New 4506-1 purchase and use

[crcsen]

Hi, kind of new to the forum (actually, any forum) and wanted to perform a quick intro and ask a few questions regarding the 4506-1. I have already introduced myself on the main site, but for the specifics of my concern, I will give a quick recap. Please forgive if this is redundant, or not the way these things work, really am new to this.

Last week, during a break from my conceal carry class, the local shop had a 4506 in the used section. I didn't see many people browsing the used firearms and didn't have time to pursue it. When the store opened on Tuesday, I wondered down and really looked it over. I was surprised it was still on display, but checked it out, and it looked good. From my short online research, I had certain expectation, but I haven't seen one of these in 30 years. The recoil spring felt soft, but that was it. Price was $700. Internet historical pricing was lower, but with current market conditions, the price seemed reasonable to me. Came with 2 S&W magazines (yellow follower) and an aftermarket hard case.

I final went to the range today.
My impressions:
Recoil: easy to manage
SA: a little creep, then very nice break
DA: lots of movement, with a weird little click/shift in the middle, then clean break.
Reset: short and nice. ( I have a SIG P226 Legion SAO for comparison, and it compared very well for a @1991 pistol that has been used)
I haven't shot a .45 acp in years, but for a first session, working from 5 to 20 yards, all rounds hit within the 7 rings. At 25 yards, my 2 DA missed completely, and my 27 SA were spread out but within the 7 rings (mostly low and left). I am not a great shot, so I was really surprised. Heck I was surprised I hit the target at all.
While I am not sure of if the pricing was fair in the current market. In my opinion, I feel a paid an honest price for a great pistol. I was in the market for a .45 but didn't really want a 1911 clone. This is not to bad mouth 1911, just had a few over the years, and didn't really want another. I remember these 3rd gens and was glade to find one. I think this is a keeper. I will try to attach a photo of the pistol.
I have ordered a set of complete springs from Wolfe, but at this time, don't think they are needed. The DA trigger bothers me. The weird little click/shake in the middle of the pull throws me off. Is this normal, or something I need to investigate? Anyone have any experience with this happening?

Thanks
Charlie

 

[mscampbell2734]

No, a glitch in the DA pull is not normal. All those I have shot, something like 100 give or take, had fairly smooth, weighty but smooth, DA pulls.

 

[fishwishin]

Very nice 4506-1! I really like mine too!

 

[jsbethel]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...ger-click-now-what.html?572248=#post140198756

 

[dsf]

^
You're going to get a whole lot of "Likes" on that post.

I forget what the heck I bought but had that problem and installing a new spring solved it straight away. Not all that difficult to execute, just exacting.

 

[4T5GUY]

The 4506-1 was the first S&W pistol I ever bought back then. I was a S&W revolver, Colt pistol guy and getting that pistol changed my world. Luckily I had a FFL and I got it for a reasonable price. I liked it so much that I actually got another.

It is still a favored pistol of mine and I've got a few .45's. It's a great pistol.

As noted/mentioned the trigger play spring is the click you feel. You can gently push the fingers forward to correct that but just get a new style one and rivet and change it out. It's easy to do and cheap. Instead of the old style two finger one the newer ones are solid across the top. It's not a big deal other than a nuisances and in fact some LE orders were requested to be without trigger play springs due to potential issues with them.

Pictured is a new style trigger play spring that I replaced. It's the very"gold" colored part of course.

Jim

 

[crcsen]

Thanks jsbethel for the link to BMCM's repair tutorial, that was very informative! 4T5GUY, thanks for the picture, it helped me identify the part. Yep, it's bent. Not sure if this particular part is in the Wolfe service pak (II), if not I will see about either finding a replacement, or reach out direct to BMCM regarding if it is a safety issue or can just be yanked. Shout out to BMCM for putting that together.

Regards
Charlie

 

[18DAI]

Congrats on your new 4506-1. Great 45!

If you want a quick temporary fix to your trigger play spring, while you get the part and the rivet, or are waiting for BMCM to take it for repair (I highly recommend him) get a pencil with an eraser on it.

Orient the frame as it is in 4T5GUYs picture. Take the eraser and place it squarely against the trigger play spring and GENTLY push it forward. Yes, you are bending it. Try the trigger in single action now. Still feel the click? Push it forward some more. You will reach a point where the click disappears. With use, it will return, but it does temporarily stop it so you can enjoy the pistol while you are waiting.

The trigger play spring being broken or out of spec is NOT a safety issue. No worries there. It simply keeps the trigger from flopping around.

Enjoy that fine 4506-1! I carried one on the job for several years and still have it. I also have one with Novak sights and carry it today. In fact, I have been using mine this past weekend at my part-time job at the range. Lots of 4506-1 fans here. Including some LAPD guys who carry them on duty today. Regards 18DAI

 

[Frank Black]

Congrats on your 4506-1.

 

[SJC3081]

I have a 1066 my trigger play spring was broken. I sent it to S&W for repair. Got it back in week, but that was in 05.

 

[stansdds]

Those trigger play springs do wear and can be bent by careless cleaning methods. They can also break and tie up the trigger. Bending it forward may help, but a new spring is the ultimate answer.

 

[mbliss57]

Welcome to the forum and you bought one of my favorite 45ACP pistols. They are just indestructible and accurate. Congratulations and I too recommend BMCM for repair or upgrade work. He's reasonable and very thorough and will do as much or little as you want when you are looking to do extras besides a straight up repair.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Congrats on your new find

..the local shop had a 4506 in the used section. The recoil spring felt soft...

The 4506s came with two recoil spring from the factory: a lighter wadcutter recoil spring & a heavier ball ammo recoil spring. It's possible it has the wadcutter spring in it or it's just tired & needs to be replaced.

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Came with 2 S&W magazines (yellow follower) and an aftermarket hard case.

You can use the newer black followers in those magazine housings if you want to. No problems. Disregard the notice on them.

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I have ordered a set of complete springs from Wolfe, but at this time, don't think they are needed.
Not sure if this particular part is in the Wolfe service pak (II)

Service Pak II has lots of springs, most of which you'll not likely need, but worth having on-hand.

At a minimum replace the recoil spring, firing pin spring, hammer/mainspring & magazine springs to establish a baseline in case you experience chambering/ejection issues later.

Wolff calls the "standard" recoil spring for the 4506 their 14# (47314) spring. That's the lighter spring. Use their 18# (47318) spring for normal power ammo or just get S&W's spring recoil (201610000).

And No, the trigger play spring & rivet do not come with that kit.

Unless you're familiar with complete disassembly of the pistol's internals, or have the related experience/are adventurous, I'd suggest having someone knowledgeable do it.

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SA: a little creep, then very nice break
DA: lots of movement, with a weird little click/shift in the middle, then clean break.

AFAIK, & in my experience, a broken/defective/missing trigger play spring only results in trigger play/slack/take-up issues when in the single action mode "initially".

The SA mode is the only time that spring comes into play (no pun), to take up the trigger's initial play/slack, eliminating the click & slip felt without it.

I have pistols without that spring installed (CHP issued pistol) & ones that have it but need replacing. Their double action trigger pull is smooth & unaffected by the lack of, or broken, trigger play spring.

I don't know why it would be affecting your DA pull (more?) than the SA pull?

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