The 4506-1 approved this message.

[Rowlf]

First though allow me to save some folks some time. If you believe that the dreaded DA/SA is an insurmountable problem or detriment to accurate marksmanship, hit your back button now. If you believe a "manual safety will get you killed!" hit that back button. And if you believe that firearms companies are today "...making some of the finest handguns ever made!" hit your back button. Thanks!

I love this. I just got back my 6906 from S&W with a new barrel and a 3rd gen action package. Figured I'd reacquaint myself with the trigger after shooting and carrying a 1911 for almost 10 years. After about 250 rounds I realized that I shoot the Smith better than I've ever shot the Colt, even in DA. Now I've got a serious jones for a 4506.

If you would like demonstrate shooting DA/SA well and also try shooting a 4506 and 457 I plan to go to the CMP TALLADEGA MARKSMANSHIP PARK several times in the next few weeks. So far my plans are for Fridays but I can also be there on a few Thursdays. I can cover the range fee.

Pistol Range 3 has 25 and 50 yard electronic targets. I can also bring a 1911 set up for Service Pistol competition and Atlanta Arms 185JHP match ammo.

 

[snowman.45]

All very well said, 18DAI. I can't find any fault with any of your statements - dead on point. I just wish I still had any of 4500 series pistols. Maybe another will pop up now that I'm in a free state.

BTW, for those of you looking for a gun-friendly, conservative state to move to, I can't say enough about Arizona. Of course, considering I came here from the PRK, most anything is better; but Arizona is top-notch in a lot of regards. Oh, the heat? Don't worry, it's a dry heat, LOL. But truthfully it is only about 5 degrees hotter here on average than where I came from in the California San Joaquin Valley.

 

[18DAI]

Congrats on escaping the PRK snowman45! Regards 18DAI

 

[Denver Dick]

I'm fortunate enough to own and shoot a 4506-1, 4516-1, 4516-2, 4526, 4566, 4576 and 4586, as well as their mutual predecessor, the 645. I find these "Big Boy" 3rd Gens, like the small 3913s I own, very hard to resist when I run across a nice example. Ah, heck, let's face it I'm just a sucker for a nice 3rd Gen . . .

 

[snowman.45]

Thanks, 18DAI. We consider ourselves fortunate to have gotten out before it could get any worse. Just recognizing the rights we recovered in the move proved it was worth it. Funny, after 5 generations in both my wife's family and mine being there in our home town, you would think we would miss it. We don't. The sense of freedom here outweighs all other considerations. Of course, lower taxes, lower fuel cost, lower electric cost, lower grocery cost, oh Hell; lower everything doesn't hurt either. This is especially true with the much more conservative mind-set. Sure beats the Marxism across the border to the west.

 

[GaryS]

RE: North Carolina. My son works in Charlotte, but he and his family live just over the line in South Carolina. When he was looking to move from the Gulf Coast of AL, he looked in both.

They settled on SC because it's more tax friendly and after living in AL, he decided that NC, at least the Charlotte area "Aren't the south."

Charlotte is pretty blue politically, where they are in SC is still pretty red, but the demographics are changing as people move there from Yankee land.

To me, it's strange that people want to move out of North Carolina to somewhere, but since I only know the Charlotte area, I can't say more than that.

Regarding carrying with an empty chamber, I think it's silly. The Israeli military and police likely spend much more hours training in that draw and cycle the slide thing than the vast majority of civilian owners in the US would.

I trust my firearms and myself not to have a negligent discharge. As 18DAI says, things are likely to go sideways quickly even if you have good situational awareness. I don't want to purposely put myself at a disadvantage if I don't have.

To bring it back on topic, I have complete faith in my 3rd Gens and S&W revolvers to not suddenly decide to fire themselves.

 

[kraynky]

I have a 4516-2 enjoy shooting it and I have carried it concealed with ease. Actually dimensionally very close to my 45 Shield. Which BTW has a manual safety I use as described in OP post ie I render gun ready after holstering it.

