[tray burge]

I love my 1911's, but I'll admit it, I have a penchant for the Smith 3rd gens too. I have two in 10mm, a 1066 and a 1076, but bought a 4506 with adjustable sights today at lunch and will pick it up tomorrow at lunch and post some pictures.
I understand with the proper upgraded springs they can easily be converted to 45 Super too, ye-haw!
The 5" 4506 came with a DeSantis pancake holster, 3 sets of grips with one of the sets being KSD grips and 4 mags for $500.

 

[muzzleblast...]

Good for you! Any full-size, metal framed .45 ACP is a happy thing.

Personally, I hope to add a Ruger P90 to the collective...

 

[tray burge]

Needed to update here too.
Old school 4506 with the adjustable sights .45acp. Not in perfect shape, but pretty decent. Came with the DeSantis Holster, 4 mags, OEM plastic grips still unopened and KSD palm swell grips. I'll probably beef the springs up to the .45 super I've always wanted, why waste the weight? $535.00 OTD.

 

[19047]

Nice!

When I applied for my first carry permit, I remember all the officers at the police station were carrying 4506s - I was hooked on the big S&W 3rd Gen ever since. My small S&W collection was not complete until I got a 4506.

Mine's a 4506-1, Novak sights, non-stepped frame, round trigger guard and straight backstrap grip.

 

[DRM813]

Nice pistol. I carried one for a short time as a duty gun. I have shot many and all were very accurate.

 

[Prange]

Excellent pistols. Built like tanks. And they're slowly rising in price.

 

[dsk]

I used to have a .40 S&W 4006. It was the only .40 I owned that wasn't too snappy, thanks to the weight. Eventually I didn't have much use for either the pistol or the caliber anymore so I sold it. But a 3rd gen Smith in any flavor is definitely a great gun to have if you like old-school, all-metal handguns.

 

[tray burge]

Something very impressive about it being able to cycle empty brass?
Anybody know what weight and exactly what other spring, besides the recoil spring, I need to change out to convert it to .45 Super?
Thanks

 

[Mike 139]

Tray, In 1988, I bought a new S&W .45 for Duty use... The 4506 had a curved backstrap and the Distributor had a couple with straight backstrap, this model was 6450, which is what I bought. The 6450 had two piece grips, 3 Dot adjustable sights and was almost identical to the 4506....

These Pistols are built like tanks and will outlast you.

In the mid- 90s, Smith issued a recall on the one piece grip/ Mainspring housing.... all that was necessary to replace it was pushing out the Pin in the bottom of the grip... You might want to call them with your serial and see if you need the updated grip.

 

[jjfitch]

I switched from my 4566 to a G22 when hi-cap was all the rage. After a few years that wore off and I switched back to my 4566. I just could not love that Glock!

My 4566 sports the straight back strap grip panels and fixed night sights. (Second set) I has retired to my night stand. For carry rotation I carry a 5906 with spring loaded decock lever. Returns to "off" after decocking! It too is on it's second set of night sights.

These series of handguns are probably the most underrated pistols of all time!

All the best in 2020,

 

[cwo4uscgret]

I really like my two 3rd Generation S&W autos. I have a 4506 straight back and a 1024 10mm.

4506 .45 acp

1026 10mm

 

[tray burge]

I really like my two 3rd Generation S&W autos. I have a 4506 straight back and a 1024 10mm.

4506 .45 acp

1026 10mm

I also have a 1066 and a 1076, but my 4506 looks like yours with the straight back grips on it now, I had a couple of brand new pairs and slapped a set on and really like it better now. Your probably already aware there were only 3,135 1026's produced.

 

[tray burge]

My 10 series. 1066, 1066 & 1076 together.

 

[Gary1911A1]

Great pistols. I still would rather have a Gen 3 S&W than a M&P any day I overall I like the M&P Pistols except for their triggers.

 

[19047]

My 4506-1:

 

[USMM guy]

Just now saw this thread.

Two 1006s, two 4566s, a 4506, a 1066, and a 645, and more recently a 915. All first rate guns. One of the 4566s rides shotgun in the truck (so to speak) the other 4566 lives in the loading bench drawer. One 1006 rides in the upper drawer of the tool box in the shop. The other 1006 and the 1066 live in the safe. Never did get to like the 1066 as much as the 1006s. One of the 4566s is my go to gun in a bad situation. Although I would be comfortable with other guns as well.

The 915 sits on the stereo next to the patio door. I have upgraded the 645 and the 4506m to 45 Super. You are advised to upgrade your magazine springs as well as your recoil spring. I will get the weights for you tomorrow Tray. Wolff carries the springs.

 

[MichaelE]

Still have and carry occasionally my duty 4006 from years ago.

Wonderful 3rd generation S&W and the only Smith I've ever owned.

Still looking and shooting good after all these years.

 

[tray burge]

Two 1006s, two 4566s, a 4506, a 1066, and a 645, and more recently a 915. All first rate guns. One of the 4566s rides shotgun in the truck (so to speak) the other 4566 lives in the loading bench drawer. One 1006 rides in the upper drawer of the tool box in the shop. The other 1006 and the 1066 live in the safe. Never did get to like the 1066 as much as the 1006s. One of the 4566s is my go to gun in a bad situation. Although I would be comfortable with other guns as well.

The 915 sits on the stereo next to the patio door. I have upgraded the 645 and the 4506m to 45 Super. You are advised to upgrade your magazine springs as well as your recoil spring. I will get the weights for you tomorrow Tray. Wolff carries the springs.

Hey, that'd be great USMM, thank you!
In the meantime, I've picked up another 3rd gen, a 4566TSW, Fresno Sheriffs Office 150th Anniversary Edition. Here's the 3rd gen collection (so far).
L/R and T/B
4566, 4506
1076, 1066
I updated the 1066's (bottom right) finish and polished every contact surface inside the gun and replaced all the springs with Wolf springs, she's as smooth and slick as snot on glass now (gross I know, but I read it in a gun mag and had to use it).

 

[USMM guy]

I have my 645 and my 4506 set up for 45 Super.

Pretty simple actually. you need A Wolff recoil spring, (22lb) stock # 47322, and You need 5% extra power magazine springs as well, stock # 73963. One is advised to renew your other springs as well, sear, firing pin. Stock strength springs will work fine for these.

I have a pretty good business round worked up for 45 Super utilizing a Speer 260 grain bullet. It will definitely get your attention and is accurate to boot.

 

[The War Wagon]

Nice find on the 4506. One of the few guns I miss, is my 1006. Carried it for 12 years, but sold it in '03. Wish I had it, and the 6 mags, back.