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  #1  
Old 08-18-2009, 10:48 AM
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Default Melonite 4566

I've heard two versions of how this 4566 came about.

Version 1: A law enforcement agency in New England ordered them for their maritime patrol.

Version 2: The US Marshall Service ordered them for their fugitive task force.

The pistol is a Melonited 4566 with night sights. No stupid rail on the dust cover either. The three letter prefix on all the ones I've seen starts with R, and apparently all were made in mid to late 2000's.

One member here claimed that the two he aquired had Briley bushings. I never saw any with Briley bushings, and the S&W factory had no information on that.

Anyone know the real story on these? As of spring 2006 S&W still had a few in their vault. My dealer said they would ship him one.....for $900+

I passed. Glad I did. I just located a NIB example for much less.

If anyone has one of these please post a pic. Thanks! Regards 18DAI.
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  #2  
Old 08-18-2009, 11:58 AM
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As I recall, they were made in 96 or 97, just before the switch to the TSW series. All were dealer samples.

Ray's had a couple of them. Ray's was the biggest S&W LE distributor for the NY/NJ area, and always had samples of the LE guns (lots of DAO) models.
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Old 08-18-2009, 12:09 PM
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Hi KurtC,

Do you recall if there was anything different about these black 4566's that distinguished them from the standard 4566, other than the finish?

Were there Briley bushings in the two you observed? Regards 18DAI.
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Old 08-18-2009, 12:29 PM
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No Briley bushings. Just standard 3rd Gen guns with the Melonite finish (I got the impression that this was the beginning of Smith's relationship with Melonite, after having a bad experience with some earlier black "midnight" coating).

One of the pistols may have had night sights, I don't remember.
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Old 08-18-2009, 03:36 PM
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Congrats on the 4566 Melonite.

When I asked about them I was once told that a small production run had been made for the Marshal's Service (pre-TSW), and that some had been left over from that run. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that some other agency had requested some, as well.

I thought about picking one up one time but it was too much money for something that wasn't really anywhere near the top of my 'must have' list.

I can't put a date to when S&W first started using Melonite Processing Salt™ Bath Nitriding System on their guns, but I remember it being offered early in the Sigma Series, and then there was the 5906M (Militar). Anybody remember when the first 5906M was produced?
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Old 08-18-2009, 04:15 PM
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Hi Fastbolt.

I haven't landed it yet, but thanks!

IIRC the 5906M was marketed in 2000.

Do you know if the melonite 4566 for the US Marshall Service had Briley bushings?

Thanks! Regards 18DAI.
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Old 08-18-2009, 04:42 PM
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Sorry, I didn't think to ask about that when the subject came up.

I seem to remember at least one 4566 Melonite 'project gun' made by the PC may have had the Briley Bushing, though. Dunno if they ever made more of them.
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Old 08-18-2009, 09:18 PM
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The melonite 4566 I have is of the "de-cock only" configuration. Nice gun.
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Old 08-18-2009, 09:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 18DAI View Post

One member here claimed that the two he aquired had Briley bushings. I never saw any with Briley bushings, and the S&W factory had no information on that.
There is an article in the S&W Collectors Association Journal about a custom order for ten melonite finished 4566s with lanyards, Briley bushings like the Performance Center guns, slide mounted levers that decocked, but sprang back up instead of staying in the down position, etc. These ten had serial numbers consisting of the buyer's initials (3 letters) followed by a number of the buyer's choice (4 numbers, usually 0001 or the buyer's date of birth).
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Old 08-18-2009, 10:01 PM
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One of my distributors has pc148670 Melonite 4566s', they come with nights sights and three mags, no rail or Briley, not sure if they are decock only or not. You would be pushing close to a grand by the time you got one.
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Old 08-18-2009, 11:21 PM
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18DAI,

I sure hope you learn how to take photos and post them by the time that new .45 shows up. I'd love to see it! And congrats on finding a good one so quickly.

Regards,

Jerry
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Old 08-19-2009, 01:03 AM
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I do know that the first option presented is accurate, there was a New England maritime LE agency that custom ordered and issued Melonite 4566's, not TSW, with the orders starting just after 9/11. That agency recently transitioned to M&P45's. The total number of guns involved for that agency was under 30, and there are likely some kicking around the market now. They should have the RJFxxxx serial numbers, 3 mags, and Novak style night sights, also they are/were decock only with mag safety intact. Some of these were selling for about $550 in the local market.

Last edited by NHSW; 08-19-2009 at 01:07 AM.
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  #13  
Old 08-19-2009, 09:30 AM
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shawn mccarver - Any way to see a copy of that article? Would you be able to fax or Email me a copy of it?

handgunner356 - Those sound like the melonite 4566's that S&W had in stock in the vault, in 2006. Nice pistols.......but not that nice!!

NHSW - The melonite 4566 I'm attempting to buy is serial # RJF31XX
Sounds like it is from that batch. Would you happen to know if those melonite 4566's had forward cocking serations on the slide?

Thanks to all for the info and comments!

Regards 18DAI.
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  #14  
Old 08-19-2009, 11:25 AM
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Yeah that is likely the batch. They did not have forward serrations and while I am not familiar with Briley bushings I am pretty certain the bushings on them are standard 4566 fare, as they seem to be the usual integrated into the slide style, Melonited black. All of the guns from that batch should have straight backstrap grips and number matching blue plastic cases.

