Advice on the 4566

jtcarm · May 24, 2015

OK, disclaimer: I am a near-total revolver guy. The only CF autoloader I know anything about is the 1911. I've had a few come and go. The only one currently in my safe is my late-father's Remington Rand A1, which isn't going anywhere and doesn't get shot.

Now I've decided these new-fangled autoloaders are here to stay, so I'm thinking about one.

Despite that, I still want my guns made of steel. I want a .45 ACP, because I've reloaded it before and don't want to fool with something new. Uses would be just range & fooling around, maybe home defense, maybe carry in some circumstances.

I've read good things here and on other forums about the 3rd gen guns. Now I see 4566s showing up at what seem like unbelievable prices (low that is.)

So is there something I should know before I buy one? Are they junk, or just unappreciated?

Opinions much appreciated.

tim c · May 24, 2015

i have a 4566TSW and a 4516 and 457 and i love all 3 smith 3rd gens they are accurate and function every time . the 4566 is in between in size from 4506 and 4516 . 4506 being full size

SMSgt · May 24, 2015

They are as tough as tanks and weight about as much! Mine functions flawlessly with any ammo, commercial or reloads. The only common issue with the 45xx series is the trigger play spring. It weakens or breaks and makes an annoying "click" when pulling the trigger in SA. Does not affect function though.

t-bird · May 24, 2015

The S&W 4566 is one of the best 45's ever made. Best of luck.

VictorLouis · May 24, 2015

You simply cannot go wrong....

18DAI · May 25, 2015

I own many handguns from various manufacturers including Colt, Sig, HK, Kimber and S&W. Most of them chambered in 45. I am able to carry just about anything I want provided I qualify with it.

For the last dozen years that has included a 4566. I've bet my life on the 4566. I can't praise a handgun more than that. Bet your life reliable, extremely accurate and looks good doing all that.

I own several examples including a PC 4566 45CQB, melonite 4566, 4566 LE variant with spurless hammer and decock only and a standard 4566. I have shot them in competition, qualification and for fun. I cannot recall ever having a malfuntion. They always made me look good on the range too.

As I type this I have a melonite 4566 on. Fine pistol we probably won't see the likes of again. Unless Ruger makes something similar. I would take a 4566 over ANY 1911 and unless I was storming a beach, I'd take it over my USP and HK45c too. Yea, they are that good.

So I advise you to buy it, shoot it, love it. You will be glad you did. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

loeman · May 25, 2015

jtcarm,
You haven't spent much time over in this corner of the forum (lol)! If you had you'd know how passionate many of us are about the 45XX series. After reading all about them here on the forum I bought my second one, a 4506 full size close to three years ago. My first was a "compact" 4516 and my most recent a 4566. I use them just about the same as you plan for yours. My favorite is the full size 4506. I shoot it better than any other center fire semi auto that I've ever owned. Accuracy and reliability is amazing. Since I don't carry it, the size and weight IMO is an asset. Get one, I'm confident you will like it. Any of the 45XX series would be a good choice. And maybe you better do it sooner rather than later as I'm not seeing these show up in my LGSs and pawn shops like I did just a couple of years ago. And the ones that do don't stay long. Prices are heading north too! Good luck in your shopping. We look forward to hearing from you soon with pics of your "new" gun!

I'm editing this to add a pic of my three 45XXs. They are all standard models with no bells and whistles. At top is the full size 4506 (no dash) with the early "square" trigger guard and stepped frame. At lower left is the 4516-2 and at lower right is the 4566.

t-bird · May 25, 2015

jtcarm said:
OK, disclaimer: I am a near-total revolver guy. The only CF autoloader I know anything about is the 1911. I've had a few come and go. The only one currently in my safe is my late-father's Remington Rand A1, which isn't going anywhere and doesn't get shot.

Now I've decided these new-fangled autoloaders are here to stay, so I'm thinking about one.

Despite that, I still want my guns made of steel. I want a .45 ACP, because I've reloaded it before and don't want to fool with something new. Uses would be just range & fooling around, maybe home defense, maybe carry in some circumstances.

I've read good things here and on other forums about the 3rd gen guns. Now I see 4566s showing up at what seem like unbelievable prices (low that is.)

So is there something I should know before I buy one? Are they junk, or just unappreciated?

Opinions much appreciated.

I thought we would be seeing some pics of that new 4566 by now.

