Fastbolt
Member
So, how did it work at the range after the repair?
4516-1 returned to mothership 5/10; Update, returned home 6/3
- Thread starter rosewood
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Haven't been yet. But it shoots the nylon rod across the room...
Fastbolt
Member
Did it not do so before the problem with the ejector? If not, perhaps they did a quick inspection and cleaning of the firing pin channel when replacing the ejector. Over time, some 'exuberantly & excessively applied' solvents & CLP's can migrate into the firing pin hole and the rear of the firing pin channel, along with brass nickel shavings, and gradually impede the firing pin's movement and force.
I had this happen to one of my 457s when I used it for my RI pistol qualification. Fortunately, for some reason I brought both of my 457s, so I just switched to the other one and had no issue.
When I got home, I took the firing pin out and cleaned the channel quite vigorously.
When I got home, I took the firing pin out and cleaned the channel quite vigorously.
Fastbolt
Member
I had this happen to one of my 457s when I used it for my RI pistol qualification. Fortunately, for some reason I brought both of my 457s, so I just switched to the other one and had no issue.
When I got home, I took the firing pin out and cleaned the channel quite vigorously.
We used to have to keep someone posted at the cleaning station to remind our people not to get excessive when using solvent or CLP. If someone was using a 'wet' brush to scrub the breech face, we'd remind them to keep the slide pointed muzzle-down, so CLP wouldn't run down inside the firing pin hole into the slide, and not to saturate the rear of the firing pin or the bottom of the manual safety body, for the same reason.
Maybe hold the gun muzzle down right over their heads, so the excess drips in their faces. 
I'm one of those people who learns better visually.
Over the years I've adopted the less is more school of using gun cleaning products.
I'll also claim that my real mistake was not removing the firing pin when I did my initial cleaning upon buying the gun.
I'm one of those people who learns better visually.
Over the years I've adopted the less is more school of using gun cleaning products.
I'll also claim that my real mistake was not removing the firing pin when I did my initial cleaning upon buying the gun.
The gun never failed. I believe I gave it a deep cleaning shortly after I got it (likely cleaned the firing pin tunnel). Last time I shot it, it was flawless. I didn't discover the broken ejector until I was taking it apart to remove the sights to send to Trijicon for a relamp. Not sure if the ejector broke on the last round, or if it shot fine with it broken. I have only had the gun about 6 months maybe.
Rosewood
Fastbolt
Member
One of the guys was shooting a 4516-2 one day, and asked me if I wanted to shoot it. Sure. We had free factory duty ammo, so why not, right?
When I was most of the way through a box of ammo, I experienced a failure-to-eject. Not something I expected. My armorer spidey sense was aroused, so I looked more closely and saw that the old-style ejector tip was missing. Didn't look like a 'new' break, FWIW.
The guy who was thinking about buying the gun didn't know it was missing, let alone how long it had been that way. He just said that the owner (a friend, and another cop) had said that every once in a while, not often, it might fail to eject. Guess that's why the gun was up for sale, maybe?
I replaced the ejector (and gave it a general inspection), and the gun's functioning was right as rain, as it ought to be. Of course, once I'd replaced the ejector, the owner apparently decided he wanted to keep the gun. My friend, who had been thinking about buying it, wasn't exactly pleased that I'd repaired it and the owner had decided he liked it again.
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I have a collection of 3rd gen pistols in my collection along with the current light weight striker pistols. This posting got me thinking about my 4516-1 so I looked for it amongst the black plastic stuff. Wow was I surprised when I picked it up after handling an M&P 9C! Then I picked up a 4566 and 4506. Don't know wonder why cops carry Glocks and Sigs.
Fastbolt
Member
A few reasons ...
It's what they're given and told to carry.
They don't care for the weight of metal guns (if they have a choice).
The gun companies have discontinued a great number of metal-framed models, so getting new ones is impossible.
Some gun companies have offered deals to agencies who have had aging and worn guns, and sometimes those deals resulted in being given new guns for virtually free, when older guns are traded in. Money talks, especially when budgets are tight.
Plastic guns are generally easier to to service, repair and maintain. Much simplified armorer training and tools, and parts either provided free (under contract or warranty) or really inexpensive.
I carried the 4516 the other day and it pulls my pants down much more than the the 1013. The 6-7 ounces difference loaded is very noticeable. Even with tight belt, find myself constantly having to adjust.
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In 2021 the Mass. State Police selected the M&P 2.0 in .45ACP to replace whatever they were carrying. The guns were produced and ready to go into service when they MSP changed their mind and decided to go back to 9mm.
They were going to get M&P 2.0, but something happened and they ended up with Sig 320s instead.
I don't know if there are any left, but for a while those never issued guns, with the MSP patch on them, were available in many places. Massachusetts was NOT one of those places as that version of the M&P 2.0 does not meet the requirements to be sold in MA.
I'm sure that there was a lot of wheeling and dealing going on with that deal.
Now that I live in a normal state, I may have to see if there are any of those still available.
They were going to get M&P 2.0, but something happened and they ended up with Sig 320s instead.
I don't know if there are any left, but for a while those never issued guns, with the MSP patch on them, were available in many places. Massachusetts was NOT one of those places as that version of the M&P 2.0 does not meet the requirements to be sold in MA.
I'm sure that there was a lot of wheeling and dealing going on with that deal.
Now that I live in a normal state, I may have to see if there are any of those still available.
Fastbolt
Member
When our aging inventory of early production 3rd gens were finally being replaced with new TSW's, I was asked if I'd carry one of the new 4566TSW's. Sure. Nice gun, but the weight was considerably more than what I'd been used to carrying in my plainclothes assignment for quite a few years. It got pretty noticeable after 10-18hrs at a time.
Anyway, when one of the other guys kept saying that he really wanted a 4566TSW, but our next delivery of new guns was still a ways out, I decided it was time to exchange the boat anchor for something else. I did the paperwork to have my 4566TSW turned in and issued to the other guy (who was very, very pleased), and I pulled a compact aluminum-framed 4013TSW from the inventory set aside for plainclothes. More people were wanting .45's than .40's at that time, so there were a few .40's available. Win-Win.
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Simple...as noted, many departments don't give you a choice. And many LEOs are not gun people, it's just another mandated tool to carry. So 12-16 ounces less on the belt is a plus.
A few departments (LAPD, the last time I checked) allow quite a bit of latitude. Within the past two years or so a Forum member and current officer stated that S & W 3rd generation pistols were still allowed.
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