NOW UPDATED with Pics: “Late Model” 4506

Thanks for all the info and that link. I will shoot them the serial #.

I'm comfortable the two yellow-follower mags can be "upgraded" with black followers and Wolff XP springs and still run reliably even if the mag body is somehow different from the final generation of 45XX 8-rd mags. I've done that upgrade before with a few mags that came with a 4566 back about 2010. If I have any issue with a mag, it'll get tossed into the "range-only" mag box.

I'm going back on Monday for a final look and negotiation (cash).

Thanks!

Yet once again, changing the followers doesn't upgrade anything. The color change was a quick reference feature to denote the last generation mags. The changes lay in a redesign of the upper portion of the mag tube. Dropping in black followers won't change anything.
 
Yet once again, changing the followers doesn't upgrade anything. The color change was a quick reference feature to denote the last generation mags. The changes lay in a redesign of the upper portion of the mag tube. Dropping in black followers won't change anything.
Agree significant differences in metal geometry at top. It is also worth noting there were 2 variations (at least for the 4516-1) with the yellow follower, the original with the D shaped indent at the back and the AcuGlide without the D but with different, more severe lip geometry. I dont have mags in front of me, but based on pictures I took for previous post in the referenced thread, I believe there may be subtle changes in followers, potentially very minor changes in the ramp angles. Still the metal changes stand out.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4206.jpg
    IMG_4206.jpg
    124.1 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_4208.jpg
    IMG_4208.jpg
    111.5 KB · Views: 28
  • IMG_4209.jpg
    IMG_4209.jpg
    99.4 KB · Views: 26
  • IMG_4216.jpg
    IMG_4216.jpg
    160.9 KB · Views: 23
  • IMG_4205.jpg
    IMG_4205.jpg
    123.5 KB · Views: 39
Agree significant differences in metal geometry at top. It is also worth noting there were 2 variations (at least for the 4516-1) with the yellow follower, the original with the D shaped indent at the back and the AcuGlide without the D but with different, more severe lip geometry. I dont have mags in front of me, but based on pictures I took for previous post in the referenced thread, I believe there may be subtle changes in followers, potentially very minor changes in the ramp angles. Still the metal changes stand out.
Wow, that's a lot of mag variation in that fifth pic.
 
Wow, that's a lot of mag variation in that fifth pic.
Those are all 4516 mags and obviously there must be at least 1 more - the original 4516 with orange follower but with no restrictive markings before the "problems" surfaced.

For the 4506, I can account for at least 3 top variations (shown), but presumably the evolution follows the 4516 plus the one(s?) with metal baseplate.

Presumably the TSW variants all should have the black followers since they were made after the introduction of the 4516-2 with the black follower mags circa 1993.

But you have to wonder about the 4505, 4526, 4536, 4546, 4567 which came out in 1991 presumably with earlier (Yellow?) followers since the restriction notes only mention the 4506, 4516 variations.

As an aside the 457 and 4513TSW 7rd are the same as the black follower 4516-2 mags and the 6 rd 4513TSW (1997-1999) top is similar to the final 4506/4516 top (1993 and later) with the black follower - but the CS45 6rd adds one more wrinkle in that it has an additional vertical notch at the top which is not present on the 4513TSW 6rd which otherwise appears identical.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4203.jpg
    IMG_4203.jpg
    91.9 KB · Views: 13
  • IMG_4194.jpg
    IMG_4194.jpg
    111.5 KB · Views: 12
  • IMG_4195.jpg
    IMG_4195.jpg
    107.9 KB · Views: 12
  • IMG_4190.jpg
    IMG_4190.jpg
    106.2 KB · Views: 13
  • IMG_4200.jpg
    IMG_4200.jpg
    98.5 KB · Views: 12
UPDATE w/ Pics …

Finally found time to update this thread. $600 cash sealed the deal.

This 4506, a three lasered line ex-L.E. gun, came with 4 factory mags, no box and no papers. Ser. # BDK51XX

Black MIM hammer and trigger. Dead tritium night sights. Only a few, very slight exterior scratches. Extremely clean and shiny bore. Little to no visible wear on the breechface.

Two of the mags are the later type with black followers; the other two are the early ones with yellow followers and the warning on the side.

The previous owner said he purchased it from a "police supply" FFL in Illinois who had taken in a bunch of these guns from a small suburban Illinois PD after they switched to M&Ps.

In my view, this 4506 is actually in better condition than the aftermarket rep suggested by most "cop trade-in guns" - in that they appear to have been carried much and shot hardly at all except at qual. time. Maybe this one was the Chief's personal gun.

When my gunsmith looked it over, his first reaction was: "It looks brand new. Did he [the previous owner] ever shoot it?"

Don't know. But I sure will. ;)

I'll post three pics separately ….
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1147.jpg
    IMG_1147.jpg
    93.2 KB · Views: 73
Last edited:
Personally I think you got that one for a great price. I currently own a 645 and a 4546. Both are terrific guns. I have read about all the different magazine options, but my two guns have NEVER malfunctioned no matter what variation I use. If I come across a gun like your's, with the rounded trigger guard, it will cost me some money. I much prefer that look.

Congratulations on a great purchase.

Dan
 
That's a real nice pistola right there.

You gonna tote it in a old school leather shoulder rig?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Personally I think you got that one for a great price. I currently own a 645 and a 4546. Both are terrific guns. I have read about all the different magazine options, but my two guns have NEVER malfunctioned no matter what variation I use. If I come across a gun like your's, with the rounded trigger guard, it will cost me some money. I much prefer that look.
Congratulations on a great purchase.
Dan
Thanks for the comments!

Yes, that's been my experience too with the .45 mag variants. They've all run fine in my 645 and 4566.
 
That's a real nice pistola right there.
You gonna tote it in an old school leather shoulder rig?
LOL!

Well, that's certainly possible since I already have a well-worn, mid-'90s Galco SH for my S&W 1006. Both being 5" guns, fitment shouldn't be an issue. Same for the mags, I assume.
 
Frank Black -- very nice! Did you replace the original grips or did it come to you that way? It's currently wearing hard-to-find grips from a frame-mounted decocker model.
Todd
Thanks, Todd! Yes, you are correct. The arched 'decocker' grip on the 4506 in the picture will be going on another frame-mounted decocker pistol. I have the 'correct' grip for the 4506.
 
I have never heard of anyone having magazine issues.

Personally I think you got that one for a great price. I currently own a 645 and a 4546. Both are terrific guns. I have read about all the different magazine options, but my two guns have NEVER malfunctioned no matter what variation I use. If I come across a gun like your's, with the rounded trigger guard, it will cost me some money. I much prefer that look.

Congratulations on a great purchase.

Dan

With any of the third generation .45 acp guns.
 
Back
Top