Swapping 3rd Generation uppers

[18DAI]

I had a conversation with forum member Bullman this afternoon that got me wondering. I am of the impression that SOME slides are compatible, with SOME like frames.

I have switched a 4516-3 slide onto a 4566 frame, as well as a few 4506 frames. It operated/fired, accurately and safely. No problems.

I put a 6904 slide on a 6906 frame Sunday, checked it for function and fired 150 rounds through the franken 6906 trouble free.

I have never seen any unusual wear, or damage from doing this.

I have encountered problems with a late revision slide not fitting, or going onto an earlier revision frame.

I have a 4505 slide that only will go on early production 4506 frames. The original slide from my 6906 would not go on my early production, hooked trigger guard 5906 (thus ruining my plans for a stainless SSV).

Am I correct in my assumptions that this is a safe practice, and there is nothing to be concerned about with compatible frames and slides, or have I missed out on important details? Regards 18DAI.

 

[18DAI]

I had a conversation with forum member Bullman this afternoon that got me wondering. I am of the impression that SOME slides are compatible, with SOME like frames.

I have switched a 4516-3 slide onto a 4566 frame, as well as a few 4506 frames. It operated/fired, accurately and safely. No problems.

I put a 6904 slide on a 6906 frame Sunday, checked it for function and fired 150 rounds through the franken 6906 trouble free.

I have never seen any unusual wear, or damage from doing this.

I have encountered problems with a late revision slide not fitting, or going onto an earlier revision frame.

I have a 4505 slide that only will go on early production 4506 frames. The original slide from my 6906 would not go on my early production, hooked trigger guard 5906 (thus ruining my plans for a stainless SSV).

Am I correct in my assumptions that this is a safe practice, and there is nothing to be concerned about with compatible frames and slides, or have I missed out on important details? Regards 18DAI.

 

[KurtC]

The early PC guns were little more than swapped out slides. I've been doing it for years with the pre TSW guns. The TSW series are all hand fitted, and swapping them doesn't work much of the time.

 

[Grinder]

Originally posted by KurtC:
The early PC guns were little more than swapped out slides. /QUOTE]

Really ?

 

[KurtC]

In the early '90s, before the current PC started tinkering with things like full length box rails and Briley bushings, the custom shop would just put short slides on full size frames or put long slides on compact frames.

I remember some compact 9mm's with 4" slides, and some full size .45's with 3.75" slides on them. There were also some two-tone models.

 

[orangehole]

KurtC is probably talking about the PC 3900 with the long slide and PC designation on the slide and perhaps the Lew Horton 4596 (full size 4506 frame with 3.75" slide)

18DAI, I actually dit the reserve of what you tried. I took my 5903 SSV and tried a full slide 5906 slide that a forum smith did for me and it fits fine.

 

[Gunhacker]

18DAI... In my opinion you have it exactly right, and except for the revision differences, it stands to reason that most slides & barrels within the same basic platform are interchangeable.

If you think about how the manufacturer would go about things in order to keep production costs optimal... you would make a basic side/frame platform that could be used as a spring board to make different chambering and configurations, thus capitalizing on the versatility of the basic platform, and reduce the amount of tooling needed to produce the variations.

You would also find a means of turning your lemons into lemonade... longer slides/barrels with defects at the muzzle end while not suitable for a standard model, are still very usable for making a compact version. So who's to say that a slide put on a 4516 or 4566, didn't start out life at the factory initally as a 4506 slide.

A good example of this is the early M41's and the optional 5 inch "field barrel" (not the current 5.5 heavy barrel).

Those shorter field barrels came about from the factory coming up with a away to "recycle" rejected 7" barrels by loping off the part with the defect near the muzzle end to create a perfectly good 5" barrel... not unlike getting a usable piece of lumber by cutting off the end part with the knots.

So have at it... it sounds like you've done your "due diligence" in observing and figuring things out for what they are.

 

[AKAOV1MAN]

I wanted a shorter 645. Sent it to Wayne Novak and he fitted a 4516 upper to it with no problem. Then he did an action job that is the best I have ever encountered on any Smith Auto. Even with the short upper it is big chunk of steel to lug around, but when the situation calls for a 45, short or long, it really does the trick-also Wayne did an accuracy job, it puts rounds into the same hole that any of my accurized 1911s will. It is definitly on my "never sell" list.

 

[Hoplophile]

8-10 years ago I tried switching the slides on a 5906 and 3913 -- both mid-90s production guns. Ran a box of ball though each without any problems. Thought about it, done that, it worked. Then I put the original pieces together, having put my mind at rest!.

 

[RufusG]

Recently tried it with a 45 no dash and a dash3. No workie, as 18DAI suggests.

 

[Zebulon]

Having had a 5903SSV, and loving that full grip/Short Slide configuration....Instead of trying to put together my own 4596, is there a 4500 frame that is maybe 1/2-1" shorter than the 4506/4566 Grip? I love the 45XX Pistols, but perfection would be a grip about that much shorter....This is a great thread....Thanks all....Zebulon

 

[RufusG]

4516, et al is one round shorter than a 4506.

 

[Zebulon]

Thanks Rufus...has anyone ever tried another upper on the 4516 frame?.....Does anyone want to try it? Zeb

 

[Bullman]

well, what I was considering was getting a 6906 upper that 18DAI was no longer using and putting it on my 6904 frame so I would have a more rust resistant carry gun, I carry IWB and sweat profusely just thinking about heat. My 04 is one of the early hooked trigger guard models while his upper comes off of a later model rounded trigger guard gun. I would like to think it would work, but I just don't know. If I had known he wanted a blued slide so bad I would have maybe talked trade with him

 

[KurtC]

Originally posted by Zebulon:
Thanks Rufus...has anyone ever tried another upper on the 4516 frame?.....Does anyone want to try it? Zeb

I've use both a 4.25" and 5" uppers on my 4556. The 4.25" (4586) balances perfectly, and is my normal work gun. The 5" is too heavy in front for the compact grip.

 

[Zebulon]

Great! That's what I needed to hear....I used to swap my 6906/6904 slides back and forth just because I could...they were both early hooked frames though....This could be real fun! Zebulon

 

[18DAI]

Zebulon, I regularly put a 4566 slide on my 4516-3. Works great, and as KurtC says it balances perfectly. Regards 18DAI.

 

[Zebulon]

18DAI.......E-mail returned...Can you contact me? Zebulon

 

[18DAI]

Zebulon - I fixed the problem, I think. I'll be in the squad Tuesday morning. If the Email dosen't work, call me at (336)342-8790. Regards 18DAI.

 

[QRS911]

Wondering if anyone has had any experience with the 4053 / 4053TSW / 4056TSW combination.
Specifically - can a 4053 (not 4053TSW) slide assembly be installed on a 4056TSW. The S&W CS rep I spoke with, said he thought the "Slide Stop Notch" was located in different positions - can anyone confirm this?
He also mentioned the 8 round magazine for the 4053 cannot be swapped out with the 9 rounders which accompany the 4053TSW / 4056TSW – can anyone validate this.

Thanks in advance.