S&W 4506 vs. SIG P220ST

[ss]

What is the current version of the 4506 dash? I live in CA and want to be sure I have the right one. The CA DOJ doesn't list any dashes after 4506.

When was it discontinued? I saw one for $500 and it has the rounded trigger guard. I can't find specs on this gun besides it's all stainless steel and has a 5" barrel. How heavy is it? The 4566 TSW is 39 oz. and it only has a 4.25" barrel. I'd prefer the longer tube and non TSW rail design. So would the 4506 be even heavier?

Is this gun comparable to the SIG P220ST? I'm in the market for an all stainless 45 autoloader and these 2 are on top of my list. I know all about the P220 legendary status because I have the blued carbon steel version but I'd really like an all stainless steel DA/SA .45 autoloader now.

 

[Blueduck]

Dont have a scale handy but my 1996 Handguns annual list the 4506 as 41 oz. As mentioned the 4506 is no longer cataloged but S/W still makes runs of them for large Department orders so I'm not sure if that counts as *discontinued* or not

As to whether it's as good as the Sig, guess it's subjective but I'm betting most folks would say no. People just assocaite quality with Sig while S/W autos in general have a spotty rep. Lotta folks who share this though exempt the 4506 and 3913 from there opions.

Never shot a 220, but my 4506 is utterly reliable with everything I've ever fed it, accurate, and came reccomended to me by some folks who make super hot 45 loads as not only strong enough to use thier rounds, but as the test gun THEY use due to it's durability.

One thing I think fans and detractors of the 4506 would agree with is that it's "faults" are all right there staring you in the face, normally no suprises. It's BIG it's HEAVY and if it don't fit you at the shop it's not gonna fit you at home either. Much as I like the 4506 I would not order one without actually trying it out for size. Like the Glock 21 it does not fit a lot of folks.

 

[Fed168]

Compared to a 220, I like the 4506 better. With that said, there are a couple of detractors- weight and ergonomics. It has been untterly reliable, with two parts breakages over several thousand rounds- the decocker and the trigger play spring. Small parts that would go first. They feed anything, shoot pretty decent, all around good gun.
I think the 4506s you will find will be the 4506-1s for the most part. Someone chime in if I missed anything.
Having used the 4566 before, I prefer the 4506. The -66 feels like it is missing something, and I feel that the -06 shoots better. That extra inch of barrel?

 

[Ala Dan]

Well, my friends Blueduck and Fed168 are ganging
up on me, but I will stand by MY West German SIG-
Sauer P220!

RELIABLE, ACCURATE, AND EXCELLENT CRAFTSMANSHIP

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[DonGlock26]

Well, I just bought a P245 and it is an awesome pistol. I've shot the P220st and it is a very tight, accurate pistol. I'm going to get one soon. I have read recently that stainless steel pistols should be lubed with gun grease not oil due to galling. New one on me. But the Sig Rep gave us a P220st to try and it was lubed w/ white grease not oil like the blue sigs.

 

[Ian11]

I've owned various 1911's, the original SIG P220, H&K USP, the Glock 21, and shot the S&W 4506 on several occasions. But the .45 that impressed me the most is the SIG P220ST. The quality and accuracy of this pistol right out of the box is simply spot on. I used to own the P220 and the P220ST is a completely different beast. A completely different pistol although they share the same design. The weight of the pistol may be the biggest detraction for some though. But consider that the weight is pretty equal to a 1911 so I have a feeling most of the whining is from people who are used to lightweight European pistols. To be honest though the P220ST does "feel" slightly heavier than a full size 1911. If I were to buy another .45 I'd get another P220ST. But I will not sell my Glock 21 to finance another one. I refuse to sell a perfectly good gun so I can get another one. No matter how good it is. Nope No Way. Will not happen. (Must............... have.................... self.................. control....................... )

 

[Fed168]

The white grease was probably TW-25. Sig recommends this type of grease.

 

[10-Ring]

I've owned the 4506 and a standard 220. Of the two, I liked the ergo's of the 220 but preferred how the 4506 shot (the 220 I had was a lemon )

 

[Mike Irwin]

The 4506 shines in S&W's otherwise lackluster and uninspiring lineup of semi-auto handguns.

It's about the best that they have to offer as a company.

The 220?

Quite frankly, it's about the best that ANY of the companies offers.

I'd go with the 220.

 

[Ian11]

Personally, I find nothing wrong with S&W auto's. Like many people I used to think S&W were only good for revolvers. But all the ones I've ever tried have been nothing but reliable, accurate, and seemed to be very durable. Although I do think they are overpriced S&W autos are solid guns

 

[glocksman]

As to whether it's as good as the Sig, guess it's subjective but I'm betting most folks would say no. People just assocaite quality with Sig while S/W autos in general have a spotty rep. Lotta folks who share this though exempt the 4506 and 3913 from there opions.

I've owned both.

The only reason I got rid of my 3913 was because I wanted a small hicap 9mm (spell that 'Glock 19'). I had no problems with it at all. Utterly reliable even after thousands of rounds.

If I could find a decent one cheap enough, I'd buy another one.

As for the 4506, I traded mine away for a Colt 1991A1.
Luckily, I was able to trade back.


My 4506 has never jammed or misfired in the 9 years I've owned it.
It'll even hand-cycle a magazine of empty cases. If it'll feed empty cases, it'll feed any bullet you care to load it with.

Ergonomics wise, I preferred the Colt because I have small hands, but the 4506 was a lot more reliable than that Colt 1991A1 (stovepiped 5 times in 200 rounds).

My 4506-1 is a keeper.

 

[AndABeer]

Trigger reset is a big deal with me and my S&W's (1006, 1026, 1076, 3913, 4026, 4576, 4526, 5926, 6926) trigger resets beat my SIG's (220, 225, 226) all to death.

 

[Fed168]

I just shot my new 220 ST, man is it great. My only problem with it is grip- my thumb keeps the slide stop from working- slide stays forward when the gun is empty. Nothing a grip adjustment can't fix. Shoots like a dream.