S&W 4516-1 Input!

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Some time ago I had an S&W 457, entry level quality .45acp. It shot like a tack driver with handloads and as we have all done, I sold it. It was kind of blocky but I wish I had it today. I want a .45acp carry piece, and now have a 4516-1 on the way and would like to know if anyone has had experience with this model. TIA, Stan
 
What I recount here is strictly my own experience so take it for what it's worth. I once owned a 4516-1 some years ago. At that time it seemed an excellent carry weapon. It was a slim, good feeling firearm with one severe flaw. It was an unreliable feeder...it wouldn't feed 200gr SWC, it wouldn't feed 230 Hydrashock it wouldn't feed anything but ball. I don't mean once in awhile, I mean it couldn't get through 2 full magazines. I was annoyed so sent it back to the factory, they swore it fed just fine so when it came back I tried it again...second magazine through it jammed EXACTLY like it had before...Next trip back the svc mgr called me and said it'd fed 90 rds (hydrashock) and was perfect! So they weren't going to do anything to the gun, told me some crap about 'tight match chamber' (yeah, right)...When it came in I had the gunsmith sell it (I never even touched it again)and I applied the money to a Sig. Never looked back..Lest you wonder, yep I gave it around 1K rds to break it in before I started counting failures....Hopefully they've gotten better. Sorry I can't say better things...
 
I sold a DAO 3953 today at a loss to finance a CZ75. The Smith autos with aluminum frames are very top heavy and this combined with a very high bore axis makes them very painful to shoot even in 9mm.
 
Regarding the statement about Smith autos with aluminum frames being painful to shoot, I can't agree. I have a 4013TSW, it shoots like a dream and recoil is not sharp at all. Actually, recoil is rather mild, and this is with full power factory ammo. It's really a delight to shoot. Much has been made about Smith autos having a high bore axis, being top heavy, and yadda yadda yadda, but I've owned several, all aluminum framed, and find them to be well balanced and easy to shoot, and believe me, I consider myself a recoil wimp. I considered getting a Glock 23, but found the recoil to be sharp and unacceptable for me. The 4013 shoots like a .380 in comparison.
 
I bought a 4516-1, used, in Tucson back in the early 90's. Other than being a little on the heavy side - it's fantastic. 100% reliable with anything I've ever fed it. The mags should have yellow followers and have a warning something like " for use in M4516-1 only" or words to that affect. I don't understand all of the aluminum frame comments above since the 4516's, as far as I know, all all steel-framed. Maybe I'm just old and slow. Anyways, I had a chance to buy another one early this year - but opted for an M-4506AS, instead, to pair up with my 645/645AS/745. The 4516-1 is a great little quasi-Commander - you won't regret the investment. Good luck - Geo:)
 
Thanks for all the experience with the 4516. This is not my first experience with Smith autoloaders. During the Bangor Punta days, I owned two Model 39, dural framed 9mm pieces of absolute junk. Would not feed, shoot or do anything close to what one would expect from such a tool. A couple years ago I picked up a 59, dural framed hi-cap 9mm. It was a dream, pleasant to shoot, RELIABLE (100%), PRECISION, felt like a Browning HP in the hand, and then I sold it. Then I had a 915 and it was a modern, entry level "improvement" of the 59 and equaled it in performance exactly. It felt and pointed and performed like the 59, just didn't have the finish. Then I picked up the 457. It functioned reliably (100%), precision shooter, but it was a bit blocky, that is it felt slide heavy in the hand. So, I appreciate the input on the 4516-1. There is nothing like the actual experience of individuals who have owned them, and I guess I will ring this one out at the range and report back to the group. By the way. When I say 100% reliable, I mean each and every round, not a blip every once in awhile. 100%, not 99.9. Thanks again guys for the input. I can't wait to shoot it.
 
I have a Smith 439 that I shoot and carry. The aluminum frame saves a couple of ounces and makes it easier on the hip. I have no problem controlling the recoil, even though I shoot +P ammo. Granted, it has more felt recoil than my TZ-75, but the TZ weighs 8 ounces more unloaded and holds twice the ammo, making it a very heavy 9mm.
 
The 3953 I just had was LOUD. The muzzle flash was bright as well and after 50 rounds, my hand throbbed. I was able to make one jagged hole at 7 yards. It was very reliable and well built but I hated shooting it and I am not new to handguns.
 
My department issued them in the early 90s, but took them out of service due to reliability problems. In our general orders carrying the 4516-1 is prohibited.
My .02, speaking with the armorers and instructors, they did not like it. But I loved the 457, FWIW.
 
Mine is top heavy and it has the typical feel of a SW trigger but it's slim and has been absolutely reliable.
 
I advise you to beware of the barrel crown and inspect before taking delivery. Every Smith I saw on my dealer's floor had dings in the crown. For some reason, Smith does not grind off or smooth of the crown and the rifling goes directly to the end of the barrel making it susceptible to accuracy-damaging dents, dings and other maladies.

Mine was dinged up and thus I attribute this to the less than stellar accuracy.
 
I carry a 4513TSW as my primary CCW. I use 230gr Golden Sabers.

It's top heavy, but what do you expect with a 45 that small? The single-stack grip with the cut-out for the 6 rd mag makes it very short, and it's perfect for a CCW. If you need more info on my holsters or other stuff, let me know.

Have shot 10's of thousands of rds through it. All factory loads. eats Remington, Winchester, Federal. Ball or HP. Almost no failures, but did have this strange situation where the cartridge going into battery ended up on the wrong side of the extractor (the breach did not close completely). After some extractor recontouring, and highly polishing the breach, everything is working great. I have lot's of pictures of this very polished baby.

Just got done doing my own trigger job on it. Here it is just before reassy.

1temp.jpg
 
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Just sold mine to a good friend. Always reliable, shot anything I wanted to feed it (including cheap lead reloads), not problem 1 during my ownership. I bought it new in the early 90's.

I sold it to help pay for a 1911 style compact .45 I bought about 10 months ago, a Kimber Ultra CDP.

The reason I went with another .45 was due to the weight of the S&W 4516-1. This gun is all stainless, and was a redesign of the 4516. The -1 (and subsequent models) have beefier slide & frame than the 4516; if you can find a pic of the original gun you'll see the frame is stepped down past the grip area (similar to a hi-cap 9MM).

Nice gun with Novak 3-Dots, ambi-safety, etc. but for me was too heavy for some carry conditions. Too many times I left it home & carried my .380 Mustang. But, YMMV & if the weight isn't an issue you'll be well served if the one you have on the way is anything like mine.
 
Our PD got some 4516s for Detectives. Some of them were junk. The 4516-2s were better though. Most everybody now has HK USP Compact 45s both in patrol and dets. Nice toys!! The big 4506 Smiths were pretty decent but very heavy.
 
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