4516 questions

[Jeroenw114]

Tomorrow I am going to look at a 4516-1 in little used condition.
I am very familiar with S&W revolvers but not with pistols. Held a 10mm once, that's all.
I like compact all-steel pistols and 45ACP pistols so the 4516 makes a change.

My questions:

I have had a Colt Officers ACP but never got it to run without feeding problems. They are known for being troublesome and with new springs, magazine, factory ammo and re loaded ammo did not make a differance.
How is that with the 4516?

Is there a model similar in 9mm? From which I can use the slide and magazines for conversion set?
We can have only 5 guns here in the Netherlands but conversion sets do not count.

 

[robertrwalsh]

The frame size between 9mm frame and .45 frame is completely different. I doubt there in any interchangability between the two. Assuming that photo is the actual pistol in question the front sight looks a little low to me, but that could be the angle of the photograph. These are fine weapons as long as they have not been shot to death.

 

[Jeroenw114]

It is the actual gun. I think it's lowered? But no problem, can be renewed or I mill one.

 

[Aegis]

Doubt you could make it work. It needs to stay as a 45. You destroy the value if do major renovations. I realize that may not matter to you. This is one of S&W's best handguns made in my opinion. So leave it alone shoot it. Proper lubrication on an all steel gun is paramount.

 

[Ed4032]

Mine runs like a sewing machine. Great gun. And no you can’t convert it to nine mm.

 

[4T5GUY]

Well, it’s probably tomorrow where you’re at by now, so you might have already looked at the 4516-1, and hopefully got it.

I just wanted to say that the front sight only looks “short” due to the camera angle. I tried to duplicate that angle and did. The front sight looked really way too short.

I bought my 4516-2 new in 1994 to replace, (for carry,) my 4506-1. It was and has always been boringly reliable and accurate. Right away I put the spurred hammer in, (to kinda duplicate the familiar 4506,) did a total clean up, smoothed and polished the internals, and spring change + & -. In 2004 I changed out ALL springs, again using Wolf + & - . Recoil springs were done on schedule. That is it. I may not have had to do these things, but I did.

You can not go wrong with a 4516, especially if you are limited in total numbers

Jim

 

[mscampbell2734]

My Department still authorizes the 4516 as a off duty/detective gun. I've shot them enough to say they are accurate and reliable as long as the shooter does their part.

As for a switch caliber gun, NO you can not do that with a Smith. You can however do it with a 1911. If you have the frame milled for a ramped barrel you can shoot 9mm, 38 Super, 40, 45, and 10mm off the same frame with just changing the barrel/slide/recoil spring and ejector.

 

[Jeroenw114]

Just back from looking at the 4516. Felt real good in my little hands, good trigger, nice chunk of steel.
So I bought it.

Will take some time before I have got it home, first need to sell a revolver to make room on my permit. ( no worries, an Uberti)
Thanks for all input!

 

[Jon651]

Tomorrow I am going to look at a 4516-1 in little used condition.
I am very familiar with S&W revolvers but not with pistols. Held a 10mm once, that's all.
I like compact all-steel pistols and 45ACP pistols so the 4516 makes a change.

My questions:

I have had a Colt Officers ACP but never got it to run without feeding problems. They are known for being troublesome and with new springs, magazine, factory ammo and re loaded ammo did not make a differance.
How is that with the 4516?

Is there a model similar in 9mm? From which I can use the slide and magazines for conversion set?
We can have only 5 guns here in the Netherlands but conversion sets do not count.

To answer your basic questions: The S&W 3rd generation semi-autos have a great reputation for feeding smoothly and reliably regardless of what ammo you use (factory and reloads). I have even fed my 4506 and my 4046 EMPTY shell casings from a magazine and it cycled each and every time without a hitch. It left my friend with a 1911 speechless. He couldn't even feed the first one through before I cycled all 8.

No, you can't convert a 4516 to a 9mm as there are just too many differences. They are the same overall design but radically different pistols and there are no major parts that are interchangeable. I did swap out my 4506's top end for one from a 4516 (it actually makes it a home-grown 4596) and it is by far my favorite .45 to shoot. It has the benefit of the compact upper end with a full-size lower that fits my hand better. There are too many existing 3rd gen 9mm's already out there to worry about spending the money and time to make a conversion.

As for similar models in 9mm, look for something in the 59XX or 69XX series (9mm with a double-stack magazine) or the 39XX series (9mm with a single-stack magazine). A 6916 would be comparable in action, materials, size and heft to the 4516 you are looking at.

Good Luck!

 

[kraynky]

Congratulations on finding the 4516! I really enjoy shooting and carrying my 4516 ND. No problems with mine a'tall.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

No, you can't convert a 4516 to a 9mm as there are just too many differences.

But you can convert it to a 10mm using a 4013 top end, with it's 40 S&W chamber reamed to 10mm Auto, & a 4516 lower end, giving you an all stainless steel compact 10mm, making it a "1016".

Or leave it alone & have a excellent compact 45 Auto!

.

.

 

[Jeroenw114]

It will stay an excellent 45 Auto!

If a 9mm upper was available that would have been interesting to me but I have no interest in 10mm and 40 S&W.