Somebody stop me! *Photos added to #1

[GerSan69]

Back on the merry go round, with a blindfold this time!
I've got to stop going to Kittery Trading Post. It's not costing me a fortune - they have pretty good prices on used S&Ws - but nearly every time I check their site, I buy something.
Today was no different. 4516-2, 3 magazines and case, $435.
"Very good" condition, but no photos. I pulled the trigger, sight-unseen. This is the first time I've ever done that. I always pore over every photo, enlarging details, looking for flaws and areas of common issues. I have a "top dollar I'll pay" in mind, and I'll walk away if they're even a little over. KTP, though, in my experience with them underestimates condition, and their prices seem to be in the ballpark for what I see elsewhere.
This makes 4 guns that will be waiting for me at the friendly neighborhood FFL. The stay-home thing is causing a backlog for me, because my FFL is a full-time Fire Department paramedic in the thick of the fight, and my wife has Stage 3 COPD, so I'm extra cautious these days, but I'm filling his safe.
I asked KTP for photos and got a generic "cannot process your request" message in return. Even so, I hope they put a couple in the email. I'll bring them here if they do.
EDIT: I took some photos this morning to show the condition. There are no scratches or gouges, just rub marks and shiny spots from holster wear. I included the label in case I misinterpreted anything.

[mk70ss]

Every time I go to the Kittery Trading Post, I end up shipping a gun to my FFL dealer back in Tennessee. They have such a great selection of used and interesting guns there. I end there about 4-5 times a year as my parents only live about 6 miles from Kittery.

[jmace57]

[TercGen]

Ha! I can sympathize with you GerSan69, picked up a few guns during this stay-at-home thing myself. Lord knows it's not the best time for me to be buying, but being stuck at home has me doing a lot of online shopping, and of course the funnest thing to shop for online is guns, so...

I haven't done any business with Kittery Trading Post in some time, but thanks for the heads up on their website's used gun selection. Now I've got another place to browse for guns. Perhaps the added competition will help to keep you from making another purchase in the near future.

No doubt a used 4516-2 will be well worth it at that price, even sight unseen. Honestly, I probably would have bought it too, and I already have a 4516-2 and a R3!

[GaryS]

I'd be in the same boat, only to the best of my knowledge KTP will not sell handguns to MA residents. Which is good and bad. Bad, because they won't do it, but good because it's about a 90 minute drive from my house to their store.

I have got some good deals on 3rd Gen magazines there, though.

[18DAI]

Fine 45 at a great price! Congrats! Regards 18DAI

[chief38]

10 years ago my Daughter attended college in New Hampshire. While visiting her one day we decided to venture into Maine for a day trip. I stumbled into KTP and was floored! WOW - what a great place! Even my wife & daughter were busy buying clothing downstairs while I was upstairs drooling all over the floor. That was about the time .22 ammo was scarce and pricey at home, BUT they had all I wanted, cheap and in unrestricted quantities. LOVE the place!

[BigBoy99]

Originally Posted by GerSan69

I've got to stop going to Kittery Trading Post.

Your posted link takes one to eBay. How about a link to their website/store?

[GerSan69]

Originally Posted by BigBoy99

Your posted link takes one to eBay. How about a link to their website/store?

No problem!
Home | Kittery Trading Post


By the way, they also had a 909 among 59 S&Ws on the Used Guns page.

[Heymatt]

New & Used Guns | Shop New & Used Firearms from Experts | Kittery Trading Post

[mauser9]

Haven't been myself in 2 years. Buddy brought me there when he sold a couple guns. Selection is quite good. Even had a Remington Model 8.

[batman4706]

Dang it, you just cost me $720!!

[HOUSTON RICK]

Nice. I will have to look at their list closer.

[GerSan69]

Well, I finally - FINALLY! - picked up my bunch o' guns from my FFL.
I dropped the hammer on the last one on 4/8, so it took me 2 months to get over there. People are gonna think there's something wrong with me for leaving them so long.
Anyway, the one I'd like to present - and ask a question of the experts - is the 4516-2.
It is in near-excellent shape, better than I expected. There are a couple places with holster wear, but nothing that can't be repaired easily. And it came with a bonus magazine! The ad said 3, but I received 4. It came with a S&W blue plastic box with a metal hinge rod, something I don't recall seeing before. It also had all the papers under the foam insert.
Date code is 7333, 11/29/1997. "**SPECIAL**" is printed on the label. The first part of the product number is obliterated by a small price sticker-shaped blank area, as though it fell off and took the ink with it. However "738" is still visible. 103738 is a product code for the 4516, but it says that's the US Marshal Bicentennial with USM serial numbers, and this one is a VUV. Minor mystery since the SCSW doesn't have a lot of info on the 4516.
Now for the question. This gun does not have a safety. The slide-mounted lever is for decocking only. There is a notice to that effect on the right side of the slide.
Looking at SCSW4, I see no mention of this feature, only that the action is TDA. But as I said, info is minimal on this model. So what's going on here? Grateful for any info out there. Thanks!!!

