I bought my 4516 about a week ago sorry no pictures,and I have to say it looks and feels better built then my SA 1911. I have been told on this Forum that my 4516 was made in '88 or '89 I have no idea how many shoots have been put through it,but it is still tight and cleaned up really nice.So far I have had no problems with it . My 1911 was bought new 4 or 5 years ago and has not given me any problems, but I think the 4516 just feels so much better. What do you guys think,I know this is a S&W Forum so be fair! LOL!!! Thanks!

I have never run across a 1911 from any manufacturer that was a stone reliable as a S&W 3rd Gen .45 ACP. Many of the 1911 guns are more accurate (or at least more accurate than the Pre-TSW 3rd Gens), but they never work as reliably.

Want to test it? Load a magazine with fired brass and cycle it through your 4516. Then try it with your 1911.

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Hello Cleveland, Rock and Roll

I have a 4516-1 that I use as my main carry gun. When I bought it four years ago it was LNIB and I have had only one minor issue with it. Some times it would not extract a spent case. The extractor claw had a small burr which I easily stoned out. Since then I have used all types of ammo and the various mags for it. No troubles at all. A fine compact 45ACP. I like mine so much I have been looking for a -2 and a pre-railed 4513TSW to add to my 3rd Gen. S&W .45 collection.

I owned a 4516 and kinda liked it. I had to send it back to S&W twice, once for a extractor problem and once for an ejector problem. After it was sorted out, it ran without a problem. I sold it because I like larger frame 45's. I concur with folks who say the 3rd gen autoloader will feed anything. I had to get a throat job done to my 1991A1 before it would reliably feed hollowpoints.

Well, I have 1911s and 3rd gen S&W. The most natural feel to me is the 1911, and I shoot it best. My Wilson 1911 is plenty reliable, as it should be given its price.

I prefer the 4516 to any 1911. My 4516 is as accurate as my Colt Gold Cup, and 100% reliable, unlike my Kimber Stainless Target II.

I qualified last spring with my 4516 for on and off duty carry. Sweet shooting, tack driving, bet your life reliable, and looks good doing all that. Regards 18DAI.

IMO, the 3rd gen .45 have the best out of the box reliability versus most of the 1911 clones. The design of the integrated feed ramp is better on the 3rd gen versus the 1911 with its ramp on the frame, The 1911 does not support the entire cartridge case like the 4506 either. One can make the 4506 shoot .45 Super pretty easily. Some just change the recoil spring.

Another problem is the sheer number of companies that make the 1911, and the wide range of quality they have. It's mind boggling how many companies make the 1911 now. My Springfield 1911 was not dependable until after 150 rounds or so, but was 1/3 the cost of a Wilson. My Wilson has been 100% reliable since day one.

That being said, I do love the 1911 feel, and shoot it well. I love the 3rd gen too, except for their mainspring in the grip design and sideplate that gets bent with grip removal if you are not careful. Oh well, thay all have pros and cons.

I didn't know anything about S&W 3rd generation pistols until I bought a 3913 TSW on impulse...it was NIB at a local gun shop, made in 2009...and I am SO glad I had the impulse to buy it. Now I want to get a 45xx to go with it.

I have three S&W 1911s as well: a 5", a 4.25" Compact ES, and a 3" Pro.

IMO, If it was not for the polymer guns, the 3rd gen would still be made today. Now we have polymer revolvers.

My 2cents

I like both systems DA/SA and Govt S/A

but they really should not be a versus as they are in different categories based on barrel length.

I owned a 4516-2 that was a excellant shooter (had issues at first with shooting low, however corrected with a different height front sight). my only real negative was the weight as a conceal carry with the shorter barrel. I only sold it because I wanted a DPA5906.

1911- which is my favorite and I currently own 5 and my 6th should arrive next week (either duty carry or competition)

I guess I have been lucky with my 5 1911s in that they all shot good with no reliability issues out of the box. I have only modified some because I am a tinkerer at heart and always looking for a better way or feel.

Either gun will serve its purpose however that piece will only be as good as the time you put behind a gun in the area of training.

I know a guy (brother officer) who is a sniper and very good. I wont challenge him with a rifle but pistols is another story. He talks alot of trash but wont back it up in the handgun field. He bought a 2G 1911 and he will not challege me to any handgun events because he does not put any time behind handguns and it shows at quals. Apparently he thinks a gun makes the shooter but its the other way around. I would feel comfortable showing up with my issued Glock against his 2G 1911 if he ever wanted to challenge.

With that said...find out what application best suits your needs and go from there.

Before I was duty carry 1911, our General Orders specified DA first shot and issue was Glock. I carried SW DA/SA because I prefered that system over the Glock trigger, but put some time behind it. Now that our dept allows 1911, and I shoot competively with 1911, I feel any training/practice I do for competition will directly relate to my carry on the streets.

So I have parked or sold my SWs based on that.

again my 2 cents.