Info on a 4516-1
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Storm
Member
I have a 4516 (can't recall at the moment whether its a dash one or two but I think its a two) but I do know that the issue seems to be with using the correct mags for the gun. My age is showing as i can't recall the exact way that it works (others will help) but i do know that my 4516 is an absolutely top notch .45, if not a bit heavy. To me the 4516 is a classic and even if the one that you are looking at is finicky about mags (I'm pretty sure it is the 4516-1) it is worth the effort and possibly the later mags are fine for use. It may be that the earlier mags will only work in the 4516-1, but as I said, others will help. One way or the other, well worth it.
cabezaverde
Member
My 4516-1 runs like a top. Only problem was some underpowered hand loads made by some idiot - me.
My main carry gun is a 4516-1. Got it LNIB with two mags that have yellow followers and are marked to be used only in the 4516-1. I have tried to find out the reason for this and have never got a real or full answer. I have orange & black follower mags and all work great in the gun. Have never had any troubles. If you go with a 4516-1 you will be pleased.
Storm
Member
Yup, mine is a 4516-1. It has never malfunctioned with hundreds of rounds through it. As said, the original yellow follower mags for the 4516-1 are heavily stamped with a warning to be used only with the 4516-1, and I also have no reason why, but my 4516-1 has worked flawlessly with the other later mags for the gun. I have on occasion been tempted to replace the bobbed hammer with a standard one but have resisted that temptation so far loving the gun as it is.
If I was the OP I'd jump on the available 4516-1. It is exceptionally reliable and extremely accurate. It's a heavy gun, but overall I think that contributes to very smooth shooting. For carry you had better have a stout belt.
I'd also add that with a pistol like this I'd overlook slight to moderate cosmetic issues as these guns clean up beautifully with the use of Scotch Brite pads and Brillo. My 4516 was a mess when I got it and now it looks almost NIB and orginal with just an evening's work. The scuffs and light scratches from carry can be erased. Heavy/deep scratches and gouges, not so much. Steel framed guns offer the possibility of the best results.
If I was the OP I'd jump on the available 4516-1. It is exceptionally reliable and extremely accurate. It's a heavy gun, but overall I think that contributes to very smooth shooting. For carry you had better have a stout belt.
I'd also add that with a pistol like this I'd overlook slight to moderate cosmetic issues as these guns clean up beautifully with the use of Scotch Brite pads and Brillo. My 4516 was a mess when I got it and now it looks almost NIB and orginal with just an evening's work. The scuffs and light scratches from carry can be erased. Heavy/deep scratches and gouges, not so much. Steel framed guns offer the possibility of the best results.
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sgt.207
Member
I bought a 4516-1 when they came out and shot the daylights out of it. After a while it began to jam [ftf]. I replaced the recoil spring and it continues to be fine to this day. It is on the heavy side but very accurate.
IIRC the 4516 no dash had some teething problems. Thats why the mags were changed and the slide was beefed up, and the step removed from the 4516 frame, resulting in the 4516-1.
That said, I fired around 500 rounds through a confiscated 4516 no dash at an LEO "range day". The "range day" was a once a year event where we used confiscated handguns/rifles to "destroy" ammunition that was in the property room inventory.
This 4516 no dash was filthy and bone dry. Some of the rounds I fed it were so old they had verdigris on the bullet. It went over 300 rounds in a few hours problem free. Then it started feeding slowly - BUT it still functioned.
I hosed it down with Breakfree and ran another 200 rounds through it, again problem free. Thats what convinced me to buy one.
Mine is a 4516-3, one of the last of the 4516's to be produced, and the VERY last S&W semi auto i would part with.
I advise you to buy it, shoot it, love it! Regards 18DAI.
That said, I fired around 500 rounds through a confiscated 4516 no dash at an LEO "range day". The "range day" was a once a year event where we used confiscated handguns/rifles to "destroy" ammunition that was in the property room inventory.
This 4516 no dash was filthy and bone dry. Some of the rounds I fed it were so old they had verdigris on the bullet. It went over 300 rounds in a few hours problem free. Then it started feeding slowly - BUT it still functioned.
I hosed it down with Breakfree and ran another 200 rounds through it, again problem free. Thats what convinced me to buy one.
