I have had light weight S&W 3rd gen 45s for a few decades now. I recall being handed an early 4506 and thinking, wouldn't this be perfect for carrying all day if it had an aluminum frame. Many years later, I learned that someone else thought the same thing and there were a handful of 4503s made. Some even escaped the factory and are in private hands today.
Many agencies loved the 4566TSW. But some folks complained about the weight. S&W was reluctant, back in the day, to even make a 45 handgun. Much less one with an aluminum frame. But gunrag writers - this was back when people still purchased and read them - were pushing S&W to produce an aluminum framed 45. The majority wanting a compact "carry" 45 pistol.
S&W was quietly working on the prototypes of what would become the model 457 during this period. IIRC it was the mid 90s. The Performance Center, formed in 90/91, was also working on what became the Shorty 45.
But the large LE market, while wanting a compact, light weight 45, also wanted a service size/full size 45 lighter than a 4566. In 1997 they got the compact 457. But it was not till around 2000 - 2001 that the 4563TSW made its debut. Basically a 4566 with an aluminum frame, it made carrying a full size 45 pistol easier on officers dealing with an increasing number of items on their duty belts and the subsequent weight increase.
I was working plainclothes coat and tie investigations at the time. We had gone to semi auto pistols around 2003 IIRC. I carried a 4506-1 and a 4516 off duty. I also was issued a 4566. An aluminum framed version of the 4566 held some appeal, but alas, on my salary, I could not afford a new one. And that stupid tack on rail was a turn off too. We carried our lights. Back then we didn't hang anything on the pistol.
Around 2007/2008 I got a call from my gunsmith. He knew I liked and purchased S&W 3rd gen guns and was carrying same. He told me he had taken in a few surplus 4563TSWs. Did I want one? I told him yes, but I didn't want to deal with the rail and I needed a spurless hammer as I had been saving money on sport coats and suit coat liners by carrying 4566s and 4516s with spurless hammers. Iliked them. A lot!
My gunsmith was a talented fellow and good salesman. He replied, no problem! I will make you one just like that. And he did. He dropped the rail and filled the holes in the dustcover with plastic rivets. He found a spurless MIM hammer too and installed it. It was the "perfect" carry 45, for me.
Around the same time I aquired a one of one prototype 4563, 45CQB from the Performance Center. I was really enjoying the lighter weight full size guns. But shortly afterwards, I aquired my first 4513TSW. And going through a divorce at the time, needed funds more than guns. So, sadly and inexplicably, I let the "custom" 4563TSW go. I have regretted it ever since. And for years I posted on local gunboards in the WTB section. Hoping whoever bought my 4563TSW would sell it back to me. But no joy to date.
So, I was extremely pleased when my friend vigil617 pointed me to a rail free 4563TSW on the big auction board. Like the LE Special order 7-round 4513TSW my friend Martya hooked me up with several years back, this is one made with no holes in the dustcover. Alls it will need is a spurless hammer and some new springs to become my new carry gun.
According to the USPS Tracking data, she should be here at my FFL sometime today. Hopefully I will pick it up this afternoon. If not, then Monday. I will tear it down for a good cleaning and lube. Then test fire it early next week. Range report and pics to follow. Regards 18DAI
Many agencies loved the 4566TSW. But some folks complained about the weight. S&W was reluctant, back in the day, to even make a 45 handgun. Much less one with an aluminum frame. But gunrag writers - this was back when people still purchased and read them - were pushing S&W to produce an aluminum framed 45. The majority wanting a compact "carry" 45 pistol.
S&W was quietly working on the prototypes of what would become the model 457 during this period. IIRC it was the mid 90s. The Performance Center, formed in 90/91, was also working on what became the Shorty 45.
But the large LE market, while wanting a compact, light weight 45, also wanted a service size/full size 45 lighter than a 4566. In 1997 they got the compact 457. But it was not till around 2000 - 2001 that the 4563TSW made its debut. Basically a 4566 with an aluminum frame, it made carrying a full size 45 pistol easier on officers dealing with an increasing number of items on their duty belts and the subsequent weight increase.
I was working plainclothes coat and tie investigations at the time. We had gone to semi auto pistols around 2003 IIRC. I carried a 4506-1 and a 4516 off duty. I also was issued a 4566. An aluminum framed version of the 4566 held some appeal, but alas, on my salary, I could not afford a new one. And that stupid tack on rail was a turn off too. We carried our lights. Back then we didn't hang anything on the pistol.
Around 2007/2008 I got a call from my gunsmith. He knew I liked and purchased S&W 3rd gen guns and was carrying same. He told me he had taken in a few surplus 4563TSWs. Did I want one? I told him yes, but I didn't want to deal with the rail and I needed a spurless hammer as I had been saving money on sport coats and suit coat liners by carrying 4566s and 4516s with spurless hammers. Iliked them. A lot!
My gunsmith was a talented fellow and good salesman. He replied, no problem! I will make you one just like that. And he did. He dropped the rail and filled the holes in the dustcover with plastic rivets. He found a spurless MIM hammer too and installed it. It was the "perfect" carry 45, for me.
Around the same time I aquired a one of one prototype 4563, 45CQB from the Performance Center. I was really enjoying the lighter weight full size guns. But shortly afterwards, I aquired my first 4513TSW. And going through a divorce at the time, needed funds more than guns. So, sadly and inexplicably, I let the "custom" 4563TSW go. I have regretted it ever since. And for years I posted on local gunboards in the WTB section. Hoping whoever bought my 4563TSW would sell it back to me. But no joy to date.
So, I was extremely pleased when my friend vigil617 pointed me to a rail free 4563TSW on the big auction board. Like the LE Special order 7-round 4513TSW my friend Martya hooked me up with several years back, this is one made with no holes in the dustcover. Alls it will need is a spurless hammer and some new springs to become my new carry gun.
According to the USPS Tracking data, she should be here at my FFL sometime today. Hopefully I will pick it up this afternoon. If not, then Monday. I will tear it down for a good cleaning and lube. Then test fire it early next week. Range report and pics to follow. Regards 18DAI
