4th gen 4516

[GaryS]

I think it's a matter of start up money and market.

I wonder if 3D butt plates and butt plate retainers are possible? I don't see why not, but I know so little about the topic.

What are some of the other common parts that S&W doesn't seem to supply any more? Side plates come to mind, but I'm sure there are a lot of others. Not that you could 3D print a side plate, but there must be a way to make them that doesn't cost a fortune in start up parts.

I seem to remember that Numrich makes some reproduction parts, but probably not for anything as current as a 3rd Gen.

You'd think that with all the talent available around here it would be a piece of cake to make a 3d Gen backstrap.

Think of the possabilities - hand size adjustable - nice *thin* personalized wood grips - grip mounted lasers

AND (best of all) - <drum roll>

NO PLASTIC

 

[Hill_Country]

Actually, I haven't found any normal repair parts that were unavailable if I was willing to wait. There was a rumor at one time that S&W was reducing their stock levels to conserve cash, but I think the delays are more likely due to hoarders like me stocking up on enough repair parts to keep these things running for another century or two.

I know from my foray in to selling laser grips that there is a market in aftermarket accessories for 3d gens. Unfortunately, the price of the modified laser grips often approached the value of the weapon, but I would jump on something that would allow me to replace delrin with some attractive wood grips/laser/size adjustment.

 

[18DAI]

The thing about parts is that while I've picked up some over the last few years, just in case, I have not needed any. My guns run and have not broken anything. But then again they were mostly made in the 90s.

Do the new ones come with return shipping tags? Regards 18DAI

 

[Hill_Country]

The thing about parts is that while I've picked up some over the last few years, just in case, I have not needed any. My guns run and have not broken anything. But then again they were mostly made in the 90s.

Good point about not needing parts. Other than recoil and mag springs, I don't think mine have, either. But I'm working on a very scientific experiment to determine how many little tiny springs I have to launch in to the nether regions of my shop before I find one. I have a lifetime supply if I could find them.

 

[Oldline]

Being a newcomer I confess I am ignorant in the ways of the board, so I don't know if it is verbotten to dredge up zombie threads, but there are some GREAT ideas in this thread, not to mention the whole idea is a great idea in my half-baked estimation anyway.

Here's just one small example from Hill_Country: "Here's a wild and crazy thought - someone should scan and 3D print the backstraps adjusted for the shorter grips on the compact 3d gens. Once you had something that fit it would be easy to produce a range of sizes for different hands."

With CCW all the rage these days I can't believe S&W couldn't produce something like a 4th Gen 4513 TSW to give Sig a run for their money at a competitive price point.

 

[SOTVEN]

You'd think that with all the talent available around here it would be a piece of cake to make a 3d Gen backstrap.

Think of the possabilities - hand size adjustable - nice *thin* personalized wood grips - grip mounted lasers

AND (best of all) - <drum roll>

NO PLASTIC

you have to keep in mind, that 3rd gms were among the first if not the first, with 2 differnt backstraps with their curved or straight grips!!! i tried what you are proposing with a 645 backstrap on my 45xx, but not much of a match. i would like this mod too. hence be able to fit staghorn on it. also, since someone is on it, how about stainless floorplates and aluminum followers for the magazines too?
and threated barrels pliz!

 

[SOTVEN]

I think they used "0" for the last digit if the frame is Scandium.
So, it would likely be a 4510TSWEIEIO.

Or something. It's all a dream, so we can design anything we want since they aren't going to build it.

square triggerguard please. thank you.

 

[GaryS]

How about interchangeable trigger guards?

Seriously though, the grips are the one weak point in the design. At least i think so. The grip tape I posted about a couple of years ago lasted about 18 months before the glue dried out. Since then, I've taken to using the Pachmyar grip sleeves. They have finger grooves and come very close to the Hogue grips for the 6906 in feel and point for me.

The design of the grips makes producing aftermarket grips a bit of a challenge. Hogue did a nice job with the adapter and I find the grips good for shooting, but less so for concealed carry.

It would have been better if S&W had kept the older grip attachment design and produced a variety of grip profiles that could be interchanged.

Coulda, shoulda, woulda, but we're left with the reality.

square triggerguard please. thank you.

 

[SOTVEN]

How about interchangeable trigger guards?

Seriously though, the grips are the one weak point in the design. At least i think so. The grip tape I posted about a couple of years ago lasted about 18 months before the glue dried out. Since then, I've taken to using the Pachmyar grip sleeves. They have finger grooves and come very close to the Hogue grips for the 6906 in feel and point for me.

The design of the grips makes producing aftermarket grips a bit of a challenge. Hogue did a nice job with the adapter and I find the grips good for shooting, but less so for concealed carry.

It would have been better if S&W had kept the older grip attachment design and produced a variety of grip profiles that could be interchanged.

Coulda, shoulda, woulda, but we're left with the reality.

hahaha!!! yes, interchangable triggerguards! i did not think of that! besides, why go cheap with a dream?? lol! as for the grip, it is not that hard to overcome i think. hogue showed the way partially. the main spring could be held in place with a seperate piece, while the grips could be attached with screws on each side. the frame reinforcements are there. the bottom one is drilled already. only a hole above the drawbar, and taping. it has been done by the performance center guys in the past!! i dare not bring in a picture from a European auction site, showing the factory two piece wooden grips

 

[Turn & Bank]

18DAI I like the way you think....but GaryS hit pretty close to my dream gun....a scandium frame shorty 45....slide cuts,no billboards,single side decock/safety lever, low profile tritium sites,yessery bob that would do it......................and now I am going out to get that winning super lotto ticket too

Hi folks
Hey as long as we're buying lottery tickets and smoking heaven knows what, I'll throw out "in 10MM please".
Take Care,
T & B

 

[SOTVEN]

Hi folks
Hey as long as we're buying lottery tickets and smoking heaven knows what, I'll throw out "in 10MM please".
Take Care,
T & B

make that 11mm!! lol!!

 

[JohnHL]

make that 11mm!! lol!!

Wouldn't that just take us back to .45?

John

 

[RedCardinal]

Well, I thought my PC 45 Recon had everything I wanted in a compact until I read this thread. So I took it out and looked it over. Light weight alloy frame, Briley barrel bushing, front cocking serrations, ported barrel and decock only. Also have the knife with same serial number. Don't have night sights but they can be added. This is as close as I will ever get to a 4th Gen 4516 dream gun, and I have it now.