903 SSV several years ago that reflected the same idea. I now have a Sig 220 Carry that is similar. I really love the Ugly of the Squared Trigger Guard so I guesss I'll have to plan this one for a build. I'm not sure how it will shoot, but it may be the best of both Worlds. Thanks to each one of you.....Zebulon

I watch Bills build with great excitment before realizing that I am an idiot with no skills...... I can't waith to see what BMCM tackles next. I can only hope it doesn't turn out to be anything 4596 related... Thanks Guys for the inspiration.....Zeb

A 4596 was my first handgun. I understand that there were fewer than 500 made in a special run for Lew Horton Distributors. It was basically a 4516 slide assembly on a 4506 frame. I had the gun for 16 years and it was decent; broke a couple of sideplates and had some issues with worn magazines, it didn't conceal well for me, and the grips just never quite fit my hand that well (tried the straight back grips and Houge arched grips). I wound up trading it off a few years ago because I couldn't find mags for it anywhere and wanted something better for carry and concealment, and I still kick myself for that decision every time I think about it.
I saw one at a LGS about a month after I traded mine, but it looked like someone had tied it to a truck bumper and dragged it down the road. Have never seen another one in person.

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Ban lunatics and criminals

Zebulon IIRC there was a 4516 slide for sale in the classifieds here for $100.

If its the same revision as your 4566 you will be on your way to a 4596! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

It is new and is a dash one. How would I know such a thing? IIRC the seller had more than one. He was selling them for a friend so may not have any of the friend’s stuff anymore but I could help you get in touch if he’s agreeable.

My 3rd generations only span a few years so I’m not familiar with newer MIM pistols. There was a widening of 3rd generation barrel hoods and in the short slide .45s a change in recoil rod diameter necessitated by increasing the number of recoil springs to two. Neither of those affect interface with the frame. Were there top end revisions that prevent .45 top ends going on different vintage frames?

Yup. Beware of 4516 no dash barrels. They have the same narrow hood as the Dash-1 guns and will fit any narrow hood slide, but.... While the hood only interfaces with the slide, the critical difference here is the width of the frame interface.

Here's a comparison image with the No-dash on the left and a dash-1 barrel on the right.

On the left (no-dash) take note of:
1. different feed ramp geometry (angle is cut differently)
2. feedramp is much wider
3. barrel camming lugs are also much wider.


That barrel on the left will not fit any frame but a 4516 no-dash and, I'm not sure but possibly an early 4506 with the stepped frame of the same vintage as a 4516 no dash might work (merely speculation on my part)

Cheers
Bill

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Because they don't make a .46