SW 4506 Different Models?

[Gary73]

I am new to gun collecting, so please forgive my ignorance
Back in the early 1990's, I was a Police Officer in Gainesville, Florida. We were issued the 4506 as our duty weapon, and what a great gun it was!!! It has been twenty years since I was a police officer. To begin my gun collection and relive fond memories, I have been searching to buy the same model 4506 that we were issued at GPD.

It has been difficult to find the matching model 4506 because I did not realize there are so many different variants. I thought there were only two, the 4506 and the 4506-1. But after looking at numerous photos on the web, there appear to be many more variants of the 4506.

Leaving out individual custom police department models, were there only the four versions below for the 4506? Or were there more? And if so, what were they?

4506 = stepped frame, square trigger guard
4506 = non-step frame, square trigger guard
4506-1 =non-step frame, round trigger guard, silver trigger and cock lever, straight back strap
4506-1 (-3)= non-step frame, round trigger guard, black trigger and cock lever, straight backstrap

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!!
Gary

 

[UNCLE PAULY]

Welcome to the forum Gary.

I was searching for all I could find on the 4506 and came across "18DAI", a LEO who was very helpful.
Ended up buying a 4506-1 (3) with adjustable rear sights.
Forum member "18DAI" knows more than most about the 4506. Here is one of his posts: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/254358-4506-1-r4-dash-3-a.html

You can also use the search feature to find posts by others on this fine pistol.

 

[spistols]

The real answer....buy them all, then figure out which one you like, and most likely you will keep the rest!

 

[dajonga]

Have you reached out to your old department? I would bet someone there knows the answer and would be happy to help an old comrade.

 

[Mark IV]

4506-1 =non-step frame, round trigger guard, silver trigger and cock lever, straight back strap
4506-1 (-3)= non-step frame, round trigger guard, black trigger and cock lever, straight backstrap

Is ''cock lever'' another term for "hammer"?
Also, you should look up the years that each variant was introduced. By comparing these to the year you were issued your pistol, you might could at least narrow it down some, if not identify it exactly.

 

[Alk8944]

Is ''cock lever'' another term for "hammer"?

No!. Should have read de-cock lever.

 

[18DAI]

Welcome to the forum!

The first 4506 was the no dash with stepped frame, hooked trigger guard and flash chromed hammer and trigger. There was a rib running along the top of the slide too. It was available with both fixed and adjustable sights.

Then the 4506-1. Some early 4506-1 had the hooked trigger guard but no step in the frame or rib atop the slide. They had flash chromed hammers and triggers. Again Fixed sights or adjustable were offered.

The 4506-1 with rounded trigger guard is next. No step in the frame. Flash chromed hammer and trigger. Fixed or adjustable sights.

Next is the 4506-1 with black/blue hammer and trigger. The early guns had forged hammers and triggers.

The last are the 4506-1's with black MIM hammers and triggers. The hammer spur is different and has depressions on either side of the spur. The trigger has a "sprue" type mark on the left side. The vast majority of late production 4506-1's had the black MIM hammers and triggers.

Hope this helps! In any case there is no such thing as a bad 4506 so you would be well served by any variant. Regards 18DAI

 

[Gary73]

Just what I needed

Hi 18Dai,

That's exactly the info I was looking for! Thanks!!

I have a 4506 mfg in 1989 with a square trigger guard and the stepped frame. Strangely, it has two all metal mags (with no plastic tops or bottoms). The gun also does not have a matte finish and appears to be polished.

With your expertise on the 4506, I hope you can answer a few mysteries I have on this gun:

1) Did the 4506 ever come with all metal mags?

2) Did all the 4506's come from Smith&Wesson with factory matte finishes or did some come polished?

3) During the early 1990's, did Smith and Wesson make a 4506 (not the 4506-1) with a hooked trigger guard and no step in the frame?

Your help and everyone's on the forum is greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks Guys!!
Gary

 

[18DAI]

1) S&W never wastes anything. So I wouldn't be surprised if some early 4506 came with the mags that had metal followers and metal baseplates. Those mags with the metal follower and baseplate were actually from the model 645. Early 4506 no dash models that I saw had mags with red/orange plastic followers and black plastic/nylon baseplates.

2) Every NIB 4506 / 4506-1 that I've ever seen or come across on the auction boards had a matte or "satin stainless" finish. Im unaware of any factory polished 4506 or 4506-1. Now that said, I know of some 645's that came from the factory with polished flats. And some that were engraved and factory polished too. So, I guess it is possible that the same treatment could have been applied to the 4506.

3) I have never seen a factory 4506 no dash without a step in the frame. But I have seen photos on this very board of an early 4506-1 with a hooked trigger guard and of course, no step in the frame. If you look around the first 10 pages or so, you may come across the thread.

One word of caution concerning the "all metal mags". Back in the day there was a problem with these. Often the baseplate would shift forward and all your rounds would be dumped onto the ground. The mags with plastic followers and base plates eliminated that potential disaster. So I would advise only using those all metal mags for range fun, not serious purpose.

Im no expert, just an end user. I carried a 4506-1 on duty for many years. It always made me look good during qualifications. Great pistol that we will probab.y not see the likes of again. From s&w anyway. Hope this helps! Stay safe! Regards18DAI

 

[jughed440]

3) During the early 1990's, did Smith and Wesson make a 4506 (not the 4506-1) with a hooked trigger guard and no step in the frame?

