After collecting six very nice 3rd generation Smiths, I decided to modify one. Mine were too nice to grind, file, sand and polish so I decided to buy a beat up LE trade in. I picked up this dinged and scratched 4516-2 and started in changing the things that I considered lacking. The list includes; rounding all exterior edges, flush grind the rear of the slide to the frame, remove mag safety, checker 30 LPI front strap, reduce thickness of safety levers and slide release and checker, action job and polish all contact surfaces. For me it turned out great and shoots as expected.
Modified 4516-2
- Thread starter mitchjt
- Start date
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JohnHL
Member
Nice work!
03Fatboy
Member
I'd like to see a picture of your checkering if you don't mind sharing.
I have just started to learn to do checkering as well as being patient, I have had a lot of great input to get me started by a member here called BMCM who did a melt job to a 4516-1 that is worth checking out.
I have just started to learn to do checkering as well as being patient, I have had a lot of great input to get me started by a member here called BMCM who did a melt job to a 4516-1 that is worth checking out.
Yeah but mine is all like stealthy black & cool melonity looking 
Seriously though, I like what you've done there. I'm especially interested in what you did with the controls.
From what I can see the checkering on the slide stop & M/S lever looks real good.
Gives me some ideas for my next makeover job. I'd love to see some closeups shots of those.
I'm all about taking a beater and turning it into something really nice plus supremely functional. I think you did a great job there.
Keep her so!
Cheers
Bill
Seriously though, I like what you've done there. I'm especially interested in what you did with the controls.
From what I can see the checkering on the slide stop & M/S lever looks real good.
Gives me some ideas for my next makeover job. I'd love to see some closeups shots of those.
I'm all about taking a beater and turning it into something really nice plus supremely functional. I think you did a great job there.
Keep her so!
Cheers
Bill
Checkering close up photos for Modified 4516-2
The front strap of the 4516-2 had vertical serrations that measured more than 30 and less than 40 lines per inch, maybe 33 LPI. I used a 30 LPI file going perpendicular to the serrations to get the checkering, couldn't get them to points, darn. The slide stop was shaped similar to a 1911 w/ taper and checkering. I removed two of the four layers of SS on the safety levers and checkered to almost points. True points may be too agressive.
The front strap of the 4516-2 had vertical serrations that measured more than 30 and less than 40 lines per inch, maybe 33 LPI. I used a 30 LPI file going perpendicular to the serrations to get the checkering, couldn't get them to points, darn. The slide stop was shaped similar to a 1911 w/ taper and checkering. I removed two of the four layers of SS on the safety levers and checkered to almost points. True points may be too agressive.
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03Fatboy
Member
Thanks for the updated pictures.
Was wondering why not just point up on the existing front strap pattern and not go over it with 30LPI?
Was wondering why not just point up on the existing front strap pattern and not go over it with 30LPI?
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Nice work on the controls. I may do something like that on one of my next project guns.
Thanks for the pics & sharing the idea
Cheers
Bill
Thanks for the pics & sharing the idea
Cheers
Bill
