Today I'm doing a desktop review and feature set of the Smith & Wesson 4506-1 semi-auto handgun in .45 ACP. I mention The Shield TV show and police use.
June '18. I carried and still own this beautiful firearm. I was a SF Bay Area police motorcycle officer in the 1990's. My absolute FAVORITE firearm in my 35 yr. career. Carried 230gr. talons; like throwing lead & steel 'footballs' if ever needed. I was lucky enough never to shoot it outside of range training so I had a long, fun career. My 4506 contributed to many violent criminals surrendering to me along with my good looks & golden tongue of persuasion. A reliable, QUALITY S&W firearm. Always trustworthy.
Glad you are enjoying retirement. I have been a Los Angeles Police Officer going on 20 years and have carried a 4506 since right after 9-11. It's a great gun, easy to clean and a real beast that never double feeds or stovepipes. 4 more years and out. Wish me luck.
Sonny Crockett's sidearm was the 2nd gen 645 for seasons 3 and 4. However, S&W did give a 3rd gen 45acp for season 5. Identical to the early 4506 but it still had 645 stamped on it. The first 300 or more 4506s were sold as interim hand assembled or first assembly run pistols. So there are differences between the 4506-1 above and Crockett's 645-INT. Of course like his 645 it was set up to fire blanks, and the 645-INT had the bead blasted sides of it polished to catch the light to show up on film during night scenes. Crockett used the early style 645 mags on both sidearms, which had a metal follower and a metal base plate without the button lock.
+Brett Fraser I forgot to mention, Michael Chiklis played an stolen art investigator in the 5th season of Miami Vice. It's possible that he saw the 4506 (645-INT) at that time and requested it when cast for The Shield.
Back in 1986 I bought a 645 when they first came out because Don Johnson carried one on Miami Vice and that was my favorite show. Sadly I had to sell my 645 but I have been looking for another one for 30 years. I have come across several but they were always really rough. Tonight at Cabelas I came across a 4506-1 and it was so clean I couldn't resist picking it up.
I did the same thing in the 80's it was my fav show as well, I recorded them all on VCR tapes.. I bought the same setup, S&W 645 and spent the enormous sum at the time of $160 for the Galco Miami classic shoulder holster with double mag pouch on the opposite side that balanced it out nicely. I sold mine years ago too,.. coincidently last week I saw a 4506-1 in my local gun shop along with a 3913.. I put the 3913 on layaway and went back to look at the 45 but it was gone already! very popular and nice 45. Congrats on finding yours! Thanks for watching and for the comment.
Thank you! Yes, a great gun and a fantastic TV show, I bought a crazy expensive VCR they were just coming out, just to take the show. I had all the episodes on tape ... now it's on DVD and streaming.
Used to be able to pick these up for $385 from CDNN in like new shape. Nowadays..ouch.... SW also used to offer a "decocker only" option where you could send the gun in and they would modify it to work like a G model Beretta.
I hear yah.. in the 70 and 80s i worked in Bridgeport, CT in bad neighborhoods, and then in a bank as an armed guard.. I carried a Colt Combat commander in 9mm.. held 11 rounds.. to answer your previous question about carrying the S&W 4506.. it's a great gun for it's time and even now, but if i was today in any large dangerous city where i might be up against gang bangers in the open or in a car i'd be carrying a glock 22, h&k P30 or USP in .40, or Sig P226 or P229 in .40, or Beretta 96A1.
I was never a fan of the Smith and Wesson auto loading pistols, only Smith revolvers. I will tho say after looking at some of the older models such as this Gun here, and other similar designs in whether 9mm, or .45acp, DA/SA or DAO, that these oldschool S&W Semi Auto's are actually pretty cool and have a cool look to them. Way more durable, rugged, and better weapons than the modern day palmer M&P's, or sheild's. You can't beat all stainless steel construction, whether a Gun like this, or a 1911. I would consider buying a Police Trade in like this, if it was for a good price. My first Pistol ever was an old "sigma", 9mm by Smith and Wesson, the "9VE", the older version. I ended up getting rid of it however because I found it to be very inaccurate due to the real un smooth and heavy Double action only trigger. Would possibly consider a Double and single trigger Gun like this one here. Nice Gun.
