I went after a 1006 today but couldn’t pull the trigger. Instead I came home with a 4566-M with an RJF3xxx serial number. I see on the 3rd Gen Model list created by skjos that there were 119 of them made! I’m stoked! It’s in great condition, has the original box, papers and a couple of extra mags. I see there was an even rarer version with front serrations but I am very excited about my find today and wanted to share it with you guys. Any information about this new to me purchase is greatly appreciated, I’d love to know more about it.

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Hello vjp and welcome new guy. Very nice snag.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I’m envious! I would snatch that up as well. Enjoy

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USS ZELLARS
DD-777

There are plenty of folks who would not agree with me on this (I kinda love that) but if I were you, my next move would be to find/buy a regular 4566 or 4566TSW, because a regular one is just as good and worth probably a third of the dough.

That’s a collectible, no matter what anyone thinks what “a gun was meant for”

It’s a keeper, it’s not new and I’ll shoot it. I’m bit by the bug right now so I may stumble on to something else tomorrow, lol.

I was thinking that I’d get the lamps replaced in the sights and filled out the service request with Trijicon on their website. Afterwards, I’m worried that the sights on this thing may not be Trijicon. On the Numrich gun parts website they list the rear sight as being a Trilux, was this rear sight made by Trijicon? I’ll call Trijicon Monday and ask but if I don’t find out before then I’ll probably search for replacements all weekend

The sights are Novaks with Trijicon inserts. Quite a few here have had theirs relamped.

Congrats on the 4566M! Great pistol. Scarce too. Regards 18DAI

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6 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Thanks for the information!

Oh my, that's a beauty! And great pictures too. Enjoy.

Wow! What a score!

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Color me green with envy.

Very, very nice. Congrats, great find.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Awesome find!

Very good! Congratulations on that. Nice!

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July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909

What makes it so rare, I thought there where like a ton of 4566's in Melonite? Is the serial number the only thing that makes it that rare? The no rail?
Enlighten me, please.
EDIT: Okay, I see it's the no rail. Nice score.

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Plastic's for toys - J. Cooper

Actually there were not many Melonite 4566s made. Compared to other models. While some are rare, others - depending on whether the production numbers are accurate - are at least scarce.

There were possibly 25 made of the KJF serial prefix Melonite 4566s with forward slide serrations. It is said that these were LE Salesmans samples, made to guage the interest of Police Agencies.

The WVSP Melonite 4566TSW order was less than 800 guns. Those were thelast known Melonite 4566s made.

As to the pistol in question, the RJF prefix Melonite 4566, there were - according to one "factory letter" that gives a number - 119 made. I have seen the number of these made also quoted as high as 622, in an auction ad that claimed to have a factory letter stating same. And another reference on the net stating 325 of these made. With no mention of how that number was determined. What IS known, to date, is that the Melonite RJF prefix 4566s observed to date, all fall between a low serial number of 3106 and a high of 3184. None higher or lower has been found. Yet

Additionally, there were 10 Melonite 4566s made by the Performance Center, for a private special order. These guns featured Briley bushings, match grade barrels and forward slide serrations. The serial prefixes were the owners initials.

And the last known Melonite 4566 was also made by the Performance Center. It was also equipped with a match grade barrel and Briley bushing and forward slide serrations. It had the TSW tacked on rail and an adjustable target rear it. It was used in an article featured in Combat Handguns by Wiley Clapp. In the article, it states that the Performance Center made this one of one pistol to guage the interest of Law Enforcement and the gun buying public, in a short run of these pistols. Evidently, not enough interest was shown and as far as is known, that one example was the only one made. Its fate is unknown.

AFAIK that is every Melonite 4566 known to have been made. Around 940 total, give or take. Nice guns, tht there should have been more of. Regards 18DAI

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6 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Quick pic of my two Melonite 4566s. An RJF prefix and a KJF prefix with forward slide serrations. Regards 18DAI

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6 +1 Rounds of hope & change