Possible 4506-1 purchase?

[beuford]

I spotted this 4506-1 at the LGS today. Is it worth $435?

My one concern is the "light strike" of the S&W logo; I'm concerned that the gun might be refinished, although I've found that S&W roll marking to generally be subpar:

Bad picture, but you get the drift... Otherwise , the gun shows almost no signs of wear at all. Very clean gun.

Any thoughts/comments?

Beuford

 

[Gunhacker]

The serial and model number stamping looks strong and light roll marks was something that was known to occur, for $435 I'd at the LGS waiting for them to open.

 

[John Fritz]

... for $435 I'd at the LGS waiting for them to open.

Me too.

 

[timn8er]

And I would be in line after Gunhacker & John F.,hoping they would give up & go to breakfast!

 

[tork'd]

And I would be in line after Gunhacker & John F.,hoping they would give up & go to breakfast!

i'd be offering to buy their breakfast..
if they brought me coffee.

 

[raidersrule]

Buy it in a heart beat.

 

[beuford]

Well, then....

... I'm glad that I put it on reserve in the back room. It'll be there Monday morning when they open.

Thanks for the feedback!

Beuford

 

[xfarfuldog]

What was the name of that gun shop again??

 

[timn8er]

... I'm glad that I put it on reserve in the back room. It'll be there Monday morning when they open.

Thanks for the feedback!

Beuford

And so will you, right? More pics when you can!

 

[Outrider]

I spotted this 4506-1 at the LGS today. Is it worth $435?

My one concern is the "light strike" of the S&W logo; I'm concerned that the gun might be refinished, although I've found that S&W roll marking to generally be subpar:

Bad picture, but you get the drift... Otherwise , the gun shows almost no signs of wear at all. Very clean gun.

Any thoughts/comments?

Beuford

It's worth $435 even refurbished.

It would take some serious grinding to get it like that if it weren't a light marking strike and that's not probable. It was likely made between 1998 and 1999 -- and might have occurred in-between the time S&W was moving away from striking and going toward more laser engraving.

 

[beuford]

4506-1

It's worth $435 even refurbished.

It would take some serious grinding to get it like that if it weren't a light marking strike and that's not probable.

It also has no indications of major dis-assembly and reassembly, which I would expect if the frame was refurbished. Also, the pistol just doesn't appear to have any significant wear; I just can't see it having been used enough to require refurbishment.

As for year of manufacture, it appears to be a rev 4 (03) version (note the lack of step in the frame, like the 10mm version). Serial prefix is VAT (1994?), but I'm sure it's later issue than that.

I'll post better pictures once I pick it up.

Beuford

 

[beuford]

Picked it up! And better pics...

So I picked up the 4506-1 today. Looks good; a few minor scratches. Still, for only $435...!

Here's a picture of the "light strike" S&W logo, followed by two of the pistol and one of the box label:

Range trip tonight!

Beuford

 

[18DAI]

Congrats! She is a beauty. Regards 18DAI

 

[Outrider]

Good buy!

To tell you the blunt truth, the "value" I'd place on that gun is somewhere between $700 and $800 -- if you were FORCED to get it off Gunbroker or GunsAmerica -- and it may go higher.

The "best" finds on 4506s are in gun shops -- but too often these days, you have to grab 'em where you can, for what you can -- as long as you're not taking food from your kids' mouths...

In my book, it "needs" night sights and Hogues, but by all appearances from the photos, it "looks" close to 95%+ or better.

Congratulations!

By the way, in gauging the wear and usage on the gun, the "pristine" red enamel decocker marks are a possible tip off -- as are the "mating" channels between the slide and frame.

Moreover, Delrin (which I dislike intensely) grips tend to get banged up -- and show premature, misleading wear from carry alone -- not necessairly firing wear.

You might well have one of the best buys I've seen in a long time...

Barring some other "flag" that you could only see in person and maybe under magnification, my guess is that pistol hasn't had 200 rounds through it -- if that...

 

[Outrider]

Worn stamp...?

I don't know much about Smith's frame stamping process on their logos...

But one has to wonder, would the stamp's logo "Marcas Registradas" itself get worn severely over time -- and yield some effect like this -- after all the 100s of thousands of frames it's stamped...?

In short, one might suspect this effect might just be another indicator of a later model 4506 -- because it was made with what might be a worn out Trade Mark stamp.

(Just thinking aloud -- on the keyboard...)

 

[beuford]

4506 condition

Barring some other "flag" that you could only see in person and maybe under magnification, my guess is that pistol hasn't had 200 rounds through it -- if that...

I agree - there is very little sign of interior wear as well:

 

[beuford]

Rollmark

But one has to wonder, would the stamp's logo "Marcas Registradas" itself get worn severely over time -- and yield some effect like this -- after all the 100s of thousands of frames it's stamped...?

I agree. Being that this was built shortly before they went to laser engraving, I doubt that they were willing to spend money refurbishing or creating new rollmark stamps.

Beuford

 

[vipermd]

OUTRIDER: On seeing the gun I have changed my mind and would suggest that you do not buy it. Feeling bad about it I will be sending a MO for 450, just so you do not have to deal with that light strike. Just pm me your info and I will get mo/ffl out today. Just because I am a nice guy. If you decide to decline my offer. CONGRATS!!

 

[Outrider]

Maybe...

I agree. Being that this was built shortly before they went to laser engraving, I doubt that they were willing to spend money refurbishing or creating new rollmark stamps.

Beuford

Actually, that may be WHY they went to laser-engraving...

Don't sell that pistol without talking to me...

 

[Outrider]

Range report?

You said you were taking her to the range. How'd she do?