3rd Gen Frustration!!!!

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faol

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I have a 4566 that I bought with Hogue Grips on it. As I have smaller hands, I wanted to switch back to stock grip panel. The ONLY one I could find is a well used set with the curved backstrap. After trying them, I find I will prefer the flat backstrap. BUT, I CAN'T FIND ANY OF THOSE ANYWHERE!!!! I was told they still make them but they've been on "backorder" for months now; with no restock date given by S&W. Why is it so hard to find just one!?!?
 
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Have you checked numrich? They had some third gen panels last time i checked.

Sent from my ZTE-Z990G using Tapatalk 2
 
Availability of parts is the only issue I've had since diving into the 2nd- and 3rd-gen pistols. When I lost the RH safety lever for my 5906, it was practically impossible to find a replacement. I had to settle for a carbon steel part until a forum member came to my rescue.

To this day, I still can't find mag followers for sale anywhere.
 
Be patient. Not too long ago they were $7 new from S&W. They may be double that now. My LGS has a dozen or so miscellaneous used 3rd generation stocks in their used box.

Be aware there was a stock recall for all 3rd generations in the early 1990s. S&W simply mailed out the replacement stock. Almost no one who removed their original brittle stock threw them out. They float around used parts bins, E-Bay, etc. They're shinier and darker black than their replacements.
 
The part number you want, 203620000, is indeed on back order. It probably has been discontinued. I'm going through the same thing trying to find a front sight for my 4506-1. Good luck!
 
I am friends from way back with the number 2 man at S&W. EVP. I asked him about these grips. His reply was any SKU part # regarding no longer made firearms is history. Midway has always had them, but no longer. They are not being made. That being said, I have acquired them used, and they can be made like new with a little light sanding, and a coat of flat black paint. The little scratches and dinks can be easily sanded out. Two have been for sale on Gunbroker for sometime now. They look like ****, but upon close inspection they are just dirty. Search "4506" and click on "grips" on the left hand side listings. The 4506 fit the 4566. Sometimes you have to get creative.
I have bought 3 gen 3's that came with the Hogue. First thing I do is remove them and they get tossed. Just don't throw away the grip pin in the Hogue fitting. It is the original grip pin for the stock grip which you will need.
 
Last edited:
Navy74 said:
I am friends from way back with the number 2 man at S&W. EVP. I asked him about these grips. His reply was any SKU part # regarding no longer made firearms is history. Midway has always had them, but no longer. They are not being made. /QUOTE]
WOW , if this is true what a kick in the pants . So now I have 14 pistols that had life time warranties that now can't be repaired if a major problem arises , nor can I get small parts if they are lost or broken . Well, I would like to tell them I have bought my last S&W old or new.
Click to expand...
 
There are so many gen3 guns out there that there will be some level of parts support through the secondary market for a long time to come. S&W will build new guns if a LEO agency places a sufficient order. I think I've seen 50 units mentioned here on this forum a time or two. They are not cheap, however. About the same cost as one of the post entry level Smith 1911's.
 
I paid $39 for the last set of NEW ones I bought. I'd pay it again for the Straight grips. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet to get what you want......Zebulon
 
epj said:
There are so many gen3 guns out there that there will be some level of parts support through the secondary market for a long time to come. S&W will build new guns if a LEO agency places a sufficient order. I think I've seen 50 units mentioned here on this forum a time or two. They are not cheap, however. About the same cost as one of the post entry level Smith 1911's.
Click to expand...


I wish that were true. However, recent experience has shown me that as New Old Stock sells out, it is not being replaced. I don't think that S&W has any interest in supporting that market either. This is a gloomy prospect for a lot of people including me, as I have a few 3rd Gens. None of them are safe queens, all of them get shot. I guess I'm going to have to consider not shooting the rarer ones, & only shooting the more common ones that I may be able to find used parts for. Like I said, definitely a gloomy prospect.
 
Last year when Brownell's was out I selected "email me when available". Got an email a few weeks later they were available. Ordered 10 for the 45XX series and 10 for the 40/59XX series. Went back to order 5 more of each an hour later and they were all gone.

Give it a shot.
 
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