Need help picking next S&W 3rd Gen

[alde]

I have been a revolver guy for the most part. I have always had a 1911 because everybody needs one and a Ruger P97 as a nightstand gun. I really like 45 ACP and feel that it is a perfect self defense round.

I got in on the Bud's super deal on the 4586's and feel in love with 3rd Generation Smiths. I love this pistol and want more. I was looking at a 4516 and a 457 as a logical choice for CCW to go with the 4586. I am leaning to the 4516 because it's a steel frame pistol. I know the 457 is also a good pistol and would probably get one eventually. I reload 45 ACP and shoot quite a bit of it.

I also saw a very good deal on a 4046 with box, papers and 3 magazines for $295. I am not set up to reload 40 S&W but ammo seems to always be around and pretty cheap. I would probably get dies and all the stuff to load 40 on my Dillon.

Should I build my collection of 3rd Gens around 45 ACP or is the deal on the 40 just too good to pass up? I am open to any suggestions.

BTW, I am selling the Ruger P97 to a co-worker that wants a 45. I don't want any more plastic pistols.

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

 

[mbinky]

I have also been looking at the 4516's lately. They seem to be feast or famine on the auction sites.

That price on the 40 seems good, I'd be tempted myself. I've never tried a DAO Smith, but hear great things about them.

I'd probably go 45 right now, but be warned, the 3rd gens are addicting! Especially at the prices some can be found for. I personally think they are THE most underrated pistols out there. I have three, a 5906, 4006, and 4566, and the quality of craftsmanship is simply amazing.

 

[mlk18]

I have a number of 3rd Gens, but I tend to gravitate to my .45's most of the time. The 4506 is an awesome platform as are all of its derivatives. So my recommendation is to get that 4516, then a 4566, then a 4546, then a 4513, then 4563, then a......you get my drift. Of course I have to point out that I am not a fan of the .40 round, so while the 4046 is a nice gun, I would pass. You can find the 9mm equivalent (the 5946) for pretty cheap too.

 

[alde]

I agree that the 4506 is a great platform and would make a great collection. I am really leaning to the 4516 and will probably go that way. I don't know alot about the 40 S&W round but know I don't like standing next to one at the range. It just seems like a great deal for the price but it's not a 45.

 

[Landric]

I'm a big fan of the 3rd Gen S&Ws. At the moment all my 3rd gens are DAO. I have 2 4586s, a 4586 TSW, a 4553 TSW, a 5946, and I'm trying to work a deal on a 3953.

If you want to stay with the .45 ACP versions what you really want is a 4556, a DAO 4516. The problem is that only a few were made and they are pretty hard to come by.

As for the 4046, a very nice pistol, but I too am less than a fan of the .40 S&W. I will probably eventually pick one up just because I feel like I should have one .40 just in case. I'm torn between a 4006 and a 4046, but its on the back burner now anyway.

If you want to move away from the .45 and want steel frame, I suggest the 5946, the DAO steel frame 9mm. Ammo is cheaper and the gun is a real joy. They can be had as cheaply, or nearly as cheaply as the 4046. The only real advantage of the 40xx series is that magazines tend to be cheaper.

 

[JC4013]

It's curious because I was pretty firmly in the .45 camp if you had to carry an auto, but have switched to the .40 because its closer to what I'm used to and they eat whatever I feed it. I still remember when the .45s were pretty finicky. They were built for hardball, so they had to be adapted for hollowpoints with erratic success. The .40 was designed as a law enforcement firearm and for hollowpoints from the beginning. I'm not sure all that makes any real difference, but just a comment in passing. In the end, use what you have confidence in and you have confidence in your ability to handle. I guess my moniker says it all.

 

[k22fan]

After you outfit your reloading room for .40 cal. that $295 gun will wind up costing more than the higher priced .45, .45acp is your preferd cartridge and I found it easier to get accurate home cast reloads with the .45. The 457 was an economy priced version of the 4516 and its cost saving is not reflected in current used pricing plus you prefer steel frames. Admitting that I'm partial to my 4516-1, I think you will be best off getting one.

Gil

 

[alde]

I guess it didn't take much to push me in the direction I was leaning. For sure my next 3rd Gen will be a 4516. It looks like around $450 is what they are going for. Does this sound about right? Sure can't get a decent compact 1911 for that. I think the 3rd Gen's are every bit as good or better than many of the nicer 1911's out there.

Thanks for all the great input.

 

[Screwball]

I passed up a NIB 4526 a year or two back... worst decision I ever made. My justification was that I didn't want two similar magazines getting mixed up... since I have a 1006.

