New 4553 TSW

[Mr. Weekend]

Greetings from Eastern NC! I just traded for a virtually unfired 4553 TSW, as new. I don't know much about this pistol, but it has the rail on the front, no decocker/safety, and a semi-bobbed hammer. I'd appreciate anything you can tell me about this pistol, good or bad. Thanks!

 

[JohnHL]

Welcome to the Forum!

Your 4553TSW is a DAO (Double Action Only), alloy framed, stainless slide, compact 45.

It is a TSW which were the final and most refined version of a long series of semi-automatic, metal framed production pistols dating back to the early 1950s, before S&W went to plastic.

They are well built and reliable.

I have the TDA (DA/SA) version of your pistol, the 4513TSW.

Another advantage is that both of our pistols can be converted to DAO or TDA with only four parts.

I've done it on mine.

It's a great compact 45.

John

 

[Mr. Weekend]

Thanks John! I'll be shooting mine tomorrow, we'll see if I like the DAO trigger.

 

[Jaymo]

Welcome to the Forum!

Your 4553TSW is a DAO (Double Action Only), alloy framed, stainless slide, compact 45.

It is a TSW which were the final and most refined version of a long series of semi-automatic, metal framed production pistols dating back to the early 1950s, before S&W went to plastic.

They are well built and reliable.

I have the TDA (DA/SA) version of your pistol, the 4513TSW.

Another advantage is that both of our pistols can be converted to DAO or TDA with only four parts.

I've done it on mine.

It's a great compact 45.

John

Does this mean I can convert my MIM hammer/trigger 4566 into a MIM hammer/trigger 4586 clone (precocked like later DAO), or would I be converting it to a flash chromed DAO (long DA pull like earlier DAO)?

 

[Jaymo]

Thanks John! I'll be shooting mine tomorrow, we'll see if I like the DAO trigger.

I have a later 5946 with the black MIM hammer and trigger.
It's my favorite of my 3 3rd gen 59 series pistols.

 

[JohnHL]

Does this mean I can convert my MIM hammer/trigger 4566 into a MIM hammer/trigger 4586 clone (precocked like later DAO), or would I be converting it to a flash chromed DAO (long DA pull like earlier DAO)?

Your 4566 can be converted to the TSW DAO design, which is a pre-cocked action, much like the earlier, flash chromed DAO pistols with the exception of a slightly longer trigger pull (because the TSW DAO does not use an extended rear slide, the hammer is less pre-cocked than the earlier models).

It will have a MIM hammer and trigger (just like the TSW DAO models) after conversion.

It will be something like this:
6906 Conversion to DAO

John

 

[Jaymo]

Your 4566 can be converted to the TSW DAO design, which is a pre-cocked action, much like the earlier, flash chromed DAO pistols with the exception of a slightly longer trigger pull (because the TSW DAO does not use an extended rear slide, the hammer is less pre-cocked than the earlier models).

It will have a MIM hammer and trigger (just like the TSW DAO models) after conversion.

It will be something like this:
6906 Conversion to DAO

John

Nice. Thanks for the quick reply, John.
One reason my 5946 is my favorite is due to the reduced trigger reach.

 

[Mr. Weekend]

Finally shot my 4553 TSW......

Went to the range this morning to shoot a 45acp carbine, two M57 Tokarevs and the 4553. I HATE the trigger pull on the DAO 4553, it's smooth but it's very long and heavy. It doesn't fire until the trigger nearly hits the back of the trigger guard. A lawyer designed that trigger. Is this normal for this pistol?

 

[18DAI]

Yes that is normal, sadly. Some here will tell you the trigger is "revolver like".

I've been shooting revolvers for over 50 years. If I had a revolver with a trigger pull like the DAO guns, I would take it to the gunsmith and have it fixed.

All is not lost. There are a few here who like those DAO guns. And a 4553 is worth a few bucks. I would advise you to place a want to sell or trade ad in the classifieds here.

Get yourself a 4513TSW. the early version with 6-round mag, if you can. That is perfection in a 3rd gen 45 carry gun. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

 

[NCBeagle]

Just put it out on your front porch....Jeppo will be along to pick it up soon. I'd come get it but already have two

I like the 4553 but honestly rarely carry it. It's still kind of a chunk for 6+1. But, carried a 3914 DAO today. Really like the DAO single stacks.

I may be guilty of describing them as "revolver like." Perhaps, not the most artful description. As a revolver guy, I prefer the DAO pull / resistance more than striker fired or lighter single action. I'll agree with 18DAI but say that a revolver person might be more inclined to like the DAO trigger despite its material differences from a true DA revolver pull.

