Difference in 4506 and 4506-1

[BMCM]

I noticed a thinner black trigger, different surface on the front of the grip (textured instead of machined grooves or checks), and possibly a different hammer (the picture doesn't show it well enough). Are these all from the factory or something that was performed after-market?

I'm learning a lot about these pistols in this and other threads, so I figured it doesn't hurt to ask questions!

Thanks for asking... That's all stuff I did. I pulled the flash chromed fire control parts out and installed the MIM parts after a bit of judicious stoning/polishing. Two reasons... Get rid of the spurred hammer & alleviate the 'spoon on cheese grater' effect in DA. Further, the MIM parts have a much better finish and yield a nicer trigger, And... due to the size of my paws I suffer from hammer bite so all of my TDA guns are equipped with spurless hammers. Besides isn't having a spurred hammer on a gun that cocks itself kinda redundant? And if needs be, I can still cock the bobbed hammer manually.

The front strap clear on up to the front underside of the trigger guard I lightly contoured and power stippled to enhance grip.

Cheers
Bill

 

[RDEMO8982]

And a raised rib atop the slide, and no partial rails on the dust cover, and sharp milled cuts instead of a blended radii where the trigger guard meets the frame, and a barrel that is significantly wider across the camming lugs & feedramp.

Here's one

By far my absolute favorite 4506 variant right there. Took me a few years and several missed auction bids to finally score one of these transitional guns. There are also some M4566 pistols out there in like configuration with the 'first trigger guard', I'm after one of those now.

Cheers
Bill

Bill,
Sorry to reopen an older post but I have a question on the barrels discussed above. I recently acquired a NoDash 4506 serial# TEU17XX that came with the narrow barrel head and feed ramp. My question is will the earlier NoDash wider barrel dimensions work in a transition gun? I picked a up used barrel (wide version with a slot behind the feed ramp) in a parts kit while searching for spare parts. Can't seem to find an answer online but this forum always comes through with the right stuff.

TIA for your response.

 

[BMCM]

That "slot" behind the feedramp is a saw cut done on a mill with a slitting saw to establish the angle of the camming lugs.

Such a barrel with that saw cut is likely to only fit in a 645 or maybe some few early stepped frame no-dash 4506 guns.

I have a pair of those transitional no-dash 4506 guns, TEU prefix.
Standard width narrow ramp and the narrow hood or tab.

Cheers
Bill

 

[RDEMO8982]

OK, very good information. What I have is not a match for use in my no dash 4506. I'll continue my search for the correct barrel, glad I'm only looking for a backup. Thank you.

 

[BMCM]

OK, very good information. What I have is not a match for use in my no dash 4506. I'll continue my search for the correct barrel, glad I'm only looking for a backup. Thank you.

Bear in mind a later production "wide hood" barrel can be fitted with some very minor machining to narrow the tab. If you want a unused brand new barrel that is all you're going to find.

Cheers
Bill

 

[RDEMO8982]

Understood. I do not have a local gunsmith that I would spend the $$ to have them machine and fit this to be my spare. It may be more cost effective to check with Jack First or Numrich for a matching new barrel. Appreciate your time and knowledge, thank you again!

 

[Frank Black]

Late model 4506s had three lasered lines, MIM hammer & trigger, and a rounded trigger guard.

Obligatory pics attached …

 

[1775usmarine]

Understood. I do not have a local gunsmith that I would spend the $$ to have them machine and fit this to be my spare. It may be more cost effective to check with Jack First or Numrich for a matching new barrel. Appreciate your time and knowledge, thank you again!

I ran into the same situation with my 4506-1. All I could find were the wide hood barrels and had a shop do it for 120 maybe 6 or 7yrs ago. It shoots even better now.

 

[RDEMO8982]

Bear in mind a later production "wide hood" barrel can be fitted with some very minor machining to narrow the tab. If you want a unused brand new barrel that is all you're going to find.

Cheers
Bill

Bill,

Does this listing look like legit factory parts for a 4506-1?
Just a moment...
There are no rollmarks on the slide and the barrel does not contain the "P" stamping underneath the chamber either. Something looks off to me but I'm no expert. I'm really just after the barrel. Thanks for your thoughts!

Rob D.

 

[BMCM]

Looks fine to me Rob.

Lighting is kinda overdone so the slide rollmark could very well be present, just washed out by the poor lighting. I note a MIM hammer, trigger & sear. Possible it could have been a R3 gun.
Everything looks legit except for the bent piece of flatiron with a hole in it. No notion as to what the heck that is.

I have several barrels here lacking the stamped P. Looks like some of the later production barrels just had a tiny punch mark. I have new 4006 & 4506 barrels here with a small punched dimple as a proofmark rather than the "P" you see on older tubes. Other tube with no marks at all other than the chamber rollmark. Sooo

Good thing I don't need any of that stuff.

