Hogan642
Member
What makes a gun like the 4506 break down if it is properly maintenanced? What is going to wear first and break? What should I be looking for? Number of rounds you can approximate through the gun?
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4506 how long will it last with maintenance
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Jim PHL
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The various springs are the weakest links in any all-steel pistol. If you include spring replacement in your "proper maintenance" that gun's longevity could be measured in generations rather than years.
Probably the weakest link in all 3rd gen pistols is the trigger free play spring. It's a two pronged spring that's riveted to the draw bar and it's purpose is to take up the slop between the draw bar and trigger pawls.
It's one of the most common questions that appears on this forum about a clicking noise being made and a roughness as the trigger is pull in single action (SA).
When the fingers are out of adjustment or broken off, you will get a distinctive snap/click sound.
Otherwise, the 4506 series is the freaking Sherman Tank of S&W pistols.
It's one of the most common questions that appears on this forum about a clicking noise being made and a roughness as the trigger is pull in single action (SA).
When the fingers are out of adjustment or broken off, you will get a distinctive snap/click sound.
Otherwise, the 4506 series is the freaking Sherman Tank of S&W pistols.
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jerseyshoreshot
Member
Keep the gun clean and well lubricated in accordance with the owners manual. I use Mil-Comm products, particularly their TW25B light grease, made here in NJ. It stays where you put it. You can do damage to a gun during disassembly, cleaning and assembly if you are not careful. Follow the instructions in the manual, which, if you don't already have it, is still available for download on line:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/SW_Metal_Frame_Auto_Pistol_06_16_08.pdf
There are some good videos on the 4506 also.
During disassembly and assembly, watch your recoil spring and guide rod. The spring is long and the guide rod sits in a very shallow cutout in the barrel, and if you are not careful it can go flying do damage. If you are getting an extra recoil spring as previously suggested, get a spare guide rod too. When you are installing the slide back on the frame make sure the hammer is down and depress the ejector, sear release and firing pin safety before you pull the slide all the way back.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/SW_Metal_Frame_Auto_Pistol_06_16_08.pdf
There are some good videos on the 4506 also.
During disassembly and assembly, watch your recoil spring and guide rod. The spring is long and the guide rod sits in a very shallow cutout in the barrel, and if you are not careful it can go flying do damage. If you are getting an extra recoil spring as previously suggested, get a spare guide rod too. When you are installing the slide back on the frame make sure the hammer is down and depress the ejector, sear release and firing pin safety before you pull the slide all the way back.
remat457
Member
45xx are way overbuilt for the low pressure 45ACP. It should outlast the shooter with proper maintenance.
handgunner356
Member
With proper maintenance what will wear out first? - You will.
What will break first? - Your ammo budget.
What will break first? - Your ammo budget.
I will have my great great great grandson tell yours, if my 4506-1 has given out by then. Probably not. Mine has many thousand rounds through it and the internals look like new (having always performed proper routine maintenance and spring changes).
Inspector-Callahan
Member
4506
Very informative gunhacker! I always viewed the 4506 as one of the most overbuilt 45's going. Sherman Tank is a good likening.....
IC
Very informative gunhacker! I always viewed the 4506 as one of the most overbuilt 45's going. Sherman Tank is a good likening.....
IC
remat457
Member
Tougher 
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The two finger trigger play spring was replaced with a wide, one finger spring that covers both sides of the trigger. It's a stronger assembly and is what's furnished as a service part.
I'd try to acquire at least one spare extractor and spring to go along with the trigger play spring and rivet to have as long term items.
I'd try to acquire at least one spare extractor and spring to go along with the trigger play spring and rivet to have as long term items.
Unfortunately the one-finger spring weakens too. The one in my 4566 causes clicking badly, even after "resetting." One of htese days I'll send it off to S&W for replacement.
The 4506 will last forever and a day. Small parts should wear out faster but are easy to replace and find replacements.
azasadny
US Veteran
Whenever I get a new gun, I order a new spring set from Wolff Springs. I have never had a firearm fail or break in any way and I keep them clean and lubricated, in a protected environment. I just fired one of my WWII Remington Rand M1911A1's and it still shoots great! If you maintain these tools and keep them clean, they will last several life-times!
Outrider
Member
Sherman tank, C-R-A-P!
Try...Panzer...
Or better yet, M1A2 Abrams...
.45s don't get any better than the 4506 series...
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Maximumbob54
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I used to think this too about being built like a tank. I just recently found a used 4506 that I almost bought. This thing must have been fed a constant diet of some kind of heavy +p+ loads because it had been shot to death. Everything felt loose on it. The slide wobbled back and forth. The trigger would wobble in every direction. I let my heart go back to beating normal and calmly said no thank you. Maybe someone dropped it from a moving vehicle or something. It was scuffed to heck but I could have polished that up. Loose as the proverbial goose, no.
Outrider
Member
It was probably butchered by the Phantom Dremelizer....
BigDaddy7972
Member
I have a 4506. One day I went to the range, walk into the shooting booth, line my sights up, pull the trigger and instead of hearing a bang, I get a click. Several times. I ask the armourer to take a look at it. He does the old pencil in the barrel trick, works fine. Took the slide off and checked to see if the firing pin protrudes when you push it with a pencil. Works fine. Now I'm mad and send it off to S&W. I get it back with a note telling me not to oil the firing pin channel anymore and that if I don't that the gun will outlive me. Apparently it was loaded with gunk. I never have oiled the firing oin channel but because I bought it used I assume the previous owner did. Anyway that was about six years ago and I've never had a problem since. BTW, S&W was excellent about it. Didn't charge me a dime.
Outrider
Member
Nobody ever said they are sabotage-proof...The number of fools in the world ALWAYS overwhelms the fool-proofing...We may run out of oil, water and food. But the world shall never lack for fools.
I have had mine for 18 years, and shot well over 100k rounds though it never a problem. Just cleaning and occasionally changing out the springs . I was Dept range-master for the last 15 years. Only drawback I have ever heard is the weight of it, but that's what makes it feel right to me!.
William
William
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