[vigil617]

Originally Posted by GerSan69

Well, I finally - FINALLY! - picked up my bunch o' guns from my FFL.
I dropped the hammer on the last one on 4/8, so it took me 2 months to get over there. People are gonna think there's something wrong with me for leaving them so long.
Anyway, the one I'd like to present - and ask a question of the experts - is the 4516-2.
It is in near-excellent shape, better than I expected. There are a couple places with holster wear, but nothing that can't be repaired easily. And it came with a bonus magazine! The ad said 3, but I received 4. It came with a S&W blue plastic box with a metal hinge rod, something I don't recall seeing before. It also had all the papers under the foam insert.
Date code is 7333, 11/29/1997. "**SPECIAL**" is printed on the label. The first part of the product number is obliterated by a small price sticker-shaped blank area, as though it fell off and took the ink with it. However "738" is still visible. 103738 is a product code for the 4516, but it says that's the US Marshal Bicentennial with USM serial numbers, and this one is a VUV. Minor mystery since the SCSW doesn't have a lot of info on the 4516.
Now for the question. This gun does not have a safety. The slide-mounted lever is for decocking only. There is a notice to that effect on the right side of the slide.
Looking at SCSW4, I see no mention of this feature, only that the action is TDA. But as I said, info is minimal on this model. So what's going on here? Grateful for any info out there. Thanks!!!

Does the label match the serial number of the gun? If not, then obviously gun and box didn't leave the factory together. Either the gun was converted to decock-only after production, or maybe it's an LE special order that required decock-only. Just guesses, but maybe?

[Sevens]

A spring-loaded decock that springs back up is still a “TDA” system.

I suppose I prefer the name “DA/SA” over “TDA” but they mean the same thing. From hammer down on chambered round to first shot is double action, all following shots are single action.

Even the xx26 and xx76 guns are still DA/SA or TDA, they don’t have a safety either.

[GerSan69]

Originally Posted by vigil617

Does the label match the serial number of the gun? If not, then obviously gun and box didn't leave the factory together. Either the gun was converted to decock-only after production, or maybe it's an LE special order that required decock-only. Just guesses, but maybe?

Yep, it's the right label.
I understand that this is still a TDA, but it really surprised me that the lever was decock-only. I have several other 3d Gen pistols, and this is the first one to have this feature. I don't think it was converted after production because of the warning on the slide, which is visible in the photo I posted. And common sense would tell me that having **SPECIAL** on the label is an indicator of a special order, but is it, really? I don't assume these things without info from the folks I trust on here. But thanks for the ideas!

[18DAI]

Congrats! Back in the 90s Smith offered the decock only option on LE orders.

My Special order 4516-3, made after the official end of production, has the same "Special" info on the label. Except the product code is 108548. Serial prefix TDT.

All the decock only guns have the lawyerese laser etched on the slide. 99.9% that yours is a factory example. Great pistol! Enjoy yours! Regards 18DAI

[indigo22]

I'm local to KTP. It is dangerous territory to venture into when you have a bit of cash burning a hole in your pocket while several guns keep calling your name. More than a couple have followed me home from their awesome store.

[vigil617]

I bought my 457S online from KTP through a GB auction several years ago, and I still remember how friendly and accommodating their guy was. I always thought that if I had another opportunity to buy from there, I would jump at the chance.

Nice pickup, GerSan!

[lrrifleman]

I managed to visit the Kittery Trading Post this past November while participating in the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit at the Sig Academy. I was floored by what I saw! Prior to my visit, I managed to pick up a very nice looking Mauser HSc for a fair price. I would not hesitate to do business with them again. I look forward to dropping in this October when I do the Adaptive Defensive Shooting Summit, provided that I don't have to self-quarantine in Maine for 14 days!

[GerSan69]

Originally Posted by 18DAI

Congrats! Back in the 90s Smith offered the decock only option on LE orders.

My Special order 4516-3, made after the official end of production, has the same "Special" info on the label. Except the product code is 108548. Serial prefix TDT.

All the decock only guns have the lawyerese laser etched on the slide. 99.9% that yours is a factory example. Great pistol! Enjoy yours! Regards 18DAI

Ah, yes. That makes sense. Thank you!
I'm thinking this will be the one for my white outline LPA sight. I picked it up probably 2 years ago and couldn't decide where to put it. Now that I have the CS45, 4513TSW, 457, 4516-1 and 4516-2 I might as well use it.

[GerSan69]

Originally Posted by vigil617

I bought my 457S online from KTP through a GB auction several years ago, and I still remember how friendly and accommodating their guy was. I always thought that if I had another opportunity to buy from there, I would jump at the chance.

Nice pickup, GerSan!

Thank you, sir! And thanks also to indigo22, sevens and irrifleman.
This is the third (or is it the fourth? I am just not sure) S&W I've picked up from KTP. They are the ones that had the 4513TSW, and I also got a nice little older Model 37 not too long ago. They always send a nicely detailed receipt in an envelope either with the gun or mailed separately. I've never talked to them in person but their emails are very friendly-sounding.
I'm not much of a letter from Mr. Jinks guy, since my accumulation is primarily working guns in very good to almost but not quite perfect condition. Does anyone know of a reason why this dash 2 might be a good candidate to be lettered? The reason I ask is that 18DAI was kind enough to point out that the decock-only was an LE option. If this went somewhere interesting originally, it might be worth Mr. Jinks' time to look it up. Again, thanks!