Considering purchasing a Model 4516 .45acp.
Anyone own/use one ?
Opinions ?
Thanks,
Jimmy
Anyone own/use one ?
Opinions ?
Thanks,
Jimmy
S&W Model 4516 .45acp
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swagmeister
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I had one several years ago. It was a very reliable and strong pistol, being all stainless steel. It would even feed fired .45 brass from the magazine, which I had read somewhere that it would. The only knock I have heard about them is parts for the 3rd Generation Smiths are very hard to find. I think (not sure) that I read somewhere that the Smith factory no longer works on them? I put several hundred rounds of all different types of .45 ammo thru it and it performed with no problems whatsover. You probably will have no problems with it. Good luck.
Had one back in the 90s when they first came out! Great gun but a real chunk of steel to EDC. Went to a 4513(?) alloy frame version with the 6rd mags.... mags were hard to come by...... so.... traded into a Sig 245.
Still have the 245.
All steel 45xx..... my choice is the 4566!
Still have the 245.
All steel 45xx..... my choice is the 4566!
I guess my experience with one was just the opposite of other peoples. Mine was a no dash, and I never could make it run no matter what I tried for ammo.
I sent it down the road.
I sent it down the road.
I own three smiths of this general era, a 9mm, a 10mm and a .45. I don't carry them much or shoot them much but they do run reliably.
Mehutch
Member
When I came back from being overseas, I bought a S&W 4516. It was okay. Nothing like a real 1911. Shortly after I sold it. Some might feel it is fine, I didn't. I almost bought a H&K USP .45, great gun, love it. But my heart and hand went with the Colt 1911, Defender, Springfield TRP and more recent a Kimber TLE, RL. Happy now.
4516 no dash reportedly had feed problems, hence the 4516-1 and the final 4516-2 as well as SW retrofits of the no dash version. As I understand there were mods to magazine and internals, including the recoil spring setup, and possibly including the barrel ramp - the 4516-1 cured some but not all problems. The 4516-2 is probably the go to version. But in fairness, there were many examples of 4516 and 4516-1 with NO reported problems.
If you search 4516 versions or variations, or 4516 4516-1 4516-2 you can probably find threads with more details.
The later -2 versions had a dual recoil spring like the 4513TSW and the 4013TSW using a smaller diameter guide rod. I have a 4516 no dash that SW retrofitted to use the smaller diameter rod to use the dual recoil spring setup. It has a small bushing/sleeve in the guide rod hole in the slide.
There were 3 magazine versions and except for the final version with the black follower, they are NOT interchangeable. I have a 4516-1 mag that is marked 4516-1 only, must have yellow follower as I recall and the 4516 no dash had an orange follower. There were also changes in the metal lip geometry at top of magazines. The final version with black follower will work in all as well as 4513TSW 7rd and 457 and other 7rd 3rd generation pistols.
As pointed out earlier, the 4513 aluminum frame would be a lighter option.
Last edited:
OP
Thanks for the replies.
Purchased a Model 4516-2
Jimmy
Purchased a Model 4516-2
Jimmy
ColbyBruce
Member
I believe that Don Hume JIT belt slide holster I sent you for the 457 should fit the 4516.
jimmyj
I'm awaiting a 4616-2 also should be here any day congrats on your new to you firearm springco in austin texas has -2 recoil springs available (bought 2).Read up on the 4516 lots of great info, any mag will work in the pistol yellow orange black followers all work, Any sig P229 holster should also fit the 4516. Good luck with your new gun. If you ever want to sell some of the 8 round magazines from your 4506 let me know,
I'm awaiting a 4616-2 also should be here any day congrats on your new to you firearm springco in austin texas has -2 recoil springs available (bought 2).Read up on the 4516 lots of great info, any mag will work in the pistol yellow orange black followers all work, Any sig P229 holster should also fit the 4516. Good luck with your new gun. If you ever want to sell some of the 8 round magazines from your 4506 let me know,
PER SW, the mags are not interchangeable and are so marked - see photo. That being said, there are people who have successfully used mixed mags in the 4516 variants. For range use, I would not hesitate, but for serious use, I would stick with the late mags marked ES1 on front edge and with black followers.
