Differences between 645 and 4506 and upgrade path?

[mrstang01]

A friend recently acquired a 645 Smith to add to his Miami Vice collection. Of course, we all know Sonny Crockett then upgraded to the new 4506. We were wondering what the differences are between the 2 generations, and if there was an upgrade path to get any 4506 improvements in/on the 645, or is he just going to have to find a 4506?

As a side note, I'm amazed at how much prices on these have gone up, I remember when LE was transitioning away from the 3rd gen Smiths how cheap they were. If I'd only known then what I know now.

Thanks,

Michael

 

[Sevens]

Well I’m far from the most qualified to answer this one but I can try to get the ball rolling.

The very early 4506 had a stepped frame similar to the stepped frame of the 645 but eventually the 4506 evolved and became a little more svelte. Obviously, the 4506 uses the one-piece delrin wrap around grip and the 645 has traditional panels with screws.

The sights are quite different between the two guns. The original 645 fixed rear sight is simple, sharp and somewhat delicate and breakable. The 4506 sight, after the very earliest 4506’s was the fantastic Novak low mount. This matters none of course, if both guns have the large protected adjustable rear sight. However the front sight on the 645 is the old school tamp integral to the slide, with an orange insert (popular in the 80’s!) and the 4506 has a dovetail so the front sight is movable and replaceable.

The 4506 also went through a few styles of trigger guard shapes and sizes, the 645 had only one (I think.) And the ambi right side decock lever on the 645 is affixed with an ugly screw while the 4506 has an improved lever attachment design.

The 645 came with metal floor plate magazines and the 4506 came with plastic floor plate mags but either work in either pistol.

 

[N4KVE]

A friend recently acquired a 645 Smith to add to his Miami Vice collection. Of course, we all know Sonny Crockett then upgraded to the new 4506. We were wondering what the differences are between the 2 generations, and if there was an upgrade path to get any 4506 improvements in/on the 645, or is he just going to have to find a 4506?

As a side note, I'm amazed at how much prices on these have gone up, I remember when LE was transitioning away from the 3rd gen Smiths how cheap they were. If I'd only known then what I know now.

Thanks,

Michael

Years ago a collector who attended the local gun show had in a presentation case the original Bren 10, 645, & 4506 used in Miami Vice. He also had supporting documentation from the movie studio certifying those were the guns Don Johnson used in the show. He also had the bogus Metro Dade ID with Don Johnson’s photo. It was the real deal. GARY.

 

[mrstang01]

Now that is really cool!

Michael

 

[Artyldr01]

Years ago a collector who attended the local gun show had in a presentation case the original Bren 10, 645, & 4506 used in Miami Vice. He also had supporting documentation from the movie studio certifying those were the guns Don Johnson used in the show. He also had the bogus Metro Dade ID with Don Johnson’s photo. It was the real deal. GARY.

That is cool! The buddy I got my 4506 from bought it specifically because of Miami Vice. I guess my memory has faded. I remember the Bren 10 but not the Smiths.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[mrstang01]

The Bren 10 was used in the first two seasons. Dornhaus and Dixon went out of business in 1986, towards the end of Season 2. For Season 3, Crockett started carrying the new Smith 645 (the original Bren 10 for the show was actually chambered in .45 ACP, because .45 blanks were readily available). Smith came out with the 3rd Gen guns and the 4506 in 1988, and this corresponded with the fifth season of Vice. Crockett then upgraded to the 4506.

 

[surfgun]

The 4506-1 was thicker than the 645, as it basically a 1006 type frame (fatter dust cover). The older 4506 was a bit more like 645 frame with the biggest exception being the more elongated trigger guard. The 4506 has the updated safety levers that are more refined and can be retrofitted on a 645.
The 4506 just has a glass bead finish versus the two tone bead blast and brushed finish of the 645.
I have not seen any ‘delicate’ rear sights on any 645’s in my inventory either fixed or winged adjustable.

 

[Sevens]

I’ve seen THREE of the 645 fixed rear broken off and jagged. In the flesh, at gun shows, not internet pictures.

If that sounds ridiculous, it should. That is ridiculous. But it is no less true. The design of that small blade just cannot take the weight of an up-ended 645 in a fall or a smack.

Yeah, I wouldn’t let that sight deter me from buying a 645 either, I don’t drop handguns and I deserve what I get if I were to drop one.

Even still… it’s weak.

 

[4T5GUY]

The design of that small blade just cannot take the weight of an up-ended 645 in a fall or a smack.