I think the guns with the SIG style decockers are some of the nicest guns S&W ever put out.

 

[mbinky]

$450 seems to be the average I see on all the sites.

Good hunting!

 

[SW CQB 45]

trying to help out

http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-s...-45-alloy-fusion-alloy-officers-frame-tx.html

scroll down to post #7

 

[andyo5]

Fourties are cheaper. I prefer fourty-fives.
I own a M4583TSW and love it.

 

[4864]

+1 on 4516

I pack a 4516-1 as my main carry gun. You will be very pleased with it if you get one. A fine compact .45 that is accurate and feels good in the hand. Yes it is all steel but I personally think that is needed in a compact frame size .45 to help take up recoil from the 3 inch barrel. Get a good holster and belt like I have and carrying it is a breeze.

 

[alde]

I have a 4516-1 on the way. I picked it up from Summit Gunbroker for $445. It looks pretty nice from the pictures with only a few light scuffs. It should ship today so with any luck I will be able to try it out this weekend. I will be ordering a fresh set of springs and a couple of spare magazines for it.

Thank you all for helping me make a decision and I will post pictures when I get it. Maybe a 4566 next?

 

[18DAI]

Congrats! Welcome to the 4516 club. Let us know how it shoots. Regards 18DAI.

 

[4864]

I have a 4516-1 on the way. I picked it up from Summit Gunbroker for $445. It looks pretty nice from the pictures with only a few light scuffs. It should ship today so with any luck I will be able to try it out this weekend. I will be ordering a fresh set of springs and a couple of spare magazines for it.

Thank you all for helping me make a decision and I will post pictures when I get it. Maybe a 4566 next?

Good deal! Mark has had that one for some time. You got a great deal from a heck of great dealer.

A 4566 would be a great companion for your 4516-1. But keep in mind that you will then find your self looking for a 4506 and then a 4563TSW!

 

[Timber Wolf]

I plan on buying more 3rd Gen. S&Ws. And some more 1st and 2nd generations too if they get too close at the right price! I currently only have a 3913, 4040PD, 645, & a 457 and could not pick a favorite among them. The 3913 was my first, the 4040PD is a light and powerful CCW piece, the 645 is a joy to shoot and to look at and I shoot the 457 amazingly well and it is a nice packing 45 I am not worried about scuffing. I am kind of looking for the right deal on a nice 39 and a 52 but would be open to more .40s & 45s of most any flavor except the DAO versions don't really do it for me. Maybe if I actually shot one and liked the trigger I might warm to them. If a fellow reloads and is already set up for 45 it would not seem to make sense to branch out into 40 unless he just wanted to. For factory ammo only 9mm is of course the cheapest way to go but even 40 is a lot cheaper then 45 off the shelf. I just got all the stuff to set up my Dillion for 40 S&W and plan on cranking out a few thou sometime this year. Then I need to run some .38 & .357 and then maybe back to 45. The neat thing about the Dillion is forgetting that you ran a huge batch of something years ago and then stumbling across it again. I "rediscovered" a 2/3 full 50 cal. can of 45 ACP reloads just the other day. Oh happy day! Sorry to ramble, good luck with the 4516!

 

[alde]

The neat thing about the Dillion is forgetting that you ran a huge batch of something years ago and then stumbling across it again. I "rediscovered" a 2/3 full 50 cal. can of 45 ACP reloads just the other day. Oh happy day!

I love when that happens. Just the other day I came accross a can 30-06 re-loads for the Garand that I forgot about. When I get going on the dillon I will run a batch of 500 over a couple of nights.

I really hope my 4516 gets here before the weekend. I may look at a 457 next or one of the little single stack 9mm's with an alloy frame. They don't look much bigger than a J-Frame.

 

[Landric]

I love when that happens. Just the other day I came accross a can 30-06 re-loads for the Garand that I forgot about. When I get going on the dillon I will run a batch of 500 over a couple of nights.

I really hope my 4516 gets here before the weekend. I may look at a 457 next or one of the little single stack 9mm's with an alloy frame. They don't look much bigger than a J-Frame.

The 3953 is a fantastic little pistol, DAO, so no safety to bulk it up. Its about as slim a 9mm as you will find and just as reliable as the other S&W third gens.

 

[epj]

I have recently acquired a 4566TSW that is equipped with a decocker only. To me, it's about as close to a perfect SD arm as one could find. I am also a 1911 fan, but I seem to shoot the 4566 awfully well. Maybe I like whichever one I'm shooting at the moment best. You'd be hard pressed to buy an all stainless Commander in a quality brand for what you'll spend on a 4566.