1997 Mod. 4506-1 with Factory Adjustable Night Sights - What do you think? - PHOTOS

Denver Dick · Oct 8, 2008

Eleven days ago I posted about a 4506-1 that I just purchased with what appear to be factory adjustable night sights (Link to My 4506-1). One of the reasons that I purchased it was because it had what appeared to be factory adjustable night sights and I hadn't seen them on a 3rd generation pistol before.

From the wear pattern and such, it looks to be a law enforcement service pistol. Given that the shop where I bought it on consignment is owned and operated by a retired LAPD detective and the fact the LAPD first authorized the 4506 for its officers in 1997, I'm thinking Los Angeles Police Revolver & Athletic Club at the academy.

Based on the serial number is looks to be a late 1997 pistol. Now that I've disassembled, cleaned (the internals were very dirty), lubricated and reassembled the pistol, I've posted some photos below (note the 97 date on the night sights). It now wears a new factory grip; the one that was on it was typical for a LE duty weapon.

So, have any of you guys seen factory adjustable night sights on 3rd generation pistols before.

Denver Dick · Oct 8, 2008

Eleven days ago I posted about a 4506-1 that I just purchased with what appear to be factory adjustable night sights (Link to My 4506-1). One of the reasons that I purchased it was because it had what appeared to be factory adjustable night sights and I hadn't seen them on a 3rd generation pistol before.

From the wear pattern and such, it looks to be a law enforcement service pistol. Given that the shop where I bought it on consignment is owned and operated by a retired LAPD detective and the fact the LAPD first authorized the 4506 for its officers in 1997, I'm thinking Los Angeles Police Revolver & Athletic Club at the academy.

Based on the serial number is looks to be a late 1997 pistol. Now that I've disassembled, cleaned (the internals were very dirty), lubricated and reassembled the pistol, I've posted some photos below (note the 97 date on the night sights). It now wears a new factory grip; the one that was on it was typical for a LE duty weapon.

So, have any of you guys seen factory adjustable night sights on 3rd generation pistols before.

Outrider · Oct 9, 2008

I've heard factory adjustable night sights were put on some guns, but I've never seen one before myself...

I wouldn't mind having them on my two 1006s.

animalmother · Oct 11, 2008

If the LAPD wanted such sights on their guns, I'm sure S&W would have had no problem doing it. Best way to know for sure is to get a factory letter. Anyways, nice gun.

brianc · Oct 11, 2008

WE have purchased 4506 with adj. nite sights A few times

brushy bill · Feb 27, 2011

Sorry to pull this post from the dead, but where can I find sights like this for my adjustable sighted 4506. I've googled like crazy and can't locate them anywhere.

Palmetto Sharpshooter · Feb 27, 2011

brushy bill said:
Sorry to pull this post from the dead, but where can I find sights like this for my adjustable sighted 4506. I've googled like crazy and can't locate them anywhere.

Try Trijicon.

SemperFuzz · Feb 28, 2011

I originally searched for the Trijicons as thats what was on my gun when i bought it 20 years ago new. No luck, called Trijicon and they said none in stock and it would be a special order and a 60+ wait time. my peepers dont like em these days anyway so i found the XS Big dots and love em.

I posted pics of mine here somewhere on the forum they are XS big dot sights for my 4506 ADJ, they dont list them on the Web sight just call them and they will set you up.

They did send me the wrong rear set screw it was too short, i called and they expressed me the correct longer screw excellent customer service.

found thread here with my photos

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/173041-4506-adjustable-night-sights.html

KurtC · Feb 28, 2011

You'll need to research this better, but it has always been my understanding that the blade in the rear adjustable auto sight is the same blade used on the revolver sight. Any revolver blade night sight should fit in your auto.

18DAI · Feb 28, 2011

Beautiful 4506-1 Denver Dick! I want one just like it!!

Anyone has one like it and wants to part with it, please PM me. Regards 18DAI

Outrider · Sep 16, 2012

Try these two links -- if you haven't moved on this already.

The model number, I believe, is SAO2. It's the same for 1006s and 4506s.

https://www.trijicon.com/na_en/products/product2_bntns.php?mid=16

Trijicon Sights & Scopes by Laser Superstore

Denver Dick · Sep 17, 2012

18DAI said:
Beautiful 4506-1 Denver Dick! I want one just like it!!

