Update on 4516-1 Problem

[alde]

Here is a photo of the chamber of my 4516-1 that I posted about a few days ago with feeding problems. If you remember it will feed my cast SWC relaods just fine but not premium SD ammo.

First off you can clearly see the ridges in the chamber. It's not lead build up. There was also a pretty good size burr on the inside corner of the hood that is circled in red. I went ahead and stoned the burr off. Could the burr have been my trouble or is it that rough chamber.

I probably won't get to try it for a few days but was hoping for some thoughts now that we have pictures.

Thanks for anything you can offer in the way of help.

 

[CT Smith Fan]

Al,I don't know all that much about Smith auto's,however I have cleaned up the actions on Colt 1911 pistols for years and I would have polished the feed ramp,chamber and hood if they were in that condition,it seems like you are on the right track.Anything to reduce the amount of friction on the case as it enter's and exits the chamber will improve the function of the gun.

 

[hemiram]

This doesn't look anything like the inside of either my 4506 or 4586. Both of mine are quite smooth. Not like glass or mirror shiny, but you can't really see any real pattern like your gun has. If you put a round into it, does it slip out freely, or does it hold the round? Polishing it up sure couldn't hurt anything. I would probably let S&W take care of it, I'm sure they would sent it back to you in great shape.

 

[alde]

If you put a round into it, does it slip out freely, or does it hold the round? Polishing it up sure couldn't hurt anything.

All rounds drop right in and out with ease.

I am not the original owner so I don't think they would fix it as a waranty item. I may look for a local smith to take care of it if I can't bring myself to do it. I have a guy doing a barrel swap on a 617 for me. If he does well with that I may give it to him. He does 1911's so he can probably handle this with no problems.

 

[CT Smith Fan]

S&W has a new barrel for a 4516-1 part #236480000 @ $125.51.I would call them and see if you can send them the photo you included at the start of the post.Maybe they would swap it out and give you a break on the price.It never hurts to ask! I think that you would have to open up the chamber too much to clean it out.

 

[Jungleboy]

Wow. That's lookin' pretty rough.

 

[alde]

S&W has a new barrel for a 4516-1 part #236480000 @ $125.51.I would call them and see if you can send them the photo you included at the start of the post.Maybe they would swap it out and give you a break on the price.It never hurts to ask! I think that you would have to open up the chamber too much to clean it out.

Is a new barrel a drop in?

 

[CT Smith Fan]

The parts list does not have an "@" before the part# so I would say that it can be customer installed.However I would call customer service and check with them.1-800-331-0852.

 

[SMSgt]

Oh my. That is a rough chamber. It definitely could use some polishing. My 4566 chamber looks nothing like that. You might want to e-mail that photo to S&W Customer Service and get their opinion.

 

[alde]

One of the things that is interesting is the marks are only on the top of the chamber. The bottom is pretty smooth. Makes me think it was tool chatter or something like that.

 

[novalty]

S&W just took care of my 1911 with some maching issues and I am not the original. Just food for thought.

 

[kbm6893]

They usually won't ask if you're the original owner. I would use frank at LSG manufacturing. He's a very good guy, and both guns I sent to him I had back in less than 2 weeks. He never asked about the original owner status. He's an authorized S&W tech, so he'll email you the shipping label and everything. Much better service than i ever received at S&W's main center, and their service wasn't bad, either. here's the link:

LSG, Mfg|Gun Parts|Warranty|Gunsmithing

 

[alde]

Well, I polished the feed ramp, the inside of the hood and the inside of the chamber a bit with some Mothers on a .410 bore mop. It will now cycle empty shells which it would not before and some dummy hollow points that I made up to match my carry ammo. The ridges are still on the roof of the chamber as I did not want to remove much but they are now nice and slick and the bure on the hood is gone.

I hope to try it out Sunday (weather pending) and will report back with the results. I feel pretty good about it. I recieved my heavier springs and will throw them in my range bag but hope I don't need them.

 

[alde]

I had the 4516-1 to the range today after polishing the chamber, hood and ramp. It feed a whole box of Winchester 230 grn PDX1 with no issues at all. Also fired 230 grn Gold Dots, Honady 185 grn XTP's, Cor-Bon 230 grn +p JHP's, Remington 230 grn Golden Saber +p's and Winchester White Box 230 grn JHP's with no issues. Looks like accuracy has not changed and I used the standard weight Wolff recoil spring to boot.

I think the problem was solved with some very minor work with a slow speed drill, a .410 bore mop and some Mothers polish. I could not be happier with the 4516-1 now. I am going to give it a couple more range sessions before I call it good to carry but it's looking good.

 

[epj]

If it were mine, I'd be pretty happy, but I'd still call S&W and email them a pic. They just might send you a new barrel.

 

[alde]

If it were mine, I'd be pretty happy, but I'd still call S&W and email them a pic. They just might send you a new barrel.

You are probably right but I will give it a couple more range sessions before I make that choice. It's a part that needs factory fitting and I don't want to go through the hassle of shipping the gun off if it works well.