3) I have never seen a factory 4506 no dash without a step in the frame. But I have seen photos on this very board of an early 4506-1 with a hooked trigger guard and of course, no step in the frame. If you look around the first 10 pages or so, you may come across the thread.

Gary, I have recently purchased a 4506 as you have described...and if 18DA has not seen one, then it must be a hen's tooth variation.

Here are pics of it...before purchase, and after.

 

[Gary73]

Gary, I have recently purchased a 4506 as you have described...and if 18DA has not seen one, then it must be a hen's tooth variation.

Jughed440,

The 4506 you show in the pictures is the exact version of the 4506 I have been searching for. You have a PM.

Thanks for posting the photos.
Gary

 

[18DAI]

Jughed440 that is one fine looking 4506. I would letter that one for sure!

Ive never come across one like that. Were I a betting man, Id wager it comes back as a pre-production gun or salesmans sample. Either way a rare bird indeed.

IIRC it is very similar if not identical to the hooked trigger guard 4506-1 I mentioned seeing in another thread here. Once again we are reminded to never say never where s&w is concerned. Thanks for sharing it with us! Regards 18DAI

 

[Gary73]

Jughed440 that is one fine looking 4506. I would letter that one for sure!

Ive never come across one like that. Were I a betting man, Id wager it comes back as a pre-production gun or salesmans sample. Either way a rare bird indeed.

IIRC it is very similar if not identical to the hooked trigger guard 4506-1 I mentioned seeing in another thread here. Once again we are reminded to never say never where s&w is concerned. Thanks for sharing it with us! Regards 18DAI

Jughed440's version of the 4506 is the same exact version used by the Gainesville, FL Police Department back in the early 1990's when I was a LEO there. Back in those days, the GPD had close to 300 officers and everyone was issued the same version of the 4506, so they must have ordered at least 300 from S&W. So it must have had a production run at S&W and not a sample. We may have discovered another standard version of the 4506, or maybe it was a custom order for just the GPD.

 

[jughed440]

Jughed440 that is one fine looking 4506. I would letter that one for sure!

Ive never come across one like that. Were I a betting man, Id wager it comes back as a pre-production gun or salesmans sample. Either way a rare bird indeed.

IIRC it is very similar if not identical to the hooked trigger guard 4506-1 I mentioned seeing in another thread here. Once again we are reminded to never say never where s&w is concerned. Thanks for sharing it with us! Regards 18DAI

You have me wondering now..I'll check into it.
I realize that S&W doesn't use serial numbers in proper order, but this 4506 with a stepped frame has a "TEZ" prefix. So maybe mine is a pre-production sample.?.?.

Smith & Wesson Model 4506 45 ACP W/ Box NO RESERVE : Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com

 

[Gary73]

You have me wondering now..I'll check into it.
I realize that S&W doesn't use serial numbers in proper order, but this 4506 with a stepped frame has a "TEZ" prefix. So maybe mine is a pre-production sample.?.?.

Smith & Wesson Model 4506 45 ACP W/ Box NO RESERVE : Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com[/QUOT

Jughed440, the photos of the 4506 you originally posted show a 4506 without a stepped frame. The website url you put on your last message shows a different 4506 with a stepped frame. Which gun are you guys referring to?

 

[jughed440]

Jughed440, the photos of the 4506 you originally posted show a 4506 without a stepped frame. The website url you put on your last message shows a different 4506 with a stepped frame. Which gun are you guys referring to?

If the serial numbers were used in proper order, mine ("TEP") was made while stepped frame versions, like the "TEZ" 4506 in the auction, were still being produced.
Does that make it ("TEP") pre-production, or a special order???...not sure.

 

[jughed440]

Looked around and found another no "step" 4506. This one has the adjustable rear sight. From what i can make of the serial# it looks to be very close to mine.
(already sold)
Smith & Wesson 4506 in cleveland, Ohio gun classifieds -gunlistings.org

 

[KSDeputy]

About six months before I retired, my Sheriff's Office changed from the 645, to the 4506. Mine had been to the range once (50 rounds). When I retired, as per our contract, I was given my duty sidearm. My 4506 was cleaned and has had a nice home in the safe ever since. It was among the first ones made, 4506-1, the serial number starts with VYV, beyond that I don't know much about it. The magazines have black followers. I also have some magazines with orange and yellow followers. If I can answer any questions for you, I would be happy to.

 

[loeman]

My 4506 no dash with fixed sights has absolutely zero rare features. No box or docs either. It would be nice if it did, but it doesn't. However, what it does have is amazing accuracy, 100% reliability and an off the charts cool factor!

Good luck in your quest for the exact 4506 you had with the GPD, but don't obsess over it, just go out and get a really nice 4506 and start having fun. I'd recommend one with fixed sights.

 

[18DAI]

Forgive me for bumping an older thread. It would appear that jughed440 has identified another variant of the 4506. If someone else agrees, perhaps this thread should be nominated to the notable thread index.

I would also suggest that skjos add this variant to his excellent catalog list of 3rd gen models. Regards 18DAI