Well, I guess my title pretty much sums up my question.

No. The 4506 is a large frame, single stack (the 4506 grip will work on a 1006, however). The 5906 is a medium frame, double stack (its grip will work on the 4006).

HTH

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

Thanks. I'm guessing that the grips from the 5906 will also work on a 5903 right?

You bet! I have a 5903. It's an excellent pistol. IMHO, it's much better balanced than the 5906.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

Either way, steel/aluminium > polymer.

Any idea what dimension is different between the medium and large frames? I'm wondering if the double stack 59xx grips couldn't be modified to fit the large frame single stack.

Seems strange that the medium frame grips fit all 9mm and *some* 40 cal, but they don't fit any .45's.

With Smith & Wesson 3rd Gens. full-size 9mm's and 40 S&W's share the same frame, and full-size 45acp & 10mm's share the same frame.

The length, width, and depth are all different. I don't think any modification would work, and new grips from the factory can be had, relatively inexpensively.

Actually it is more complicated than just medium or large frame. Here's some examples: (disregarding the frame mounted decocker models)

There's a compact frame single stack. The 9mm all use the same grip, but the 40's and 45's are different. I'm not sure what dimension is different, but the S&W PN is different. These are the 4513TSW, 4553TSW, 4013, 4014, 4053, 4054, 4516, 4556, 457

There is a compact frame double stack. The 9mm and 40's all use the same PN grip. There are no 45's or 10mm's in this group.

There is a large frame single stack which is all 45's and 10mm's and they all use the same PN grip. These are the 4563TSW, 4566TSW, 4583TSW, 4586TSW, 4505, 4567, 1006, 1066, 1086, 4506, 4546, 4566, 4586, 4596

There is a large frame double stack which is 9mm's and 40's and they all use the same PN grip.

There are two reasons I find these groups interesting:

1. There are a number of models which share the same PN for a grip, but only some of this group list an alternate straight/curved back grip. With a bit of work I think it would be possible to install alternate grips on many models which they are not listed for. The backstrap really makes a difference in the feel of many models.

2. I've modified the large frame double stack CT lasergrips to fit other models. I can make the grips fit smaller frames, but not vice versa.

I suspect - but can't confirm - that the difference is in the butt to top of frame dimension (which is the easiest to modify). If anyone has a singlestack 9mm and a 45 or 10mm, I would really like to know if they share the same side to side (thickness) and front to back dimensions.

You asked whether 59XX grips could be modified to fit the large frame, single stack, .45/10mm frame, so that's what I looked at, and that's how I answered. But, I agree that there are a lot of other guns with varying dimensions, I can't speak intelligently about that, only the two sizes in my safe.

I will say, that if a single stack 9mm has the same front to back dimension as a 10mm, that there is a lot of wasted real estate in the 9mm frame.

Wow, so much interest in 3rd generation grips. I personally love the 3rds . . . and a few 2nds, too (can you say 645 ). Here is my secret way of finding out about 3rd generation grips. Now don't tell anybody, it's a secret . . .

Go here*: http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore...ist_Retail.pdf

* Find your model on the left side and click it. Check out the part number (PN) for grip in the parts list. Then, if you want to compare it with the grip PN for another pistol go to the left again and click on the model number for the other pistol. This works for all parts. It is interesting how many interchangeable parts there are in the 3rds. HTH

P.S. - I like my single-stack large frames with straight grips and my double-stack medium frames with curved grips. But that's just me. And, I take my compacts as they come.

The single-stack big boys . . .



The double-stack medium service autos . . .



The single-stack small guys . . .



And, the double-stack small guys . . .



As you can see, about a year ago I trimmed my collection down to 19 (from the 23 pictured above). I plan on keeping it staple unless I run across a really nice 1026 and/or 1006 w/factory adjustable sights for a price I just can't ignore.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

Wow. That is a nice collection. I'm impressed (and more than a bit envious).

I used those same parts lists to build a spreadsheet of all 3d gen grips and group the models in to families.

I'm still trying to sort out what the difference is between the 9mm single stacks and the 4513TSW, 4553TSW, 4013, 4014, 4053, 4054, 4516, 4556, 457

or the CS9 and the CS40/45. Is there a difference in the front to back, side to side, or length dimension?

Perhaps next time you have the grips off a couple you could lay a tape on them.

3d Gen model families by grip part number

Sub Compact Frame, Single Stack

9mm,
CS9

.40 & .45 cal
CS40, CS45

Compact Frame, Single Stack

9mm
3904, 3906, 3944, 3946, 909, 3953TSW, 3913, 3914, 3914DAO, 3953, 3954, 908

.40 & 45 cal
4513TSW, 4553TSW, 4013, 4014, 4053, 4054, 4516, 4556, 457

Compact Frame, Double Stack

9mm & .40 cal
4013TSW, 4053TSW, 4056TSW, 6904, 6906, 6944, 6946
6924, 6926 (frame mounted decocker)

Large Frame, Single Stack

.45 cal & 10 mm
4563TSW, 4566TSW, 4583TSW, 4586TSW, 4505, 4567, 1006, 1066, 1086, 4506, 4546, 4566, 4586, 4596
1026, 1076, 4526, 4576 (frame mounted decocker)
4536 (frame mounted decocker)

Large Frame, Double Stack

9mm & .40 cal (LG359)
4006CHP, 4003TSW, 4006TSW, 4043TSW, 4046TSW, 410, 4003, 4004, 4006, 4043, 4044, 4046, 411, 5903, 5903SSV, 5904, 5906, 5943, 5943SSV, 5944, 5946, 5967, 5945RCMP, 5903TSW, 5906TSW, 5943TSW, 5946TSW, 910, 915, Super9
4026, 5923,
5924, 5926 (frame mounted decocker)

In my photo above entitled "The single-stack small guys," looking from right to left, top to bottom, you are looking at a 4516-1, 4516-2, 4013, 4014, 3913, 3913TSW, 3913. You can see that the .40 and .45 grips are longer front to back.

The 9mm single-stack frames were designed for 9mm. On the other hand, the .45/.40 frames were were originally designed for .45 ACP. In fact, the magazines of the 4013 and 4014 have little "bumps" on their sides so they don't rattle around in the larger .45 designed frames (magazine wells).

Anyway, I have extra grips for all my pistols in a cabinet in the house. So, I put a ruler on one of my 4516/4013 grips and one of my 3913 grips. The .4516 type grip is approximately 1/16" taller, 1/16" wider and 1/8" longer front to back. HTH

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

Trust that if S/W could make a 45 cal weapon with the same grip area as a single stack 9 they would have tripped over themselves doing it. Also the hammer strut/springcap come into play. At 20 buck approx each.Its easy to buy new one.
With the exception of a straightback grip for the compact doublestack guns.A couple weeks ago I posted a modified pair that I turned into straightback, worked out for me, just took alot of time, I wouldnt do it for a living. Bob