JohnHL
Member
Given current crazy political realities, especially in my anti-2A state, my limited funds are better spent elsewhere for now.
You mean like renting a moving van?
John
A Tale of Two Model 4506-1 pistols...
- Thread starter TTSH
- Start date
You mean like renting a moving van?
John
What is a 4506 R4?
paddlingman
Member
Mike: 4506-1 (R4) "dash 3"
I wish.
The problem is: Where do I go that I won't be facing the very same anti-2A craziness in 1... 2... 3 years? 
Vermont just fell. Here in New England, Maine will probably be the next to go followed eventually by NH. 
No, I'm going to stay right here and fight.
Just got to rethink the acquisition and disposal plans to best deal with the insanity. 
JohnHL
Member
I feel for you, TTSH.
I really do.
Folks like you, with deep familial roots in the soil where the Tree of Liberty first took root, was nourished by the blood of Patriots and tyrants, and grew to be a mighty beacon of Freedom, must now watch it wither as that same soil is poisoned by the incessant droppings of overcrowded sheep.
You got a tough row to hoe, Brother.
Godspeed.
John
I really do.
Folks like you, with deep familial roots in the soil where the Tree of Liberty first took root, was nourished by the blood of Patriots and tyrants, and grew to be a mighty beacon of Freedom, must now watch it wither as that same soil is poisoned by the incessant droppings of overcrowded sheep.
You got a tough row to hoe, Brother.
Godspeed.
John
Just as a quick follow-up... and I hope I didn't mention this elsewhere already... I found yet another Model 4506-1 locally. It was agency marked so I wasn't really interested in buying it after I saw that. It had the usual, dreaded trigger click issue... but no unusual grittiness as I had described above.
"Upgrading" from my Model 4506 (no dash) to a Model 4506-1 is no longer a high priority for me. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, no big deal. Given current crazy political realities, especially in my anti-2A state, my limited funds are better spent elsewhere for now.
The 4506 is lighter on the belt too, if that is important to you.
Not so much.
I was just really impressed with the R4 I found down in Little Rhody. It was primo. 
But the stubborn (my nice word) shop owner would not ship it into MA. Not totally unusual, but very disappointing nonetheless. The worst part is asking ourselves what the heck comes next?
Just when you think it can't get any worse... it does. Thank God I am old and probably won't have to put up with the insanity much longer. And like I've said before: I'm just glad that dear old dad is not around any longer to see how bad it has gotten. I own both, and never saw any upgrade to the -1. (unless you mean the Novak fixed sights over the oem fixed sights.) It is clear to me that less machining is involved with the -1 slide and frame than the no dash. And I do not buy the "it had to be strengthened" b.s. Strengthen what? The stainless hand held naval gun? to shoot a mere 45 ACP?? and how, by adding weight to the dust cover, waaaay in front of the frame stress points? Sorry, I am not buying this. Less machining= less expensive to manufacture. Also, the square trigger guard went with the -1, and that was pure evil in my book. Everyone's millage may vary, but if I were given the choice, no dash for ever.
You hit the nail on the head: I prefer the Novak sights and the round trigger guard.I own both, and never saw any upgrade to the -1. (unless you mean the Novak fixed sights over the oem fixed sights.) It is clear to me that less machining is involved with the -1 slide and frame than the no dash. And I do not buy the "it had to be strengthened" b.s. Strengthen what? The stainless hand held naval gun? to shoot a mere 45 ACP?? and how, by adding weight to the dust cover, waaaay in front of the frame stress points? Sorry, I am not buying this. Less machining= less expensive to manufacture. Also, the square trigger guard went with the -1, and that was pure evil in my book. Everyone's millage may vary, but if I were given the choice, no dash for ever.
Still, mine (below) is a pretty handsome gun for its age.
Attachments
You hit the nail on the head: I prefer the Novak sights and the round trigger guard.
Still, mine (below) is a pretty handsome gun for its age.
That, my friend, is the one I call my favorite!! Square trigger guard, blade fixed rear sight and curved back strap. Mine is a TDA prefix. Unknown year of manufacture, but I would suspect 1990. I had bought it used, with the original cardboard box, wax paper and 2 magazines. Enjoy yours!!
Well, mine is a TCF-prefix 4506, built in late-1988.That, my friend, is the one I call my favorite!! Square trigger guard, blade fixed rear sight and curved back strap. Mine is a TDA prefix. Unknown year of manufacture, but I would suspect 1990. I had bought it used, with the original cardboard box, wax paper and 2 magazines. Enjoy yours!!
I am the third owner (that I am aware of). Interesting note: When I bought the 4506, it came with a second adjustable sights slide and barrel. I was told that the original owner had long ago bought the AS slide & barrel, but never actually used it. The second owner (the gentleman who sold it to me) never used it either. I was warned that it may not be of the same vintage/revision and to have it checked out by a gunsmith before trying to use it.
I never bothered.I know that JohnHL and probably others could solve that mystery in about 2 seconds, but I'm not a funky wings adjustable sights fan.
I'm just fine with the fixed sights, even if not Novaks. Attachments
Well, mine is a TCF-prefix 4506, built in late-1988.
Interesting note: When I bought the 4506, it came with a second adjustable sights slide and barrel. I was told that the original owner had long ago bought the AS slide & barrel, but never actually used it. The second owner (the gentleman who sold it to me) never used it either. I was warned that it may not be of the same vintage/revision and to have it checked out by a gunsmith before trying to use it.
I know that JohnHL and probably others could solve that mystery in about 2 seconds, but I'm not a funky wings adjustable sights fan.
since mine is a TDA, and it looks just like yours, I would assume that within this prefix range, there were not any cosmetic differences. (If it is safe to assume that S&W worked its prefixes in this ascending order) Also, very interestingly, my 5904 is TCF prefix!!! Do you suppose it is a late 1988 too? Were they running the same prefix along all models/calibers?? as for the spare slide/barrel, hold on to it friend!! Much better investment than money!!!
You can see from the "Spec. Ord." in the photo that my 4506 was built during the last workweek of December 1988 between Christmas and New Years Eve.since mine is a TDA, and it looks just like yours, I would assume that within this prefix range, there were not any cosmetic differences. (If it is safe to assume that S&W worked its prefixes in this ascending order) Also, very interestingly, my 5904 is TCF prefix!!! Do you suppose it is a late 1988 too? Were they running the same prefix along all models/calibers?? as for the spare slide/barrel, hold on to it friend!! Much better investment than money!!!
As usual, the best way to check your date if you don't have the factory box is to call S&W CS and ask. They are always very nice about it.My first thought had been to sell the spare AS slide and barrel in order to recover some of what I had spent on the gun... but at the time, I found a couple others for sale and the asking prices for them told me that it didn't make much sense to sell.
Now, it's just buried in the back of one of my safes... patiently waiting for the right time to be sold.
mscampbell2734
Member
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I own both, and never saw any upgrade to the -1. (unless you mean the Novak fixed sights over the oem fixed sights.) It is clear to me that less machining is involved with the -1 slide and frame than the no dash. And I do not buy the "it had to be strengthened" b.s. Strengthen what? The stainless hand held naval gun? to shoot a mere 45 ACP?? and how, by adding weight to the dust cover, waaaay in front of the frame stress points? Sorry, I am not buying this. Less machining= less expensive to manufacture. Also, the square trigger guard went with the -1, and that was pure evil in my book. Everyone's millage may vary, but if I were given the choice, no dash for ever.
Its always been my understanding the switch to the -1 was largely to integrate the 10 mm slide/frame contours and make the large frame guns one standard set of parts. That explains the greater weight of the -1, to help control the 10 mm recoil
