3rd gen 45acp pistols

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - 3rd gen 45acp pistols

Posted: 10/18/2016 7:45:35 AM EDT

What do you guys think of the S&W 3rd gen 45's?

Can anyone reccomend a part source and gunsmith who repairs these? S&W no longer works on these!

Posted: 10/18/2016 9:51:40 AM EDT

[#1]

I was a part time officer in 1994-95 at decent sized department. Full timers were still issued S&W 66 revolvers but could purchase own 3rd gen autos or Beretta 92. The officer who purchased all went with 3rd gen .45's.

Posted: 10/18/2016 9:47:25 PM EDT

[#2]

Nice guns. Heavy. Don't really offer anything a Glock doesn't. Pretty much a doorstop if you happen to need some more exotic parts. Mags cost a lot.

Yes, I had 3 4566TSW's at one point.

Posted: 10/20/2016 4:19:08 PM EDT

[#3]

I had a 4586 for a while. It was big, heavy and reliable. I liked it, but I really didn't warm up to the DAO trigger.

Posted: 10/20/2016 6:30:30 PM EDT

[#4]

Well, I have 3. 4506-1, 4566 and a 4516-1. Yeah, able to do emergency duty as an anchor, but they go "bang" when they should, will hit to the sights of you do your part, and feed just about anything (including empty cases).

Posted: 10/20/2016 6:46:52 PM EDT

[#5]

Can I have one!

Posted: 10/25/2016 6:18:32 PM EDT

[#6]

CS 45
Thick as a 2 x 4 by far the most reliable 45 I have owned (it has a 3.25 inch barrel also), maybe the most reliable firearm since it has not malfunctioned once, ever

Posted: 11/18/2016 6:10:32 AM EDT

[#7]

I've had a few.

4506 sq guard & adj sight was my first handgun.
4506-1 I used on a security job in the 90s (replaced by a G23 which helped my back).
4546
4586 late 90s production.
4583TSW

I prefer DAO S&Ws but was saddened by the 4583TSW trigger. Heavy & sad.

The 4546 was an absolute dream. I now only buy early 3rd gen guns as they have always had better triggers for me.

Magazine costs are an issue with the 45acp now. Gone are $15 trade in mags of years past.

Posted: 11/18/2016 6:18:03 AM EDT

[#8]

I had one but preferred the 2nd gen 645 for a few reasons...I have 4 of 'em. 2 fixed and 2 Adj sights

I know how to tweek and keep 'em runnin', what's yours need ?

Posted: 11/20/2016 1:55:01 PM EDT

[#9]

Two are one, one is none. (a couple of PD-surplus 457 model .45s).

Posted: 11/20/2016 2:19:23 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Two are one, one is none. (a couple of PD-surplus 457 model .45s).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/Guevera/IMG_0225_zps81e9d092.jpg

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Nice. Should've kept mine.

Posted: 11/21/2016 6:34:34 PM EDT

[#11]

I have a 4506-1, a 4566, and a 4566 TSW. Amazingly crafted pistols. They'll feed empty shell casings.

Last I checked. S&W still services 3rd Gens through the PC.

Posted: 11/21/2016 6:35:56 PM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:

Two are one, one is none. (a couple of PD-surplus 457 model .45s).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/Guevera/IMG_0225_zps81e9d092.jpg

View Quote

Got one for $150 and sold it like an idiot for $200 back in the day

Posted: 11/23/2016 7:27:29 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
What do you guys think of the S&W 3rd gen 45's?

Can anyone reccomend a part source and gunsmith who repairs these? S&W no longer works on these!

View Quote

The .45's are great guns. I thought S&W was still offering their 3rd Gen reliability package, trigger job and refinishing. I just email the PC about my 4586.

What gun are you inquiring about? Parts and magazines are challenging to find but Midway USA & Numrich offer many parts. Magazines prices are going up. The 4500 series 8rd magazines still can be found NIB. Used magazines can be found on Gunbroker, then rebuilt with new followers, Wolff +5% springs and base plates. I rebuild 5 magazines Monday night with all new parts. I used a fine polishing cloth on the magazine tubes to shine'm up nice and new looking.

