West Virginia State Police keeping 4566's

18DAI · Feb 25, 2011

I heard from a nice fellow (who would know) that the West Virginia State Police have decided to stay with the 3rd generation 4566. I have not confirmed it yet from a second source but this fellow is reliable so I thought I'd share the good news.

They evaluated the Glock and Glock submitted an attractive offer.

Then S&W came in with the free M&P's deal in exchange for your 4566's - and were politely told "no thanks!".

He told me "S&W then pulled out the stops and worked a deal to keep the contract" and agreed "to continue making 4566's for the agency from the Houlton ME plant."

Hopefully some of the overuns will be available to the public.

Locally there are two agencies who have also remained with the 4566 and allow other S&W metal framed 45's to be used as well. I passed this onto their firearms guys. If they garner more info I'll post it here.

With LAPD currently running a course for those officers trained on Glocks to transition to S&W 3rd gen 45's, it would appear that S&W could probably benefit financially from a run of 4566's. I won't hold my breath.

I know I'll be retiring - in twelve more years - and on my last day there will be a 4566 in my holster. Reliable, accurate, durable, with a great trigger - and looks good doing all that! Regards 18DAI.

mlk18 · Feb 25, 2011

Makes perfect sense for them to stick with their 4566's. As the expression goes; if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I could see Smith & Wesson making a run of stainless .45's but if they do I bet they will put the overruns in their vault and leave them there for a long long time.

Aegis · Feb 25, 2011

If I am not mistaken Fresno County Sheriff (California) switched from the 4506 to 4566 in the last couple of years. I just purchased a 4566 from an LAPD motor officer who went to a 1911. My agency still allows use of 4506, 4566.

18DAI · Feb 25, 2011

It gets better. These 4566TSW's are supposedly going to be new integral rail and Melonite finish! Regards 18DAI.

117 · Feb 25, 2011

WOW!!!

18DAI said:
It gets better. These 4566TSW's are supposedly going to be new integral rail and Melonite finish! Regards 18DAI.

WOW!! Best news I have heard from S&W in a very long time . Keep us posted and pray for over runs !!!!!

boingboing · Feb 25, 2011

Wow, a State Police Agency with some intelligence and smart enough to not give in to the Combat Tupperware craze. As far as the integeral rail, melonite finish......I want, I want, I want.

Fastbolt · Feb 25, 2011

I was told that S&W will make the newest full-size 4566/4006TSW's with either the riveted or integral frame rail, depending on LE customer desire.

Now, if the CHP keeps their 4006TSW's as long as they kept their original 4006's (20 years), S&W will be likely be making some occasional additional guns (and have to keep ordering some spare parts from vendors) for a while. Considering the heavy usage and testing the CHP uses in its selection of pistols, they might not be willing to change quickly. (We were told they were originally in negotiations with S&W to make a special Scandium aluminum framed 4003TSW for CHP consideration, when they were first preparing to replace their aging 4006's, but the agency eventually decided that since their original all-steel guns lasted so well under heavy use, they weren't particularly eager to change frame materials.)

Considering the state budget situation, I'd be a bit surprised if the agency were to adopt the M&P (or the Glock, etc) to replace the all-steel TDA guns, since adoption of a new platform ... even if S&W provided new M&P's and leather at their expense, in trade ... would likely require overtime money for transition training and a lot of extra ammunition. Dunno. Just thinking out loud, so to speak.

I have heard from a couple of factory folks that they have some existing 3rd LE customers who may not be willing to abandon the 3rd gen platform either easily, or quickly.

It would seem likely to help matters (for the 3rd gen aficionados) if LAPD started to generate some demand for the 4566's.

The Houlton plant ought to be able to keep up with any new orders as time passes, especially since they received some new CNC equipment and upgrades when the 3rd gen production was shifted there. Of course, the SW1911 line, Walther .380/.32 and S&W .22's are being made there, too.

FWIW, knowing of a handful of the riveted rails which suffered breakage on service guns, I'd think the integral machined frame rail was a long overdue improvement.

Palmetto Sharpshooter · Feb 25, 2011

It gets better. These 4566TSW's are supposedly going to be new integral rail and Melonite finish! Regards 18DAI.

AHAA! That's what the melonite pistol is in the center!

sniper47 · Feb 25, 2011

How does the melonite finish hold up to constant holster use?

boingboing · Feb 25, 2011

Palmetto Sharpshooter said:
AHAA! That's what the melonite pistol is in the center!

Palm, did you take this pic? If you did shame on you for not picking either of those two up and getting some nice shots so I can add to my screen saver collection!

Matt C. · Feb 25, 2011

Here's that group buy opportunity. Somebody (more skilled than I) get a petition/signup sheet together and we'll get it off to S&W.

Fastbolt · Feb 25, 2011

Palmetto Sharpshooter said:
AHAA! That's what the melonite pistol is in the center!

Not something I mentioned in my reply, but the black one next to the railed SW1911 does appear to be a .45, based upon the tall & short rear sight base.

Palmetto Sharpshooter · Feb 25, 2011

Fastbolt said:
Not something I mentioned in my reply, but the black one next to the railed SW1911 does appear to be a .45, based upon the tall & short rear sight base.

You're right, I copied the wrong quote. The post has been edited. Thanks.

4506517 · Feb 25, 2011

illinoisofficer · Feb 25, 2011

I have a 4566 that I purchased new in 1996 and carried on duty until 2003 when my dept transitioned to Glock. I really do not have a need for the 4566 any longer as it just sits in my safe..I has been very well maintained. What kind of resale does this 4566 have along with the 6 factory mags??

vista461 · Feb 25, 2011

18DAI said:
It gets better. These 4566TSW's are supposedly going to be new integral rail and Melonite finish! Regards 18DAI.

An extreme amount of drooling going on here.

vista461 · Feb 25, 2011

18DAI said:
It gets better. These 4566TSW's are supposedly going to be new integral rail and Melonite finish! Regards 18DAI.

An extreme amount of drooling going on here.

sniper47 · Feb 25, 2011

4506517 said:
For what it is worth, the Melonite© finish on my less than one year old M&P 45 has held up poorly.

Thank you for answering my question. I have to say, for me, S&W 3rd gens do not look "right" in anything other than stainless steel. JMHO.

Tim Nagel · Feb 26, 2011

It's about time a major LE Agency has seen the light! S&W I hope they return to offering the 4566 or 4506 to the public also! I know as a Police Officer I'll stand in line to get one!

carbuncle · Feb 26, 2011

18DAI said:
It gets better. These 4566TSW's are supposedly going to be new integral rail and Melonite finish! Regards 18DAI.

Nice, I'd snap one of those up in a heartbeat!

West Virginia State Police keeping 4566's

Absent Comrade

Member

Member

Absent Comrade

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Similar threads