Great Review! Not to be persnickety, but as a Miami Vice fan I can tell you with reasonable certainty that Don Johnson's character Sonny Crockett carried the Dornaus and Dixon Bren 10 for seasons 1 and 2, the 645 was employed in seasons 3 and 4, and the 4506 was introduced in season 5.
depends on where you live in the country but i'd say around $450 for a mint one with box and extra mag.. down to $350 for just the gun in about 90% condition
A little tidbit of helpful advice during disassembly/ reassembling of the slide. By working the trigger from the start position to half pull, you will release any pressure on the triggers disconnect/shell extractor and the hammer release levers. Give it a try, it will just slide right over them. Note: on disassembly and after you removed the slide lock let the slide return to its natural position. Now you can hold the gun by the grip and work the trigger and manually keep the hammer from slamming against the frame. This imo is a win win.
I actually carry a 4506-1 and have for the past three years. It's big and heavy. You will almost never forget about it being there. lol I would recomend the Hogue grips! I carry mine chambered all the time. i have dropped it various times. (it happens.) Never worried about it. It is a super safe, always reliable, accurate .45. Excellent video, good accurate info. Great guns!
absolutley right, when i first started buying guns i always purchased new then a good friend of mine said theres nothing wrong with buying used and now i see why
Thank you for sharing this video. I've been looking for a Smith like this to add to my collection, and I am very grateful for the additional information you've provided about it! =)
I bought one earlier this year the same model. this thing is great it eats every type of ammo you want with out any issues whats so ever. it will even feed empty cases.
Absolutely love the Shield! IMO the best cop series ever. I don't know if you've heard of it, but there was a show on for 3 or 4 seasons called"The Glades". It was a cop show with a much more laid back demeanor compared to the Shield. Anyways, the main character played by Matthew Passmore carries a 4506 in the first season, but in the following seasons he carries a Sig P220R nitron. It's a pretty decent show, though I especially liked it because it was filmed in my home state of Florida. Plus the Sig P220 is my personal favorite 45 ACP handgun of all time.
You didn't test the trigger reset. The way you do that is to pull the trigger, hold it to the rear while you cycle the slide then slowly release the trigger until you hear/feel the trigger reset. The S&W 3rd generation guns reset immediately.
I've shot it with one hand strong side and off side with ease. It's a heavy gun so that helps with control. How easy compared to other guns is more difficult to answer. Easier than lighter weight .45s like the combat master by Detonics, the XDS 45, and LW commander. Not sure if it was easier than HK 45, HK45c, xd 45, 1911 steel colt, SIG P220 I'd say were about the same.
Carried one at work in th 80's. Damn good automatick. Kick myself for selling it. Found one for sale here in Kali, in 2018, guy wanted $1100.00. Almost bought it till I found mags are next to impossible to find
mike stroup the Ruger P90 was a good one too. As was/is the SIG P220. I've owned all three and wouldn't turn down either of them. Loved the 4506 the best of all the full size, double action/single action .45s
With a tuned and tested 1911 I'd say they are pretty close. However, just picking up any 1911 new or used and going up against a factory 4506 there would be no contest the 4506 would be way more reliable.
That's what frustrates me about the 1911. As much as I love it, they're unreliable. Now my Beretta 92fs is the most reliable pistol i've ever owned or shot. Never a hiccup.
johnny albit I've owned 2 1911s and put about 500 rounds of ball ammo through each of them with no hitches. I think when you buy the more expensive ones like Kimber with tighter tolerances that is when you increase unreliability. Also, shooting HP ammo increases the likelihood of problems.
I'm surprised to hear that. One of mine is a Colt Series 70 which I purchased new. Did you buy your Colt new? If not, I wonder if the recoil spring needs replacing. You're using ball ammunition? The other one is a Springfield Armory Mil-spec, which I also bought new. It also has never jammed.
I think the models have different materials for the guide rod, I know some of mine were very heavy and steel, some hollow steel, and perhaps some aluminum, but there is a lot of stress where it touches the barrel, I don't know if aluminum would hold up to it.. I tried searching for the material they are made of, but I guess S&W won't publish what they are made of. Thanks for the comment and for watching!
How reliable is this pistol for intense, but short, shootouts? I work in one of the worst neighborhoods on earth and I need a firearm to protect myself from being killed or robbed.
Can you carry this Gun cocked and locked and have the safety on in Single action??(not that I ever would) or is is just the Baretta 92fs where you have the de docker and can only use the safety when the Gun is decocked in Double?? The HK's can be carried cocked and locked in single if the carrier desires.
