4506 vs 4506-1

[motorcycle_dan]

Buddy of mine has a 4506, To my knowledge it has never malfunctioned. It will feed Ball, SWC, HP and I believe you could feed it a rock every third round in the mag and it will keep banging along.

So I found a un-loved 4506 in the used section of a local gun shop and made arrangement to adopt it. Mine however is very particular about what it will shoot. Likes factory hard ball and 230 HP but 185 HP or SWC target ammo it won't feed or cycle.

I got to recently shoot both of them side by side. Found out his is a 4506-1 where mine is a 4506 (no dash)

His has a much lighter slide return spring. Mine requires much more force to rack it back. Which I believe is why his will feed anything and mine only likes hot ammo.

What did Smith change between the 4506 and the dash 1 series? Do I have an exceptionally strong spring or does his have a lighter spring? As a test I put his spring in my gun and it will feed and function the lighter target loads. I'd like to buy and install a similar spring in my pistol but not sure where to start.

 

[Dot_mdb]

I would start by trying to get a factory standard spring from S&W. That way you have a standard by which to test the gun's function. If you can't get the S&W spring there are other vendors online such as Wolff Springs. They list the factory standard as 14lbs.

Springs for SMITH & WESSON NUMBERED SERIES Semi-Auto Pistols

Bill

 

[Aegis]

Definitely change the spring.. You could also pull both springs and see if they are the same length. Does not necessarily prove anything , or try his spring in your gun..

 

[oldwolf]

My 4506 will feed anything also. So I expect it is not the model number causing the issue you see.

 

[mscampbell2734]

I'd buy new springs for both you AND your friend. Smith 4506s came from the factory with two springs, a full power spring and a lightweight target shooting spring.

Some dumbass gunshop people would tell customers to put the light spring in to break the gun in. Owners would do that and just leave it and the guns would battet themselves to death.

A fullpower 4506-1 recoil spring feels MUCH heavier then a 16lb 1911 spring, more like 18+lbs.

Hope this helps

 

[motorcycle_dan]

Two stock springs.

That makes Entirely too much sense. I have a plethora of 1911 springs and a spring tester so I can quantify one against another. I susppect Smart 1911 builders should sell their guns with different springs. I'll look into some wolf replacement springs.
Thanks. So what was the difference between 4506 and 4506-1

 

[Ethang]

I have had both models. Both would feed everything, empty cases and likely rocks included.

The difference was mostly to the frame, square vs round trigger guard, and the step machined in the side. Later there was barrel hood changes and some other stuff.

I second the spring change suggestion. Start there and get back with us.

 

[loeman]

Happy to hear about your new adoption. It also sounds like you are well on your way to having the feed issue resolved. When that happens, I'm sure you will be quite happy with your 4506. As Ethang said above, the main difference is the shape of the trigger guard and the "step" on the frame. I have had a 4506 no dash for over two years and it has become my very favorite semi auto that I shoot. I like the square trigger guard, the fixed sights and above all else the accuracy and reliability.

 

[ahern25]

Standard spring product #201610000
Light weight spring product #200710000

Check Brownells they have some available. As far as I know both versions had the same recoil spring. I have both versions and buy the same standard spring for both.