The 4516 is a joy to shoot accurate and I have no issue with the da/sa transition.

I also enjoy my 4006. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My 4516 has as good of a DA trigger as just about any of my revolvers. I hope to shoot my 4566 into being as good. I do carry both from time to time. Took me a while to find a used Shield 45 with a safety, but with the triggers they have, I don't feel safe without one.

This is going to be a thread to s'cribe to. LOL! Thanks for the start up 18. Sorry, all of my photos are on my desk PC at work, but I'll be back there in a day or two...... we are certainly short on pictures here!

Found some of my pictures, but I see I definitely need a 4506 to add to these . This is my 4516 ND, a KSP 1076 and a never issued KSP model 4566 TSW.

 

[JayFramer]

The 4506 is just awesome.

Big. Bold. STEEL. A .45 full-size fightsman's pistol that AIN'T a 1911.

One gun S&W shoulda NEVER done got rid of!!

 

[Texas40]

we are certainly short on pictures here!

A side by side of my shield and my 4516-2.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[18DAI]

While it is not as pretty and certainly not as pristine as my friend vigil617s new 4506-1, here is a pic of my $300 "pawn shop rescue" 4506-1.

Along with the Galco IWB I mentioned earlier. Regards 18DAI

 

[vigil617]

While it is not as pretty and certainly not as pristine as my friend vigil617s new 4506-1, here is a pic of my $300 "pawn shop rescue" 4506-1.

Along with the Galco IWB I mentioned earlier. Regards 18DAI

Fixed it for ya!

 

[18DAI]

Thank you my friend!

I swear, it was right side up when I attached it.....??...... Best regards, 18DAI

 

[NavyEngineer]

I bought my 4506-1 "dash 3" with adjustable night sights from a member of the forum a few years ago, after he had Trijicon relamp the night sights. According to Mr. Jinks, it shipped to a police department in Connecticut in September 1997. It has some scuffs from being carried in a holster, but it is a great pistol - very accurate and easy to shoot.

 

[vigil617]

I bought my 4506-1 "dash 3" with adjustable night sights from a member of the forum a few years ago, after he had Trijicon relamp the night sights. According to Mr. Jinks, it shipped to a police department in Connecticut in September 1997. It has some scuffs from being carried in a holster, but it is a great pistol - very accurate and easy to shoot.

Great gun, NavyEngineer! Did the Jinks letter mention how many of the adjustable night sight models were produced? If I remember correctly, these are the most rare of the "dash 3" models.

 

[NavyEngineer]

Great gun, NavyEngineer! Did the Jinks letter mention how many of the adjustable night sight models were produced? If I remember correctly, these are the most rare of the "dash 3" models.

Unfortunately, although I specifically asked for information about the sights, the letter didn't mention them at all. I'm unsure whether that level of detail isn't included in S&W's records, or if Mr. Jinks forgot to include it in my letter. The paragraph about my pistol simply stated:

"We have researched your Smith & Wesson Model 4506-1 , caliber .45 ACP pistol in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number VZC2992 was shipped from our factory on September 24, 1997, and delivered to City of West Haven Police Department, West Haven, CT. The records indicate that this pistol was shipped with a 5 inch barrel, satin finish, and black plastic grips."

 

[18DAI]

GaryS it is interesting, to me, that the Jinks letter the seller of the Hartford PD 4506-1 has states; "...they were produced till 2003....".

I have seen 4506-1 "dash 3" guns, in the blue plastic clamshell cases that have fired case envelopes dated 4-28-08. The serial prefix on these guns was BEM. IIRC, they dated to 2006.

And there is a persistant rumor that the Nebraska State Patrol ordered a batch of 4506-1s as late as 2009. I have been unable to confirm that.

The BEM prefix guns had laser etched markings and the "Mod 4506" above the trigger guard. Perhaps the lack of a -1 threw off the "search history" and the last ones marked "4506-1" were produced in 2003. Dunno. Interesting though.