There was a “solution” to that issue. THE DREADED WINGS.

No pics. I suppose everyone knows what they look like but what’s an interesting thread without them?

Jim

 

[Laketime]

Years ago a collector who attended the local gun show had in a presentation case the original Bren 10, 645, & 4506 used in Miami Vice. He also had supporting documentation from the movie studio certifying those were the guns Don Johnson used in the show. He also had the bogus Metro Dade ID with Don Johnson’s photo. It was the real deal. GARY.

Was the slide on the Bren hard chromed to match the frame like Crockett's

 

[hammy5150]

How does the 645's proper grip backstrap+grip panels compare ergonomically to the 4506's one-piece grip design? I've heard the 1st and 2nd Gens described as having the ergoes of a 2x4 and while I can see that with the Model 59s I'm curious how the 645 was. The 4506 definitely seems pretty thin grip wise but I've always thought it was too thin while aftermarket grips go the other way and are too thick without having the straight backstrap I prefer.

 

[N4KVE]

Was the slide on the Bren hard chromed to match the frame like Crockett's

It was years ago, so I don’t remember, but it had documentation from the movie studio which was 20 miles away certifying these were actual props from the show. GARY

 

[JohnHL]

How does the 645's proper grip backstrap+grip panels compare ergonomically to the 4506's one-piece grip design? I've heard the 1st and 2nd Gens described as having the ergoes of a 2x4 and while I can see that with the Model 59s I'm curious how the 645 was. The 4506 definitely seems pretty thin grip wise but I've always thought it was too thin while aftermarket grips go the other way and are too thick without having the straight backstrap I prefer.

Like nearly all of the single stack 45s I've handled, the S&W 45s seem more long front-to-back than side-to-side.

The 3rd gen, one piece grip did not add anything to the width, but did provide the option of the curved back strap, which some folks prefer.

John

 

[Trooper224]

How does the 645's proper grip backstrap+grip panels compare ergonomically to the 4506's one-piece grip design? I've heard the 1st and 2nd Gens described as having the ergoes of a 2x4 and while I can see that with the Model 59s I'm curious how the 645 was. The 4506 definitely seems pretty thin grip wise but I've always thought it was too thin while aftermarket grips go the other way and are too thick without having the straight backstrap I prefer.

For me, the 645 feels like holding a carpenters square, so does the 3rd Gen. grip with the flat backstrap. The 3rd Gen. grip with curved backstrap is far better for me due to my palm shape. While the 3rd Gen. grip is indeed very thin, that combined with the flat backstrap doesn't work well with my hollow palms, whereas the curved backstrap provides an anchor point while still retaining the thin width, something that's excellent for concealment. While many of the 3rd Gen. improvements were aimed at better ergonomics, you're question concerns a very subjective issue that doesn't have a concrete answer.

 

[Willyboy]

Mod 645 vs 4506

Well, this is a timely post. I just looked up an old post regarding this.
A LGS has a 645 on auction, and I have a 4506-01. So I might be
interested in that 645. But maybe they are too similar to own both.
Willyboy

 

[Frank Black]

Was the slide on the Bren hard chromed to match the frame like Crockett's

The frame of Crockett's Bren Ten was a bead-blasted stainless. The MV show's director, Michael Mann, asked that the slide be hard-chromed (with polished 'flats', IIRC) so that the gun would be more visible on camera during low-light and night filming.

 

[Frank Black]

There was a “solution” to that issue. THE DREADED WINGS.

Yep, remember those 3rd Gens well, the much less popular adjustable sight models.

Just never was a fan of sharp-n-snaggy on a fighting pistol.

 

[Trooper224]

There was a “solution” to that issue. THE DREADED WINGS.

No pics. I suppose everyone knows what they look like but what’s an interesting thread without them?

Jim

Every 3rd Gen thread needs them, so Frank can keep beating that horse.

 

[surfgun]

Makes one wonder how anyone has managed with any Smith & Wesson revolvers with adjustable sights? They must be pure glass?

 

[Frank Black]

Makes one wonder how anyone has managed with any Smith & Wesson revolvers with adjustable sights? They must be pure glass?

Actually racking the slide on one of these adj. sight 3rd Gens is like shaking hands with Edward Scissorhands.

If you want to EDC one, that's fine by me. But I wouldn't do it AIWB (or what's sometimes referred to as 'junk-point carry.')

Nope, ... nuthin' sharp-n-snaggy near the jewels.