i have a 4506-1 and was wondering if the 4566, and 4516 slide and barrel interchange with the 4506. intsead of buying all 3 guns,,i would just like to swap top ends and have all 3. is this possible?

Does anyone know the answer to this? I have recently come into possession of a 4566 and have an opportunity to obtain a 4506 slide.

Here is something I found out about a similar model that was produced, and looked it up after I saw one for sale at a gun show.

"The S&W 4596 was a one time production run for Lew Horton. It is a .45 ACP built on the 4506-1 frame, and fitted with a 4516-1 slide; with Novak low mount fixed sights, and 1st triggerguard. The book says that an approximate total of 382 units were produced in 1990, with a 3.75" barrel. Product code is: 104490"
I do not know about the 4566 frame comparision.

You can switch top ends on 3rd generation pistols PROVIDED the top ends your switching are the same revision.

EX: a 4516 revision 4 top end, will go on a 4506 revision 4 frame and function safely and properly. A 4516 revision 4 top end will not go on a 4506 revision 3 frame.

How do you tell which revision you have? Call customer service and tell them the serial number.

I have put my 4516-3 top end on my 4566 revision 4 frame and it works very nicely. I wish they had made some of these from the factory. Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI.

I have a 4506 R3 and I stumbled across a NOS (New Old Stock) 4566 slide on Gunbroker. Ended up getting it for the minimum bid $100+$9 shipping. Found a NOS barrel at Midway on closeout for $68. A quick call to S&W for a recoil spring and guiderod. Barrel and slide are an earlier version, with the narrower barrel hood.

Once all the parts were gathered, it took just a bit of minor fitting of the barrel to the slide, then everything hooked up just fine. With less than $200 expended, I essentially now have two pistols.

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