Perhaps one of the collectors who has more information will descend from Mount Springfield and enlighten the great unwashed. Regards 18DAI

 

[GaryS]

Some day, someone should write "Never say Never", the definitive history of guns made by Smith & Wesson that were never cataloged for commercial sale.

We know that 3914DAO and 3914TSW guns were made as late as 2012, maybe 2015. When were 3914 anything guns last cataloged?

It appears that if an agency had a large enough order and was willing to pay, then the factory would accommodate them.

Hence things like the WVSP 4566, CHP 4006, 3914DAO, and so on.

Of course, not being wastrels, they also seem to have made guns well after production stopped using left over frames kept for warranty repair and other parts from the bin.

Not to mention the potential for salesmans samples, one off factory specials, and other oddities.

I'm just speculating of course as those who know have retired and many have passed on.

GaryS it is interesting, to me, that the Jinks letter the seller of the Hartford PD 4506-1 has states; "...they were produced till 2003....".

I have seen 4506-1 "dash 3" guns, in the blue plastic clamshell cases that have fired case envelopes dated 4-28-08. The serial prefix on these guns was BEM. IIRC, they dated to 2006.

And there is a persistant rumor that the Nebraska State Patrol ordered a batch of 4506-1s as late as 2009. I have been unable to confirm that.

The BEM prefix guns had laser etched markings and the "Mod 4506" above the trigger guard. Perhaps the lack of a -1 threw off the "search history" and the last ones marked "4506-1" were produced in 2003. Dunno. Interesting though.

Perhaps one of the collectors who has more information will descend from Mount Springfield and enlighten the great unwashed. Regards 18DAI

 

[NavyEngineer]

The second to last paragraph of my 4506-1 letter is below. Maybe the boilerplate for the letters was never updated to reflect later production?

"The Model 4506 was last cataloged in 1999 and replaced in 2000 by the shorter barrel Tactical Smith & Wesson series. These models are the 4563TSW and 4566TSW which have a 4.25 inch barrel and are the traditional double action like the Model 4506. Although this 4506 was discontinued in 2000 the company continued to manufacture it and supply limited production runs to our various distributors until 2003."

 

[18DAI]

Quite possibly NavyEngineer. Or, perhaps these BEM prefix guns were overuns from earlier orders, that sat in storage, like the 4566 Melonite guns that CDNN sold back in 2014/2015 and the cases were fired then marked prior to shipping to a distributor.

But, not being a collector, I don't know, for sure. It would be interesting if a 4506-1 "dash 3" owner has a Julian date code on the box end label that IS later than 2003. Regards 18DAI

 

[18DAI]

I am taking my pawn shop rescue 4506-1 to the range today. Concealed in the Galco IWB. Practicing what I preach. And with the same gun I preach about.

Going to take the 457 along too. Finally try it out with the new BMCM installed Novak sights. Heres hoping it finally comes together with the 457. Regards 18DAI

 

[les.b]

I wish I had known that you guys liked these....I traded this one even up for a 1960s Colt Detective Special....

Edit...Roy said this one shipped September 1996...

Best Regards, Les

 

[mbliss57]

This is an excellent thread. I am a little surprised though. All this adoration and affection the for 4506- x. What about the blued version 4505? I don't see it even mentioned In this thread yet it's essentially that same pistol. I believe they produced this in 1991.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GaryS]

Not that many were made. One year production and in the words of the SCSW "Scarce gun, few sales reported."

There was also a 4503, but since only 10 were made, you won't hear much about them.

This is an excellent thread. I am a little surprised though. All this adoration and affection the for 4506- x. What about the blued version 4505? I don't see it even mentioned In this thread yet it's essentially that same pistol. I believe they produced this in 1991.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Denver Dick]

I bought my 4506-1 "dash 3" with adjustable night sights from a member of the forum a few years ago, after he had Trijicon relamp the night sights. According to Mr. Jinks, it shipped to a police department in Connecticut in September 1997. It has some scuffs from being carried in a holster, but it is a great pistol - very accurate and easy to shoot.

