Question on 4596

[cobra357]

A local forum has a 4596 listed. After looking at pictures here I question if it really is. All the pics I see here seem to show all MIM parts while the one local to me only has MIM hammer and trigger. Fake? Also, priced at 1000. Way high?

 

[cpeblue]

It was a one year only gun 1990 and only 382 were made. So I would guess not fake and priced for its rarity. Your call.

 

[skjos]

Check the serial number... only 382 were made and the serial number range is somewhere between TFA3733 - TFA4144.

I've seen pictures as low as TFA3762 and as high as TFA4115, but that only accounts for 353 units.

 

[cobra357]

Seller states serial number is TFA4XXX but should it be a concern that the slide stop and safety are different material/color that the trigger and hammer? Shouldn't that all match?

 

[cpeblue]

Yes the trigger , hammer , slide stop are black but not mim
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/342566-s-w-4596-a.html Here was a recent thread.

 

[skjos]

Yes the trigger , hammer , slide stop are black but not mim
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/342566-s-w-4596-a.html Here was a recent thread.

The decocker assembly is also black, and all that I have seen have square trigger guards.

 

[cobra357]

Only the trigger and hammer are black on this one and it has a round trigger guard. Could it be one of the last ones made? I'd love to get it but for a grand and with the inconsistencies I don't know.

<<Just realized it is posted in the Classifieds here.>>

 

[skjos]

Only the trigger and hammer are black on this one and it has a round trigger guard. Could it be one of the last ones made? I'd love to get it but for a grand and with the inconsistencies I don't know.

<<Just realized it is posted in the Classifieds here.>>

I took a look at the one posted in the classifieds, it looks like it was a square trigger guard that has been modified to make it appear more round. Do a google image search and compare the early 4506 square trigger guards to the later round trigger guards, the inner shape of the trigger guard is different.

My guess is that the owner or previous owner rounded the outer surface of the trigger guard, glass beaded the frame (which is why the model number seems to be faint), and also glass beaded the slide stop and decocker which removed the black finish.

There is another 4596 on GB that looks to be unmodified, I would check that one out ($950).

 

[4506517]

If I recall correctly, someone posted pictures here of a 4596 with a round trigger guard. I believe I asked if the frame was indeed stamped 4596, which it was. I think I saved the pictures. Let me go back and see if I did save the pictures.

 

[4506517]

Yep, I saved the pictures. It does indeed show a round trigger guard with 4596 clearly stamped on the frame.

 

[cobra357]

Yep, I saved the pictures. It does indeed show a round trigger guard with 4596 clearly stamped on the frame.

Can you post the picture (just out of curiosity)? According to the SCSW they should be 1st Trigger Guard which I believe indicated square.

 

[Kadonny]

I too think the trigger guard was shaved off. It is shaped like the square guard inside and looks just like someone "deburred" the square.

 

[skjos]

Can you post the picture (just out of curiosity)? According to the SCSW they should be 1st Trigger Guard which I believe indicated square.

Here is a post covering trigger guard shapes:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...1st-2nd-3rd-trigger-guards-photos-wanted.html

The trigger guard shape on 4596 in the classified is clearly a modified 1st trigger guard. It is close to a 2nd trigger guard, but the internal shape does not match and it should have about 10 horizontal cuts into the front of it (that is how many my 1006 2nd trigger guard has).

Here is another post, discussing the same 4596 I think:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/85903-4596-lew-horton-enlightenment.html

 

[cobra357]

Here is a post covering trigger guard shapes:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...1st-2nd-3rd-trigger-guards-photos-wanted.html

The trigger guard shape on 4596 in the classified is clearly a modified 1st trigger guard. It is close to a 2nd trigger guard, but the internal shape does not match and it should have about 10 horizontal cuts into the front of it (that is how may my 1006 2nd trigger guard has).

Here is another post, discussing the same 4596 I think:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/85903-4596-lew-horton-enlightenment.html

It is the same one.

 

[4506517]

I agree the one in the classifieds is a shaved 1st trigger guard. The pictures I have clearly show a 3rd trigger guard with 4596 stamped on the frame.

I am a little hesitant to post someone else's pictures of their pistol.

PM me and I will forward them.

 

[skjos]

I agree the one in the classifieds is a shaved 1st trigger guard. The pictures I have clearly show a 3rd trigger guard with 4596 stamped on the frame.

Is the serial number on the 3rd trigger guard frame between TFA3733 - TFA4144?

 

[cobra357]

Is the serial number on the 3rd trigger guard frame between TFA3733 - TFA4144?

Based on the photo I saw, TFA36XX.

 

[4506517]

I just found the thread and brought it back to the top guys!

 

[skjos]

I just found the thread and brought it back to the top guys!

You see something new everyday, apparently SWSC is wrong about only 382 being produced and wrong about them all being a 1st trigger guard frame. That is definitely a 3rd trigger guard.

Based on the low TFA3682 serial number and the highest serial number I've witnessed TFA4115, there are at least 434 produced, unless S&W snuck in some other pistols within that range.

 

[d442]

Sorry but I have not kept up on this forum for a while,
I was the one that posted the round trigger guard 4596 and updated the forum on it. I also got a Jinks letter and TFA3682 was shipped 5/25/1990. I have Attached the jinks letter. In my application I asked Roy to address the round trigger guard and he failed to address it one way or another. The serial number of TFA3682 must be very early in the production and it might be a one off and production changed to square trigger guards. ?? It is certainly a bit of a mystery. I just googled Roy Jinks and he is still somewhat active. Not sure how else I can document this 4596. Does anyone have any thoughts ? Thanks

 

[Jon651]

A 4596 is essentially the top end of a 4516 and the bottom end of a 4506. I put one of those together myself and it is my favorite .45 to shoot. There is just something right about that combination that feels good in my hand. I used the original no-dash models for mine, hence the flat-front trigger guard and the machined step in the receiver just below the ejection port.

 

[4506517]

I built this one and started a thread about it.

 

[d442]

Gents
I decided to send another application for a Jinks letter and requested Roy to address my early serial number and the round trigger guard. Specifically how this early 4596 was constructed with the round trigger guard while we at the Forum have only seen legitimate square trigger guards . I included pics showing various views and sent in my previous jinks letter referencing that I had originally inquired about this round trigger guard status. I got notice that my application was delivered to Roy Jinks in Warren Ma. and hopefully our Historian at the foundation will have some data to clear my 4596's configuration .

 

[skjos]

Since the original thread in 2014, there has been more information uncovered on the 4596. A Lew Horton letter confirmed that there was an order for 500 units, but only 457 units were delivered. The lowest serial number I've observed is TFA3675 and the highest TFA4115. All box ends observed have a Julian date span of 0115 to 0128 (04/25/1990 to 05/08/1990).
Your pistol fits within all these observations, however it includes a genuine round trigger guard and a different laser etching format (the serial number is below the model number, all other observed 4596 have the serial number above the model number).
If I was to guess, the original frame for your 4596 was somehow damaged and S&W replaced it under warranty with a later version of the 4506 frame. It would be interesting if Roy could find the repair record with your second request, if that is what happened.