4506-1 (R4) "dash 3"

[Say When!]

Is mine a 4506-1 (R4) "dash 3” ?

Good morning “18DAI”:

Page#492 of The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition makes it appear as though my pistol is vintage 1994 - 1995.
Is that correct?

Thank you.
Kind regards,
David

 

[18DAI]

Probably. BUT - evidently, numbers of various 4506-1 production runs were held at the factory after being made. I am told that these were spares, kept in reserve to fill additional orders from LE agencies or as replacements for same.

And IIRC, we were told, back in the day, that the large batch Lew Horten aquired were from a cancelled order for an unknown West Coast LE Agency. That is why they had so many - +50. Again, IIRC.

At the time, none of us knew that there was anything special about this particular 4506-1 subset. Evidently though, they recieved some attention as the triggers were/are VERY good right out of the box.

And mine is as accurate as my Performance Center 45s AND my HK USP 45. VERY accurate! Regards 18DAI

 

[Say When!]

Is mine a 4506-1 (R4) "dash 3” ?

Hi “18DAI”:

I am absolutely THRILLED that my pistol appears to be a 4506-1 (R4) "dash 3” !

My pistol has "4506-1" etched on the left side.
I thought I read that 4506-1 (R4) "dash 3” only have “4506” etched on the left side.

Kind regards,
David

 

[18DAI]

Yes, the majority of those "dash 3" 4506-1s are laser etched with no -1 after the model number. And most if not all of those, were made after 1998 to fill LE orders.

But as we have seen there are many examples made with roll marks and the -1 stamped after 4506. AND a few of those have forged hammers and triggers, vs the MIM hammers and triggers of the majority of the R4 guns. It IS a confusing and inexact science to identify what is truly one of the "dash3" subset.

Reliable indicators were the "03" on the box and customer service telling you it is a Revision 4 example. But as you can read earlier in this thread, customer service is no longer a reliable source. A few fellows here called once and were told their 4506-1 was revision 3. But on subsequent calls were told revision 4.

After much researching and conversations with retired S&W employees, as well as many LE who ordered and worked on the guns, the 03 on the box is STILL the most reliable indicator. Regards 18DAI

 

[Say When!]

scarcest variant?

Hi “18DAI”:

Can you tell if mine is the scarcest variant 4506-1 (R4) dash 3 with factory adjustable night sights AND rollmarks vice laser etching?

Thank you.
Kind regards,
David

 

[Say When!]

Forged hammers and triggers

Hi “18DAI”:

How can I tell if I have a forged hammer and trigger?

Than you.
Kind regards,
David

 

[18DAI]

??? The gun pictured above does not have night sights. I see a standard blade rear sight.

The gun pictured has the blued forged hammer and trigger. The MIM hammer has a recess on either side of the spur and a mold line running down the middle. The MIM trigger will often have a sprue mark on the left side as well.

The first 4506-1s had flash chromed hammers and triggers. Then they went to blue forged hammers and triggers. Finally came the switch to MIM. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI

 

[Say When!]

18DAI:
Thank you VERY much!
Kind regards,
David McNulty

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Page#492 of The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition makes it appear as though my pistol is vintage 1994 - 1995.
Is that correct?

The label on your box has a Spec Ord code of "3321"

This traditionally would be decoded as the 321st day of 1993, or 17-Nov-1993.

Congrats on your find!

.

 

[Say When!]

BLUEDOT37:
Thank you, sir!
Kind regards,
David

 

[SigBoone]

Still going.....

Happy to see that this thread (as well as some of us) is still alive !

I haven't dropped by this forum in quite some time, longer since I've posted here. To find that this discussion continues is a testament of the enduring appeal that surrounds our 3rd Gens.

Howdy to 18DAI, long time since we've corresponded here. I see that you are still sharing your knowledge and spreading the gospel. Good to see you Sir.

V/r,
SigBoone