I'm really chomping at the bits to get this but have never owned a short barreled 3rd Gen model before. All mine have been longer. I know some of the 1911's in a 3-3 1/2" barrel have been problems but don't know about S&W. Are these fears unfounded?

Nothing like that. Zero reliability issues with the S&W 3rd gen .45s. Get it without reservation.

Yes.

The 4516 series has been wildly popular for years and even continued on (sort of) in the form of the 457 value series gun. I owned a 4516-1 for a few years and never had a single malfunction with it. It was nothing but accurate and reliable, I just found that I much preferred the full size grip. All S&W 3rd Gens were designed to be reliable and durable work horse guns.

I have the 4506 and the 4566 but not one with a short barrel. Thanks for the responses.

At 7yds. using 230 gr. reloads I can make a ragged hole with an occasional flyer with my 4516-1.Imagine what can happen with better ammo and a better shooter behind the gun!Shot alot of short barreled 1911's and owned a Taurus PT145 for a little while as well as a Colt officer and I have to say hands down without thinking about it my 4516-1 takes the cake by a landslide.This little bad boy is a very impressive piece of machinery and having such a short barrel one would think it to be like all the rest-it ain't! If you find one especially the -1 or -2 at a decent price get it because I PROMISE you will not regret it.

mine was a sweet shooting gun.it was very accurate.get one you wont regret it.

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God save the SOUTH

I've got a very late production, LE overun, 4516-3.

I keep it cleaned and lubed with TW25B. I changed the recoil spring around 5500 rounds and changed out the mag springs shortly thereafter.

I've never had it fail to go bang. During an IDPA match a few years ago the MIM mag catch snapped like the cheap pot metal it was. I replaced it with a forged part. Not one problem since.

I don't carry it anymore as I've gotten some 4513's. They are lighter and easier on my injured back.

The only problems I've ever heard about with 4516's are with the 4516 no dash. Apparently there were some slide inertia issues with the initial 4516's. Some of the LAPD guys here told us about 50/50 reliability in some shootings using the 4516.

I think if you do your standard cleaning and use a quality lube - as well as changing the recoil springs at 5000 rounds, you should experience the bet your life reliability the 3rd gen pistols are known for. Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI

I've been looking at this one for the past two weeks and wondered why it's still available. The initial price was $519 with no box and one magazine but it looks good from the photos. I tried to get them down to $475 due to that but they would only go $499. Not having seen it close up, it could be worth that, I don't know. I'm surprised someone hasn't snapped it up yet.

I don't know what, if any, parts may be MIM in this model. There is no black trigger, decocker or hammer so there may be none.

I have also found that if you ditch the original followers, be they yellow, orange, red, or steel, and use BLACK factory 45xx followers, then you can use any generation of 45xx mag in any generation 4516. I called the factory looking for yellow ones, and they sent me black ones and a note saying "These are the current correct replacement". They all work perfectly.

My 4516 is and always has been a tack driver.Amazingly accurate for a short bbl .45. Others who have shot it have been astounded.I don't carry it any more,but who knows,the day may come.
No reliability issues whatsoever.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

My NIB 4536 came with yellow follower magazines. I ordered up an extra with black follower. The black follower has noticably less tilt & slop & the spring is stronger.