My Latest Addition - Model 46

[kidcom]

I was very lucky to get my hands on a Smith & Wesson Model 46, a rare find. The Model 46 was manufactured between 1957 and 1966 with only 4000 being made. Of the 4000 manufactured, only 2500 were 7 inch barrels, 1000 were 5.5 inch barrels and apparently 500 were 5 inch barrels. The 7 inch version was sold to the US Air Force for marksmanship training purposes and also to the general public. The serial number of my gun is a very early one indicating that it was manufactured some time in 1958. The pistol is over 55 years old and it is, from my point of view, in excellent condition for it's age.

 

[OIF2]

I saw several in various Army arms rooms, used for Marksmanship Teams. Never saw one for sale. That's a nice one.
Bob

 

[03Fatboy]

I echo what OIF2 said. That looks to be in outstanding condition. Congrats!

 

[Aussie Collector]

That is a beauty well found. It does appear to be if great condition. Shame the serial number is missing

Firstly, they were made from 1959 to 1968. Most sold with nylon stocks.
Any chance you can post the first few digits, like 223XX.

Be aware that you should only use standard velocity through it as this one has the square cut slide, prone to cracking.

 

[mbliss57]

Very nice pistol. Pretty scarce if not rare. 1st one I have seen on forum. S/N? 1st 2-3 digits anyway?

 

[IWK2HT]

Very nice fined, that's a beautiful 46. Do you know if the stocks are original. I realizes some were shipped with wood. I was lucky enough to pick up a 46 a couple a weeks a go. I haven't picked it up yet. It's not in as nice as shape as yours but it'll be a great shooter it's ser # 233XX
Enjoy

 

[824tsv]

I believe towards the end of Model 46 production they were shipped with Model 41 wood stocks. Did your's come with the under barrel weight?

 

[jmark1651]

Very nice pistol. Enjoy.

 

[IWK2HT]

I don't want hijack kidcom's thread.
Yes my did

 

[kidcom]

That is a beauty well found. It does appear to be if great condition. Shame the serial number is missing

Firstly, they were made from 1959 to 1968. Most sold with nylon stocks.
Any chance you can post the first few digits, like 223XX.

Be aware that you should only use standard velocity through it as this one has the square cut slide, prone to cracking.

Sorry Aussie Collector, unfortunately I have to disagree with you. According to the NRA Museum the 46 was manufactured between 1957 and 1966. Regardless, thank you for your comments..

NRA Museums:

 

[kidcom]

Very nice pistol. Pretty scarce if not rare. 1st one I have seen on forum. S/N? 1st 2-3 digits anyway?

Actually I wasn't sure if I should post the serial number. However I will show a portion of it. Ser. # 24xxx.

 

[kidcom]

I believe towards the end of Model 46 production they were shipped with Model 41 wood stocks. Did your's come with the under barrel weight?

Unfortunately the 46 didn't come with the original box or the weights. However, from what I was told, it was specially order to include the wooden grips.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

kdcom - suggest you trust Aussi - first 46s were in 18xxx range (ie 1959). Grips appear correct to the period, but more likely added later rather than special order. Related to other posts - a 24XXX with square cut slide. Very nice piece. Will check on SN later, but probably 1960 ship.

Couple of thoughts
1. std. velocity only
2. pick up a 5" and a 5.5" bbl and weight to round it out.

 

[Barrie]

Mine came with the bottom weight and it was attached when I received it as well. Its nice to have as it helps me steady the gun when shooting it. Mine did come with the original plastic stocks but I have since replaced them with older wood stocks. I like the feel much better of the wood.My serial no's are in the 4542x range which is 1963.

 

[KENGUN]

May I ask, whst price range are these 46's in?

 

[smitholdtimer]

Question?

The photo of your M-46 has the Model # but is missing the Serial Number. Were they on the same side of the frame of the early M-46s as they were on the early M-41s? Very Nice Model 46, wood on the M-46 is icing.

 

[824tsv]

If you enlarge his pic, he has the serial# photoshopped over. It's just above the Model 46 on the left side.

 

[kidcom]

kdcom - suggest you trust Aussi - first 46s were in 18xxx range (ie 1959). Grips appear correct to the period, but more likely added later rather than special order. Related to other posts - a 24XXX with square cut slide. Very nice piece. Will check on SN later, but probably 1960 ship.

