3rd Gen .45s

[Hoosier45]

As I now read the revolver forum daily, I feel the urge to inquire about Smith semi-autos. Very dangerous I'm sure, as I now have the lifetime revolver addiction after my first year of shooting/collecting. I like the 45s and from my limited reading on autos, it appears that the 3rd Gens like the 4506 are very popular, proven, all around good guns. I'm thinking the 4506, if I were to come across one or buy one, would be a good decision. Could someone please give me a list of models for all 3rd Gens in 45acp? Is there a model difference for different barrel lengths? Thank you for any information. I'm not looking to buy one right now but am trying to create my list of future purchases.

 

[blujax01]

4505
4506
4513TSW
4536
4546
4553TSW
4556
4563TSW
4566(&TSW)
4567-NS
4576
4583TSW
4586(&TSW)
4596

That should keep you busy for awhile ...

 

[Realzebub45]

Don't forget:

Shorty 45 PC
4516, -1, -2
457 (Yes, it's a 3rd gen)

 

[Ranger98]

And,the CS45 ...

 

[Mack]

4506 Full-size 5" barrel and 8 round mag
4566 Mid-size 4 1/2" barrel and 8 round mag
4516 and 457 Compact 3 1/2" barrel and 7 round mag
CS 45 Sub-compact 3 1/2" barrel and 6 round mag

 

[Arik]

I'd love to get the 4506 to go with my 1006. Had a chance this past summer to pick one up for $500 but passed on it. Now im regretting it

 

[Realzebub45]

I'd love to get the 4506 to go with my 1006. Had a chance this past summer to pick one up for $500 but passed on it. Now im regretting it

If you are in NE Ohio, I just saw one at a LGS, 4506-1 in good shape. I think it was 1 mag and no box though. Might have been asking $550, not sure I remember exactly though.

 

[Silversmok3]

I would highly recommend checking out local FFLs for one.

My current 4566 ran me $400 OTD with three mags, an extra recoil spring and the original box.

 

[Arik]

If you are in NE Ohio, I just saw one at a LGS, 4506-1 in good shape. I think it was 1 mag and no box though. Might have been asking $550, not sure I remember exactly though.

S.E. Pa

..

 

[Hoosier45]

thanks

Thanks guys for the info. Yes that should keep me busy for awhile. I own a glock 21, which I'm really not sure why I have, it was fairly priced and just figured I need one glock in the collection. Prices seem pretty fair for these 3rd gens, if the performance is as good as I've read. Will definitely keep my eyes open for one laying around.

 

[mjb99]

huelsterb,

If you are used to DA revolvers, I strongly suggest you check out the DAO 45's. The 4586 (stainless steel, 4 1/4 inch barrel, 8 round mag) is probably the most common, as it was issued by more than a few police depts. The earlier "pre-TSW" versions have a unique frame and a shorter DAO trigger pull. The later TSW versions use the same frame as the 4566 and have a slightly longer trigger pull. They also have the other TSW enhancements, which I don't remember, mostly because I don't own one!

Other stainless options would include the 4556 (3 1/2 inch, 7 round mag), and the 4546 (5 inch, 8 round - and IIRC very rare). Alloy frame guns include the 4553 and the 4583 TSW.

These are all very nice guns, and are a bargain today...though prices are creeping northward!

Matt

 

[4506517]

Hmmmm.....no one mentioned the 4526.

Frame mount de-cocker.

 

[B. Burris]

huelsterb, one of the great features of the 4506 family is that you can amaze your friends by filling the mag with empty cases and cycling it to slide stop without a hitch. The third gen 9mms and 40s will do the same thing. My house gun is a 4506. I installed a light rail and keep it in the lock box with a streamlight attached and stoked with 230gr Win. H.P. I feel pretty safe at night!

 

[Fishslayer]

Hmmmm.....no one mentioned the 4526.

Frame mount de-cocker.

That would be the 3.75" 4536. I have one in Kalifornistan pistol jail.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Once you've mastered the urge to get into 3rd gen Smith .45s, you can add 3rd gen .40s... and then the 9mms... might as well have one of each!

 

[squidsix]

I had the bug really bad a couple of years ago, and bought 12 or so of them. I still have a 4566, 4516, 4506 no dash, and 4506-1. All wonderful pistols.

 

[GaryS]

Once you've mastered the urge to get into 3rd gen Smith .45s, you can add 3rd gen .40s... and then the 9mms... might as well have one of each!

Or the other way around. I have a number of 3rd gen 9mms and last year bought a 457 because I wanted at least one .45 ACP gun and I'm very comfortable with the Smith semis.

I'd love to get a couple more 9mms to add to the collection, but I'm not sure I can justify it right now.

Not that that will necessarily stop me.

 

[Kelly Green]

S&W “Third Generation” numbering system:

The first two digits designate the caliber and frame type:
39xx – 9mm single stack magazines
59xx – 9mm double stack magazines
69xx – 9mm compact, double stack magazines
40xx – .40 S&W
10xx – 10mm auto
45xx – .45 ACP

The third digit indicates the trigger type and frame size:
xx4x – DAO
xx5x – DAO compact
xx8x – DAO
xx2x – DA with decocker
xx3x – DA with decocker
xx7x – DA with decocker compact
xx0x – DA
xx1x – DA compact
xx6x – DA large frame

The fourth digit designates the “frame” material. These guns all had stainless steel slides.
xxx3 – Aluminium alloy frame
xxx6 – Stainless Steel frame

Example: a model S&W 4553 would be a .45 ACP with a compact frame in double action only and with an aluminum alloy frame.

 

[Cynergy]

Hi I think you will all have a good laugh ....OK....I bought a 3rd gen 910 used from an online gun shop...now I did some reading about the gun before it got here, and I picked it up at my local gun shop..anyway when I got it home and I am going over the gun and I don't see a firing pin just a hole in the breach face.. is this due to the safety feature ..when the mag is dropped from the gun the one in the chamber will not fire???? I see a small hole where the firing pin should be....can someone help me please. lol
Cynergy

 

[Realzebub45]

Empty the gun. Make safe. Insert EMPTY Magazine. Then take the plugged end of a Bic pen, and drop in the barrel, pointing the barrel up at the ceiling.

Pull trigger, better yet, pull the trigger in single action mode. If the pen goes flying out of the barrel, your firing pin works. You will now have a hole in the plug of your Bic pen, so you can't do this too many times.

Remember, don't shoot yourself. Empty the gun first.