4506-1 vs 4506

A look at the heavy guns from the 90s

[@mrj10101]

That was my duty weapon in the mid 80’s

[@Dave-co1cv]

Speaking as a 25-year LEO, I have carried the 4506 .45 (square trigger guard), Sig Sauer P226 9mm, Sig Sauer P226 .40, Beretta 96G 9mm, and Glock .45 gap. The all stainless steel 4506 is by far my favorite of them all. The pistol is built like a tank, and the weight absorbs recoil. Maintenance is easy, and nothing changes. I personally do not like Hoague grips on any gun. They look cheap and wear down. The stock grip on 4506 is just like a Sig and works well. I also much prefer the contoured backstrap for better comfort and the larger square trigger guard. Where things changed is Glock came into the market with the cheap polymer frame and, through good sales pitchmen, convinced law enforcement agencies that this was the modern way to go. In reality, Glock is a poorly made weapon from a precision standpoint but inexpensive to build. The company offered to buy existing agency weapons if they switched to Glock. As more and more agencies fell for the con, the military eventually followed suit. Smith & Wesson was forced to build Glock style pistols in order to compete with all the lemmings buying plastic guns, while lowering their production cost to stay price competitive. To this day, I never leave home without my 4506.

[@Mrdanielmesa]

Love the informative post. So true. What holster do you use if you don’t mind me asking.

[@Dave-co1cv]

@@Mrdanielmesa Galco horizontal shoulder.

[@JAllenKaiser]

Great review. These guns are as classic and iconic as 57 chevys, and every bit as tank-like. The 4566 is another great model in this family of 3rd-generation S&W .45 caliber pistols. Same basic frame as the 4506-1, but shorter overall slide, making it approximately the same length as its 9mm and .40 S&W counterparts (5906 and 4006, respectively.) It's a shame Smith & Wesson discontinued service for them... you can't get new-from-factory replacement parts directly from S&W anymore...but I guess the company realized they created a monster that would last too long and the 'lifetime' warranties didn't make for a sustainable business model when the 3rd-gen Smiths proved to be virtually indestructible.

[@jefferycoleman3781]

Good review. My grandpa passed away and left me his 4506 with square trigger guard and adjustable sights. My brother got the 4006. The 4506 was in my favorite movie Pulp Fiction! From what I've learned this is one of the more underrated, desirable 45s. I'm proud to have one!

[@getmeoutofsanfrancisco9917]

Training Day as well. Which it looks gorgeous in. (4506-1)

[@ScottAT]

I had the IPSC performance center version, and even though it broke my heart I had to sell it because I had to pay for a broken ankle because the VA screwed me.

[@Internaut787]

Got mine today! Can’t wait to go to the range

[@anthonywashington3743]

The 1006 Smith and wesson 10mm is more powerful buddy

[@TheWartHawg]

I picked up a 4506 from a guy a few months ago. I have a 645 that I bought several years ago. Awesome guns. Built like tanks.

[@LilDanger-dp8oe]

OH MY GOSH NOBODY NEVER SEEN TRAINING DAY WITH DENZEL WASHINGTON, ETHAN HAWKE AND DR DRE

[@ericmiranda9841]

That thing looks like a small rifle. Great memories from the 80s. Good thinking, moving away from the People's Republic of California.

[@Gunfighter302]

I bought a 4506-1 about 12 years ago. Then sold it to my brother who couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with it and gave it back to me. I want to get a 1006 but that is a chunk of change. But my 4506-1 and 4006TSW are by far the best pistols I have. The 4006 shoots like a dream. Smith and Wesson 3rd Generations are some of the best you can get.

[@WVFAN1958]

I have 9mm 659..and 4506-1..love the old school look. Great guns.

[@xman69100]

The same gun Alonzo had in Training Day

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

+ Vic Mackey in The Shield(he was 5'06"), Sonny Crockett in NBC, 1980s Miami Vice. Det Sgt 🚔 Crockett packed a 645 S&W but later converted to the 4506(last few episodes). IMFdb.org ...

