Nuclearmike
Member
I've read with interest the thread about the WVSP buying new 4566TSW's and the discussion, both pro and con, about the merits of the 3rd Gen S&W autos that resulted and asked myself “Why do I keep buying these S&W autos? What is it that holds my interest?“ and I'm not sure I have a good answer. At least not objectively.
My objective, engineering oriented mind says things like “There are more modern, higher capacity handguns out there. A Glock or M&P is lighter, easier to work on myself” but these musings do not satisfy so last night I got my recently purchased 4566TW out of the safe in the hopes that I might find an answer.
My immediate impression was that this thing is a right and proper gun with good heft and classic looks. Ok, I think to myself that I might be onto something. Then I racked the slide and noticed how there are ridges milled into the frame that funnel a cartridge onto the feed ramp should they get slightly off track during feeding and thought that that is a subtle bit of design that is pleasing both to the eye and to one's mechanical sensibilities. I then field stripped it and remarked that the barrel is machined somewhat differently than any other semi-auto I've handled. Both in the way that it cams up and down during the firing and feeding cycle and how the crown at the muzzle end engages the barrel bushing and serves the collateral duty of keeping that area free of debris. Several other features are similar in that they are subtle yet well thought out parts of a well designed whole.
It then occurred to me that the appeal of a m1911 is in its elegant simplicity along with its classic aesthetics. The appeal of this 4566TSW, in addition to its appearance, is in the engineering and the maturity of its detail. That it is a culmination of many small, sometimes minute improvements that result in a handgun that attracts on both the intellectual and visceral level.
I have a feeling that this will not be my last purchase of these old, heavy, outdated 3rd Generation S&W Autos.
My objective, engineering oriented mind says things like “There are more modern, higher capacity handguns out there. A Glock or M&P is lighter, easier to work on myself” but these musings do not satisfy so last night I got my recently purchased 4566TW out of the safe in the hopes that I might find an answer.
My immediate impression was that this thing is a right and proper gun with good heft and classic looks. Ok, I think to myself that I might be onto something. Then I racked the slide and noticed how there are ridges milled into the frame that funnel a cartridge onto the feed ramp should they get slightly off track during feeding and thought that that is a subtle bit of design that is pleasing both to the eye and to one's mechanical sensibilities. I then field stripped it and remarked that the barrel is machined somewhat differently than any other semi-auto I've handled. Both in the way that it cams up and down during the firing and feeding cycle and how the crown at the muzzle end engages the barrel bushing and serves the collateral duty of keeping that area free of debris. Several other features are similar in that they are subtle yet well thought out parts of a well designed whole.
It then occurred to me that the appeal of a m1911 is in its elegant simplicity along with its classic aesthetics. The appeal of this 4566TSW, in addition to its appearance, is in the engineering and the maturity of its detail. That it is a culmination of many small, sometimes minute improvements that result in a handgun that attracts on both the intellectual and visceral level.
I have a feeling that this will not be my last purchase of these old, heavy, outdated 3rd Generation S&W Autos.
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