Here is my 4506-1 from 1997. Roy Jinks called it a "Special Order Los Angeles Police." What drew me to it in the consignment case about 11 years ago was the factory Adjustable Night Sights. I had not seen those on a 3rd Gen up to that time. And frankly, I've not seen them on any of the other 3rd Gens I've seen since. Here are some photos, including a section of the factory letter I ordered sign by Roy Jinks.

 

[Denver Dick]

Unfortunately, although I specifically asked for information about the sights, the letter didn't mention them at all. I'm unsure whether that level of detail isn't included in S&W's records, or if Mr. Jinks forgot to include it in my letter. The paragraph about my pistol simply stated:

"We have researched your Smith & Wesson Model 4506-1 , caliber .45 ACP pistol in company records which indicate that your handgun, with serial number VZC2992 was shipped from our factory on September 24, 1997, and delivered to City of West Haven Police Department, West Haven, CT. The records indicate that this pistol was shipped with a 5 inch barrel, satin finish, and black plastic grips."

I asked him a question about the adjustable night sights, too. As you can see in his letter from 11 years ago, he did address it, but not with much information. I think Roy gave a little more detail in his letters back then.


By the way, since Roy did not mention night sights at all, does the date on the Trijicon night sights match the year of the pistol? I have seen these pistols with after market Trijicons.

 

[NavyEngineer]

I bought my pistol from a forum member, who bought it used without box or papers. He stated that he sent the slide in to Trijicon to replace the dead tritium vials. The rear sight has no markings at all, and the front sight has Trijicon markings from 2013. Without any confirmation from the factory letter or the original box, I don't know whether my 4506-1 was shipped with adjustable night sights, or if they were installed later by a police armorer or private owner. Based on the sights being dead a few years ago, I would guess they were installed soon after delivery, if not by S&W. I do like the adjustable night sights, and plan to replace the tritium vials when they get dim again.

 

[mrstang01]

I've never owned any of the big 45?? series, but always wanted one, just never hit it at the right price. I loved my little 3913, but now there are so many choices that are lighter and/or carry more ammo, it's hard to justify keeping it.

 

[Mithrandir]

S&W 4506 been one of my EDC for a while. I have back pain right at the belt line...so if my back hurts, I have my 4506 in a shoulder rig with 2 spares under right armpit....
I have the habit when holstering of engaging the safety/hammer drop, and once in the leather, I pop the safety off again... with the shoulder rig, I think it might be an added level of safety to be safety on whilst inserting, but the safety isn't as conveniently located as a 1911, plus being DA/SA, safety off once in the holster is plenty safe.... oh... yeah... I think maybe I got in this habit when I was learning double-taps and 2-body, one head.... as the gun was cocked after that first shot and it was essentially the same as putting a cocked single action in the holster unless hammer dropped.....
(My other EDC is a shield with the 2 rnd mag extension... though I hate plastic guns, this little pistol has been extremely reliable over thousnads of rounds... and I am aware of one industry gentlemen who has 15,000 rnds thru a rental)

 

[18DAI]

The was a fella here, years ago, who had a documented 28K through his 4506. He maintained it and changed the recoil springs every 3K.

When last we heard from him, it was still ticking away. Reliably and accurately. Fine guns. Regards 18DAI

 

[Mithrandir]

Regarding "CCW".... not too common here in the peoples republic of californiastan... but a few of the inland counties are pretty dang close to "Shall Issue"....
My observation... newbie CCW'ers are pretty anal about not "Printing"... after about 3 to 6 months, most folks just make sure their shirt or over-garment covers it...because we quickly learn, most folks.... even LEO's.. just don't notice....
Only once EVER has someone detected my firearm and commented.... only because the shoulder strap was showing cuz the collar of my jacket slipped down.... he didn't see the pistol print....