4516 No Dash compared with Officers model 1911

[18DAI]

Anyone here own examples of both a 4516 No Dash and an Officers model 1911?

I would like to know the difference in dimensions of each and/or a side by side comparison - of size and weight for carry. I've looked on line but not found all the info. Thanks! Regards 18DAI

 

[4T5GUY]

Well, I'll try to help some since no one else
has, and I have both. (Although my 4516 is a
-1, not a no dash.)

Colt Officers ACP; L=7 5/16", W=1 1/4", H=5 1/8"
S&W 4516-1 ; L=7 1/4" , W=1 3/16", H=5 1/2"

The Colt is stainless with Novak sight upgrade.

Both weigh about the same empty, although I
can't be accurate cause I moved and a better
scale is "somewhere".

I like them both, but I carry the Colt more, and
a Kahr PM 45 most.

 

[twistedracer]

I don't have a 4516 but I've had the original Officers acp and the enhanced version. I was never happy with the reliability of either.

These days I have the New Agent which is the blued version of the Defender but with a trench sight. I've been very happy with this for dependability. Size is comparable with the 3913. Lining up the back of the slides has the Colt 5/8" shorter than the 3913. Grip length is equal. The 3913 slide width is .919" vs NA .922". It's a wash.
3913 8+1 and NA 7+1.

Weight with empty mag, 3913 is 1 lbs 10.2 ounces. NA is 1 lbs 12.2 ounces.

Very comparable I'd say. Sorry I don't have a 4516 to compare with.

 

[Doug M.]

Looking at the figures presented, pretty close. While I am not a fan of DA/SA pistols, I would carry a 4516 over a tiny 1911 any day. It is possible to have an adequately reliable 1911 in other than the original 5" format, but hard and expensive. The 4516, barring some defect, should be service weapon reliable.

 

[k22fan]

Looking at the measurements presented it is apparent that Colt's New Agent has a 3" barrel. The Officers' Model that 18DAI wanted compared to a 4516 has a 3 1/2" barrel and the 4516 series are 3 3/4". Just writing from memory 4516s have heavier slides and longer grips if you include their magazine floor plate. Colt did not add back any of the weight the standard 5" slides lost from being shortened. As a consequence short 1911 slides cycle fast against heavy springs making their recoil unpleasant. For that reason and better reliability I stick with my 4516-1.

 

[18DAI]

Thank you gentlemen! For those wondering, Im not giving up my 4516. It is my prefered compact steel framed 45.

I had just read another article on compact 45s and was curious. Regards 18DAI

 

[Jaymo]

I don't know dimensions, but I've always liked the M45 Star Firestar better than the Officer's Model. The two M45s I've owned were always accurate and reliable.

 

[oldandslow]

18 DAI,

Dimensions for my 4516-1 and a Springer officer's sized Ultra Compact.

pistol ---------------- length -----width -----ht. to slide top---wt.

4516 -----------------7"=====-1.268" ----4.814" ---------34oz.

1911 officer's UC ----7 3/8"-----1.275"---- 4.822" ---------32oz.


The width's are across the grips with Hogue rubber grips installed. The height's are without a mag inserted. The weights were done on an old 25 lb. postal scale which may be off by a couple of ounces either way.

My officer's size Springer has been unreliable throughout it's 5307 round count despite two new extractors and new mags (2-3% failure to feed rate). My full size Springer and my newer CCO Sig C-3 (with external extractor) have been reliable for thousands of rounds.

My 4516-1 has been stone cold reliable in its 6990 rounds and has worked well through a number of pistol training courses. I carry it four days a week while the Springer UC sits in the safe.

best wishes- oldandslow

 

[18DAI]

Thank you oldandslow! Much appreciated!

My experience with short 1911s mirrors yours. Thats why I carry 4516s and 4513s. Best regards, 18DAI

 

[Jaymo]

My 4566 has been boringly reliable.
True, it's Commander sized, but I couldn't find a 4516.
Plus, I still have the M45 Firestar.
I'm going to sell that Firestar.
Well, I always say that before I take it out and shoot it.
Then, I remember why I won't get rid of it.

 

[18DAI]

Thanks again gents!

In my new part time job instructing new shooters at the local indoor range, my 4513TSW carry gun has been getting a lot of use. It works fine and Im not really concerned about adding wear to it.

But for those new to handguns and wanting........in fact some INSIST that they want to try a compact TDA 45, it is not the right gun to try.

So Ive broken out my 4516-3 and my 4516 no dash from storage and will be using them to teach. Starting this weekend. They have a reduced recoil pulse due to the steel frames and are both extremely accurate, which boosts the confidence of new shooters. Especially those insisting that a compact 45 is the ONLY gun they are interested in shooting.

So I guess that in the near future gun auction board 4516 sales will be brisk. And for those wondering, I do NOT encourage new shooters to fire 45 compact guns. I try to start everyone with a 22. And the majority with a 22 revolver.

Sadly, most refuse and want to start with a 380 mouse gun. Which is as bad.....or worse than starting with a compact 45, IMO.

No matter. It guarantees additional hours of employment getting them to overcome the self induced flinch. Regards 18DAI