EDIT- product code should be 148670, without PC prefix

Last edited by NHSW; 08-19-2009 at 12:04 PM.
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  #15  
Old 08-19-2009, 06:17 PM
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Put me down for waiting on pictures, I really want to see one.
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  #16  
Old 08-19-2009, 09:13 PM
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Cool Here are some pics for you

My 4566 Melonite is from the same RJF31xx group. Has night sights dated 1999, no Briley bushing and a decocker-only.




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  #17  
Old 08-19-2009, 09:35 PM
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The one's I've seen have no Briley. Basically standard 4566NSs with decocker. the 5906Ms were in 2000-01 IIRC
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Old 08-19-2009, 11:53 PM
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VERY neat looking .45! I like it a lot.

Thanks for the pics,

Jerry
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  #19  
Old 08-20-2009, 09:08 AM
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Thanks fellas for the pics and additional info.

I finalized the deal with the seller this AM and will have it in two weeks.

Do any of you know if the Performance center will install a Briley bushing? When I asked them back in 2006 they said no. I seem to recall someone here saying that they will do it now, providing the pistol is NIB.

I guess the Melonite 4566 on page 312 of the SCSW 3rd edition is one of the 10 that shawn mccarver refered to. it has forward cocking serations on the slide. I'd like to locate one of those.

Thanks again! Regards 18DAI.
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  #20  
Old 08-20-2009, 09:15 AM
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That is a sweet looking pistol!!!
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  #21  
Old 09-16-2009, 11:17 AM
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Well this melonite 4566 was exactly as the seller described. Like new. I am hard pressed to see where it was fired at all.

The trigger is superb, better than my PC CQB, for me. The night sights still glow. My serial was RJF311X.

I'll try to get by the range this weekend and post a range report next week. Regards 18DAI.
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Old 09-16-2009, 02:52 PM
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18,

Excellent, sounds like a winner. I love it when the seller doesn't lie. I just picked up a second model .455 and the seller negleted to mention that the bore was perfect! Let us know how she shoots.


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  #23  
Old 11-27-2009, 03:01 PM
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Got mine!!!! I was checking out KTP's used guns last week and they had a 4566 "blackened" listed for $545, NS, box and three magazines. I emailed and asked if it was a factory Melonite gun, and they told me no. The S/N was only a few off from the ones posted here, so I called them and had them do a 7 day hold for me until I got home (travel a lot for work). Well, I walked in there today, "Black Friday", and when they brought it over - bingo, Melonite! I looked at it a bit and said "yup, this is the one", and promptly told them to get the adoption papers ready

It is a little dirty, the finish is almost perfect, even the grips are hardly scratched. The S/N on the box dosen't match the gun though, it is 20 numbers off. Oh well. This is my third Third Gen Smith. I have a Melonite Colorado State Patrol 4006 and a standatrd 5906. I like the Melonite. I just need to find a Melonite 5906, and sell the other one!
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Old 11-27-2009, 04:13 PM
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mbinky, I saw that melonite 4566 in KTP when I was there a couple weeks ago. Looked in nice shape, congrats on the purchase.
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  #25  
Old 12-02-2009, 04:22 PM
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Congrats mbinky! How does it shoot?

Mine is a tack driver with Ranger T. Dumps all nine into one ragged hole at 15 yards. My new favorite 3rd gen pistol. Enjoy yours! Regards 18DAI.
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  #26  
Old 05-03-2011, 09:53 PM
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Can you guys post pics on this old thread ?...
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Old 12-08-2011, 11:36 PM
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I have been looking for a 10XX series (I am in MA so we have the dreaded AG roster) but happened to stumble on a 4566 melonite NIB so had to get it. It was as advertised. It is one of the batch of RJF31XX serial #s. Came in today. What a nice piece. Look forward to comparing it to my SS p220. If anyone has any further tidbits of knowledge about this model please feel free to provide it. This thread, together with searches I did for "4566 melonite" turned up quite a bit of interesting reading. Seems like those who have them really like them.

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  #28  
Old 02-07-2012, 11:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbinky View Post
Got mine!!!! I was checking out KTP's used guns last week and they had a 4566 "blackened" listed for $545, NS, box and three magazines. I emailed and asked if it was a factory Melonite gun, and they told me no. The S/N was only a few off from the ones posted here, so I called them and had them do a 7 day hold for me until I got home (travel a lot for work). Well, I walked in there today, "Black Friday", and when they brought it over - bingo, Melonite! I looked at it a bit and said "yup, this is the one", and promptly told them to get the adoption papers ready

It is a little dirty, the finish is almost perfect, even the grips are hardly scratched. The S/N on the box dosen't match the gun though, it is 20 numbers off. Oh well. This is my third Third Gen Smith. I have a Melonite Colorado State Patrol 4006 and a standatrd 5906. I like the Melonite. I just need to find a Melonite 5906, and sell the other one!
Mbinky,
Either you traded your 4566 in at KTP and I bought it. Or I happened to purchase a different 4566 with a box that is 20 digits off.
If you still have yours we might want to trade boxes.

I'm betting you traded yours in though.

Nice handgun...seems well kept.
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Old 02-08-2012, 12:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glump View Post
Mbinky,
Either you traded your 4566 in at KTP and I bought it. Or I happened to purchase a different 4566 with a box that is 20 digits off.
If you still have yours we might want to trade boxes.

I'm betting you traded yours in though.

Nice handgun...seems well kept.
Wow! So KTP had another one? I still have mine! You'll enjoy it!
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  #30  
Old 02-08-2012, 04:43 PM
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...Fired it for the first time today

Now I have to clean it...

Mbinky, I sent you a PM about the box number. Im willing to do a trade if we have each others box.
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