brasspoint
Member
what is the best variant of the 4516?
no dash / -1/ -2/ so on..
rants and raves please,
no dash / -1/ -2/ so on..
rants and raves please,
4516 advice and opinions please!!!!!!
- Thread starter brasspoint
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I don't know about the best but I had a no dash 4516 for a few years and it was the most unreliable semi I have ever had. I tried out as many different types of ammo I could get my hands on and I don't know if I ever got through a full mag without a jam.
I guess you can officially call this a rant!
I guess you can officially call this a rant!
I had a -1 and it went back to the factory twice for FTE problems. After all of that, I replaced the recoil spring and together what the factory did, it seemed to work fine. I sold it because I just couldn't trust my life with the weapon .
YMMV.
YMMV.
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I bought my 4516 no dash when they were introduced in 1989. While it hasn't been shot a lot (probably under 750 rounds), probably a dozen shooters have put a mag or more through it. The only stoppage experienced was when one friend loaded the mag with .40 S&W cartridges instead of .45 ACP. It fired but didn't totally cycle! The stoppage surprised me, as it hadn't jammed before (or since).
Mine works with older Federal Hydra-Shok, current Federal 230 gr +P bonded and whatever FMJ ball I have tried in it, both factory (Federal and W-W) or handloaded by me.
Some 4516s just seem to work better than others. Often, a dash upgrade is a product improvement, but sometimes it is a manufacturing shorcut to cost less to make. I see more stoppages with short barrel .45s than full size models of all makes.
Mine works with older Federal Hydra-Shok, current Federal 230 gr +P bonded and whatever FMJ ball I have tried in it, both factory (Federal and W-W) or handloaded by me.
Some 4516s just seem to work better than others. Often, a dash upgrade is a product improvement, but sometimes it is a manufacturing shorcut to cost less to make. I see more stoppages with short barrel .45s than full size models of all makes.
Robinett_11B
US Veteran
I purposely seeked out a -1 variant, as they were supposed to of had fixed the reliability issues of the no dash while still retaining the forged flash chromed hammer & trigger that was lost in the -2 variant.
I've heard generally good things about every variant (-1, -2 & -3) that came after the original 4516. S&W will fit the dual recoil spring of the -2/-3 in a -1 gun if it gives you feeding issues that can't seem to be remedied another way.
I've heard generally good things about every variant (-1, -2 & -3) that came after the original 4516. S&W will fit the dual recoil spring of the -2/-3 in a -1 gun if it gives you feeding issues that can't seem to be remedied another way.
Dot_mdb
Member
I don't own a 4516. I do own a 457S. If I was to buy a 4516 I think it would be the -2 because of the dual recoil spring set up that is the same as my 457. However there is one disadvantage to the -2. It has the long beaver tail of the large frame guns. I don't know why S&W would do that on a compact made for concealment.
In the end I am always looking but not buying a 4516 because of the pluses and minuses mentioned in this thread and because a 457 or a 4513 are 6 ounces lighter yet still comfortable to shoot.
Bill
In the end I am always looking but not buying a 4516 because of the pluses and minuses mentioned in this thread and because a 457 or a 4513 are 6 ounces lighter yet still comfortable to shoot.
Bill
... it would be either a -2 or -3 model, for some of the revisions and manufacturing improvements.
Eep02b
Member
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I currently have a 4516-1 and have personally put about 400+ rounds through it in the 4 months I've owned it. I haven't experienced any failures of any kind. No FTF, FTE, dropped mags, etc. The only issue I've had was when the magazine safety plunger and lever broke. And even then, the trip to the range before I discovered it, I put about 100 rounds through it. So somewhere in those 100 rounds it broke, but continued to shoot as nothing was wrong. I say all that to say I trust my 4516-1 with my life. Try to find one of the dash models 4516 (-1,-2, or -3).
-ep
-ep
I can only rave on the -1 version. The one I had was one of the most accurate off-the-shelf .45s I have ever owned. I would still own it but it was just too heavy. That gun was a terror with the old Federal 230gr Hydra-shoks.
I replaced it with a Colt LW Officer's ACP. The Colt is a good gun but couldn't hold a candle to the S&W in the accuracy department.
I can't recall the S&W ever jamming or anything else. It was just h-e-a-v-y!
I replaced it with a Colt LW Officer's ACP. The Colt is a good gun but couldn't hold a candle to the S&W in the accuracy department.
I can't recall the S&W ever jamming or anything else. It was just h-e-a-v-y!
I can't recall the S&W ever jamming or anything else. It was just h-e-a-v-y!
I concur.
I would rate the dash 2 as the "best" 4516, simply because it has all the worthwhile improvements without the cheaper contruction and cost cutting measures that were implemented.
I have a dash 3 4516. Cheesy looking laser etch markings, MIM parts ( mag catch snapped during a match like the cheap pot metal it was. Replaced it with a forged part from a 4566.) I will say it is as reliable and accurate as any compact 45 pistol.
