Color me envious. That's one sweet-looking pistol.

It is a beauty. Having had both a 4506 and 1 of 1,200 4505s, I could never accept the new poly line of S&W pistols. My 4505 popped up after 16 years in its box, used but mostly carried, in a Pennsylvania gun shop. I spied that box from 20 feet away and new it was a special piece. Where did they all go?

Those that have them are keeping them!

I've seen two customers at the range recently enjoying their 3rd Gen pistols. One was a pristine 1006. The other a well used 4506-1. Both gentlemen agreed that it is a shame that a comparable pistol is no longer made by or even supported by s&w. There IS an untapped market for guns like ELKabongs 4566TSW.

I still use and carry them daily. This thread caused me to break out my Melonite LE sales sample. I shot it and carried it the last two days. It won't be going back into storage anytime soon. Regards 18DAI

Yes and I completely over looked the 10mm guns. I have long felt if a gun maker decides to stop production on certain models, even due to market changes, they should offer up the old designs to new makers to build. Im not knocking the M&P line. They have their following.

quote:

Originally posted by 18DAI:
I still use and carry them daily. This thread caused me to break out my Melonite LE sales sample. I shot it and carried it the last two days. It won't be going back into storage anytime soon. Regards 18DAI

Your Performance Center .45 CQB?

The early 4566's came without the rail, and during the run one was added, not picatinny spec. It was riveted to the dust shroud which was thickened on that model to reinforce it. Some have removed them as it opens up a lot of alternate holsters for use. That rail adapter also only fits Smiths, the manufacturer made a different one for 1911's. Combat handguns were starting to sprout lights and lasers, the output was pretty sad but it filled a niche.

There was another production change from milled hammer and sear to MIM - this was the mid 90's IIRC - and the result was a much smoother trigger, no machine marks, and it broke in beautifully. Nonetheless traditionalists bemoaned the old roughly machined triggers as "better" while also sending them out for a polish to clean up the action. The MIM were substantially as good out of the box.

Gun enthusiasts are funny like that. Happens a lot.

TSW's had a different script on them which was a bit "billboard", slanted laser etched. Mine has that, the MIM trigger, and the riveted dust cover, sourced from a TX dealer who likely got it as an LEO turn in about 8 years ago. There's a bit of carry rash on the right side, a common indicator. Smiths were already being collected, especially the 10mm and Chiefs, I thought I was getting into the game late - cost me about $475. Mags are hard to find as those were already getting snapped up, yet they are identical to 1911 mags except for the mag retainer hole location. Some have altered 1911 mags with the correctly located hole and rely on them.

Great trigger, smooth shooter, and a historic example of the last of the steel framed LEO guns.

No, my PC 4566 and Prototype PC 4563 45CQBs are parked in the safe. I have one of the RJF Prefix Melonite 4566s and one of the KJF prefix Melonite 4566s with forward slide serrations. That one is used and is 1 of 25 or so that were made up as LE sales samples.

I searched for one for almost 20 years after seeing it on a fax'd copy ad in a local Cop shop in the 90s. Through the kindness of a friend I aquired it off Armslist 4 or 5 years ago. Great pistol!

Now I am hunting for one of the OPs examples. Regards 18DAI

Until i went Sig my carry was a S&W 4553 that was a L.E. trade in, Buds Guns had them for crazy cheap in their L.E. shop,and you cant go wrong with a .45.

Very cool. What do we think its worth?

That is awesome. Nice find!!

Very nice find!