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.

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.

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.

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 !!!!!

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.

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.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

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!

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N.R.A. BENEFACTOR Member

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

An extreme amount of drooling going on here.

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

An extreme amount of drooling going on here.

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

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

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

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

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.

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??

I also have a 4566 I bought in 1996 (when I lived in Illinois). Sent it out to Novak's for night sights and a "tune up" around 1998. I personally would never give it up. My guess is that you could get good money if it's in good condition. My 4566 now rides in my car - an advantage of living in Texas versus my birth state of Illinois!

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!

Good to hear, I agree it's nice to see good ole fashioned steel 45's in the holster of police. As for a civvie version, I'd have to sell something to get one but I would!

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Sie vis pacem parabellum

I love the 4566 as much as the next guy, but could I PLEASE get a 4506 with an integral rail and checkered front strap..... I mean is that asking too much?

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

Thanks, but I like my 4566 plain--S/S, no Mel; no rail, no "Tactical" on the slide. Like I'm gonna hold it up to some BG and say, "Do you want to mess with this?" with my finger pointing to the engraving.

18DAI, you're information is quite correct. WVSP won't be going away from the 4566 at least until Col. T. S. Pack retires. From a conversation I had with him last year he regards the 4566 as the finest pistol he's ever used. ( I didn't and won't disagree with his statement) They flirted around with Glock 21's (which is what the WV DNR is using) and M&P 45's a few years ago but decided to stick with the 4566's.

J.W.

I'm in Ashland across the river from Huntington. My Dad recently moved and in his neighborhood I've already spotted three troopers by the cars in the driveways, hope to meet them soon. Can you tell me, besides the 4566, what firearms are currently used/authorized by WVSP? Thanks!

He didn't move into Putnam Co did he? You can't throw a rock there without hitting a trooper!


In addition to the 4566 w/ Streamlight M3, WVSP also issues a Reminton 870 and S&W M&P 15 to each trooper. For uniformed duty you have no choice but the issued sidearm. However, pretty much anything you can qualify with, .380 or larger is approved as a secondary. For non-uniformed duty (like the plain clothes BCI guys) or special details not requiring a duty belt you can carry your secondary.

Thanks for the confirmation J.W.!!

Do you happen to know whether the new 4566TSW's will be the melonite/integral rail variants?

Col Pack seems to be a "gunny" who knows a thing or two! Regards 18DAI.

That I do not know. I haven't talked to anyone "in the know" in a few months. Next time I do, I'll try to remember to as though.

Nah, still in Cabell Co.

Thats interesting on the off duties, figured there would be more restrictions. KSP (KY) has the Glock 35 and 27 and thats all for sidearms. They also get an AR and 870 like WVSP.

Ouch, thats no good. I like Glocks, but the sub-compacts don't fit me well at all and the 35 is obviously too big for concealment. Not approving the 23 for detectives and off duty is just plain stupid. Although I'd like to be able to select my own duty weapon I can understand the point behind standardization. Having such a restrictive off duty policy is goofy though.

WVSP is far from perfect, but they have a pretty good firearms policy.

I just read that the Governor is replacing Col. Pack, do you think this will cancel the 4566's? I hope not, really hoping for S&W to offer some to all of us!

I really don't know. I heard about this just the other day myself. I don't know anything about the new Superintendent, but I get the impression his is another oldtimer pulled out of mothballs and one to cater to the whims of politicians...

I wouldn't fee too bad with either of these-both 45, both very reliable.

Good old Armalloy still does hard chroming, and they do it very well. You might check their prices, google them.


Cat

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Think for yourself.

It's always nice to hear when metal beats plastic.

I wish it happened more often, though.

It's a sad fact that plastic will beat out metal, but metal will OUTLAST plastic

Of course we will need off duty pistols too.....

So a scandium framed 4516, melonite finish please, oh - and go ahead and make it a 4" even barrel. Don't forget the flat bumper pad for the mags!

Maybe Col Pack could assist us with this request. J.W.? Regards 18DAI.

Oh, that'd be nice...

I wouldn't put it past him!

S&W 4566/4506 family of pistols should still be in the catalog, alot of Police and Civilians alike prefer steel to plastic! I say again I hope S&W personnel read these posts and take note!

Could be a good recruitment tool with all of the budget cuts going on:

"We can't pay you much, but we do offer the 4566 as your duty weapon."

Okay, I admit I belong to this site and don't really care for, or keep up with Smith S/Auto guns. As far as I'm concerned I went straight from the best revolver; 4" stainless 686 to the best S/A a Glock 22 in terms of duty guns.

I've held Col. Pack in high regard since I started in 1994 and he was stationed in a neighboring county. From the outside looking in I think he's the best thing that's happened to WVSP in a long time; the first superintendant that isn't a fossil a governor didn't drag out of mothballs from the North end of the state.

While the 45's are good guns I believe that agency wold buy a *** gun if it was a Smith. I came to that belief because I've listened to troops tell me that since they went to semi auto's in 1995. From what I remember they weren't ****, but they were pretty close. I think everyone there was happy to be rid of those. The 45's they're getting rid of aren't very old and they're going to turn them in for practically the same gun. It makes one wonder.

