I just picked up a 4516-2 from a co-worker for $375 with two mags and a generic box. I think I got a pretty slick deal and he was happy at that price. I do not know the history of the gun, but a long time gunnut took a look at it last night and said it looked like it had not been fired very much and still felt good and tight. The magazine springs are a little weak and will not push up the slide catch on empty. So now I have some questions about this firearm.

1. It seems that I should be able to replace the common wear items at little cost. I'm thinking the recoil springs, magazine springs, followers and floor plates should be replaced. Should any of these not be replaced and are there any other things that should be replaced. Is S&W the best place to get these parts?

2. The MIM trigger and hammer, to me, throw off the otherwise sexy look of the stainless. Are these a functional upgrade from the 4516-1 or cost savings at the factory. Can they be replaced, or would this devalue the gun?

3. As popular as the 3rd generation S&Ws seem to be, there isn't much on wiki about them. This is more of a statement than a question.

Great site with a bunch of good information. Thanks for building this community!

I just picked up a 4516-2 from a co-worker for $375 with two mags and a generic box. I think I got a pretty slick deal and he was happy at that price. I do not know the history of the gun, but a long time gunnut took a look at it last night and said it looked like it had not been fired very much and still felt good and tight. The magazine springs are a little weak and will not push up the slide catch on empty. So now I have some questions about this firearm.

1. It seems that I should be able to replace the common wear items at little cost. I'm thinking the recoil springs, magazine springs, followers and floor plates should be replaced. Should any of these not be replaced and are there any other things that should be replaced. Is S&W the best place to get these parts?

2. The MIM trigger and hammer, to me, throw off the otherwise sexy look of the stainless. Are these a functional upgrade from the 4516-1 or cost savings at the factory. Can they be replaced, or would this devalue the gun?

3. As popular as the 3rd generation S&Ws seem to be, there isn't much on wiki about them. This is more of a statement than a question.

Great site with a bunch of good information. Thanks for building this community!

Welcome to the forum

Congrats on the 4516-2, superb pistol. In my opinion,

1) I would replace the recoil spring with an OEM spring, and the mag springs if they are weak as well. I would not worry about any other parts. S&W should have them, if not Brownells or Midway, they would probably be cheaper than S&W too.

2) Cost savings. My MIM 4516-3 mag catch snapped. You can replace them with older forged parts though....if you can find them. Shouldn't hurt the value if you keep the original parts with the gun.

3) They are not very popular, hence the low prices. You got a screaming deal on what is probably one of the best compact 45's made. Personally, i hope it stays this way....at least till I'm through buying them Enjoy your 4516-2! Regards 18DAI.

__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Follow up question:

Are the hammer and trigger common to the 4506 and are those the only MIM parts?

Yes the hammer and trigger are common to the 4506/4566/4513. Some here have taken spur hammers from 4506 and put them on the 4516.

I don't know all the MIM parts in the 4516-2 and 4516-3. On the 4516, and 4516-1, and SOME early 4516-2's the hammer and trigger, in fact all the parts were forged. On the 4516-2 and -3 the mag catch is also MIM.

I would not worry about it. I've got upwards of 2000 rounds through mine with no additional problems. Even when the MIM mag catch snapped, the pistol was still functional. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI.

__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change