Model 46 .22lr....value?

[perfectcircle1]

I sold my 41s in lieu of keeping the 46s ,which are more scare and would ultimately always be worth more than an equal model 41. It mystifies me that the 46 was produced solely in an attempt to be price competitive with other manufacturers. It was a 41 with a lesser / matte finish and plastic grips. It walks like a 41 it talks like a 41, it shoots likes a 41. 41 parts will fit it yet 46 parts will not fit a 41 (well, barrels for sure) . yet every one of the 4, model 46s I ever found had the plastic grips replaced with the walnut 41 grips. In the early 90s I need to purchase a set of new 41 grips directly from S$W at a price of $75.00. Perhaps in the 60s and 70s the 41 grips cost less, but I'd presume they were proportionally as expensive so WHY would someone buy a 46 then spend the $$ for the 41 stocks ? I subsequently searched high and low for many years (pre-interenet) to find the standard 46 grips to make the Model 46s "correct". Finally, in 1998 I finally found a dealer in Tulsa with 4 original sets of 46 grips which I quickly purchased.

Yes I would like to male mine correct too but by the sounds of it that is not going to happen. Oh well, I can live with it.

 

[model3sw]

46 grips

Yes I would like to male mine correct too but by the sounds of it that is not going to happen. Oh well, I can live with it.

NEVER GIVE UP !! You'll find a set of grips.

 

[Barrie]

Your very Welcome. I changed my grips on my 46 to the wooden ones due to a hand problem I have. I have 6 inch scars from carpal tunnel on both wrists which really act up with my hand feel. I had serious problems feeling the plastic grips correctly so I went to the wooden stocks instead. For me it worked out as the change in material really helped me. I got mine from Thom on here and I am glad I did. I have done the same on all my handguns now.

 

[perfectcircle1]

A few comments:
Grips are probably switched out later - ??LOOKS??
Radius started in the 15-16000 range (prior were 90% cut)
Have seen some variation in cut radius from smooth to rough (bbl. was also radiused to??match??
SN in line with 5" bbl coming out - should letter as such?
Cracks occur at juncture of slide rail at bolt body. Got a couple of them. Not hard to see. Welding has been tried, but not very successful.

I wouldn't hesitate on buying that one. Very worst case scenario is you wait for a 46 slide to appear for sale on eBay or Gunbroker which I have seen recently.

Just wanted to let you guys know I got the old girl home finally today[emoji2] went to the range and shot a couple hundred rounds through it and was amazed with its performance. I brought it back and gave it a thorough cleaning. Finished up with some Renaissance wax. Thanks so much for all the help guys.

 

[Aussie Collector]

I may be barking up the wrong tree, anyway, few comments and my thoughts.
First indications to me the slide cut is different to any I have seen. A better picture with the slide slightly open so the barrel mating contour can also be seen would help. If taking a picture do both sides.
Another comment is I have not seen any radius cut slides on any 46s with the model on the left. I have 3 model 46s, model on the left, numbered above this one and they all have a square cut. The earliest one I have with the model on the right is round cut.
I can only suspect this may be a replacement slide and possibly barrel.
Regardless a very good buy and a fine addition to your collection.
Cheers

 

[Aussie Collector]

I should have noticed this and included it in my earlier post #45 but missed it.

I thought the ramp was used on the early (model # on left) 5" barrels, then around the changed (model # on right) the patridge appeared?
My two 5" fit this model and so do most 46 5"ers I have seen.

Maybe another indication this one has a replacement slide and barrel?

My 2 examples are pictured.

 

[perfectcircle1]

I should have noticed this and included it in my earlier post #45 but missed it.

I thought the ramp was used on the early (model # on left) 5" barrels, then around the changed (model # on right) the patridge appeared?
My two 5" fit this model and so do most 46 5"ers I have seen.

Maybe another indication this one has a replacement slide and barrel?

My 2 examples are pictured.

Thanks for the help. I'm just going to get it lettered so I know for sure. Seems to me that's the only way to solve it

 

[Aussie Collector]

I half expected to be shot down in flames posting my opinion/observations of the model 46 here. With Smith & Wesson there are so many variables and unknowns who knows what's right wrong or in-between.

Regardless you have a great addition to your collection.
With only 1000 made with the 5" field barrel it's a desirable pistol.
Looking forward to knowing what a letter says.
Keep us informed.
Cheers.

 

[civil1977]

Aussie, your picture also clearly isllustrates the differences between the square cut and radius cut slides/barrels, which is a very common topic when these 46s come up.