Couple of thoughts
1. std. velocity only
2. pick up a 5" and a 5.5" bbl and weight to round it out.

Tom I thought that the NRA Museum was the place to go for gun related info. The ultimate source. I guess I was wrong. Sorry Aussi for having doubted your knowledge on this issue.

 

[Barrie]

Kengun I would put mine which is in 98% condition at being around $1000. but I am in Canada which may be higher then other Countries. You don't see them For Sale very often.

 

[MAJPATT]

Here is mine. I have a 7 in barrel for it as well, but that one is a radius cut one, so not a perfect match. But I greatly prefer the 5 inch "sport" barrels over the 5.5 or 7 in the 46/41s.

 

[kidcom]

Here is mine. I have a 7 in barrel for it as well, but that one is a radius cut one, so not a perfect match. But I greatly prefer the 5 inch "sport" barrels over the 5.5 or 7 in the 46/41s.


That's a fine looking piece you have. With the 5 inch barrel, I believe you have a very rare item.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

kidcom not that familiar with the NRA data bases, but Mr. Roy Jinks, the S&W historian has the files on S&W ship dates and is "THE AUTHORITY". If you become an S&WCA member, you can get access to his "request for ship date" and responses to same, along with a letter on your specific pistol (for a fee).

 

[MAJPATT]

That's a fine looking piece you have. With the 5 inch barrel, I believe you have a very rare item.

Actually according to SCSW the 5 1/2 inch heavy barrel is more rare (500) than the sport barrel (1000). But that is ok with me, as I just simply prefer the sport.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Correction - my GOOF!!!!!!!!!

kdcom - suggest you trust Aussi - first 46s were in 18xxx range (ie 1959). Grips appear correct to the period, but more likely added later rather than special order. Related to other posts - a 24XXX with square cut slide. Very nice piece. Will check on SN later, but probably 1960 ship.

Couple of thoughts
1. std. velocity only
2. pick up a 5" and a 5.5" bbl and weight to round it out.

Above, I noted the earliest 46s were in the 18XXX range. Checking my data, believe I was thinking of S&W41 5" bbl. first issues. For S&W 46 22XXX would be closer. Please forgive an old man.

 

[Barrie]

Thom you are still a young man, especially in heart. We all know that and all make the odd mistake. Of course you are already forgiven.

 

[kidcom]

Finally took it to the range today. Thankfully, I had a set of Wolff Springs with me. The installed recoil spring that came with the M46 stove piped and fail to eject almost every shot. I replaced what I assumed to be the factory M46 recoil spring with a 6lb Wolff spring. After that, it proved to be an amazing shooter using standard velocity ammo.

 

[Aussie Collector]

For S&W 46 22XXX would be closer.

I totally agree the first production run of the Model 46, 22XXX. I believe there is a chance of an earlier Model 46 and would like to see it or even better possess it.

 

[kidcom]

Update on my S&W 46

I took the unusual step this evening of completely stripping down my Model 46 to the last screw. It took me awhile to do it but I can truthfully say that I can take one down now and reassemble it in a matter of minutes. Now the reason I did this was to give the 46 a proper cleaning since I figured it hadn't been done in over 55 years. It was filthy to say the least. Gun powder residue was everywhere and caked onto the internal parts. After a thorough cleaning and reassembling it, the action seems to be a lot smoother to say the least. So if you feel a bit daring and your 41/46 needs a good cleaning, don't be afraid to take her down to the last screw. The results of your thorough cleaning job will really impress you.

https://picasaweb.google.com/116590779301281658338/SWModel41Disassembly#

https://picasaweb.google.com/116590779301281658338/SWModel41Assembly

I'm going to put this out as a separate thread which is what I should have done originally...

 

[824tsv]

Great photo spread. You are very adventurous. Thats something that I wouldn't try to do! Too many very small parts........

 

[loeman]

kidcom,
I really like your disassembly / assembly photo essay. Wow. what great pics and simple but understandable instructions. I doubt that i would ever take my 41 down that far, but if I really needed to or wanted to I think I could do it with what you have produced. Thank you.