4506 v/s 1911 in 45 ACP
- Thread starter Onty
- Start date
- Status
Have him hold both.
The 4506 is a very durable and reliable gun. However, its ergonomics are less ideal than the 1911. Some people like them just fine. Some people think they're terrible. Only he can decide.
He should be able to get a good LE trade-in 4506 for about $300, or less, which is a lot less than a good 1911.
Mike
The 4506 is a very durable and reliable gun. However, its ergonomics are less ideal than the 1911. Some people like them just fine. Some people think they're terrible. Only he can decide.
He should be able to get a good LE trade-in 4506 for about $300, or less, which is a lot less than a good 1911.
Mike
What's "the same money"? In my area, a nice, lightly used 4506 costs a lot less than a similar 1911A1. If you're paying $600-800 for a 4506, they sure saw you coming a long way down the road, and if you're paying $300-400 for a 1911, it's probably not a big name manufacturer's flagship model.
The 4506 is out of production, so magazines and holsters may or may not be slightly more expensive. They are available as police trade-ins, which translates to quite reasonable prices.
1911's vary by manufacturer and model in terms of what kind of aftermarket modifications might be desirable, whereas with a 4506, you really just want some 3rd gen magazines with the black followers (as opposed to yellow or orange) and you've pretty much taken it as far as you need to go.
The 4506 is out of production, so magazines and holsters may or may not be slightly more expensive. They are available as police trade-ins, which translates to quite reasonable prices.
1911's vary by manufacturer and model in terms of what kind of aftermarket modifications might be desirable, whereas with a 4506, you really just want some 3rd gen magazines with the black followers (as opposed to yellow or orange) and you've pretty much taken it as far as you need to go.
Bottom line is that they're very different guns. The only commonality is that they both shoot .45 ACP, and have a similar mag capacity. This makes the choice even more subjective than the usual apples-to-apples comparison.
If he likes the ergos on the 4506, likes DA/SA, and thinks the trigger is OK, then he will be money ahead to go with the 4506. If he doesn't, then he will probably want to spring for the 1911.
Prices, as said, should be very different between the two. If they're not, he is either getting ripped off on the 4506, getting a beater 1911 (not always a bad thing), or getting a smoking deal on a 1911.
Mike
If he likes the ergos on the 4506, likes DA/SA, and thinks the trigger is OK, then he will be money ahead to go with the 4506. If he doesn't, then he will probably want to spring for the 1911.
Prices, as said, should be very different between the two. If they're not, he is either getting ripped off on the 4506, getting a beater 1911 (not always a bad thing), or getting a smoking deal on a 1911.
Mike
EddieCoyle
Member
I have a 4506 and it is by far my favorite gun. Have your buddy hold and shoot both the 4506 and a 1911. As the other posters have correctly pointed out, the ergonomics are quite different. Obviously I like the ergonomics of the 4506.
I'm not trying to start a war here but on average, a stock 4506 is probably more reliable than a garden variety, out of the box 1911 (ducking).
I'm not trying to start a war here but on average, a stock 4506 is probably more reliable than a garden variety, out of the box 1911 (ducking).
Gixerman1000
Member
You can buy a 1911 anytime at any shop from a choice of 25 or so different manufactures but a 4506 is not something that you’re always going to be able find and since it has been discontinued you can bet that as time goes on they are going to be harder and harder to find as they fall into the hands of collectors.
My 4506-1 has been a great pistol, they are smooth shooting, accurate, built like a tank and will feed every type of 45acp out there with total reliability.
My 4506-1 has been a great pistol, they are smooth shooting, accurate, built like a tank and will feed every type of 45acp out there with total reliability.
The Reverend
Member
4506 vs. 1911
I actually traded both my 4506-1 and 4516-2 to pick up a SW1911. Both were good guns, but my conversion to 1911 was complete.
Blessings,
I actually traded both my 4506-1 and 4516-2 to pick up a SW1911. Both were good guns, but my conversion to 1911 was complete.
Blessings,
4506 vs 1911
If your buddy is looking for a pistol that he wants to trust his life to without doing anything to it other than load a magazine with any ammo and fire it, then he should look hard at the 4506. My 4506 is utterly reliable and more than accurate for it intended purpose. The 3rd generation S&W auto pistols are very underrated IMHO.
If he wants something to trick out and/or make into a match type pistol then the 1911 is the ticket (plenty of options available).
If your buddy is looking for a pistol that he wants to trust his life to without doing anything to it other than load a magazine with any ammo and fire it, then he should look hard at the 4506. My 4506 is utterly reliable and more than accurate for it intended purpose. The 3rd generation S&W auto pistols are very underrated IMHO.
If he wants something to trick out and/or make into a match type pistol then the 1911 is the ticket (plenty of options available).
C
carlkolchak
Guest
trying to not sound like a jerk, really
1911, nearly 100 years of excellence, solid, reliable, upgradable, accurate, legendary and darn fun to shoot! Millions of handgun competitors throughout the years cannot be wrong
Smith & Wesson: signs pact with Clinton administration in the 1990's, endangering American's 2nd Amendment rights as well as opening the door for legal precedent
In the end, it's your money, spend it how you choose.
1911, nearly 100 years of excellence, solid, reliable, upgradable, accurate, legendary and darn fun to shoot! Millions of handgun competitors throughout the years cannot be wrong
Smith & Wesson: signs pact with Clinton administration in the 1990's, endangering American's 2nd Amendment rights as well as opening the door for legal precedent
In the end, it's your money, spend it how you choose.
1. As previously pointed out, the "administration" at S&W has changed since, as well.
2. Have stopped flying the flag and buying American because a former president "endanger[ed] American's [sic] 2nd Amendment rights as well as opening the door for legal precedent?"
3. The 4506 was manufacutured and sold by S&W long before the "pact." Any money for the 4506 will be going into a private citizen's pocket not S&W's.
4. Do you refuse to buy Glocks because Austria supported Hitler in WW2? How about HKs, SIG-Sauers and Walthers because Germany tried to enslave the world in 1933-1945? They definitely wanted to take away your 2nd Amendment rights.
5. Is your television, computer monitor or any other components Japanese? Don't forget they bombed Pearl Harbor and killed thousands of American sailors and would have taken away your 2nd Amendment rights.
How do you spend your money?
The bottom line is, like Coronach said, they are very different weapons, but they are both very fine weapons. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. My solution was to buy both.
The Reverend
Member
I would certainly agree with you whole-heartedly that the 45XX series of pistols are some of the best available in .45 in the DA/SA format. Many out-of-the-box 1911s are just as reliable, and just as worthy as the 4506. My personal SW1911 has proven to be just as worthy as the 4506 and for me is much more concealable.
As has been already said, either selection will fill the bill in many tactical applications. One must choose the platform (DA/SA vs. SA only) that one will be comfortable and proficient with.
Blessings,
- Status