S&W 4576

I am the original owner of a 4576. I purchased it around 1992 or 93 from Wild Sports in Orangevale, California.
I think I paid around 500.oo for it new.

It's the only .45 that I own. I got it due to the Sig style decock lever as I don't personally want to own a handgun with a safety and I know I'm a sinner but I am not a fan of the 1911.

I read only 1365 of these 4576 models manufactured. I don't remember knowing it's rarity at the time of purchase I just really wanted a .45 and no safety... I had to have it.

I'm not looking to sell unless I had a crazy offer from someone who really really wanted it but I am curious what it's worth.

I'm curious what others think about the de-cocking lever and having no external safety.

This thing is a Tank and Smooth and a Fantastic gun to shoot.

just FYI I am also the original owner of a Sig 226. 9mm I got in 1989. and a 2nd gen Glock 23. .40cal. I got in 1991

I can’t really address the value question but I can comment on the Sig-style decock system on your pistol.

There are a few folks over the years that liked it. I would say that across the board by enthusiasts of the S&W 1-2-3rd Gen pistols, it is generally NOT well liked. I cannot speak for others but I can share what I think about it.

—I don’t believe that S&W had any intention of ever using this system however they developed it because of the demand of the FBI contract for the 1076 pistol.

—they had problems with it originally and a number of 1076 guns were recalled because of it, and a dual punch mark was added to the frame to denote updated guns. I’m sorry that I don’t know the details of the problems

—S&W had a period of time in the early 90’s that was casually termed “model of the month” where they had so many different models that almost any normal consumer couldn’t possibly keep track. For a short moment, dealers were given a decoder ring that helped you to line up size, caliber and features to output a model number to help you choose. In retrospect, most conclude that this was not fantastic marketing

—anyone who has ever reported on disassembly of this Sig-style thumb decock system also reports that it’s a tremendous struggle, complicated and should be avoided if possible

—to add to that, I surely would not count on S&W having a stock of parts to service this odd and scarcely produced system

—Friends know that I do not care at all for Sig guns including the P-series that use the frame mount decock lever that S&W attempted to duplicate here, but with that said, I find everything about the Sig thumb decock system to work better and feel better than the S&W system

—this odd variant also demand the use of the very specific OEM one piece grip that is designed to work with it. This right here might be the worst part of things, because if you need one of these grips it’s going to be hell to find. You might need to alter or fabricate something for it

As it is a S&W 3rd Gen pistol, it will always have a following and as a short printed odd variant, it’s probably always going to have someone interested in it.

Of the different systems they used across the 3rd Gen product line, I would prefer it to the DAO pistols, but I would not choose it over the much more popular traditional DA/SA models.

As an example with a low production number, it would be a neat one to own. As you bought it NEW way back in the day, I’m curious if you have the original box with intact end label. There is information on that end label that can tell us when it was made.

They show up for sale infrequently. I sold this one on a major auction site during the sellers’ market in 2021. If memory serves me well, I think it brought $1,250. Excellent condition in original box.

Is that a traditional double action or DAO?

Last one that I saw for sale near me went for around $1,400 in the Summer.

MDB1056 said:

Is that a traditional double action or DAO?

Click to expand...

TDA.

John

The sig style decocker was one of the few things I liked about my issue 1076. The rest of the ergonomics were unimpressive and I saw many have major failures on the range (eg, things that tap/rack/bang would not address, and required armorer work.)