A competent gunsmith should be able to repair a S&W 3rd Gen 4500 series gun. The guns are fairly simple to work on. I'm fortunate to have a semi-retired gunsmith that's a S&W armorer.

Let's hear what you're thinking about.

Posted: 12/13/2016 7:22:35 PM EDT

[#14]

I've been getting into the 3rd Gen Smiths over last few months.

Have a couple of 4586s at the moment - much prefer the S&W DAO to the Glock trigger - the DA/SA action versions feel too long for first shot and too short for following shots - the DAO is nice. Looking to add a 4546 if I can find one for a reasonable price.

Posted: 12/19/2016 7:42:17 AM EDT

[#15]

Love my "L.E. trade-in" 4566.

In fact, I liked it so much after the first 200-rds of ball ammo that I shipped it off to Tripp Reseach for their hard-chrome treatment. It returned looking like a new gun, something a super-stud undercover cop might've carried back in the '80s.

The tritium inserts in the original Novaks were still visible in low-light too.

That was about 7 years ago, and for a while it even fell into my cold-weather/wintertime EDC rotation. I was still shooting it with mild reloads up until last summer, but now that S&W reportedly isn't servicing the 3rd Gens anymore, and critical parts appear to be scarce (Brownells used to stock them), I'm leering of possible breakage.

So now, it's pretty much been relegated to the Collector Section of my Weapons Locker, right next to my 3rd Gen 10mms, an early 1006 and a 1076.

S&W 4566.

Posted: 12/20/2016 3:25:09 PM EDT

[#16]

Parts are available, I believe Numrich bought all of Smith's 3rd Gen parts.

Haven't had any issues getting what I needed.

Posted: 12/20/2016 3:36:33 PM EDT

[#17]

My CQB45

Posted: 12/21/2016 8:20:57 PM EDT

[#18]

Wow, I like the two tone.

Posted: 12/23/2016 3:56:58 AM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:
Love my "L.E. trade-in" 4566.

In fact, I liked it so much after the first 200-rds of ball ammo that I shipped it off to Tripp Reseach for their hard-chrome treatment. It returned looking like a new gun, something a super-stud undercover cop might've carried back in the '80s.

The tritium inserts in the original Novaks were still visible in low-light too.

That was about 7 years ago, and for a while it even fell into my cold-weather/wintertime EDC rotation. I was still shooting it with mild reloads up until last summer, but now that S&W reportedly isn't servicing the 3rd Gens anymore, and critical parts appear to be scarce (Brownells used to stock them), I'm leering of possible breakage.

So now, it's pretty much been relegated to the Collector Section of my Weapons Locker, right next to my 3rd Gen 10mms, an early 1006 and a 1076.

S&W 4566.

View Quote

From what I have seen, I don't think you can hard Chrome an alloy frame gun. That's a shame, because I have a 5903 and a 6946 that would look really nice like that.

Posted: 12/23/2016 7:16:19 AM EDT

[#20]

4566 is all steel. No aluminum alloy frame. The PC production 4563 is analuminum alloy frame with a carbon blue slide.

Posted: 12/25/2016 1:07:41 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:
4566 is all steel. No aluminum alloy frame. The PC production 4563 is analuminum alloy frame with a carbon blue slide.

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Yes, I am aware. I was finishing a thought in my head, just on screen

Just a sad thought that all my S&Ws are lightweights so no bling bling for me (except a 66-4 and a Brazilian 1917 but it's likely a crime to bling out either of those).

Posted: 12/25/2016 8:39:14 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:

From what I have seen, I don't think you can hard Chrome an alloy frame gun. That's a shame, because I have a 5903 and a 6946 that would look really nice like that.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Love my "L.E. trade-in" 4566.
In fact, I liked it so much after the first 200-rds of ball ammo that I shipped it off to Tripp Reseach for their hard-chrome treatment. It returned looking like a new gun, something a super-stud undercover cop might've carried back in the '80s.