I'm after the 4566 kit anyway, I need a wide hood 4566 tube

Cheers
Bill

Bill,

Does this listing look like legit factory parts for a 4506-1?
Just a moment...
There are no rollmarks on the slide and the barrel does not contain the "P" stamping underneath the chamber either. Something looks off to me but I'm no expert. I'm really just after the barrel. Thanks for your thoughts!

Rob D.

 

[RDEMO8982]

I wish I didn't have to purchase a parts kit just to get a barrel. I don't need anything else in this listing, including a spare slide. I sweep GB, Everygunpart and Gatewood Supply everyday hoping to get lucky.

I have ended up with two 645/4506 barrels with wide ramps and lugs that I may bring to a gunsmith to have machined to fit my 4506-1. Hopefully it can be done by just by narrowing the feed ramps and lugs to match the right specs and since I'll have two for them to fit, I may get a fair price.

 

[BMCM]

So, you only need a wide hood 4506 dash1 barrel?
I have a new one. Doesn't fit any of my guns so I can probably let it go.

I wish I didn't have to purchase a parts kit just to get a barrel. I don't need anything else in this listing, including a spare slide. I sweep GB, Everygunpart and Gatewood Supply everyday hoping to get lucky.

I have ended up with two 645/4506 barrels with wide ramps and lugs that I may bring to a gunsmith to have machined to fit my 4506-1. Hopefully it can be done by just by narrowing the feed ramps and lugs to match the right specs and since I'll have two for them to fit, I may get a fair price.

 

[RDEMO8982]

So, you only need a wide hood 4506 dash1 barrel?
I have a new one. Doesn't fit any of my guns so I can probably let it go.

Yes I think that is what I need. What measurements or pictures can I send that would help confirm exactly what I have? I can measure the width of the barrel hood, feed ramp, cam lugs, etc. Thank you very much for your help and assistance!

 

[RDEMO8982]

View attachment 691177

So, you only need a wide hood 4506 dash1 barrel?
I have a new one. Doesn't fit any of my guns so I can probably let it go.

Hi Bill,

Attached are pictures of my 4506 and the barrel that came with it. I'm not an engineer or photographer but a CPA so please excuse the my inexperience. Tried to be as helpful as possible.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks again!

Rob D.

 

[BMCM]

Oh, that's a narrow hood barrel you have there.

That parts kit you pointed me too was Dash1 with a wide hood so, that barrel wouldn't fit in a narrow hood slide without some machining.

Is your gun a no-dash or a dash1 gun?

Show me a image of your slide's ejection port viewed from directly above.

Cheers
Bill

 

[RDEMO8982]

Oh, that's a narrow hood barrel you have there.

That parts kit you pointed me too was Dash1 with a wide hood so, that barrel wouldn't fit in a narrow hood slide without some machining.

Is your gun a no-dash or a dash1 gun?

Show me a image of your slide's ejection port viewed from directly above.

Cheers
Bill

It is a no dash transition gun. Here are a few more pictures.

 

[BMCM]

It is a no dash transition gun. Here are a few more pictures.

Yup, I recognize it as I have a pair of those.

So why is it you need a barrel? Something wrong with yours or just want a spare?

Anyway, there no need to mess with the feedramp or camming lugs. A wide hood late production 4506 barrel only needs the hood narrowed from .480ish to .350ish. Remove equal amounts off each side in order to keep the tab or hood on the centered. That's about it, should drop right in.

If the barrel drops right into battery when test fit in the slide you're golden. If not and it binds failing to drop into battery, some additional hand fitting is likely needed. The tab or hood would need to be shortened a tiny bit.

 

[RDEMO8982]

I am just searching for a spare nothing is wrong with the original barrel.
I have test fitted the 645/4506 barrels that I recently bought in error and they do go into battery while in the slide. The problem with these two barrels are the cam lugs are too wide for my transition gun. I was hoping to get by with just narrowing the cam lugs to properly fit into the frame. I did a few other measurements on the lower part behind the feed ramp and it seemed these would work even though the feed ramp is a little wider. I may just stop hoping for the best on these two and start looking for a late production barrel with the wide hood. This listing may be the answer although pricey.
S&W 45 Series barrel, .45 has 15/32" hood, perhaps for later model 4506 #1040-23613 - Jack First Inc. Gunsmithing Excellence Since 1954.
Very much appreciate your guidance! Glad it's only for a spare.

 

[BMCM]

That barrel was $79 at Midway not too long ago.

Keep an eye on eBay too, they turn up often.

 

[RDEMO8982]

Besides actually measuring the barrel hood, is there an easy way to spot this version? Any proof marks or stampings I should be looking for, or just go with any model 4506 barrel listing and hope for the best?