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Exactly my own experience but I started with a 4506-1. It eventually seemed really obtrusive and heavy to me so I went with a 4516-2. Much improvement but soon after, I too went to the 6 rnd pre-rail 4513TSW. One round less in .45 acp didn't concern me.
My 4516-2 is a perfect running and accurate pistol. @ 12 yrs ago I went completely through it, smooved everything that needed it and added Wolf +/- springs. Marked improvement and I have no plans of separating from it.
Jim
rjm6120
Member
A local pawn shop has had a -2 variant for a handful of months now that I keep resisting. It's not a safe queen but it's in pretty good shape. I can't believe no one else has snagged it by now. If it's still there by June I'll probably try to cut a deal. I have a couple guns I need to pay off first.
squidsix
Member
Leiden used to talk about the 4516 saving his skin when he was undercover all the time. He positively loved that pistol.
I had a 4516 and put a 4566 slide on it to make a 3rd gen CCO. It was really a great setup.
I often carry a 4513 "Recon 45" which is the same size as the 4516 but a few ounces lighter. It is a great pistol.
I had a 4516 and put a 4566 slide on it to make a 3rd gen CCO. It was really a great setup.
I often carry a 4513 "Recon 45" which is the same size as the 4516 but a few ounces lighter. It is a great pistol.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
xfarfuldog
Member
I'm going to echo the other posters above. I owned a 4516-2 which functioned perfectly but proved to be too heavy. Sold it because I also own a TSW 4513. Finding 6 round mags has been problematic but I have several 7 and 8 round mags. I purchased a 457 coincidentally from the 4516 purchaser. I will be going to the range this week with the 457 and a HK 45c (my 2nd). Buy a 4516 to replace a 4566 or 4506 not as a viable carry gun due to weight issues. YMMV
I have a 4516-1 which I use for target shooting on 27 yards. I use SWC reloaded.
Last week I had to use for a dynamic match since my pistol I normaly use for that was broken (again)
I used factory ammo. Did not win the match but had much fun, worked very well. I was suprised how wel myself.
So good choice, perfect gun. Congratulations on the buy.
Last week I had to use for a dynamic match since my pistol I normaly use for that was broken (again)
I used factory ammo. Did not win the match but had much fun, worked very well. I was suprised how wel myself.
So good choice, perfect gun. Congratulations on the buy.
If looking for a 4516, look for a -2. These had improvements over originals and -1 models . Plenty of info in other threads here in the forum. Yes they are heavy all steel but will last forever. For carrying go lighter with a 4513 or 457. Both alloy frames and lighter for carry but excellent guns . Parts are still plenty easy to come by for the 3rd gen semis.
I've got a 4513TSW and I'd bet my life on it. Infact, I do, it's one of my regular carry guns.
Handy size, just a tad thicker than my 3953 (also a carry gun) and 7 .45 "flying ashtrays." I had a member here slick it up and trigger is now smoooth, and put a FO on the front end. It carries quite comfortably in Don Hume 30-1 IWB.
Handy size, just a tad thicker than my 3953 (also a carry gun) and 7 .45 "flying ashtrays." I had a member here slick it up and trigger is now smoooth, and put a FO on the front end. It carries quite comfortably in Don Hume 30-1 IWB.
The 457 is a completely viable alternative for carry. Other than the blocky slide and plastic sights it's not a lot different (functionally) than a 4513.
4506517
Member
Go with a Glock 30 or 30S.
It's actually a successful design that's still in production long after the 3rd gennies have been retired.
Now that's if you want a gun that works. If you want one to post about how much you wish it was still in production and how the factory "should" start producing them again, go with the 4516.
This entire part of the forum is dedicated to posts about how S & W "should" still be producing them.
It's actually a successful design that's still in production long after the 3rd gennies have been retired.
Now that's if you want a gun that works. If you want one to post about how much you wish it was still in production and how the factory "should" start producing them again, go with the 4516.
This entire part of the forum is dedicated to posts about how S & W "should" still be producing them.
Always keep your 4516's, whether 16, -1, or -2. Great guns. The -2 had improvements over all the priors. Yes too heavy for practical carry but excellent guns. 18 DAI wrote extensively about all of them in addition to the 457's, 4513 TSW, and even the elusive 4516-3. Sure miss that guy...
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