Mine is a 4516-3, one of the last of the 4516's to be produced, and the VERY last S&W semi auto i would part with.
I advise you to buy it, shoot it, love it! Regards 18DAI.
Storm
Member
Replacing the recoil spring is a very good idea. While I can't say for sure whether it has made a difference, I have done so on the several used 2nd and 3rd gen Smiths that I own. A replacement Wolff recoil spring is a lot of security for a very small investment.
I paid $475.00 for mine and was happy. I have seen a few go for $400 to $425.
Bullman
Member
I took mine to the range yesterday for an off duty requal, and it had some major FTF problems. I have had excellent reliability from Smith autos in the past, and I just bought this one used a while back, don't know anything about it's history so I am probably going to send it to Smith for a tune up and a possible conversion to DAO.
LouisCyphre
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I'd only buy a model with a dash in the model number. I have an S&W 4516-1. The only issue I had with it is that I bought it new and it had a badly fitted barrel. I sent it back to S&W and they fixed it at no charge. The replaced the barrel and the armorer made sure it was fitted properly.
The 2nd and 3rd generation metallic frame pistols are or were (depending on the service life of the pistol) on the approved list for many law enforcement agencies.
The 2nd and 3rd generation metallic frame pistols are or were (depending on the service life of the pistol) on the approved list for many law enforcement agencies.
Greetings Everyone
I would like to thanx all the contributors to this thread topic. I ran into a reasonably priced used 4516-1 today and due to all the good advise given, I put a deposit on it. It will need some cleaning up, maybe a recoil spring replacement. It is heavier than I wanted to deal with; but it was such a deal! Thanx again all! Dire
I would like to thanx all the contributors to this thread topic. I ran into a reasonably priced used 4516-1 today and due to all the good advise given, I put a deposit on it. It will need some cleaning up, maybe a recoil spring replacement. It is heavier than I wanted to deal with; but it was such a deal! Thanx again all! Dire
Leiden
Member
I love the 4516-1 and carried it every day up until a few weeks ago when I bought a 4563TSW from Sniper47. The 4516-1 made a great "mini-4506" for off-duty and use on-duty in plain clothes. I like it as it'll feed off of my 4506 magazines. The only recommendations I'd make for the basic 4516-1 is to replace the bobbed hammer with a spurred one and when the factory recoil spring wears out to replace it with a 19# Wolff spring.
I can't say enough good things about the pistol. A few months ago I was the only one of 900+ sworn that carried one and now there is another....I'm hoping to start a 3rd Gen 45XX/10XX series comeback in LE with my agency, but we're stuck on plastic and 1911s.
You can't go wrong with a 4516-1.
I can't say enough good things about the pistol. A few months ago I was the only one of 900+ sworn that carried one and now there is another....I'm hoping to start a 3rd Gen 45XX/10XX series comeback in LE with my agency, but we're stuck on plastic and 1911s.
You can't go wrong with a 4516-1.
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1911heaven
Member
Leiden I like that hammer alot.I did the same thing swapping the bobbed for a spurred.Made the pistol much more fun to shoot IMO.
ldp4570
US Veteran
Not having a 4516 but a 4566. I do have a 3913, an that was the first thing I did was to put a full sized hammer, an love the way it looks!!
I changed my bobbed to a regular hammer and like it very much. I have the bobbed if I ever want to change back to original but I like the looks of a hammer on my guns.
1911heaven
Member
I was at the range the other day and a guy asked me what in the world I was shooting,he was a young cat.All I could do is smile and say it's a long story but it's a S&W to make it short
i realize this is an old thread...I recently purchased a 4516-1 and I would like to replace the bobbed hammer as well. Which hammer is a direct replacement for the 4516-1?
Thank you for your assistance.
Recently a 5943 came across my path in trade...and after handling it...I became a pseudo collector of S&W 3rd Gens. I now have 4...lol I have decided that I like the SA/DA over DAO and am also curious as to whether I can modify the 5943 to accept the hammer or more accurately convert it to SA/DA?
Thank you for your assistance.
Recently a 5943 came across my path in trade...and after handling it...I became a pseudo collector of S&W 3rd Gens. I now have 4...lol I have decided that I like the SA/DA over DAO and am also curious as to whether I can modify the 5943 to accept the hammer or more accurately convert it to SA/DA?
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