Anybody shoot a S&W 4506?

T

TheRaskalKing

New member
Alright S&W 4506 owners, sound off! I've been interested in this gun for the last little bit and have been reading up on them, but I want some firsthand accounts. What do you like about them? How do they shoot? What don't you like? How do they stack up against other all steel .45s? Would you recommend it as my first gun in .45 ACP?

I've found a few online for under $500, some under $400, but that makes me a little wary, because in my experience you really do get what you pay for. What's a fair price for one in good shape? What should I look for in a used one?

Many thanks in advance!
 
I've owned a few 4506 pistols. They are absolutely great guns. They are accurate, reliable, good looking and they take a beating like nobody's business. They sell cheap these days because they are no longer the flavor of the month. Polymer guns are in vogue. If you are looking for an all steel .45 in traditional DA/SA then you won't find a better gun anywhere. The 4506 is the best of the breed.

As for the prices. Around here they go for $500-$600 bucks for one in excellent shape. $400 will bring one with a bit of finish wear. Don't worry about getting one cheaply, it will most likely be rough cosmetically but you can't kill them.
 
I own a 4506-1. Excellent gun. Shoots well, eats whatever I feed her. My only dislike is it's a boat anchor. Can be had for around $500 in these parts.
 
I have one and it shoots fine. Stone cold reliable.

The only issue I have with the gun is a very annoying "click" when the trigger resets.

A gunsmith showed me the little leaf type spring that is causing it. I have opted to leave it alone.

Funny thing though, I have a 5906 that is a carbon copy of the 4506 except in 9mm that does not have the "click."

I don't shoot the gun much because of it. It is REALLY distracting.

Geetarman:D
 
I currently have two 4506-1's. They are actually the unofficial "dash 3" variant made for LE agencies after the official cessation of production.

Both of mine are tack drivers and bet your life reliable. I've used one as a duty gun. I'm still qualified with the type as well.

The second 4506-1 of mine is as accurate as my Colt Gold Cup. A friend who was the captain of the local sheriffs pistol team has shot it several times and claims it is a "1 inch gun" ie capable of one inch groups at 25 yards. Maybe in his hands. ;)

IMO the 4506's are VERY underated 45's. I prefer a 4506 to all 1911's - and I own some nice 1911's too.

I advise you to get it, shoot it, love it! Regards 18DAI
 
Without causing a stir, if you haven't tried a 1911 yet, do so first.
Especially if it's possible to try the 4506 at the same time.
You'll find that the 4506 will probably feel downright clumsy by comparison.
Otherwise, the S&W is a very desirable, high quality gun.
Of course there's nothing wrong with having both.
 
I've shot Springfield, Les Baer, and SR1911s to name a few and I love the feel of a 1911, definitely plan on owning one in the near future. The reason I'm asking about the 4506 is I've been interested in them for awhile and found one for $425 shipped.

Just wanted some owners opinions as I don't have access to one to shoot first.
 
There is no .45acp out there that is or has been made thats any better than a 4506.
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As much as I like them (4506s), I like the Smith Model 945 even better. Hard to compare an S&W 3rd generation, da/sa pistol (the 4506) with a much more costly sa, that has 1911 "features"-but isn't a 1911, pistol (the 945) fairly. But you did say any ".45acp out there". :)
 
I also think the 4506 is a great gun, if you like the hammer DA/SA design. It is so sturdy that I have no hesitation to fire .45 ACP +P loads, in fact that is what mine stays loaded with. Home defense and all that!

Mine is a 4506-1 with the older squared-off trigger guard. Lots of room for a gloved trigger finger. I think that may be a rare sub-version.

A year back I bought a like-new 4566 for $400, here in WA State. It was a private sale at a gunshow so no sales tax. It is sort of a Commander version of the 4506, still a steel frame.

