S&W 4506, Opinons?

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RightCoastBiased

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I am considering getting a S&W 4506 for the night stand and possibly for a carry piece while doing armed security. I don't know much about them and I've never shot one. But I've always liked the look of them. It seems that they can be had for around $400 so it isn't a large "investment".

I know the 4506 was carried by several departments at one point. But not sure what problems, if any, it is prone to, or known to have. Please clue me in.
 
Bulky , poor trigger, heavy, not that accurate 4-5" groups at 25yrds. , spare parts or replacement will soon be a problem, low round capacity. I owned one brand new in the late 90's and sold it about 6 months after buying it.

Better off puting the $450 to a good 1911 platform
 
Bummer to hear that! I am also looking at the new Ruger SR1911 which I shot and loved. Maybe I'll be better going in that direction.
 
x2 on what xr said...Personally, I wouldn't put $400 into one, especially when you can get a used Glock for that amount of money if you shop around.
 
I really liked my 4506, it was very accurate. The trigger is average, most 3rd generation S&W's have a springy trigger. I've always considered buying another one just to customize it. I like heavy pistols for nightstand/range guns but wouldn't prefer to carry it all day long.

Personally I'd prefer a Glock 21sf for business carry....I'll take 14 rounds every day.

Best,
Jerry
 
Bulky , poor trigger, heavy, not that accurate 4-5" groups at 25yrds. , spare parts or replacement will soon be a problem, low round capacity. I owned one brand new in the late 90's and sold it about 6 months after buying it.

Better off puting the $450 to a good 1911 platform
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Based on everything that I ever read, the few of them that I have shot, and every review by everyone who's ever shot one, I have to call horse pucky here.

They are as strong, sturdy, durable, and reliable as it gets. As for the trigger, I'd say they are far above average for any non-competition gun.

You say they have low capacity but then say the OP should buy a 1911? ummm....:scrutiny:
They are both 8+1 capacity guns. I will admit that for an 8+1 gun, the 4506 is heavier and bulkier than a 1911. But it'll also shoot hotter loads without needing the same mods as a 1911, so there's a positive to that trade off.

I'm editing to add:
The very first 4506 I ever shot, was shot side by side with a Wilson Combat CQB. I actually shot the Smith more accurately. Totally caught me off guard. (not saying I don't covet a CQB. They are incredibly fine guns.)
 
RightCoastBiased said:
I am considering getting a S&W 4506 for the night stand and possibly for a carry piece while doing armed security. I don't know much about them and I've never shot one. But I've always liked the look of them. It seems that they can be had for around $400 so it isn't a large "investment".

I know the 4506 was carried by several departments at one point. But not sure what problems, if any, it is prone to, or known to have. Please clue me in.
Click to expand...
S&W 4506 is a great choice IMHO.I have a few S&W auto models 3913,3914,5906,and CS9.All have great triggers,very dependable,quality made and dead nuts accurate at 25 yards.
 
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I currently do not have a 4506, but have shot them, and regard them as a high quality gun. I DO have a 1006, basically the same gun in 10mm. It is extremely accurate, and has a very good STOCK trigger pull. As some others have said, I'd say it is a better DA trigger pull than most DA autos. The 10mm holds one extra round (9 in the mag) over the .45 (8 rd mag). I think the 4506 will hold up to a lifetime of shooting, and S&W is still taking them for repair, and probably can supply any parts you want to stock up on. My 10mm had a tired extractor spring, so I had them replace the extractor and spring. That's the only thing I've had to do, and it just keeps on blasting. Very durable and reliable autos.
 
I love 4506. I would pay $400 for another one. Another option would be the M&P 45. It is just a bit lighter to carry and holds two more rounds.
 
And to top it off, that platform has undoubtedly the BEST feed system ever devised.........doubt that?.... then try this, take an average 1911, stoke the mag with empties & try to get it to feed..........I have an old transition 645 that will shuck a complete magazine full just as fast as you can cycle the slide!!