Anyone has one like it and wants to part with it, please PM me. Regards 18DAI

Try this related thread (with factory letter) on my LAPD special: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...ed-4506-1-turned-out-special-order-l-p-d.html

18DAI · Sep 18, 2012

Thanks Denver Dick!!

Since my original post in your thread, I've obtained two of these AS night sight 4506-1's. Regards 18DAI

Outrider · Sep 19, 2012

KurtC said:
You'll need to research this better, but it has always been my understanding that the blade in the rear adjustable auto sight is the same blade used on the revolver sight. Any revolver blade night sight should fit in your auto.

This may or may not be true -- on any given brand.

Kerry with Meprolight told me their revolver sights were too wide for 4506s/1006s.

It looks as if Trijicon is the best bet.

I'm going to start another thread later requesting we not petition, but bombard TruGlo, Meprolight and Trijicon with requests for more options on these pistols.

Meprolight said they'd investigate -- since there's been such a resurgence in the fan base of 1006s, 4506s -- and all S&W 3rd Gen guns.

I pointed out to him that S&W had made some 12,000 1006s alone.

Kerry at Mepro said they'd stocked 1006 sights for years, but after the gun was discontinued from production, demand didn't just dwindle, it died cold.

So the company dropped the sights altogether.

He also told me that the company had considered making their own version of the TruGlo TFO (trititum fiber optic) sight, but TruGlo had an ironclad patented lock on the only workable process for that type of sight -- and couldn't find a way around it.

TruGlo also said they'd keep the option of making 1006 TFO sights open for the future.

Denver Dick · Sep 19, 2012

18DAI said:
Thanks Denver Dick!!

Since my original post in your thread, I've obtained two of these AS night sight 4506-1's. Regards 18DAI

Are the Adjustable Night Sights dated 1997? How about some photos.

kihnspiracy · Jul 19, 2013

Bumping an old thread. I just recently picked up a 4506-1. It has factory adjustable nights sights on it. They are almost dead. I am going to pester Trijicon and see if they will replace the tritium vials with new ones.

So far, your 4506 and mine are the only 2 I have ever seen with factory adjustable nights sights. Mine is a VZC S/N prefix.

18DAI · Jul 19, 2013

The factory adjustable night sight 4506-1's are perhaps the rarest of the 4506 variants. I bought the first one I came across.

I suspect they were all from an LAPD order. Mine is a VJP serial prefix.

Has anyone found out whether Trijicon will relamp these adjustable night sights? Regards 18DAI

kihnspiracy · Jul 19, 2013

I just got off the phone with Trijicon. They said they could do it for $54. Go to trijicon.com, click support, click Return Authorization, fill out the form and submit. Seems pretty easy. I will update as it progresses.

timn8er · Jul 19, 2013

kihnspiracy said:
I just got off the phone with Trijicon. They said they could do it for $54. Go to trijicon.com, click support, click Return Authorization, fill out the form and submit. Seems pretty easy. I will update as it progresses.

I hope you are a patient person! I recently sent my 4013TSW slide in to have the vials replaced. when I sent it in, their website said two to four weeks. It actually took them about two months. They did a beautiful job, but dealing with them wasn't much fun. Nobody would give me updates, & when they did they were wrong. Rant over! Back to topic: I've never seen adjustable night sights on anything, so I found this thread very interesting.

Gunhacker · Jul 19, 2013

When I sent 2 slides in to Trijicon (albeit about 18 mos ago) for sight re-lamping, my experience was the opposite... they were done in about 2 weeks and they even sent an email to me advising they were going to be shipping the slides out, which coincided when I would be out of town.

I called them and no problem, they agreed to hold onto them until told I them it was ok to ship.

Maybe they've become swamped with relamp jobs stemming from all of the police trade in's that have hit the used gun market?

And to the OP.... a much belated THAT is one heck of a nice 4506-1!!

1997 Mod. 4506-1 with Factory Adjustable Night Sights - What do you think? - PHOTOS

US Veteran

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Absent Comrade

Member

US Veteran

Absent Comrade

Member

US Veteran

Member

Absent Comrade

Member

Absent Comrade

Similar threads