 

[JohnHL]

Went to the range this morning to shoot a 45acp carbine, two M57 Tokarevs and the 4553. I HATE the trigger pull on the DAO 4553, it's smooth but it's very long and heavy. It doesn't fire until the trigger nearly hits the back of the trigger guard. A lawyer designed that trigger. Is this normal for this pistol?

Yes, the S&W TSW DAO trigger pull is only slightly better than the double action pull on the TDA (DA/SA) pistols.

Its big advantage is that it is "control-free" so therefore much easier manual of arms to master.

If you would like to try it as a DA/SA model (like its twin, the 4513TSW) it is only four parts...

John

 

[Mr. Weekend]

I'll consider converting it. I am a classic S&W revolver guy, which I shoot very well, but the 4553 is beyond me. I have big hands but my trigger finger has to travel so far under that heavy pull that it becomes uncomfortable (arthritis).

 

[petemacmahon]

Reviving this old thread.

Finally shot my 4553 TSW......

Went to the range this morning to shoot a 45acp carbine, two M57 Tokarevs and the 4553. I HATE the trigger pull on the DAO 4553, it's smooth but it's very long and heavy. It doesn't fire until the trigger nearly hits the back of the trigger guard. A lawyer designed that trigger. Is this normal for this pistol?

I'm reviving this old thread, as I was just thinking that a 4553 TSW might be my next search. I am one of those "Old Revolver Guys" and I carried revolvers for concealed carry for decades - all bobbed hammer DAO models that I had converted by gunsmiths here and there. In my collection are one from Teddy Jacobson & one from Karl Sokol.

As I switched over to shooting all my revolvers DAO back in the late 90s, I ended up shedding all my SA autos, focusing on that one type of trigger pull. Yeah, a gun guy that does not own any classic SA Single stacks....blasphemy

I've tried a few striker guns, and even still own two glocks with Alpha triggers....but they never get any action. Being the snob I am, I absolutely hate traditional DA pistols with their two different trigger pulls. I don't know how anyone can shoot that crap.

But 6 years ago I decided to try my luck with a S&W 3rd gen 5943 DAO. I was shooting it better than my G19 on my first trip to the range! LOVE IT. I do not find the trigger overly heavy, just long. The only nit to pick might be that the travel goes farther back then I would like. I did pick up a, near as I can tell, almost un-fired 3953 TSW who's trigger is allot stiffer. That will be off to Cylinder & Slide some time soon.

 

[paddlingman]

If you would like to try it as a DA/SA model (like its twin, the 4513TSW) it is only four parts...

John

John - I've had a 4553TSW for about a decade or so. Do you happen to have a link for the four parts to transition to DA/SA? This is the 45 3rd gen DAO oddball in my collection. The DAO isn't bad. Not great... but not terrible. I was looking for a 4516 when I found this (7-round) 4553TSW. Thanks!

 

[KurtC]

I prefer the 3rd Generation DAO pistols. I carried a 4553TSW for a few years, but removed the crappy rail so that it would fit the same holster as my 4556's.

I still qualify with a 4546 and 4556 and carry one almost daily. The trick to using a hammer fired DAO is simple... learn how to shoot.

 

[JohnHL]

John - I've had a 4553TSW for about a decade or so. Do you happen to have a link for the four parts to transition to DA/SA? This is the 45 3rd gen DAO oddball in my collection. The DAO isn't bad. Not great... but not terrible. I was looking for a 4516 when I found this (7-round) 4553TSW. Thanks!

Hi, paddlingman!

The four conversion parts for your 7 shot 4553TSW from DAO (Double Action Only) to TDA (Traditional Double Action or DA/SA) are:

Hammer

Trigger

Sear Release Lever

Manual Safety Body Assembly

The Sear Release Lever is a "fitted" part for proper "decock timing".
The rest should simply interchange.

If you can source the parts, the rest is easy.

Pity I did not get this sooner, as I was just in Indy for the 500 (it was COLD up there in "A" Penthhouse!) and I would have been glad to meet you and help you.

John

 

[paddlingman]

Thanks, John! Most appreciated! It was a VERY cold Sunday. I've been in Indy 18 years and, due to work, have had to work the race each year. It is no exaggeration to say that when retirement arrives, I expect the Month of May to still make me twitchy!

I believe that I will begin trying to source the parts. Options are always nice! I hope you enjoyed the race. Who knows? If you come back next year, I may take you up on the offer, depending on timing.

Stacey

 

[JohnHL]

Oh I plan to be back next year, Stacey!

This year was number 38, and I have no plans to stop!

John