[mvdemarco]

I'm looking at a used/mint S&W 4516. It is an early model, not a -1 or -2. Anyone have first hand experiance with this model? Need follow up please!

Thanks!!

MIke

[nbkky71]

I don't own one myself, but back in my college days we used to take one plinking quite a bit.

The gun was quite hefty, but not uncomfortably so. We would only shoot the cheapest ammo we could find (usually 230gr blazer) since we were poor college kids. Recoil was quite stout, as I remember.

Fit and finish seemed on par with with most 3rd gen S&W autos. I never did like the plastic grips on them myself.

Not a bad pistol overall. If you're looking for this as a carry gun, I think that there are better choices out there.

[mvdemarco]

I am just going to use it as a range gun.

[MrMurphy]

They're decent... For a range piece, I'd prefer a Ruger P90.

[The Reverend]

a 4516-2 and from that first hand experience, I can say that the the 4516 is a very good compact .45. The 4516 was modified and altered to improve the functional reliability. Most of the design changes were done to the slide. I believe additional weight was added as the primary change.

You should probably handle the gun and shoot it to see if this particular example is reliable. Beyond that, most if not all of S&W 3rd generation guns are EXCELLENT and their quality is on par with SIG, HK, and others. And this coming from a SIG owner and lover.