Mag advice: S&W 4506, 45 Recon, CS45...

NMPinNYC · Apr 25, 2010

My inquiring mind wants to know, please: is there one magazine that I can use across all three of these Smiths? I'm talking SIZE in particular. I usually prefer factory mags, for brand.

Thanks in advance for your guidance, oh great ones!

Very respectfully,
Nick.

handgunner356 · Apr 25, 2010

The 8rd 4500 series mag is the only one that would work in all three. It would hang down in the others, as would the recon mag in the CS. I can't say I've ever seen aftermarket mags for the two smaller guns, although I wouldn't bother with anything but the S&W mags.

retired2006 · Apr 27, 2010

The way I understand it, there have been several revisions to the 4500 series mags. The latest version has a black plastic follower. The one before that had a yellow plastic follower. Not sure what the original mags looked like. I have both yellow and black mags for my 4506, and can't really tell a whole lot of difference.

Fastbolt · Apr 27, 2010

The current 6, 7 & 8 round 3rd gen .45 mags use the same mag spring and black follower. The length of the mag bodies are obviously different.

The 6-rd mag used for the CS45 has a secondary pair of narrow & deeper indentations located to the rear/bottom of the standard, rectangular pressed lip indentations. Their purpose is to help prevent the top round from being dislodged out from under the mag lips by the harder recoil of the diminutive CS45.

I tried using my 6-rd 4513TSW (original model) mags in my CS45 back when I first received my CS45, thinking I might save on new mags. That was a short-lived experience and I no longer do so ... and I own quite a number of the correct mags made for each of the smaller .45's.

In the attached image the 4513TSW mag is on the left and the CS45 mag is on the right.

SemperFuzz · Feb 13, 2011

In an emergency will my 4506 mags work in my CS45 back up gun?

Fastbolt · Feb 13, 2011

I wouldn't willingly choose to risk my life on them in my CS45. I'd think some prudent planning of having a spare CS45 magazine on me would be a better option for an anticipated "emergency situation" possibly involving saving my life ...

I've had the regular 4513TSW 6-shot magazines exhibit unpredictable failures-to-feed when used in my CS45 - (and that shorter 6-rd mag body would create more spring tension than the longer 7 or 8-rd bodies) - which is why I don't use them even for the range in my CS45.

S&W didn't go to the trouble of putting the secondary indentations in the sides of the CS45 mag bodies to pass the time, you know.

I'd use the current production 4506/66 mags as a spare for my 4513TSW (or a 457) in an emergency situation, though.

paddlingman · Feb 13, 2011

I had the same thought.

Magazines from my 4506 regularly cause failure-to-feed in my CS45. The jury is still out on their usage in my 4553.

Fastbolt · Feb 13, 2011

The 6, 7 & 8-rd 3rd gen .45 mags all use the same spring & follower.

Even the short 6-rd original 4513TSW mag body, with it's identical length body, doesn't seem to keep the top round from being displaced under the heavier (or at least sharper) recoil of the CS45. Hence, the addition of the second set of mag body indentations in the P-lip area of the 6-rd mag body created for the CS45.

SemperFuzz · Feb 13, 2011

Thanks guys, I will order another mag then and if poops hits the oscilator and my 4506 goes down I will just feed rounds out of my 4506 mags into my CS-45 mags or visa versu, at least i have the same ammo on board. Now to find a CS-45 mag new that is actually in stock?

I wish i could get a flush fitted mag or modify one that fits flush i dont care if i lose a round but reliability has to be 100% so i guess i stick with stock S&W unless someone has been successful in doing this mod and wants to make a few bucks I can send you a mag, PM me if you do this work. Thanks

Fastbolt · Feb 13, 2011

The different but plates that fit on the 6-rd mags don't affect capacity.

The current butt plates are the curved ones, though, which offer some minimal rest for a finger. I have a few mags which have had the older butt plate from the original 4513TSW mags installed on them. Just as long, but no forward 'curve' to them. They take up just as much 'vertical' space in grip length.

This picture is my CS45 with a mag with an original 4513TSW butt plate.

This next one is the stock CS45 curved butt plate.

Both from the front (the older TSW butt plate is wider).

The older TSW butt plate on a mag in the original 4513TSW.

As far as buying the CS45 mags? I usually just order mine from S&W.

Catshooter · Feb 13, 2011

Ya know Fastbolt, that TSW don't look too much like a safe queen!

Cat

Fastbolt · Feb 13, 2011

Catshooter said:
Ya know Fastbolt, that TSW don't look too much like a safe queen!

Cat

Ha!

Nope. Not by a long shot.

Even my Colt WWII PTO Commemorative .45 has been fired and shows wear.

I've replaced the recoil springs in my CS45 & my 4513TSW a number of times because of shooting wear & tear.

Mag advice: S&W 4506, 45 Recon, CS45...

NMPinNYC

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