[@GLOCKCOPG23]

I am old school. I came into the game before "polymer" was a ''prerequisite'' of a combat pistol. I learned to appreciate solid stainless steel build quality. The excellent 4000 series is some of the best and most underrated pistols ever. I have a BUNCH of S&W 3rd generations and they are NOT going anywhere. You will NEVER wear one out. I am picking up another 4506 really soon to add to my extensive 3rd Gen collection. S&W stopped production of these guns for no other reason than they were too expensive to produce with not enough profit margin. They should have been in S&W's "custom shop'' line from the beginning .Their reliability and DURABILITY is on par with ANYTHING out there. Quality just dripping off! They are getting harder to find because people that buy them are not letting them go. Get one (or two) while you can. Ya'll be safe out there.

[@kenide6426]

I've been carrying a 3913 for 30 years and love it... I recently began searching for the 4506 to compliment it... Your opinion on best place to search for one?? Or, since you've several, WHICH 45, as each model seems to have slight variances

[@nickd1961]

Love my 5906 just started looking for a 4506

[@Jon651]

If you want to see just how different the 4506 and the 4506-1 really are, try to swap the upper ends between the two. As for the yellow vs. black follower, there is no functional difference. It was changed to yellow to make it easier to see when the action was open and the magazine empty. I love these pistols.

[@stumpjumper4117]

The yellow followers on the magazines were an improvement with stronger springs for improved feeding.... I used to own several variations of this model ... the 645 the 4506-1 the 4516 and 4516-1. The dash 1's were the ones with the yellow followers. Hope this helps.

[@MR500BULLIT]

Yo Brandon! Love ur vid brother. 100% agree w/u . These are very durable, heavy sexy looking guns from Smith&Wesson. Congrats on great find brother. After getting my 4506 in mint cond. I fell in love w/these pistols. Incredibly I found a jewel , the 1006 10mm NIB. of course it's sitting in my safe with adj, sights also. As for ur Q on the follower, it's an improvement for feeding more reliable . I believe it's higher than Orange & yellow. Sweet deal brother. Hope to see them again.

[@douglasfulmer5483]

You can get replacement wood grips from Hogue and the like that have curved back straps for the 4506-1. However, they are 80-140 USD on Midway USA. Great review.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

I'm looking to get a LE trade in model 4506 DAO(no safety). It looks in decent shape, free S/H, $274.00. I prefer the S&W 3rd gen round type grips. Those & older version P or classic SIGs fit my left ✋ best. 😉

[@twicerack]

Hey Brandon, nice to see some new vids from you sir. I am totally with you on the big steel SW 45's. I love the old school Gen 2 and 3's. I have several 4506's and 645's. I too own many other guns, but my 645's or my 4506's are my nightstand guns. I prefer shooting them too to anything else in my safe. If you ever decide to get a 645 again, let me know and I will send you a safety screw that will never fall out ( it is a 4506 allen wrench style screw ). Thanks and keep up the great vids! Jim

[@searay83]

I wish i never sold it lol

[@cordbora4993]

Welcome to AZ!! Good job on the video. I use a S&W "645"......I'll never part with it either!! The grips with the checkering make a huge difference too. Hope AZ treats you well.

[@searay83]

Thank you! Yeah I miss my 645 but I don't miss the safety screw falling out all the time lol.

[@cordbora4993]

Oh, yea...well, that, a little "loctite" does make a difference. Mine would come loose after about 5 rnds every time I went shooting. But not any more.

[@CHARLIE1955able]

have you any info on the 4506 tactical? great vid

[@HipsterTactical]

The 4506-1 also has a thicker slide than the no dash, as well as a beefier frame (no lightening cuts, like the no-dash). In terms of frame/slide build, the 4506-1 is basically a 1006.... the 4506 no dash is basically a 645.

[@troy7267]

Both models had the round backstrap. Not sure if the early model had the rounded or not but I’m positive the 4506-1 had round backstrap as well. I know because mine came with one. I quickly found a flat backstrap for it. Another difference not mentioned is the frame. The early model frame steps down at the trigger guard. The 4506-1 does not.

[@uscgalpha91]

I think the yellow follower is "old school" 90's tactical. I bought 2 of them in 2005 for $220 each. I sold them for $450 each. I loved shooting them but felt that I was lugging around a crew served weapon. I can't imagine a cop getting in and out of a patrol car 30 times a day with a 4506 on his belt.