The tritium inserts in the original Novaks were still visible in low-light too.
That was about 7 years ago, and for a while it even fell into my cold-weather/wintertime EDC rotation. I was still shooting it with mild reloads up until last summer, but now that S&W reportedly isn't servicing the 3rd Gens anymore, and critical parts appear to be scarce (Brownells used to stock them), I'm leering of possible breakage.
So now, it's pretty much been relegated to the Collector Section of my Weapons Locker, right next to my 3rd Gen 10mms, an early 1006 and a 1076.
S&W 4566.

From what I have seen, I don't think you can hard Chrome an alloy frame gun. That's a shame, because I have a 5903 and a 6946 that would look really nice like that.

Well, my 4566 shoots great, runs hiccup-free, and the hard-chrome finish still looks 100%.

I'm more concerned with parts-replacement if something goes t.u.; ... hence, the reason why I'm reluctant to shoot it much more ...

... Finding parts for my 4566 could evolve into one more adventure I don't really need.

Posted: 12/25/2016 11:36:40 PM EDT

[#23]

I have two 45 3rd gen with mags that I'm going to put up for sale after the new year. Anyone interested just email me.

Posted: 12/26/2016 2:28:04 PM EDT

[#24]

Just shot the LEOSA course with my 4566 (used the 4516 last year). Shot clean, no stutters, using some cheap lead reloads I got at Dick's a few years ago that needed to be turned into brass.

Posted: 12/26/2016 4:25:38 PM EDT

[#25]

People keep worrying about parts for theses guns. In 2011 the West Virginia highway patrol got 750 new 4566 TSW's . I'm sure S&W has parts to service these pistols. My 4026 with its frame mounted decocker would be hard to get some parts for but most common models I think you would be ok in getting parts ( except for frame replacements) . My 4566 rarely makes out out to the range but my 4026 and 3913 have been getting a work out every week.

Posted: 12/29/2016 9:56:08 AM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
People keep worrying about parts for theses guns. In 2011 the West Virginia highway patrol got 750 new 4566 TSW's . I'm sure S&W has parts to service these pistols. My 4026 with its frame mounted decocker would be hard to get some parts for but most common models I think you would be ok in getting parts ( except for frame replacements) . My 4566 rarely makes out out to the range but my 4026 and 3913 have been getting a work out every week.

View Quote

I don't know, ... there seems to be a lot of contradictory info out there.

I know a few folks have called Smith on this issue and were told by the call-center rep that they no longer service these guns. Brownells used to stock Smith 3rd Gen parts, and many of the common parts cross-over to other models, e.g., a number of the 45XX-series parts are the same as used in 10XX-series models.

That said, about a year ago a cop-friend had something break on his (personally-owned) off-duty 9mm 5903, which he's fired umpteen-thousands of rounds through since getting it way back whenever .... He called S&W about getting it fixed (IIRC, it was the little trigger-return spring or "cup"), and Smith gave him the go-ahead to return it. He got it back in about 10-days all fixed, cleaned, and with new springs. No charge either.

But maybe if you're L.E. or Mil, you get a different response in a situation where your duty/off-duty S&W pistol is involved.

Posted: 1/7/2017 4:07:05 PM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:
Two are one, one is none. (a couple of PD-surplus 457 model .45s).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/Guevera/IMG_0225_zps81e9d092.jpg

View Quote

Your picture seems.....familiar.

(First try on new ARFCOM software to post pics. No idea how this is going to look.)

Posted: 1/7/2017 4:12:41 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:

Your picture seems.....familiar.

(First try on new ARFCOM software to post pics. No idea how this is going to look.)

http://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/1028/80180.JPG

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Two are one, one is none. (a couple of PD-surplus 457 model .45s).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v717/Guevera/IMG_0225_zps81e9d092.jpg

Your picture seems.....familiar.

(First try on new ARFCOM software to post pics. No idea how this is going to look.)

http://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/1028/80180.JPG

Mmmmmmmm

4505-1

Posted: 1/8/2017 2:09:36 AM EDT

[#29]

Some one say something about these things eating empty brass? Totally love my 4506-1! By the way, 745 will eat empty brass as well.

https://youtu.be/0iKheuu3Veo