Well friends, I have been supremely tempted today! I saw a 4566 that has a hang tag marked "UNFIRED" with box for $669.00. Upon close examination I would have to concur that this gun truly is unfired since leaving the factory. The finish is flawless. It has one mag, fixed sights, factory stocks and round trigger guard. The box was stored separately from the gun and I did not ask to see it as they were very busy. Also, I don't know if it had the documents etc. but from the condition of the gun, I'd bet that everything that came with the gun is there.

I really thought seriously about buying it, but I already have a 4516 and a 4506. I also know me and I would probably put it in the safe where it would remain the queen that it has been for the past 20 years or so. And right now I'm looking for that really nice Md 14 or 15 K frame .38. So, if anyone is interested send me a PM and I'll answer any questions that I can and let you know where it is. Also, I have nothing whatsoever to gain in its sale. I just want to let all you interested 3rd Gen fans know about it.

Nice of you to give a heads up. I admire your restraint.

I've learned not to touch or handle a smith in a gun store. Because when I do it will not let me leave without it and is love at first sight.

Far, far greater than my restraint. I'd own that 4566 for sure... about 4 seconds after I found it. Just long enough time for me to get my wallet out and flip out a credit card with a little room left on it.

Yeah, but then I'd have to break my solemn rule for myself.

IF THOU DOES NOT HAVE CASH, THOU DOES NOT BUY GUN.

However, I will admit to using lay-a-way on rare occasions. Also, I'm not going to go back to the store for at least one week. When I do and if it's still there.......well, you know what might happen!

Now, who came up with that silly rule? And are you sure it applies to LNIB 3rd Gens???

Financially-challenged me, I have lost far too many pristine collectibles due to a lack of green-cash-in-hand. I learned my lesson the hard way. Sometimes fiscal responsibility is a good thing and sometimes you just need to go for the gusto no matter what!

Like the ad says: "You only go around once in life and you've got to grab for all the Gusto you can"!

That's what they invented credit cards and lay-away for!

If deficit spending is good enough for our Federal government, it's good enough for me!

Shame on all of you! None of you would step up and save me! And then that darn TTSH gave me all kinds of grief about walking away from scarce pristine guns. Well he's right. So I went back and laid 'er away.

Seriously I'm not too surprised that none of you responded. By the time you pay the FFL fees and shipping it was going to be north of $700. And that's starting to get pricy. Also I was able to negotiate a price that would cover my state sales tax.

I also learned a little more about the gun. It was purchased new by the previous owner. He is a collector and bought guns new and didn't shoot them. Unfortunately he is having health issues and encountering expenses that are not covered by his health insurance thus forcing him to sell.

I'll post some pics when I get my "new" 4566 out of jail.

Good for you, now you have the stainless set. Now you can start on the alloy framed 45xxers.

The 4566 is the best "compromise" of the three of them, IMO. The price may not have been a bargain but you don't see one NIB very darned often. I don't think you hurt yourself any. Congrats on your new .45 - go shoot it!

Ya did good!!! I am proud of you! Congratulations!!!

And believe me when I tell you that I would have bought it and transferred it in if I were legally allowed to do so. Unfortunately, the 4566 is not on our Massachusetts approved handguns "list" and I don't know of any rebellious renegade MA FFLs who would have risked some bigtime trouble attempting to transfer it in for me.

So in such cases, I must live vicariously through other forum members... like yourself! So again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I found an excellent condition 4566 with Hogues, box, docs, and extra mag for $389.00.
I put it on layaway.
I also picked up 3 more spare mags for $12.50/each.
When I get it paid off, I'll have 5 mags to use with it.

Did I do well, or did I get bent over the barrel and cornholed?

__________________
What would Jim Cirillo do?

Congrats!

Looking forward to photos.

I love the mid size .45 3rd gens! Want to try a 4506 too.

Ioeman: I think that is a very reasonable price for LNIB 4566. Since you whittled it down some, so much the better. You scored, dude!

Shorty, somehow, borrow a 4506 and try it out, or just buy one. You will not be disapointed. Plus, you can cut out one workout at the gym for every range session!