Trigger,........ easily as good if not better than any stock 1911, and that's straight out of the box........DA on the 2nd generation guns is smooth as silk........there was some minor geometry change to enable that. That system was forced into an early retirement by the emergence of the "plastic wondernines", not because of any inherent shortcomings of design.......in my personal opinion, having carried mine as a duty gun I'd rate it far superior to that latter, and in every case it outranks that antique Browning system.

Overall the platform is utterly reliable, accurate and to be frank about it, far superior to ANY 1911.
 
I paid $450 for mine in new condition with box and 2 mags. I've owned or at least shot most .45's on the market, and would choose my 4506 above all. The only .45 I'd keep over my 4506 is my 4516-1. If my 4506 were the -1 variant, it'd be a toss up. I just like the heavier frame of the -1.

You'll be quite happy with the gun if you decide to get one. It's one of the most accurate combat type auto's out there, and hell for stout. You can even shoot .45 super with no modifications to the 4506. They are somewhat large compared to 1911's, but not as big as an HK Mk 23 or somesuch. Weight? 42 ounces, about 3 ounces heavier than a typical 1911. They're really not that heavy.
 
I was issued one with the PD and hated the thing. It was DAO, and had a horrible trigger. I don't know about the others, but mine would not load Wolf to save my neck. My 1911 on the other hand, it eats whatever I give it.

The pros:
It is steel, single stack, easy to assemble and disassemble, and fairly thin in the grip
Cons:
not the most accurate, bad trigger, mags are expensive (33.99 on Midway)

Conclusion: get a 1911, if you can. I would carry the 4506 over a revolver though.
 
4546 from 1990

Shortest, slickest DAO trigger pull ever put on an auto. The hammer rests in a half-cock position. So reliable it will chamber empty cases all day long. This one is set up for .45 Super.

SS013.gif
 
The S&W 4506 IS a great gun. Don't let somebody else's opinion make your decision. You really should find a friend or someone on here close to your location that has one and test drive it. I carried one for twelve years before the agency switched to Glocks. Mine functioned flawlessly for all training and that included SWAT and Instructor schools. These are accurate and reliable. Don't worry about parts, plenty of parts at S&W as well as PD's and armorers around the US that still have parts for a once, widely used in service pistol.

If you can pick up a nice one for $400.00, and YOU like it...... Buy it.

+1 on the 4516-1 It's the smaller version .45 and I will NEVER sell or trade the one I own.

I love the 1911 platform and I'm a Colt fan. I have several of these too that I trust my life with.
 
Have a 4566 (SA/DA) and love mine... great gun, tack-driver one of the best third-gen S&Ws. If you can get one in G/VG condition for $400, jump on it!!!
My two third-gen favorites!!!

4566006.jpg
 
I had seven-shot compact one and it went bang ALMOST every time. One thing that surprised me was low recoil when Hogue grips were on the gun. Assuming good mechanical order $400 is very favorable price for gun like this.
 
I owned one a few years ago; it had been magnaported and had after-market adjustable sights and Hogue wood grips; I stupidly sold it- it was accurate and easy to shoot well.

As has already been mentioned or alluded to, each person should make their own decision but I think the 4506 is an excellent choice in a .45acp semi-automatic handgun
 
I would also like to add that it makes one helluva nice blunt instrument, when trying to observe noise discipline.
 
Glad to hear all the good reviews! I really have always liked the way this pistol looks. I've got to get out and shoot one.

Anyone have experience with the 5906?
 
I like the 3rd Gen S&W's. The 4506 I had was great, the 5906......not so much. The 5906 that I had just wasn't very accurate.

Jerry
 
I personally have owned a number of third-gen Smith's and loved all of them. Currently own a 5906 and a 1006. Reliable, accurate, and tough as nails. The only drawback is they are heavy as lead compared to polymer weapons. $400.00...you bet I would. All day long and twice on Sunday!
 
Anyone have experience with the 5906?
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I have one of those as well (and a 1006, 4006 and CS45). My favorite 9mm, and I've owned or currently own 9mm's of just about every flavor. Reasonable size and weight, good capacity, accurate, reliable and durable in the extreme. one helluva gun for the $300-$400 they presently fetch.
 
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