The square cut being the older, weaker style. The sharp corner is a weak spot where a crack is liable to start in the slide. S&W fixed this by using a radius in this area. The same thing happened in airplanes years ago when they realized square windows were a weak spot in the fuselage so they switched to windows with radiused corners.

 

[Aussie Collector]

I should have noticed this and included it in my earlier post #45 but missed it.

I thought the ramp was used on the early (model # on left) 5" barrels, then around the changed (model # on right) the patridge appeared?
My two 5" fit this model and so do most 46 5"ers I have seen.

Maybe another indication this one has a replacement slide and barrel?

My 2 examples are pictured.

Im quite happy to admit when wrong, silly thing is I'm proving myself wrong.
Going through my Model 46 spare bits I found this square cut barrel that was purchased with a round cut slide, never noticed they were not a match….
Here is a patridge front sight on a Model 46 5" square cut barrel.
Cheers.

 

[perfectcircle1]

Im quite happy to admit when wrong, silly thing is I'm proving myself wrong.
Going through my Model 46 spare bits I found this square cut barrel that was purchased with a round cut slide, never noticed they were not a match….
Here is a patridge front sight on a Model 46 5" square cut barrel.
Cheers.

Haha nobody was even arguing with you lol. Good information to have. Thanks for the help aussie....

 

[perfectcircle1]

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Previously posted:

A few comments:
Grips are probably switched out later - ??LOOKS??
Radius started in the 15-16000 range (prior were 90% cut)
Have seen some variation in cut radius from smooth to rough (bbl. was also radiused to??match??
SN in line with 5" bbl coming out - should letter as such?
Cracks occur at juncture of slide rail at bolt body. Got a couple of them. Not hard to see. Welding has been tried, but not very successful.
__________________
TOMBECK


I must correct the above on changeover from square cut slides to radiused slides (at the junction of rails and body). The first 46s were around SN 18000. Radiused slides were started around 22000 (SWAG) but as can be seen by other posts, some in the 25000 range are seen. I have a 251XX AF PG with a radius slide and a 234XX English re-import (all parts marked by British proof office) with a radiused slide.

Something to keep in mind: The S&W 41 and 46 (and 41-1) frames were all run in the same SN range (along with S&W 39s and 59s) and with the batching system, and being a slow moving low volume model, a mix between the slides (and matching bbl variations) should not be surprising. It would be interesting to know if 46s were run in the block with 41s, or if frame differences (CI, front grip machining, etc.) resulted in separate blocks of SNs? Possibly Mr. Jinks could offer an opinion?

Remember RULE #1 for S&W - THERE AIN"T NO RULES!!!!!!!!!

 

[Aussie Collector]

It would be interesting to know if 46s were run in the block with 41s, or if frame differences (CI, front grip machining, etc.) resulted in separate blocks of SNs?

I will stick my neck out here and confidently say my opinion, the model 39, model 41, model 41-1, Model 46 and the model 52 were all in separate batches with separate batches of serial numbers allocated. I have no doubt at all.
There are a few exceptions and a few reasons for the exceptions, however the guns involved are also very few in number.

 

[Gator Monroe]

Epic thread tree , learning about S&W semi auto pistols is soooo much fun , and now I have another type of Rimfire Pistol to watch out for...

 

[perfectcircle1]

Epic thread tree , learning about S&W semi auto pistols is soooo much fun , and now I have another type of Rimfire Pistol to watch out for...

I wish you luck my friend. This is the first 46 I'd ever seen.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

perfectcircle1 your box is full - can not send you message.

 

[perfectcircle1]

perfectcircle1 your box is full - can not send you message.

I'll clear it out

 

[Aussie Collector]

What a great early Model 46 you have there. Enjoy.
BTW the slide cut looks ok in the last pictures.

Even though we are told 4000 were made (?) the model 46 once you start looking are easier to get than you may think. In my experience Model 46s are easier to get than (older) Model 41s. Model 46s are found in better condition and cost less than an early Model 41. The SCSW actually says "Rarely found in low condition".

 

[perfectcircle1]

What a great early Model 46 you have there. Enjoy.
BTW the slide cut looks ok in the last pictures.

Even though we are told 4000 were made (?) the model 46 once you start looking are easier to get than you may think. In my experience Model 46s are easier to get than (older) Model 41s. Model 46s are found in better condition and cost less than an early Model 41. The SCSW actually says "Rarely found in low condition".

Thanks. I'm enjoying it a lot. I've only ever seen 41s. In 10 years of smith collecting this is the only 46 I've seen. Then again....i live in maine