FWIW I believe they've got some Glocks around since they sent a member I know to Glock armorer school; I guess BCI guys got tired of the Sigma's they had and didn't want to run around buying dope armed with a gun covered up with WVSP patches and so forth.

Glad they're getting new guns, while I'm sure most guys will buy their old ones the ones that do wind up on the market should be in good shape with a low round count, probably good guns to pick up if the price is right.

You're quite correct, WVSP is quite attached to S&W and from what I've heard, some of it is personal bias. There was some scuttlebutt last year that Glock offered to switch them even for G21SF's (IMO, the best duty sized .45 available) but they wouldn't do it. I can't verify this though.

You're also right about the "old" 4566's still being in good shape. I can tell you that as of last year they were still some guns being issued that were new old stock from '06 as I recall.

It is rather refreshing to hear that the WVSP is sticking to their Smith .45's! It's nice to know that all steel or even alloy/steel pistols haven't completely been put out to pasture.
And while I can appreciate the Glock for all it's virtues, there is just something comforting about a big, shiny, steel pistol hanging off your belt or tucked in somewhere concealed that speaks volumes.
Plus I'm getting tired of seeing poly guns in every cops holster! Illinois, St.Clair county is practically Glock owned!
Kudos WVSP! Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

One thing the Glock .45s can't offer -- which Smith stainless guns can:

That Great Big Ol' Black .45 Hole in what's clearly a hefty, formidable pistol that could mess your head up -- even empty...as opposed to just a black general polymer blob...

Don't forget the fact that many "heavy metal" Smith 3rd Gen .45s are still a weapon when empty...and will still leave an "impression" between the bad guys' eyes when wielded...

Staring down the barrel of a Smith 3rd Gen Stainless .45, one can FULLY appreciate how big a .45 REALLY is...

Not as evident with a general black "shape" -- but a real "standout" against the light, sharp contrast of a big stainless backdrop...even in lower light conditions...

Don't ever discount how intimidating that can be...

With a Smith .45 stainless, you can SEE what you're up against -- with a clearcut visual reminder...

...won me a 4566. And it is everybodys' fault too.

Lets hope the older S&W 4566's will be sold to the public when they get the newer 4566's. Are the pistols issued to the WVA State Police the TSW model or the standard 4566?

TSW's with Streamlight M3's.

I am surprised at the seeming support of the Glock 21 over the 4566. I own a 21 and a 1066 and prefer a 45/1066 by a huge margin. Big +1 on hoping to see the trade in 4566TSW's in the market.

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NRA Certified Instructor

The agency I qualify with issues Glock 21's. Well they did until this year. Now they are supposedly going to a compact 45 for all officers.

I know the last two times I qualified, my 4566 ran flawlessly while there were many malfunctions with the Glock 21's. Speer Gold Dot is their duty round.

The majority of the malfunctions I observed - three pistols out of 14 - were FTE's. One fellow had a couple of double feed jams but IMO he was holding the Glock 21 too low and perhaps limp wristing it as well.

I'm not a fan of the Glock pistols but I do think that every officer who has to stake his life on his duty pistol should have a say in what that pistol is.

I purchased and or shot the Beretta 8045, HK USP 45, Sig 220, Glock 21 and a few 4566's before I chose the 4566 for my duty pistol - once I found out that revolvers would no longer be qualified as duty guns.

The consistant reliability, accuracy and durability made the 4566 a clear choice. Others will prefer other platforms and thats great. Afterall, one size does not fit all. Regards 18DAI.

I love the 8045, but like you, I love the 3rd Gen's better!

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I guess its all personal preference but I never loved my 4566. The sole reason is the loooong, heeeaavy DA tigger. (I'm not a fan of the DA/SA system in general though) With tactical gloves I had a hard time getting a good finger position on the trigger. If not for that I'd have loved the gun. I qualified expert with it and could handle the trigger fine if I took my time and concentrated. At 25 yards, I never shot it well and oberved that in my class of around 40 people few could make first shot hit beyond 7-10 yards and none consistently. For me and it appears many people the DA pull is too long and heavy. If it was like my 686 or 25-13 I wouldn't have a complaint.

As for Glocks, there good guns but certainly lack the refinement of the 3rd gen Smiths. For overall comfort and shootability provded I had a choice, but couldn't carry a 1911 I'd pick the 21SF.

It's just that feature-wise 3rd Gens were way ahead of their time, in fact only recently are 1911's being touted as "modernized" for having these same features. I post this for those folks who may be reading that are not familiar with the pistols.

Some features:
Serrated front strap, undercut trigger guard, trigger guard checkering, slightly extended slide lock/mag release, ramped barrel, and elongated trigger guard (in fact, I think it is better than my G21 for gloved hands). And a feature that I hear a lot about lately is a short reset trigger. All 3rd Gen features and mine were built around 1990.



I have been extremely lucky with the DA on my 3rd Gens.

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NRA Certified Instructor

The 3rd gen Smiths are great guns, I had the pleasure of carrying a brand spanking new, 2007 production, 4006TSW, when I worked for the CHP. A very good, very accurate gun. It got me hooked on the 3rd Gen autos. But.....I currently carry an M&P 40. The accuracy is just as good, and I doesn't dig a gouge in my hip after 12 hrs on my hip....My 3rd gen auto are basically range guns.