4506 Magazines, just a bit too short.

[Mocchiuto]

Hello All:

I recently Purchased three 4506 Magazines via eBay. All three have orange followers and are in good condition. One of them has the notch for the magazine catch on both sides. All of these magazines fit into the pistol as expected but will not lock into the magazine catch. To compare these magazines to others that I have that work one could not tell the difference. After some fussing I found that the magazine tube on the three magazines I just bought is approximately one tenth of an inch shorter. I removed the floor plate on one and it locked into the pistol fine.

Has anyone experienced this before? Does anyone know if these magazines are for another model pistol? I can provide pictures if anyone thinks it would help but it is difficult to see the difference between the working and not working magazines.

Thank you.

 

[kraynky]

Probably mags for the 4516 would be my best guess, without a photo.

Pictures would certainly help.

 

[Mocchiuto]

kraynky: If the 4516 frame is just a bit shorter than the 4506 you may be correct. I can get some pictures up tomorrow.
Thank you sir.

 

[GaryS]

How many rounds do they hold? If seven they are for them and they 4513TSW/4516/4553/457, etc. compact 45 series.

 

[ACEd]

4506 and 4516 mags are distinctly different in length and round count - I would need to check, but I would think more than a tenth of an inch to accommodate an extra round. Are they all SW or possibly an aftermarket or possibly a 2nd gen mag designed to be used with a metal baseplate?

https://smith-wessonforum.com/smith...-magazines.html?highlight=4516+mag+variations

If your original mags lock OK, its probably not the mag release, but I did have a 6906 that was picky - it would lock most but not all the time with a hard slam. I replaced the mag release and problem solved.

 

[JohnHL]

I'm with ACEd.

Likely to be 645 magazines that originally came with orange followers and metal base plates that were replaced with thicker plastic, as described in his most excellent attached post.

John

 

[gwpercle]

Oh Heck Yes ... I got my box of after market magazines ...
Some work sorta , kinda , if I close one eye and look sideways ...

Buttt ... I found the answer ... MEC-GAR ... these are the best .
check out what they got at Mec-Gar USA Inc - Firearm Magazines
I love their nickle plated 7 round 1911 magazines for Stainless AMT Hardballer in 45 ACP .
Actually they don't make shoddy magazines at all ...
Just buy Meg-Gar and be Happy-Happy !
Gary

 

[ACEd]

Oh Heck Yes ... I got my box of after market magazines ...
Some work sorta , kinda , if I close one eye and look sideways ...

Buttt ... I found the answer ... MEC-GAR ... these are the best .
check out what they got at Mec-Gar USA Inc - Firearm Magazines
I love their nickle plated 7 round 1911 magazines for Stainless AMT Hardballer in 45 ACP .
Actually they don't make shoddy magazines at all ...
Just buy Meg-Gar and be Happy-Happy !
Gary

I know MecGar makes good mags for the 5906 and others, but do they make mags for OP's 4506?

 

[GaryS]

I've never seen MecGar magazines for any 3rd Gen guns other than the 59xx series.

Which is too bad.

I know MecGar makes good mags for the 5906 and others, but do they make mags for OP's 4506?

 

[SSBiggun]

A few years ago I picked up a 3913 which came with a couple of 39-2 mags also. When I acquired my 3906 I ran into the same issue . the 39-2 mags wouldn't lock into the 3906. a couple tenths too short. I sold the 39-2 mags and was able to get 4 3906 mags and never looked back. Perhaps the 645 to 4506 transition has the same dimensional differences?

 

[ACEd]

Pictures of all mags (original that work vs purchased that are problematic, possibly with a ruler or scale in photo) would help identify.

 

[Mocchiuto]

Quick Video

The Magazines look like Factory Smith & Wesson Magazines with the Orange Follower. I have an Orange Follower Magazine that works in my 4506. All of the magazines that are not working are 8 round magazines. I took a base plate off of one of the magazines and it will lock into the pistol but obviously that won't work.

Is the magazine tube the same for plastic and metal baseplates?

I also recorded a quick a video, it can be viewed at this link:
https://youtu.be/3RZslUoILE8

 

[Mocchiuto]

Pictures

Link to Picture Gallery, I did it this way to retain picture resolution and detail.

Album — Postimages

 

[4T5GUY]

That's a 645 magazine with a 45XX floor plate.

Jim

*** Edit to add ***

Original 645, (w/original baseplates,) magazines fit and function in 45XX pistols.

 

[jsbethel]

I'm with ACEd.

Likely to be 645 magazines that originally came with orange followers and metal base plates that were replaced with thicker plastic, as described in his most excellent attached post.

John

I agree with this also after looking at the pictures. Jack First has the metal baseplates - S&W 45 Series magazine buttplate, early, metal, #1040-6772U - Jack First Inc. Gunsmithing Parts Supplier Excellence Since 1954.

 

[Liftrat]

I had the same issue with one magazine for my 4506-1: Did all 4506 mags have the S&W logo? . I finally tried a metal base plate for an earlier gen 4506 , but even it needed some dremeling to fit. Still not sure just what I have, but it works.

 

[ACEd]

Link to Picture Gallery, I did it this way to retain picture resolution and detail.

Album — Postimages

First, it appears you have a 4506-1 which technically should use the mag with yellow follower or the later mag with the black follower.

The orange follower 4506 mags were for earlier 4506 no dash pistols (or with orange followers and metal baseplates for the 645 I believe).

There were reported feed problems with the original 4506 pistols which resulted in the mod to the 4506-1 frame, barrel, & magazine. The mod to the magazine included mod of the lip geometry at the top of the mag, the addition of a small D shaped notch at the top, and the yellow followers.

The 2 leftmost mags in the first picture and the shorter one in the picture comparing length appear to be 645 mags which would have originally had a metal baseplate. Note the dimple at bottom of the tube.

I cant speak to the 3rd mag from the left (no obvious dimple at base) - it appears to be the same as the 4th mag (last of the orange followers) which "works".

The only thing I can say is measure the 3rd and 4th mags and if the 3rd comes up short its probable also supposed to have the metal baseplate.

As pointed out by 4T5GUY, the shorter mags should fit (not addressing feed geometry and follower issues) if you can find the original metal baseplates and convert back.

 

[Mocchiuto]

Will Try

I agree with this also after looking at the pictures. Jack First has the metal baseplates - S&W 45 Series magazine buttplate, early, metal, #1040-6772U - Jack First Inc. Gunsmithing Parts Supplier Excellence Since 1954.

Thanks, I will try one of these baseplates.

 

[Mocchiuto]

That's a 645 magazine with a 45XX floor plate.

Jim

*** Edit to add ***

Original 645, (w/original baseplates,) magazines fit and function in 45XX pistols.

Thanks for the pictures

 

[Mocchiuto]

Hello:
I ordered the Metal Magazine Baseplates from Jack First Gun Parts Today.
I will post an update when I receive them.
Thank you