No cocked and locked, they are just like the beretta, hammer drop to safe, or if hammer is already down, then just on safe. So moving the lever down does both, on the HK up is safe and down is off safe or hammer drop if you continue downward motion.
Gotcha, thank you. I like these oldschool Full steel S&W auto loader's opposed to the modern day palmer frame S&W's. Like I said, you can't beat a Gun made of all steel, even if the action and trigger system isn't as nice and smooth to say an HK. Them steel handguns are just more tough looking, built to last, durable and rugged than palmer guns.
June '18. I carried and still own this beautiful firearm. I was a SF Bay Area police motorcycle officer in the 1990's. My absolute FAVORITE firearm in my 35 yr. career. Carried 230gr. talons; like throwing lead & steel 'footballs' if ever needed. I was lucky enough never to shoot it outside of range training so I had a long, fun career. My 4506 contributed to many violent criminals surrendering to me along with my good looks & golden tongue of persuasion. A reliable, QUALITY S&W firearm. Always trustworthy.
Glad you are enjoying retirement. I have been a Los Angeles Police Officer going on 20 years and have carried a 4506 since
right after 9-11. It's a great gun, easy to clean and a real beast that never double feeds or stovepipes. 4 more years and out.
Wish me luck.
@@TheLAGopher one more year!
First handgun I ever shot, my father carried this everyday on the force, they were all nicely engraved with his police station on it
Sonny Crockett's sidearm was the 2nd gen 645 for seasons 3 and 4. However, S&W did give a 3rd gen 45acp for season 5. Identical to the early 4506 but it still had 645 stamped on it. The first 300 or more 4506s were sold as interim hand assembled or first assembly run pistols. So there are differences between the 4506-1 above and Crockett's 645-INT. Of course like his 645 it was set up to fire blanks, and the 645-INT had the bead blasted sides of it polished to catch the light to show up on film during night scenes. Crockett used the early style 645 mags on both sidearms, which had a metal follower and a metal base plate without the button lock.
+Brett Fraser I forgot to mention, Michael Chiklis played an stolen art investigator in the 5th season of Miami Vice. It's possible that he saw the 4506 (645-INT) at that time and requested it when cast for The Shield.
Back in 1986 I bought a 645 when they first came out because Don Johnson carried one on Miami Vice and that was my favorite show.
Sadly I had to sell my 645 but I have been looking for another one for 30 years. I have come across several but they were always really rough.
Tonight at Cabelas I came across a 4506-1 and it was so clean I couldn't resist picking it up.
I did the same thing in the 80's it was my fav show as well, I recorded them all on VCR tapes.. I bought the same setup, S&W 645 and spent the enormous sum at the time of $160 for the Galco Miami classic shoulder holster with double mag pouch on the opposite side that balanced it out nicely. I sold mine years ago too,.. coincidently last week I saw a 4506-1 in my local gun shop along with a 3913.. I put the 3913 on layaway and went back to look at the 45 but it was gone already! very popular and nice 45. Congrats on finding yours! Thanks for watching and for the comment.
Excellent video I remember this firearm I am from uk and had one through Miami vice ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you! Yes, a great gun and a fantastic TV show, I bought a crazy expensive VCR they were just coming out, just to take the show. I had all the episodes on tape ... now it's on DVD and streaming.
Used to be able to pick these up for $385 from CDNN in like new shape. Nowadays..ouch.... SW also used to offer a "decocker only" option where you could send the gun in and they would modify it to work like a G model Beretta.
Great video! I love my 4506!
I own a 1006 smith and it is flawless, looking for a 4506 currently.
Any luck with the 4506??
I have an airsoft replica
I hear yah.. in the 70 and 80s i worked in Bridgeport, CT in bad neighborhoods, and then in a bank as an armed guard.. I carried a Colt Combat commander in 9mm.. held 11 rounds.. to answer your previous question about carrying the S&W 4506.. it's a great gun for it's time and even now, but if i was today in any large dangerous city where i might be up against gang bangers in the open or in a car i'd be carrying a glock 22, h&k P30 or USP in .40, or Sig P226 or P229 in .40, or Beretta 96A1.
