Does S&W Still Make?

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JayFramer

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The 4566 series guns? seems West Virginia State Police aquired new ones with a flashlight rail in 2011. Do they still make these at all? I'd love a single stack duty sized .45 from S&W. If they don't make these anymore, do they make ANY all-metal classic autos, or just the plastic guns?? :confused:

-Jay
 
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GaryS said:
Not as far as anyone knows. It seems that the last of the 3rd Gen agencies, WVSP, CHP, NYPD, RCMP are transitioning to something plastic.

The only all metal guns that S&W seems to make are 1911 pattern guns.
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Darn.

I feared as much. Very sad, very sad. I've nothing at all against the plastics, but as of late I've become keenly interested in single stack .45 duty guns and everything I read on the 4506/4566 is positive, seems many really think they're very solid and reliable guns.

Too bad they're not made anymore. Are used ones in good shape super expensive I'll bet? Seems like every gun I become interested in ends up being a hen's tooth and are going for sky high prices!
 
JayFramer said:
Darn.
I feared as much... and everything I read on the 4506/4566 is positive, seems many really think they're very solid and reliable guns.
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Back in the day I had a 645 and then later a 4506. I got rid of both as I found neither reliable. So there! Now you've read something on them that isn't positive.
 
JayFramer said:
Darn.

I feared as much. Very sad, very sad. I've nothing at all against the plastics, but as of late I've become keenly interested in single stack .45 duty guns and everything I read on the 4506/4566 is positive, seems many really think they're very solid and reliable guns.

Too bad they're not made anymore. Are used ones in good shape super expensive I'll bet? Seems like every gun I become interested in ends up being a hen's tooth and are going for sky high prices!
Click to expand...
You just have GOOD taste in firearms and as a consequence you will forced to pay top dollar to find one! LoL
 
S&W told their few remaining longtime customer agencies a while back that they were no longer going to make any more 3rd gen guns. It had been rumored it was going to eventually happen, and it finally did.

I was told that by the time it occurred there were only a handful of such S&W agencies still interested in ordering the more expensive metal-framed/3rd gen guns. The initial cost and normal service/maintenance requirements of modern plastic duty weapons is simply too appealing and practical from an agency perspective.

Cost is a relative thing, of course, but nowadays an agency can buy virtually 2 plastic pistols for what they could've bought the last production runs of the 3rd gen guns.

FWIW, for trivia's sake, last I was told by the guy who orders Tasers for my former agency, a new Taser cost quite a bit more than our formerly issued TSW's, or the new M&P's. Imagine being able to buy 2 new plastic pistols for almost the cost of 1 Taser. :confused:
 
Right now, if you can find one, a 457 in stainless might be the best deal out there. It might be a bit small for a duty pistol, with it's 3 1/2" barrel and 7 round magazine, but it's certainly suitable for self defense/off duty use.



JayFramer said:
Darn.

I feared as much. Very sad, very sad. I've nothing at all against the plastics, but as of late I've become keenly interested in single stack .45 duty guns and everything I read on the 4506/4566 is positive, seems many really think they're very solid and reliable guns.

All of the 45xx guns seems to be going for considerable money, if you can find one.

Too bad they're not made anymore. Are used ones in good shape super expensive I'll bet? Seems like every gun I become interested in ends up being a hen's tooth and are going for sky high prices!
Click to expand...
 
It's not hard to find decent used 4506 and 4566 models on the major gun auction sites (and in local shops). Most sell in the $550 +.- $50 range. Many were police turn in's where they were carried allot but shot very little. They usually clean up pretty well given they are stainless.
There are several on GB right now.

Personally, I'm a 1911 guy when it comes to single stack 45's.
 
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TTSH said:
We all want one Jay. :) Join the club! :D
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Not me.:D
I've got a 4566 and I'm not getting rid of it.:p
I only have 4 3rd gen Smiths (4566, 5906, 5946, and 6906), but I'm very happy with them and I haven't had any issues with them.
The 4566 gives you a Colt Commander sized 3rd gen Smith auto with all the goodness that 3rd gen Smith-ness includes.

I can't afford a Sig 220, but I was able to afford the 2nd hand 4566 and I can't see the Sig being any more reliable.
Sig makes great guns, but so does Smith, and mine have never gagged on any ammo.

I guess I could have afforded a Sig 220, instead of 4 3rd gen Smiths, but then wouldn't have my 4 3rd gen Smiths.
 
Jaymo said:
I guess I could have afforded a Sig 220, instead of 4 3rd gen Smiths, but then wouldn't have my 4 3rd gen Smiths.
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It's a good 3rd Gen starter kit you've got. :) But now, it's time to get serious à la Jeppo! :D

I was referring to the West Virginia State Police Model 4566 (and similar variants) with the integral rail and Melonite finish. Very hard to find and very expensive when found. ;) I've got a decent pair of 4566TSW pistols myself... the ones with the black mustache rail tacked on... but I'm always ready to upgrade! :)

BTW, there was a time when I was very hot for a Sig P227. I'm a 10+1 kind of guy when it comes to .45's. But the moonbat state where I live never approved them. :mad: Probably shouldn't get too mad at the state since it was probably Sig that didn't want to spend the money to have the P227 certified for MA when the P220 was already available here. :confused:

You don't hear much about the P227 anymore. :o Best I can tell, Sig discontinued them. :( Maybe it was for the best that I could never get my hands on one. :p
 
I'd at this point donate my spleen to get a 4566 with the rail and melonite finish!

Oh, what a world what a world!! All I know is that sounds like a SWEET rig!!

SAD that we can't have any more all metal Smiths!!
 
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Jaymo said:
I can't afford a Sig 220, but I was able to afford the 2nd hand 4566
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Every time I go to a gun show in TN or here in VA, there are at least a couple used P220's in $500-$550 range. Not cheap, but definitely in the 4566/4506 avg price range. I assume they are a batch of dept trade-ins floating around, simply due to the fact that they all have a similar amount of wear and are all in the same price range. I'll pick one up sooner or later if I can figure out how to walk past an AK without buying it.
 
I hesitate to point out that the spleen is not an organ that is generally transplanted. In fact, they are usually removed if there is an issue and the patient is none the worse for wear. ;)

If you said a kidney, I'd be somewhat impressed! :D

JayFramer said:
I'd at this point donate my spleen to get a 4566 with the rail and melonite finish!

Oh, what a world what a world!! All I know is that sounds like a SWEET rig!!

SAD that we can't have any more all metal Smiths!!
Click to expand...
 
Guys thanks for educating me on this. Went on the Gun Broker site and lo and behold, 4506 and 4566s in good shaping for about $1500. Tough pill to swallow, especially since I imagine future parts n' service will be a real pain to find, too. Doubt The Mothership will be able to service these for long.

And so, another chapter ends, and the Collectors can now swoop.
 
Gunbroker = high in price

Gunbroker prices are usually on the higher end. Don't give up, keep looking at the local shops in you area and you will eventually find one at a normal price. I'm sure someone on this site will send you a lead if they find one?
 
As mrmike7189 points out, they can be found, but you need to be patient. Maybe haunt pawn shops, gun shops, and even gun shows.

As to service, they rarely need it. If you have one and it does need service, call CS at the factory first. If they can't help you, there is a gentleman in Mississippi who likely can.



JayFramer said:
Guys thanks for educating me on this. Went on the Gun Broker site and lo and behold, 4506 and 4566s in good shaping for about $1500. Tough pill to swallow, especially since I imagine future parts n' service will be a real pain to find, too. Doubt The Mothership will be able to service these for long.

And so, another chapter ends, and the Collectors can now swoop.
Click to expand...
 
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