4516-2 & 5906 Purchase

[3wire]

I was fortunate to purchase a 4516-2 off GB. S&W says it was produced April 1997, has MIM parts, and was supposed to be a Puerto Rico Police trade-in, but it doesn't have any holster wear anywhere. Upon close inspection, the barrel, mag well, mag & slide all have what appears to be some type of identification number scribed into them, which may indicate that this was once confiscated evidence in a criminal case! Any other suggestions as to these numbers?

My carry gun is my 3913NL, I bought the 4516-2 thinking I would alternate carrying it and the NL, but this is one heavy compact, but I like it! Ordered new recoil springs from Sprinco and a spring kit from Wolff. Anybody have any S&W 4516 mags for sale?

Within the same week of purchasing the 4516-2, I also purchased a 5906 from my LGS. Its a police trade-in, S&W says it was produced Sept 1992. Its also in really good shape. Since my LGS was closed due to COVID19, I had been watching them list 5906's on GB, one about every two weeks, with a buy it now price of $350. Most of them were pretty beat up and showed their age. Once the store opened back up, I went there and asked to see the remaining ones that were slated for future auction. They had about six left, so I picked out the best one of the bunch, paid the buy it now price and left smiling. Ordered new Wolff springs for it also, this is going to be strictly a range gun.

Life is good!

 

[ElectroMotive]

PM sent on mags

 

[GerSan69]

Nice ones! Congrats! Yes, they are heavy, but you make up for it in less perceived recoil.

 

[Checkman]

I've seen other surplus handguns that were used by Puerto Rican police and they all had serial numbers crudely engraved on them. I suspect your 4516 was a police issue. For what it's worth American police went away from engraving identifying numbers on evidence many years ago. I've been working as an officer for twenty years and I've never seen that done to evidence. Congratulations. I like the 3rd Gen S&W handguns. I own a few myself.

 

[JohnHL]

Hey, 3wire!

Your markings curiously resemble these markings:

6906 Police Trade-In markings

John

 

[toddimusnimski]

Very nice! Is that a 6906 magazine in your 5906? Or maybe the baseplates were just switched.

 

[3wire]

The baseplate must have been changed, it's a 15 round mag stamped "For Law Enforcement Use Only" with an orange follower and orange mag spring. I've ordered a new flat baseplate, follower and mag spring to freshen it up.

Thanks for the info concerning the identification marks, that definitely had me scratching my head for a little while.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I think that you will enjoy your 5906. They are like Lay's potato chips. I do not have a 4516, but do have a 4506. I suspect that the 4516 will be fun to shoot as well. Nice acquisitions, the shelves here are empty. Who is your dealer?

 

[kraynky]

My 4516 ND was found at my LGS a few years back, and it really surprised me with it's accuracy and mild recoil (after re-springing it too). I often tuck it in a Sticky holster IWB and wear it all day. The weight doesn't bother me a bit, and it's very comforting to have so close by.

Mags for a 4506 or 4566 will work for range shooting, but they do stick out a bit with the one extra round. I wish they made a mag adapter for it like the 5906 mags in my 6906. Your gonna like both of those, a lot. My 4516 is a favorite.

 

[stansdds]

Evidence numbers are most often electro-penciled onto the receiver and no where else. With those numbers and letters being electro-penciled in numerous, but inconspicuous areas, I would say they are inventory ID numbers.

 

[GerSan69]

Show and Tell!
Here's the .45 section of my S&W semis.
Left to right, top to bottom:
CS45, 457, Shield 45.
4513TSW, 4516-1, 4516-2.
I think I "need" a 4506 at least to round out the family....

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Show and Tell!
Here's the .45 section of my S&W semis.
Left to right, top to bottom:
CS45, 457, Shield 45.
4513TSW, 4516-1, 4516-2.
I think I "need" a 4506 at least to round out the family....

Very nice starter set!