I was never a fan of the Smith and Wesson auto loading pistols, only Smith revolvers. I will tho say after looking at some of the older models such as this Gun here, and other similar designs in whether 9mm, or .45acp, DA/SA or DAO, that these oldschool S&W Semi Auto's are actually pretty cool and have a cool look to them. Way more durable, rugged, and better weapons than the modern day palmer M&P's, or sheild's. You can't beat all stainless steel construction, whether a Gun like this, or a 1911. I would consider buying a Police Trade in like this, if it was for a good price. My first Pistol ever was an old "sigma", 9mm by Smith and Wesson, the "9VE", the older version. I ended up getting rid of it however because I found it to be very inaccurate due to the real un smooth and heavy Double action only trigger. Would possibly consider a Double and single trigger Gun like this one here. Nice Gun.
Great Review! Not to be persnickety, but as a Miami Vice fan I can tell you with reasonable certainty that Don Johnson's character Sonny Crockett carried the Dornaus and Dixon Bren 10 for seasons 1 and 2, the 645 was employed in seasons 3 and 4, and the 4506 was introduced in season 5.
depends on where you live in the country but i'd say around $450 for a mint one with box and extra mag.. down to $350 for just the gun in about 90% condition
A little tidbit of helpful advice during disassembly/ reassembling of the slide. By working the trigger from the start position to half pull, you will release any pressure on the triggers disconnect/shell extractor and the hammer release levers. Give it a try, it will just slide right over them. Note: on disassembly and after you removed the slide lock let the slide return to its natural position. Now you can hold the gun by the grip and work the trigger and manually keep the hammer from slamming against the frame. This imo is a win win.
PRBB25 I believe the 3rd gen smiths' hammers DO NOT have halfcocked positions.
I actually carry a 4506-1 and have for the past three years. It's big and heavy. You will almost never forget about it being there. lol I would recomend the Hogue grips! I carry mine chambered all the time. i have dropped it various times. (it happens.) Never worried about it. It is a super safe, always reliable, accurate .45. Excellent video, good accurate info. Great guns!
+Sean Hartman - I always hated the Hogue Grips on these guns and Love the original S&W Plastic Grips much better.
I own 2 of these some of the best 45s ever made next to the 1911s
training day
DemEazy that's why I'm here lol
@@mrpresident5186 me too I just got done watching the movie😭😭
Breaking Bad season 1 pilot episode
absolutley right, when i first started buying guns i always purchased new then a good friend of mine said theres nothing wrong with buying used and now i see why
Thank you for sharing this video. I've been looking for a Smith like this to add to my collection, and I am very grateful for the additional information you've provided about it! =)
I bought one earlier this year the same model. this thing is great it eats every type of ammo you want with out any issues whats so ever. it will even feed empty cases.
Thank you.. I like Pawn Shop gun stores.. you never know what might turn up there..
Absolutely love the Shield! IMO the best cop series ever. I don't know if you've heard of it, but there was a show on for 3 or 4 seasons called"The Glades". It was a cop show with a much more laid back demeanor compared to the Shield. Anyways, the main character played by Matthew Passmore carries a 4506 in the first season, but in the following seasons he carries a Sig P220R nitron. It's a pretty decent show, though I especially liked it because it was filmed in my home state of Florida. Plus the Sig P220 is my personal favorite 45 ACP handgun of all time.
You didn't test the trigger reset. The way you do that is to pull the trigger, hold it to the rear while you cycle the slide then slowly release the trigger until you hear/feel the trigger reset. The S&W 3rd generation guns reset immediately.
Great review u don't see a lot of these around any more much but I happen to see a used 40 like this yesturday in my local pawn shop
I've shot it with one hand strong side and off side with ease. It's a heavy gun so that helps with control. How easy compared to other guns is more difficult to answer. Easier than lighter weight .45s like the combat master by Detonics, the XDS 45, and LW commander. Not sure if it was easier than HK 45, HK45c, xd 45, 1911 steel colt, SIG P220 I'd say were about the same.
I scored a 4505 (blued/carbon variant to this) a couple months back. It shares safe queen status with my 1006, 745, 845, and 945.
Jones’ing for this for my growing collection!
I just picked up one I love this gun
Crockett used this model as well, he used it in seasons 4 and 5 , he only used the 645 in season 3
@Cyberpunk101 1991 he also used a Bren 10 , it was plagued with reliability issues , also a 645. 4506 , some say a 5906 , not sure on that one ,
I found a 4516-1 today for around $400. Deal or no deal ?
where do u find them at that price?
In good condition with no box and one mag -$350. Anything better that is a fair price
Excellent review!