After carrying it for many years, I aquired a 4513 and retired it. Were I searching today, I'd seek out a -2. Good luck! Regards 18DAI
I have a dash 3 4516. Cheesy looking laser etch markings, MIM parts ( mag catch snapped during a match like the cheap pot metal it was. Replaced it with a forged part from a 4566.) I will say it is as reliable and accurate as any compact 45 pistol.
After carrying it for many years, I aquired a 4513 and retired it. Were I searching today, I'd seek out a -2. Good luck! Regards 18DAI
peepaw
Member
The dash 1 is the best variant to me. Probably because it's the only one I own. Love the gun.
finesse_r
Member
The 4516-2 Gets My Vote......
I did a lot of research before buying a 4516 and the only variant on which I could not find reports of problems, was the 4516-2 variant. I ended up with two of them and neither one has ever failed to function exactly as they are supposed to. Both are very accurate shooters and I don't intend to get rid of either of them in the foreseeable future. My brother also has a 4516-2 and has had the same experience with it. It appears S&W solved all the issues with the 4516 in the 4516-2. With the possible exception of a 4513TSW w/o the rail, or a 45 Shorty, I think the 4516-2 is the best concealed carry 45 around, including model 1911 single action pistols.
I did a lot of research before buying a 4516 and the only variant on which I could not find reports of problems, was the 4516-2 variant. I ended up with two of them and neither one has ever failed to function exactly as they are supposed to. Both are very accurate shooters and I don't intend to get rid of either of them in the foreseeable future. My brother also has a 4516-2 and has had the same experience with it. It appears S&W solved all the issues with the 4516 in the 4516-2. With the possible exception of a 4513TSW w/o the rail, or a 45 Shorty, I think the 4516-2 is the best concealed carry 45 around, including model 1911 single action pistols.
Dash 1 is on my hip
I gotta go with the dash 1. None of the reliability issues of the no dash, And all forged and flash chromed fire control parts (no MiM). I also prefer the shorter beavertail on the -1 which is slightly easier to conceal/less likely to print, and allows my xxl mitts to get a higher grip than the full length beavertail of the -2 does plus I've yet to see of hear of anyone getting bit by a bobbed hammer. However I certainly wouldn't feel at a disadvantage packing a -2.
Cheers
Bill
I gotta go with the dash 1. None of the reliability issues of the no dash, And all forged and flash chromed fire control parts (no MiM). I also prefer the shorter beavertail on the -1 which is slightly easier to conceal/less likely to print, and allows my xxl mitts to get a higher grip than the full length beavertail of the -2 does plus I've yet to see of hear of anyone getting bit by a bobbed hammer. However I certainly wouldn't feel at a disadvantage packing a -2.
Cheers
Bill
SW CQB 45
Member
I got a -1 about 98-99. I bought it new old stock. there was a layer of dust on the box at a Houston Gun Show.
it shot really low and the mag release spring rusted broke. It apparently sat that way for sometime.
SW said to send it back, they installed a shorter front sight, replaced all the springs and tuned the action because I complained in the letter that the trigger was stiff. I gave them my credit card number and the gun came back to me with a very smooth action job.
very accurate gun but I am with FB and M29....very HEAVY!!!!!!!
I put the gun on consignment locally and it sold quick. my credit card was never charged.
it shot really low and the mag release spring rusted broke. It apparently sat that way for sometime.
SW said to send it back, they installed a shorter front sight, replaced all the springs and tuned the action because I complained in the letter that the trigger was stiff. I gave them my credit card number and the gun came back to me with a very smooth action job.
very accurate gun but I am with FB and M29....very HEAVY!!!!!!!
I put the gun on consignment locally and it sold quick. my credit card was never charged.
Forsmithers
Member
I have a -2 and love it!! It eats anything and everything and I have over 750 rounds through it with ZERO malfunctions! I have also allowed several friends and coworkers to shoot it and they all remarked on how smooth the TDA is and how light the recoil is for a .45.
In addition to the improvements made on the -2 variant I also added Hogue rubber grips to mine. With the single stack magazine the grip is not too wide and the weight of the pistol along with the rubber grips the recoil is mild.
Heck, I've even had some novice female shooters shoot the 4516-2 and they liked it so much they said they wanted one. And then came the bad news... "They don't make them anymore and most people who own them love them and aren't likely to sell. Mine is definitely a keeper!
In addition to the improvements made on the -2 variant I also added Hogue rubber grips to mine. With the single stack magazine the grip is not too wide and the weight of the pistol along with the rubber grips the recoil is mild.
Heck, I've even had some novice female shooters shoot the 4516-2 and they liked it so much they said they wanted one. And then came the bad news... "They don't make them anymore and most people who own them love them and aren't likely to sell. Mine is definitely a keeper!
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