And my 457 is an even smaller version, with an alloy frame and less expensive sights and finish. All 3 of these (and all other 3rd-Gen S&W) have the same feel to the trigger pull. Learn one and you know them all, except for the amount of muzzle flip on the lighter ones.

Bart Noir
Who thinks he may need a 3rd-Gen in .40 S&W.
 
Mine is a 4506-1 with the older squared-off trigger guard. Lots of room for a gloved trigger finger. I think that may be a rare sub-version.
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FWIW for the uninitiated, the 3rd-gen full-size pistols were generally introduced with square trigger guards. These were superseded in the late 90s by rounded trigger guards with checkering on the front; the checkering was later deleted from most models in the early 2000s. Keep in mind this applies mostly to the full-size pistols; most of the compact models had rounded non-checkered trigger guards from the start.

I can't comment on the relative rarity of the M4506-1 with the squared-off trigger guard.
And my 457 is an even smaller version, with an alloy frame and less expensive sights and finish.
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The standard version was the M4516; the M457 was the "Value Series" equivalent.

FWIW- again for the uninitiated- the "Value Series" guns had less refined frame and slide machining, coarser finish, no RH-side ambi decocker/safety lever, and plastic guide rods and sights. Later 9mm and .40S&W Value Series models locked up on the ejection port rather than on a cutout above the barrel like the standard models, although I'm not sure about the M457. The M457 was the only Value Series .45.
 
I have had a 4506, Loved the gun, fit my small hands pretty good. Very comfortable to shoot. You will not be unhappy with it, it will make you smile every time you fire it. As far as the 1911 goes they are comfortable in the hand and to shoot. I just have never cared for the single action on them. I much prefer the S&W 4506 or my current S&W 645. To each his own, that what makes the world so interesting.
 
I've had a 1911 for over 15 years now.

I've had a 4506 for about 3 years now.

I like my 1911.

I LOVE my 4506.

It is one of the few S&W semi-autos that I think was done well.

Mine is a former police gun, I THINK it came from the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, police department, but I've not been able to confirm that.

It's reliable, it's accurate, the trigger is more than decent for a double action, since action is very nice, and the sights are good.

What's not to like about it?
 
I have a 4506, and a 4506-1

and they are both amazing pistols. I can't imagine a more perfect defensinve arm for a law enforcement officer. I carry mine whenever I feel the urge, and would take a 4506 over any other .45ACP pistol ever made at any price point by any maker. Period.
 
and would take a 4506 over any other .45ACP pistol ever made at any price point by any maker. Period.
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Pretty strong opinion and I do not fault you for it.

Have you tried different 1911 platforms? If not, you really should.

John Moses Browning really did design a fantastic firearm and some in the upper tier, while more expensive than a 4506, are fantastic shooters.

I have a 4506 as well as several 1911s. Don't sell the 1911 short, you will be missing some of the finest handguns to make it to a range...seriously.

Geetarman:D
 
I have tried many, many types of semi-autos chambered for .45 ACP, including a significant number of 1911s.

I would take the 4506 over all of them.

The only truly close competitors I can think of off the top of my head are the Ruger P345 (grip feel) and the Sig 220.

To be perfectly brutal, NONE of the 1911-type guns I've shot beat the 4506.

About the only thing that does beat the 4506, in my opinion, is my Model of 1917 S&W.

I loves me my revolvers.
 
tried them?

Let's see:
Ithaca 1943 WWII 1911.
Springfield MilSpec 1911A1
STI Ranger
Springfield "loaded" full sized
Springfield Champion Stainless
Colt Combat Commander .38 Super
Springfield "Compact" (4" barrel and OACP frame)
Colt Officer's ACP by Jim Hoag
Norinco 1911 custom (by myself. The only one I did all on my own)
Colt CCO
Kimber Pro Carry
Les Baer Stinger
and I think I'm missing one or two.
All but one of these is long gone and not missed.
This:
IMG_02241.jpg

Is the one I prefer over all of those. By a VERY wide margin.
 
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