Charlie Foxtrott · May 25, 2015

I ought a 4566 brand new when they came out about twenty years ago.

It is not for sale.

4506517 · May 28, 2015

I am a huge fan of the 45XX series.

Great gun, can't say enough good things about them.

I personally, dislike the squared trigger guard, but that by no means impairs function.

I also dislike the curve back grips, preferring the straight backs.

I say buy one, you won't regret it.

jtcarm · May 28, 2015

t-bird said:
I thought we would be seeing some pics of that new 4566 by now.

Just decidin what my next shell-shucker will be.

There's too dang many.

I've been following some 4566s on GB and they sure look priced right. Less than those Filipino 1911s.

tim c · May 28, 2015

pull the trigger you won't regret it (pun intended)

rasmith3442 · May 28, 2015

It's a disease I tell you.

Apologies to the Governator:

Do eet, do eet.

S/F,

RAS

4506-1 with ACE 45 Super conversion, 4513 TSW, 4516 no dash, 4563 TSW no rail, 4566 TSW no rail, 4566 TSW rail removed, 4566 melonite - I think that's it.

BTW, they eat empties. Try that with any other 45.

ds8514 · May 29, 2015

I often carry my 4567. I don't as much as I would like to, only because of the weight. But it is definitely the semi auto I like the most in my safe.

BAM-BAM · May 29, 2015

18DAI said:
I own many handguns from various manufacturers including Colt, Sig, HK, Kimber and S&W. Most of them chambered in 45. I am able to carry just about anything I want provided I qualify with it.

For the last dozen years that has included a 4566. I've bet my life on the 4566. I can't praise a handgun more than that. Bet your life reliable, extremely accurate and looks good doing all that.

I own several examples including a PC 4566 45CQB, melonite 4566, 4566 LE variant with spurless hammer and decock only and a standard 4566. I have shot them in competition, qualification and for fun. I cannot recall ever having a malfunction. They always made me look good on the range too.

As I type this I have a melonite 4566 on. Fine pistol we probably won't see the likes of again. Unless Ruger makes something similar. I would take a 4566 over ANY 1911 and unless I was storming a beach, I'd take it over my USP and HK45c too. Yea, they are that good.

So I advise you to buy it, shoot it, love it. You will be glad you did. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

Can't add much and agree with 18DAI's assessments ...... I've owned a 4516,4505 and a 4566...... but like the story of the "3 Bears"

The 4516 was a great gun but for me small enough but just tooooo heavy....... replaced with a Sig 245 in the 1990s

4505 was a great gun but for me just to big and heavy to conceal carry....replaced with an alloy frame Sig 220. (Also the 4505 was so nice it should have been a safe queen.... so it never saw much daylight).... wish I still had it.... but the 4505 was replaced by......

A 4566...........which was/is ......."just right"!!!!

BTW the 4566 and the Sig 220 are about the same size.

Jaymo · May 31, 2015

The 4566 is at least equal to a Sig 220.
Both are fantastic pistols.

Buy it. Clean it. Lube it. Shoot it (a lot). Love it (a lot).
That's my advice.

DanP7 · Jun 3, 2015

Perhaps a revolver guy would be interested in a 4586 for the revolver-like trigger?

Shoo2tr · Jun 3, 2015

The 4566 was my first of now several 3rd Gens. I tend to like .45's owning a couple in varying sizes and operation (XDs, Sig P220, Sig 1911, and the 4566.)

Let's just say the 4566 is my favorite of the .45's I have to take to the range and here's why...

Imagine if you can a just right sized .45 with the svelte grip of a 1911, a better DA trigger than a P220, an SA trigger close enough to that of a 1911, will reliably eat and spit out anything it's fed, is softer shooting than a P220, and is as accurate or better than any of them. That's basically how I feel about my 4566. I just think it's the perfect incarnation of shootabilty and size in an all metal framed .45.

jimintheburg · Jun 3, 2015

4566

I have a 4567. Correct me if i am wrong, but i believe it is identical to the 66 except for the blued slide and nights ( which are now dead )
It is the 3rd, third generation S & W I own: 4506 & a 1006. All of them are built like tanks and solid shooters. I saw this one in lgs about a year ago, and had to adopt it.

mpi · Jun 3, 2015

i own several and love all of them, i have a special place for the dao's, and i usually get em cheap as no one in my area likes them.

Advice on the 4566

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