Disenchanted with 3rd Gen S&W

[Nframe357]

I'd take either of my 4506's over a friggin glock anyday of the week, they have been flawless and will be shooting long after said glock will be dead.

 

[Martya]

Don't mean to hijack, noob here, where can I find info on the 'generations" of semi's?

 

[ColColt]

If I remember correctly, the 457 has a different spring set up due to the compact size. S&W used a double spring to help with problems with the short barrell length. With that being said, I know my 457 liked hotter loads. It ran flawless with +P ammo, but as with you, it didn't like some weaker loads, especially handloads. You might try a different spring setup and see if it helps any.

I was using 8.4 gr of HS-6 and the Hornady 230 gr FMJ bullet when this malfunction happened. The brass(Starline) was brand new so, no nicks from the extractor/ejector, cases were chamfered inside and outside and I don't feel I could blame the reloads. I do have the two spring set up and was using a straight from the factory springs for the 457. The velocity of that reload mimics factory hard ball so, there shouldn't have been any problem. I don't know if you could get somewhat more strong springs than what S&W offers for the 457.

 

[D Rock]

Martya

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/166149-notable-thread-index.html

Scroll down to 3rd Generation

Dave

 

[Bartman3562]

springs

I was using 8.4 gr of HS-6 and the Hornady 230 gr FMJ bullet when this malfunction happened. The brass(Starline) was brand new so, no nicks from the extractor/ejector, cases were chamfered inside and outside and I don't feel I could blame the reloads. I do have the two spring set up and was using a straight from the factory springs for the 457. The velocity of that reload mimics factory hard ball so, there shouldn't have been any problem. I don't know if you could get somewhat more strong springs than what S&W offers for the 457.

I would actually go down in strength some, not up.

 

[SMSgt]

I've got the exact opposite problem: my 4566 eats any factory or reload round I put in it, and the Glock balks with reloads. Go figure. I suspect some out of spec (extractor cut) cases may be my issue.

 

[ColColt]

I've got the exact opposite problem: my 4566 eats any factory or reload round I put in it, and the Glock balks with reloads. Go figure. I suspect some out of spec (extractor cut) cases may be my issue.

Maybe we should swap for a spell(southern for "awhile"). Tod date the only 45's I've had in years that never have given a minute's trouble have been the 4506 and the Glock 30SF.

If I can't get this problem resolved it's going to be sold in the near future. I can't carry a pistol that's not 100% reliable and that's what I bought it for. If it's a "me" situation perhaps someone else will have better luck with it.

 

[CT Smith Fan]

Is the failure always on the last round in the mag? The mag's from the 4516 have these projections to hold the cartridge in place under the limited (last round)spring pressure. These may prevent the round from moving forward during the recoil cycle.I don't know if it's relevant to your problem but my 6906 and 5946 did not have these.

 

[ColColt]

Is the failure always on the last round in the mag? The mag's from the 4516 have these projections to hold the cartridge in place under the limited (last round)spring pressure. These may prevent the round from moving forward during the recoil cycle.I don't know if it's relevant to your problem but my 6906 and 5946 did not have these.

It did this time but, once before I think it was mid way during the firing...maybe the fourth one down...can't recall for sure. The mag followers for the 457 have one indent close to the back(like the 4506) but not two as shown in the 4516 pics. The followers are new as well and have had only maybe 100 round usage.

 

[gboling]

I'm ever slowly becoming disenchanted with a couple of 3rd Generation 45's I have. Today I took the 457 out for a spin along with my Glock 30SF. About thirty rounds into firing the 457 with 230gr FMJ's the last round failed to go into battery completely. I moved the slide back just a bit and saw the cartridge in the chamber and not under the extractor. This is not the first time this has happened with this pistol. In fact nearly every time I've taken it to the range this happens. It also happens with my 4566 TSW about every other time I take it out.

These are pretty new magazines and I have new S&W springs in all magazines. The recoil spring is S&W factory and has had less than 300 rounds with it.

I shot 100 rounds with the Glock and there was no failures of any sort using two different kinds of bullets- 230 gr FMJ and 185 gr Sierra JHP's.There wasn't any failure last time with it either firing 150 rounds of different ammo. The only S&W 45 that has given me reliable service has been the 4506 I've had since 1990. I had hoped the 457 would be as good since I had planned on carrying it since it was the lightest and smallest of three S&W 45's I have. It doesn't look like that's going to happen...most disappointing.

I had this problem with a new 4566TSW. It is too bad SmithCrazy hasn't seen this post. He solved my problem.

He said that S&W has shipped many magazines with the spring upside down and included a picture of a properly assembled magazine with spring looked like. I found three of four new magazines with the spring installed upside down.

A search should turn up his explaination and his picture.