[@tonyrodriguez_]

Beautiful gun. BTW, yellow indicates .45

[@bobburnitt5389]

I have a 4003 and a 4006. I wish they had grips on the Stock like a 1911. But, that is my only complaint. My have Novak sights, the "S&W "adjustable site makes it look like a Cheap Hollywood "Prop Gun" to me anyway. I just don't like the look of that shrouded adjustable sight. Looks like a "One Horse Open Sleigh" on there to me. I guess that is just a "preference" of mine. Whatever, these are GREAT GUNS, I love the "Double Single". The first shot is just like shooting a double action revolver, then single action after that. Throw the Decocker/ Safety and carry one in the barrel. Anyway, they are GREAT PISTOLS, really are. Reliable as hell. Just keep it clean and a little Lube in a couple of "special spots" and have the right ammo in it, it always WORKS for me. The one thing I dislike most about a 1911 is that "Cocked and Locked" thing. To me the Double / Single system is much better than a 1911 and that cocked and locked situation. To ME, guns are not supposed to be made of plastic either. There is just somehting not right about that. But one should always buy what they like. BB

[@starman5728]

My first personal protection weapon back in 1987. Besides mustang 380 , this was what kept my assets from getting robed . yea. its one Heavy steel gun . I had mine in holster in back pack because there was not CWP back then > You could not conceal gun on you unless you were Sherriff deputy , Police . You could put it in your car in glove box as long as you had it holster . Drug dealers would be shooting at each other across the street and we still had those steel tubs back then so you sleep in it . All the Bullets flying around hitting cars , going through walls , mostly the 9mm craze back then .

[@bmrtoyo]

Star Man : You live in compton ?

[@dad.in.the.clouds]

I have a 4506. I would love to get the older 645 model. Miami vice!

[@searay83]

I had the 645 it's a great pistol...but the screw on the safety will fall out from time to time that's the only bad thing about the older models in that line. I had mine fall out all the time I think that's why they went to rolling pins vs screws. Still a great pistol!

[@user-si9fx4xb6v]

Every time I see a Smith & Wesson 4506 I think of Miami Vice too! I would love to shoot one at a range some time. Both Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs got to use many fine guns over the five seasons that Miami Vice aired. My two favorites of the various pistols that Crockett used are the Sig Sauer P220 (used in the pilot episode only) and the 4506. Also during the "Sonny Burnett " story arc at the end of season 4 and beginning of season 5, he used a reversed two tone Sig Sauer P220 which was very nice looking.

[@robertsr.249]

@JB0071051982 I believe the first gun Sonny used in Miami vice was a Bren Ten , 10 mm , the Bren is highly prized and sought after , not sure how many were made , I know it wasn’t many ,they also had reliability issues ,

[@JohnDoe-ho7pd]

Great pistol. Steel frame and slide

[@anthonywashington3743]

The 1006 Smith and wesson 10mm is more powerful

[@baldandtopless]

If you decide to sell any of your 3rd gen Smiths let me know. Help a fellow Californian out since you're moving to a free state. Dead serious brother, I'll take them all.

[@searay83]

Oh man I just sold my old model smith last week. 800 bucks lol. Look at gunbroker.com and see if they have any.

[@baldandtopless]

Dang. They're off list though right? Did you have to sse them?

[@johnylitalo4163]

That weapon costs thousands of dollars to buy.

[@Abbysnail217]

nice video, but it should be called "My 4506-1 vs My 4506". later versions of the 4506 also had rounded trigger guards and straight back grips. the grip you have are Hogue aftermarket grips with are always round. basically you have and early build 4506. the later 4506 vs the 4506-1 would be a better comparison

[@grayrecluse7496]

Wise they'd bring them back in double stack.

[@Kingcangri20]

"They last for ever" yea no shit

[@MR500BULLIT]

Dude, where's your first video of your 4506. Make another vid showing it.

[@EdwinElijah]

Which one shoots better? I have 4506, want the 4506-1 also.

[@searay83]

I had both the 4506-1 has a more 1911 grip and the 4506 has a fat grip. I have small hand so i like the 4506-1. they both shoot the same as far as recoil. but i think the -1 handles a little better. hope that helps.

[@EdwinElijah]

brandon estrella My hands big, so they fit fine, I am saving for the -1, soon. Thanks for feedback.

[@clplusp8762]

What are people's thoughts on those old adjustable sights?

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

In my view(48, US military, licensed security officer/armed) I think adj sights are ok for target or range use but not a regular defense, CCW, duty pistol. Street wear or calls may have you stumble, fall, bang up, etc. Adj sights may break or crack, lose set posts. 😬. Fixed, non snag, night sights work best. 👍🏻

[@mikehenrybell2398]

Not a 1911, lame