Who can tell me about the 4563 CQB?

[Alex Inman]

It's my dream pistol to own someday and I've only been aware that they are in the 1K to 2.5K price range and depending on the color you want determines how much more rare it is. I don't know too much about it and especially the pistol it self.

 

[vigil617]

Try this for starters, Alex, and I hope some of the members here who own these will drop by and share their photos and experience with the CQBs. I've never owned one, but I'm definitely a fan!

Confirmed production nos. on 45 CQB models

 

[Alex Inman]

Try this for starters, Alex, and I hope some of the members here who own these will drop by and share their photos and experience with the CQBs. I've never owned one, but I'm definitely a fan!

Confirmed production nos. on 45 CQB models

What does CQB mean?
I don't think it was mentioned in the article unless I missed it

 

[4T5GUY]

I too have been interested in a Close Quarter Battle for a while. It's really the last one I want. Surprisingly enough it's been a tough one to find for me. Well they're out there but selling for way too much for me. I've gotten three super nice/desirable early P.C. examples for the price of just one CQB. In fact I got my 845 Limited, excellent w/everything for almost half the price of what the CQB's are selling for. A trashed CQB, just the pistol went for over a thousand a few years ago.

But who knows. I never thought I'd find a 45 Recon let alone for what I payed for it.

Jim

 

[Stentor]

I picked up a stainless CQB (170105) a year or so ago; they're great pistols (don't see many for sale).

 

[4T5GUY]

So, a year ago or so what did you pay for it?

What was the finish?

Thanks

Jim

 

[Alex Inman]

I picked up a stainless CQB (170105) a year or so ago; they're great pistols (don't see many for sale).

I know the stainless steal with the black slide is the most common to find and not as rare as the stainless steal one which you have and the all blacks one.

 

[CALREB]

I haven't seen one for sale for a while. Here is mine 1 of 20,ordered in 97, received in early 98, all stainless, not marked CQB just 4566.

 

[Rock185]

I had both all stainless and all black alloy framed CQBs. I've had the alloy gun for about 20 years or so, and bought the stainless not that long afterward. I bought both of them new, though it took some hunting to find the all stainless. I still have the alloy gun. I carried it every working day for a year and a half or so, with never a malfunction of any kind. If one likes DA/SAs chambered in .45 ACP, within my humble experience the CQBs are among the best. Shame they are no longer made. I don't think we will ever see guns machined and fitted to the level of the older Performance Center guns again. Having owned SIG P210 pistols, and several PC guns, I would rate the earlier PC guns the 210's equal as to precise machine work inside and out, fit of barrel/slide/frame, accuracy and reliability.

 

[18DAI]

Nice 45s. From back when the Performance Center was a seperate entity staffed by talented gunsmiths with decades of experience and who also participated in shooting sports.

Here is a pic of perhaps the rarest PC 4563 45CQB. One of one with a prototype serial prefix. Used in the American Handgunner article on same. Regards 18DAI

 

[vigil617]

Nice 45s. From back when the Performance Center was a seperate entity staffed by talented gunsmiths with decades of experience and who also participated in shooting sports.

Here is a pic of perhaps the rarest PC 4563 45CQB. One of one with a prototype serial prefix. Used in the American Handgunner article on same. Regards 18DAI

I still think that the way the CQB Billboard is done on this prototype (18DAI's gun, in another photo he took) is far more attractive than what S&W decided to do on the four "production" Performance Center models. Sure, it involved additional machining cuts, but they made a great pistol look even better.

Alex, I get it: wanting a short production run Performance Center pistol is a worthy desire. But with prices what they are, and the fact these don't come up for sale very often, a more obtainable objective would be one of the 4563 guns, with internals enhancements by someone like BMCM here on the Forum. Even a bone-stock 4563 would likely provide you with a good-looking, well-made, and accurate pistol to own and enjoy shooting. Just a thought.

 

[Alex Inman]

I still think that the way the CQB Billboard is done on this prototype (18DAI's gun, in another photo he took) is far more attractive than what S&W decided to do on the four "production" Performance Center models. Sure, it involved additional machining cuts, but they made a great pistol look even better.

Alex, I get it: wanting a short production run Performance Center pistol is a worthy desire. But with prices what they are, and the fact these don't come up for sale very often, a more obtainable objective would be one of the 4563 guns, with internals enhancements by someone like BMCM here on the Forum. Even a bone-stock 4563 would likely provide you with a good-looking, well-made, and accurate pistol to own and enjoy shooting. Just a thought.

I really want one someday and the good thing out of it is the color I want is the one that is the easiest to find out of the 3. Do you want one? Or do you already have one?

 

[Rock185]

Alex, I tried to answer your PM but apparently your mailbox is full.

 

[s&wchad]

Keep your eye open and have cash at hand, you never know what you'll stumble across!

I bought this two-tone CQB 4563 (alloy frame) Over 10 years ago at a show in Lansing. It's a nice gun and I've been sorely tempted, but I haven't shot it because of the collector status. Supposedly, there were 211 made for Lew Horton. My Kimber Pro CDP I is about the same size and weight and I'm comfortable with it, so the CQB just sits in the collection.

They originally came in a Doskocil pistol case with PC labels, but mine was in a PC aluminum case when I bought. The previous owner also had a PC 9 Recon in an aluminum PC case and told me he purchased them like that when S&W hosted a special promotion at a local shop. I can't verify his claims, but I still regret not also picking up the 9 Recon.

 

[18DAI]

My prototype 4563 45 CQB came in the aluminum PC case. My stainless 4566 CQB came in the black plastic Doskicil case. Regards 18DAI

 

[NavyEngineer]

Here's mine, which I purchased a few months ago, after receiving much helpful advice from 18DAI. It was like new in box (came in the black Doskocil box), but I couldn't resist firing it. I am very impressed with the build quality.

 

[caryj1s]

cqb

To me: The black 4563 looks the best, the 4566 feels the best, but one of the two tone's hangs out with me most often.

 

[vigil617]

While we're talking about the 4563 CQB, I can't help mentioning that I'm sorely tempted to spend $1,600 to get the one in unfired condition with three mags, but no box/case or papers, that made a previous appearance here on the Forum last year and has been up for sale twice on one of the gun boards, though a bit well-hidden.

I know it's too much, given that it's not complete, and fortunately my gun fund is way below what would put me in a true quandary about whether to purchase it. But since another Forum member who knows about it has apparently decided not to go forward, I can't let this opportunity go by and not mention ol' number 211, the last of the series.....

 

[18DAI]

vigil617 that is NOT a bad price on that gun. Buy it! Best regards, 18DAI

 

[b_san]

These all came in labeled black doskocil cases with the gold PC sticker, even the 2 tone PCZ.