Richard

I know where one is right now. It "appears unfired". Box, papers, test fired case, blah blah blah. Somewhere around $670. If I didn't have my sights set on (pun intended) a different pistol, I'd probably be all over it.

In my book, that would fall under the "unbelievably, irresistibly good deal" category! I'd do almost anything to find a deal like that! But I'm nowhere near that lucky.

Thanks for the heads up WATCHDOG!

I prefer getting slightly used pistols since I'm going to end up shooting/carrying them anyway.

Shorty,
I can't imaging that I will like my new 4566 better than my 4506, but I might, you never know. My first 3rd Gen I bought new back in '97 I think. I never really liked that gun all that much. I think mostly because I couldn't shoot it accurately. So it remained almost unused for the past 15 years or so. Then, after reading all the positive threads on this forum about the 4506 I bought a nice one about 18 months ago. I was astonished at how well I shot it from the very first trip to the range (and I'm just an average shooter). It goes with me to the range almost every week.

So with the success I am having with the 4506 I went back to the 4516. I replaced the factory stocks with Hogue rubber and I immediately enjoyed much greater accuracy. Not as good as the 4506 but quite acceptable. Hopefully I will be able to shoot the 4566 just as good as the 4506 but I doubt it. The only other large caliber gun in my extensive accumulation that I can shoot with greater accuracy is my Md 681 revolver with 4 inch barrel and fixed sights. I love fixed sights! Also, I'm not too bad with my old 39-2.

OK, the bottom line is try one out. I'm confident you will really like it. Yes, it's big and heavy (but that's what I like about it). And I know I don't have to mention this here, but it's all STEEL too!

The problem with a NIB firearm is it won't be NIB if I get it, so it needs a better price than what they have.

I'm a big fan and proponent of all the 3rd gen 45's. I have posted about the 4506 and 4516 models much more than I have the 4566's.

But in reality, the 4566 is the model I carry and shoot most often. I also find it to be the best balanced of all the 3rd gen 45's.

Being it is the same weight, or in some cases 1 ounce lighter than the vaunted 1911, I've never found the 4566's weight to be an issue.

To me it is simply the perfect combination of size, reliability, durability and performance in a 45 pistol. One of the great underated handguns. Enjoy yours!! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

The unfortunate problem with that, as I have learned the hard way, is that folks with a lot more money than me can and will gladly pay that extra premium for true NIB or LNIB. Waiting for NIB or LNIB or even close at a more affordable price usually means I lose the gun.

I am still kicking myself in the butt for a pristine perfect 5903TSW that I managed to lose, in part because the price tag when I first saw it was a bit outside my pre-set budget range for the gun. Now I offer and buy based almost exclusively on condition... and things have worked out much better that way.

I've always preferred the Commander sized 1911s over the 5" model.
Also, I prefer the Commander sized S&W pistols over the 5" models.
Thus, I like the 39/59 series, and the 4566/4586/etc.

Just personal preference. The Commander size is more balanced looking.
Better balance of grip/barrel lengths.
I just don't like that extra damned 3/4" of barrel hanging out there on a 1911.

Then again, I'm not quite as in love with 1911s as I used to be.
Still like them a lot, just not above all others.

I have been infected with Wessonitis.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

That's me with Enfield rifles.

I hear ya. I know that I paid more than I wanted but I also know that I will probably not get another chance at one that good. Here's why. I'm not a collector and therefore I have no collecting goals. I never buy new guns and I never shop online as I really need to see and handle what I'm putting my money into. I buy what interests me when I see it and the LGSs and pawn shops always have something interesting. I have banned myself from going to them from time to time. Also, I can't recall seeing a 4516 or a 4566 in any of the LGSs or pawn shops since I have been paying close attention to 3rd Gens over the past two years. I see plenty 4506s, 645s, 59XXs and even the occasional 40XXs. And finally I do plan to shoot this gun. However, I'm meticulous (maybe psychotic) about the care I take with my guns, and I'm confident I will be able to keep the 4566 looking new for a long, long time. That extra buck I paid is going to be forgotten about in a fairly short amount of time.