4506 followed me home (*UPDATED)

[meh92]

I have wanted a 4506 for well over two decades. For one reason or another, I never picked one up. The sickness started with Miami Vice (I'm a bit ashamed to admit...lol) and continued on from there. Eventually I attended the police academy with my issued 4586. It was close to the '06 but not close enough for me. I was frequently squadded with another cadet who had been issued a 4506. When the instructor wasn't looking, we would swap guns for a few magazines. Since then 4506's has been appearing regularly in Hollywood and wetting my appetite even more.

Today I struck gold! This one appeared online with a local owner. It included the original box, desicant paper, and three magazines. The owner and I were able to work out a fair trade we both happily walked away with what we wanted. This pistol hardly has a mark on it and appears to have been shot very little. It is a "no-dash" but doesn't have the stepped frame or top rib. Obviously, it has the hooked trigger guard, which was a must for me. The sights are standard 3-dot adjustables. That should come in handy as I reload and also plan on shooting some .45 Super through it from time to time. I can't wait to warm up the barrel!

Could a kind soul tell me what the year of manufacture is? The s/n is TEU4XXX. Much obliged.

 

[skeetshooter]

4506

Looks like a 1990 issue

 

[meh92]

Many thanks.

 

[pmosley]

Beautiful metal masterpiece - congratulations.

 

[scatterguy]

Some things are worth the wait. Looks to be in tip-top shape. Enjoy that wonderful pistol.

 

[poorbroker]

Now that is a beauty!

 

[Ethang]

Very nice. That is exactly what I am holding out for, straight backstrap and all. Congrats. Now go shoot it and post pictures..

 

[18DAI]

Beautiful 4506! Congrats!

Will there be a range report to follow? Enjoy that fine 45! Regards 18DAI

 

[meh92]

Unfortunately, a busy schedule will keep me from a range report for several days.

Ethang,

The gun actually came with a brand new set of Hogue rubber grips. I had both straight and arched factory wrap-arounds in my 4586 box so I slipped these on. I mostly shoot 1911's with flat mainspring housings, so flat backstraps on the 4506 and 4586 point naturally for me.

 

[BCDWYO]

I'm in the same boat as you...have wanted a 4506 for quite a while but haven't found that right one just yet...I suspect it is only a matter of time! Very nice one indeed!

 

[Ca1942]

congrats on the 06 you wont be dissapointed

 

[meh92]

Range Report

I finally had the chance to get out to the range today for a little trigger time. I brought along a few rimfires that needed sighted-in and also a few .45's. The first was a Ruger old model Blackhawk .45 convertible with a 7.5" bbl. The other was the 4506. I wound up shooting for a little over 4 hours and the 4506 was the last to be shot. My eyes were pretty tired and I think the groups reflected that.

I wound up shooting about 200 rounds through the 4506, starting with good old WWB 230gr FMJ. Then, 4 precision handloads of 200gr SWC's pushed at roughly standard velocities. Finally, some Grindel remanufactured 185gr JHP's. There were no malfunctions.

The gun is what I would consider a "relatively-accurate" service pistol, but it wouldn't be at home on at a bullseye match. It did not show much preference for any of the specific loads. 5-shot groups hovered around 3" for 4 of the shots, with a very distinct flyer in every group. I have a few semi-auto's that suffer from "first-round-flyer" syndrome, and this 4506 is no exception.

Below is a typical grouping from a rest. 4 shots clustered into 2.3" with the flyer opening it up to 3.4". Range was 25 yards. The load was the Hornady Combat/Target 200gr JSWC with 5.1gr of Winchester Super Target. In my Les Baer Premier II, this can cut a ragged hole at 25"(when I do my part). Of course, after 3+ hours of shooting, I probably wasn't holding the tightest groups... but that wasn't the gun's fault.

I finished shooting ~50 rounds of WWB hardball at a 4" steel spinner at 40yds, standing-offhand. Hits were about 25%, but I'd consider the misses darn-good supressive fire! I wouldn't have traded places with the 6" of embankment around the spinner. Good fun!

The weather was a bit weird with sun, clouds, and light rain. It wasn't too hot and there was a little breeze to move the smoke along. Best of all, I had the range to myself. Next time I'll shoot this one first and see if I can't wring a little more accuracy out of her.

Thanks for reading.

 

[Ethang]

If that old obsolete handgun does not shoot up to your expectations I would take it off you hands and see if there was something I could do to make it shoot. Or lacking that since I am not much of a shot anyway I would just keep it knowing that the lacking is mine and not the handguns.......

 

[meh92]

No doubt much of the lacking was mine!

I think I'll keep her. I'm a big fan of old, obsolete handguns chambered in old, obsolete calibers. Much obliged for the offer.