 

[ColColt]

This is the link for when I first had this problem a few months back.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/152975-range-time-disappointment.html

The mag springs are inserted correctly and the problem still exists.

 

[FirebirdV8]

I agree with the others that said to call S&W. I have several 3rd gens and I've only had one 3rd gen that has ever had a failure, and that was a broken trigger transfer bar, which was an easy enough fix. If your problem persists with other ammo, get it checked out.

 

[kbm6893]

S&W has the best warranty in the business. Call them up, they'll email you shipping label, and Fed Ex will even come to your house to pick it up. They'll tear the whole gun down and identify the problem, and have it back to you within 2 weeks. All on their dime. Why tinker yourself when the experts will for you?

 

[RobG5589]

Why do so many stories about problems with "XYZ" pistol always include, "And I also brought my Glock which was nothing short of perfect?" Can't help but think stories like such are nothing more than Glock advertisements.

 

[ColColt]

Why do so many stories about problems with "XYZ" pistol always include, "And I also brought my Glock which was nothing short of perfect?" Can't help but think stories like such are nothing more than Glock advertisements.

I give accolades when/where they're due. The Glock did well but, it's no better in the reliability area than my 4506, which I also made mention of in the same context. No advertising-just fact.

 

[S&W4506guy]

They work just fine for me.

1990 S&W 4506 5000k + rounds
2007 S&W 4513TSW 200 rounds
1998 Glock 21 3rd Gen 3500 rounds

I've only had one malfunction occur with my gen 3's. It was many years ago. I suffered a bent firing pin after shooting a bag of reloads.
The Glock has never malfunctioned.
Although I witnessed 12 (yes twelve) Glock 19's all break down at exactly 2500 rounds during a class. We tried the two remaining guns in the batch( consecutive serial #'s), those broke down too. The problem was a poorly designed slide lock spring. Glock was well aware of it too.

 

[Practical]

I'd take either of my 4506's over a friggin glock anyday of the week, they have been flawless and will be shooting long after said glock will be dead.

I have glocks that are over 20 years old with minimal repairs.

I would guess that which ever gun has more available spare parts will work the longest. Since there are more glocks, I bet a glock will be easier to repair.

However, a standard 1911 probably could be kept running indefinitely...

 

[Fastbolt]

If the feeding problems continued to occur with factory ammunition being used, I'd call S&W after the Holiday break.

As a former handloading enthusiast I can certainly understand someone defending their hobby and handloads, but if the problem occurs with handloads and doesn't occur with good quality factory ammunition, it can seem to indicate a probable cause other than the guns themselves.

Glocks have somewhat looser tolerances. (Although as a Glock armorer I wouldn't recommend the use of anything other than good quality factory ammunition be used in them, either. )

I have encountered some older 3rd gen barrels where a caliber appropriate finishing reamer, carefully and properly applied, removed what seemed to be some high, tight spots in chambers. This was demonstrated to me by a much more experienced S&W armorer when I was a new armorer, but it wasn't something taught in the class. As with any cutting tool, though (or a Dremel), it's really easy to remove too much metal, or metal from the wrong place, and ruin a part (and barrels are among the more expensive parts). Best to let the factory look at a suspected gun problem.

 

[sniper47]

I had extrator and ejector/recoil spring problems with a 4516 I used to own. I sent it back to the factory and they replaced the extractor and ejector. It wasn't right until I replaced the recoil spring. I sold that gun shortly after and have stuck with my 645 and SW99 45 since.

 

[SK2344]

I'm ever slowly becoming disenchanted with a couple of 3rd Generation 45's I have. Today I took the 457 out for a spin along with my Glock 30SF. About thirty rounds into firing the 457 with 230gr FMJ's the last round failed to go into battery completely. I moved the slide back just a bit and saw the cartridge in the chamber and not under the extractor. This is not the first time this has happened with this pistol. In fact nearly every time I've taken it to the range this happens. It also happens with my 4566 TSW about every other time I take it out.

These are pretty new magazines and I have new S&W springs in all magazines. The recoil spring is S&W factory and has had less than 300 rounds with it.

I shot 100 rounds with the Glock and there was no failures of any sort using two different kinds of bullets- 230 gr FMJ and 185 gr Sierra JHP's.There wasn't any failure last time with it either firing 150 rounds of different ammo. The only S&W 45 that has given me reliable service has been the 4506 I've had since 1990. I had hoped the 457 would be as good since I had planned on carrying it since it was the lightest and smallest of three S&W 45's I have. It doesn't look like that's going to happen...most disappointing.

I have been for the last 13 years been owning and shooting Glock Pistols with absolutely no Malfunctions at all and I have also been owning and shooting S&W Revolvers with absolutely no problems at all in all these years. I stick with the Glocks for my semi autos and the S&W's for my revolvers and this has given me a trouble free shooting experience. This is only my experience but it has worked for me! //END//