[deereman]

I have never owned or shot a S&W auto, or know of any one who has. What do the Highroad fans out there think of them ? Also looked at a S&W 4596 today. The person claimed there where only 500 made. What is so special about it and would it be worth $550.00 ?

[Daniel Watters]

I believe the production number is closer to 382. This alone should answer your question...the less of something produced, the more collectable it will become.

[Big Mike]

Ok, I know what the 45 means, but what does the "96" represent? I have never heard of this model so I'm curious...Mike

[Daniel Watters]

It is a 4506-1 frame mated to a 4516-1 slide.

[James Bondrock]

It may be one of a limited run made for a wholesale distributor. S&W and other companies have done this in the past. If the slightly shorter slide and barrel of the 4516 on the full size 4506 frame appeals to you, I see no reason not to buy it. But I would not pay a premium price for it, nor would I expect substantially increased resale value.

[pwrtool45]

I think it goes something like this:

39xx - single column 9mm.
59xx - double column 9mm.
40xx - double column .40
45xx - single column .45

xx0x - traditional DA/SA, slide-mounted safety
xx4x - DAO
xx7x - DA/SA, decock lever only
xx1x - DA/SA, slide-mounted safety, bobbed hammer

xxx6 - stainless steel
xxx3 - aluminum
xxx5 - blued steel


It is a 4506-1 frame mated to a 4516-1 slide.

DAMN YOU! I was THIS CLOSE to figuring out their model numbering scheme! THIS CLOSE! AND YOU RUINED IT!

AAAAAGGGGHHH!!!

*head asplodes*

[Grunt]

Hmm, don't remember off hand but what S&W .45 model is it that has a frame mounted decocking lever ala-Sig? Could that be it?

[shep854]

If my sooper-dooper digital decoder ring had read the stars correctly, and sunspots are few, xx7x indicates a frame-mounted decocker, so a SS .45 with Sig-style decocker should be "4576"

Of course, if the planets are not in correct alignment, this could be a bit off...

PS; Didn't S&W put out a "whiz wheel" to decipher their model numbers?

[deereman]

No decock. Looked like it was typical DA/SA, with a pretty short barrel.