Updated (8/6/14) Pics below with night sights, See Post 25!

I think many of us here have contemplated having a 4506 dressed in a melonite finish, for one reason or another, and just because. Several months ago I acquired a 4506-1 from an officer who bought it new around 2006 from the LA Police Revolver and Athletic Club (no biggie), box was dated Sept, 2002. My dad has a very early version, so I thought the newer version would be fun at the range for a comparison. I already know my MIM trigger feels better and very crisp.

So I stripped it down and sent it off for the treatment at Tactical Advantage Corp, T.A.C (previously known as Coal Creek). They owed me a favor since they installed the wrong extractor on my spare 4516-1 slide that they previously did for me. A big thanks goes to BMCM for helping with my now functioning 4516 slide and providing me a forged mag nut & plunger; along with many answers to my endless questions!!! It is my understanding that MIM and Melonite don't work well together due to the high heat involved in the treatment. Anyways, I doubt I would have been very motivated to send it relative to the cost involved. I certainly didn't trust them at this point after the extractor fiasco and wasn't going to send it assembled, so I completely disassembled the frame/slide and only sent the pieces I wanted done.

All-in-all, I'm pleased with how well it turned out. The melonite over the laser etching came out fine, the laser text is a little subtle, rollmarks would look very defined and nice. In fact, the melonite hides the cheap etching look . I just finished the assembly on Saturday, so I owe you all some pictures below. I looked for a used set of Trijicon SA33 night sights without success and I didn't want to fork out the coin for a new set. I wanted to do something a little different, so I settled on a LPA TPU adj rear sight that I fitted, more thanks to BMCM here! It came out real nice. The jury is still out whether it stays on or the factory goes back on, I'm not used to the look of it yet. The factory rear is also fitted, so the swap will be real easy. Next stop is the fun one, a range visit!

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USS ZELLARS
DD-777

WOW!! Beautiful melonite 4506-1 03Fatboy!! I am green with envy.

That they don't currently offer a pistol as fine as yours, is just another poor decision on their part.

Thanks for sharing that fine 45 with us!! Best regards, 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I like that effect. I like subtle, understated, like this.

Very nice pistol!

Thanks for the info and pics. I want one just like it Now. Best of luck.

Very nice 4506!

Looking forward to the range report.

Thanks for making my day.

That is an awesome looking 4506-1 Nice job!!
I once had a 4566 Melonite I bought and then sold back to seller...I'm not sure I made a good choice...no I am sure I didn't!

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

looks fantastic.....personally I like the looks of those sites....hope they work out at the range

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witty signature goes here

Looks like an all business combat pistol. My favorite kind!

IMHO its begging for a set of Novak night sights.

That is a beautiful pistol, congratulations! I really like the idea of a darker finish over stainless steel, best of both worlds IMO - good corrosion resistance and no 'flash' to draw unwanted attention.

Looks like they did an excellent job.

Nice... looks like it means business, the way I like.

Thank thing looks great! Nice job!

Very cool! Basically a 4505 that doesn't rust!

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Wheelguns 'n 3rd Gens.

Super awesome looking 4506. If they started producing that with a rail, I'd probably pay $1500+ for it...I would want straight back grips and fixed night sights.

Are you listening S & W? Oh never mind......I forgot you couldn't care less what I want.....

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

Really nice! Thanks for sharing.

There will be some follow up shots in a week or so. I just landed a set of novak night sights for a steal of a price. Fortunately, I have another use for the LPA TPU rear.

A big thanks to JohnHL for the heads up.

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USS ZELLARS
DD-777

Now I wish I hadn't passed up the other 4506-1 I had a chance at! If I had snagged it I would do the same thing to it, & have one melonited & the other stainless. I have one of the LPA adjustable rear sights on a 5903TSW. I like fine.

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

I like the LPA just fine as well and it appears well made. In fact, I'm going to put it on my 4003TSW!

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USS ZELLARS
DD-777

Good choice, as I believe the LPA was an S&W factory option on the TSW series and works with the original front sight (which you probably already knew).

John

Post another pic when you get them installed. The LPA TPU looks like a great sight for a target gun but (Just my opinion) your 4506 will be awesome as a combat pistol with the Novak's.

One of the reasons that I really like the 3rd Gen's is that they are available with factory Novak's. I just need to have some of my regular Novak's replaced with night sight versions......

Wow, that is simply beautiful. I have a melonite treated 4566 and can attest to the advantages. I also have few 4505's and can speak to the need for constant attention to stave off rust.

I have a couple 4506's that I've set aside for when I have all that will go for the treatment (MR556 barrels, a FAL barrel, and a few other pieces). These pics get me motivated to hurry up!

Very Nice. My 4506 is my "1911". Fun to shoot. My 4506 is a standard LEO trade in.

Niiice. I was debating doing that to my duty gun (4506-1) that has serious finish wear on it. But I am afraid the already very thin roll marks would disappear.

If you have rollmarks, it will look really nice. If you have the cheesy laser etching like mine, it will make it look better, IMHO. What I mean by that is, the black finish camouflages the etching and it actually looks better since they don't stand out at a distance.

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USS ZELLARS
DD-777

Updated Pics (8/6/14):

I installed the night sights and ding ding ding, we have a winner! It just finishes the look and NOW it's right . I got a deal on the night sights because they are dated for 2009, so they are five years old but they are plenty bright (green lamps). And with Trijicon lamps, they can be re-lit by the manufacturer in the future. The seller has several more sets, shoot me a PM if you have interest.

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USS ZELLARS
DD-777

Now THAT is a S&W 45.

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Can we ask what this re-finish cost you?

As I mentioned, TAC owed me a favor. It was running $250-300 if they take down and reassembled the entire gun plus shipping. It would be cheaper if you do the take down and send it in though. I just checked their website and they don't have a listing for Melonite anymore, only cerakote and parkerizing. Hmmm, not sure they still offer the service anymore or I missed it?

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USS ZELLARS
DD-777

Man, slap straight backs on that thing and I'm in LOVE!!!!!!

Great looking gun my friend!

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

EXACTLY what a fighting .45 should be. The semi auto version of a 3" 13. All that you need and nothing that you don't.

I'm envious.

The 13 is for the left hand,

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USS ZELLARS
DD-777

Very nice, 03Fatboy. I'd call it "The Panther" 'cause it's big and bad and sees even at night.....

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

Gorgeous! If my wife had seen my face when I saw that pic she'd probably take away my computer!