School me on 3rd gen 45s...lots of questions

[Red Leader]

Hey all,

I'm brand new to the forum here, though I've checked it out for a while. Looking forward to staying for a while.

I have come to appreciate/discover the value in the 3rd gen S&Ws as I have owned a 3953 for about a year now and although I haven't had a ton of experience with many different makes of pistols, it is the finest single stack 9mm I've ever held. Love it.

In fact, I love it so much, I'm starting to think about picking up a 3rd gen 45 as well. However, I don't know much about these pistols, but I want to learn as much as I can.

I'm starting to become more familiar with the 4513, 4516, 4553, 4556, 4583 and 4586 pistols as far as their length, grip side, and frame materials go. Also the 457. I'm thinking about picking one up for carry, but I'm having a little trouble deciding. Honestly I'll probably own several some day, but I'm trying to be efficient here

I love the DAO of the 3953, although I have not tried the DA/SA of the 45x6 pistols. After looking at several pictures and reading up, I'm thinking about the 4513/4516/4556/4553. From what I hear the 4553 is incredibly rare...so that might be a 'quest' pistol. Here are a few questions I have about some of these fine guns:

1. The dash: 4516-1, 4516-2, etc...what does it mean? When was it implemented? Are the variants of the pistol without any dash less reliable due to slide inertia? How can you tell...does it say right on the pistol or is it something deciphered in the serial #?

2. MIM vs SS. The 3953 I have has the SS trigger, sear, and hammer. I love it. Why did S&W move to the MIM stuff? Cost? When did they do it...is there a year? Breaking issues with the SS designed parts? Has anyone heard of breaking issues with either one? Is a trigger job on the MIM out of the question due to just surface hardening? Is one variant more valuable than the other? Can you swap an MIM pistol over to SS parts as long as you change the trigger, sear, and hammer?

3. The 457 - I've heard some of the other variants (4516..etc) had issues w/ slide inertia and were subsequently corrected with the dash models (I think?). Is it safe to say that all the 457s incorporate the same changes made to the latest and most reliable dash-numbered pistols?

4. I saw a picture of a 4586 slide on a 4556 frame. To me, this seems like a match made in heaven, the perfect carry 45. How else can you get there since the 4556 is so rare? 457 frame, 4586 slide and SS parts? What is compatible and what is not? I know it would cost a bit but still much cheaper than a lot of other pistols out there. Any thoughts?

Guys I know this is a lot of questions, but any amount of info is appreciated. Thanks for any insight you can provide! It is much appreciated

 

[KurtC]

I've already forgotten most of the questions you asked, but I'll take a shot at them.

There were only about 400 of the 4556 made, in 1991. I've owned at least 1/2 dozen over the years, so they do turn up now and then. Below is a pic of a 4556 with the 4586 upper. It balances perfectly.

Your 3953 hammer and trigger are not stainless, they are carbon steel that has been flash chromed. The factory stopped this in 1994, when they started using blued steel parts. They didn't start using MIM until about 1999. It was phased in gradually, depending on the model.

The 4553 is a great pistol, very similar to your 3953. There were 2 versions. The first one had a chopped grip, to accept a special 6 round magazines. The later version had the same size grip as the 4556. I may have a lead on one in a few weeks.

 

[sniper47]

Greetings. Most folks love the 4506, I however prefer the classic look and feel of the 645. I have owned many 4506's over the years, but keep coming back to the 645. I have also owned 4566, 4516, 4586 and currently have a 4563TSW. I have since sold off the other 45's and now sport the 645, 4563 and a SW99 in 45ACP. Your best bet would be to handle and shoot as many as you can to determine which you like best. Since you are familiar with the DAO, you may gravitate to the 4586. One more thing, you will prolly end up like most of us and not just stop at one or two. Once you start shooting the 3rd gens, a recessive gene pops up and you start buying more and more. Its a disease.

 

[Catshooter]

Here's my answer to the disease:

It gets no better than this. Sorry, just the way it is. Although a 645 with an aluminum frame and built like the Shorty would be sweet.

Good luck.


Cat