Carried one at work in th 80's. Damn good automatick. Kick myself for selling it. Found one for sale here in Kali, in 2018, guy wanted $1100.00. Almost bought it till I found mags are next to impossible to find
I'm almost 100% certain Don Johnson had a Bren Ten
Rhabeeb Rhabeeb- 4506 first few seasons and the bren 10
@@jays8433 other way around the first 2 was the Bren ten. Then 645 the 4506
Great video
imho, the best overall 45 ever made....
mike stroup the Ruger P90 was a good one too. As was/is the SIG P220. I've owned all three and wouldn't turn down either of them. Loved the 4506 the best of all the full size, double action/single action .45s
I was pretty sure Don Johnson carried the Bren 10
My department sells them for less than 100$ to other officers.
Wow, that's awesome
Where, I will buy one
Pm me
We can set it up to send it to my ffl
Ernest Motley I have to see the rules about resale. These are the old department issues gun.
Ive got a 4566, I wonder if the slide assemblies are interchangeable.
Not really a fan of the 4506 but love my 645 4516 4566 4586 and CS45
All great guns!
Are these guns more reliable than 1911s?
With a tuned and tested 1911 I'd say they are pretty close. However, just picking up any 1911 new or used and going up against a factory 4506 there would be no contest the 4506 would be way more reliable.
That's what frustrates me about the 1911. As much as I love it, they're unreliable. Now my Beretta 92fs is the most reliable pistol i've ever owned or shot. Never a hiccup.
johnny albit I've owned 2 1911s and put about 500 rounds of ball ammo through each of them with no hitches. I think when you buy the more expensive ones like Kimber with tighter tolerances that is when you increase unreliability. Also, shooting HP ammo increases the likelihood of problems.
Which 1911 do you recommend? I have a 1970 Colt Govt model that is hit or miss with reliability.
I'm surprised to hear that. One of mine is a Colt Series 70 which I purchased new. Did you buy your Colt new? If not, I wonder if the recoil spring needs replacing. You're using ball ammunition? The other one is a Springfield Armory Mil-spec, which I also bought new. It also has never jammed.
You said the recoil spring guide rod is solid steel but it seems too light to be steel. I think it is aluminum.
I think the models have different materials for the guide rod, I know some of mine were very heavy and steel, some hollow steel, and perhaps some aluminum, but there is a lot of stress where it touches the barrel, I don't know if aluminum would hold up to it..
I tried searching for the material they are made of, but I guess S&W won't publish what they are made of.
Thanks for the comment and for watching!
It is aluminum.
It was also in the movie training day with Denzel Washington that's what he carried
He had two of em
+Julian Arocha yup he did but i also heard the recoil is light
+Julian Arocha real talk
Michael Murphy chek out my channel funny crazy and more gun videos chek it out
i got the 4506 its my first pistol but i just got a colt ar so i may be looking to sell or trade it soon
My father in-laws first shooting as a cop this was the gun he had
Am looking for one i got a 411
Training day?
The S&W 4506 appeared in the film Training Day. Denzel Washington carried and shot 2 of them.
How reliable is this pistol for intense, but short, shootouts? I work in one of the worst neighborhoods on earth and I need a firearm to protect myself from being killed or robbed.
Glock
I work in the city of Detroit, unfortunately.
how much would one of these go for?
Can you carry this Gun cocked and locked and have the safety on in Single action??(not that I ever would) or is is just the Baretta 92fs where you have the de docker and can only use the safety when the Gun is decocked in Double?? The HK's can be carried cocked and locked in single if the carrier desires.
No cocked and locked, they are just like the beretta, hammer drop to safe, or if hammer is already down, then just on safe. So moving the lever down does both, on the HK up is safe and down is off safe or hammer drop if you continue downward motion.
Gotcha, thank you. I like these oldschool Full steel S&W auto loader's opposed to the modern day palmer frame S&W's. Like I said, you can't beat a Gun made of all steel, even if the action and trigger system isn't as nice and smooth to say an HK. Them steel handguns are just more tough looking, built to last, durable and rugged than palmer guns.
aran125 *polymer
Ooo spelling nazi. lol. Brain fart on my part, but really Kyle??
aran125 I'm sooooooooooo sorry I helped you learn something. How awful of me.
I always thought black gangsters looked cool with their stainless steel handguns.
Alonsos guns
learn as you go , i c
i have got one to sell??anyone interested
Kemraj K where at how much
craftsman89 d inbox me at kemrajk007@gmail. com
Kemraj K still got the 4506?
Breaking bad
When Walter tried to kill himself in season 1
megrayo111 yup thats the one