S&W 4506 slimmer grip

[That Guy]

This would really belong in a hobby/retro guns area, but since we don't have one...

My girlfriend has this Smith & Wesson 4506, and she really likes the gun. Can't blame her, that thing is very accurate and has the softest recoil of any .45 I've ever shot. Anyways, the problem is that the stock grip is a bit slippery, being made of hard plastic. And the Hogue grip now on the gun is otherwise great, but it's too big for her (and not aesthetically the most pleasing). I've tried to find an alternative, but with little luck. The only idea I've had is to buy a sheet of grip tape material from Talon Grips and apply it to the original grip. But if a more aesthetic option were available, I'd love to hear about it. Any ideas, anyone?

[Jason M]

My department issued the 4566 (Commander sized version of the gun) that has the same frame. At that time, there were only the stock or Houge grip options. Since that family of guns has sort of ridden off into the sunset for all but devoted fans, I don't believe that there are any other options. Have you considered getting a couple of spare stock grips and doing some light stippling or taking a small (hobby sized) rasp to them to provide some texture? FWIW when we were issued those guns some would use sand paper, scissors and glue to add traction to the places that needed it.

[Duelist]

Another option would be to get her on a 3906 or 3913 to see if the thinner grip of a single-stack 9mm on the same pattern would fit her better. They are sweet guns, too.

[fatdog]

Got a 4506. I also find the grips not grippy enough. I have used skateboard tape on the factory grips, which worked ok, and then I had DR Middlebrooks do a stipple job on my spare set of factory grips. That fixed the problem for me. Midway sells the spares for under $20

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/397518/smith-and-wesson-factory-grips-straight-s-and-w-4563tsw-4566tsw-4583tsw-4586tsw-1006-1066-1086-4505-4506-4546-4566-4567-4586-4596

[JSGlock34]

Maybe some wood grips? I've seen them for the 4506 before.

[Poconnor]

Iirc they made two factory grips. One arched and a straight back strap. I had a 4566 a long time ago. Wish I had kept it

[SJC3081]

If you don't mind getting dirty, hockey stick tape works great.

[41magfan]

One of the agencies that I worked for issued the 4506/4516 and every aftermarket grip offered back then was larger than the factory grip.

Personally, I'd go with stippling on the plastic and some additional metal checkering on the front strap (like was done on the S&W 745) if you want to go to that added expense.


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/921/4LoIYb.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/pl4LoIYbj)

[Willard]

Iirc they made two factory grips. One arched and a straight back strap.

That is correct. Also, some of the grips were defective material (would crack) and there was a recall. I'm posting a link and extracting the verbiage since you have to dig through a lot to get to it on the webpage. I just realized my 4506 was affected by the recall and I called S&W and amazingly, they are honoring the recall and sending a replacement (unbelievable CS). There's also photos of the recall vs replacement grip (identifiable by a dimple at the rear underside of the grip) on S&W forum (http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/296611-3rd-gen-recall-grips-problem-solved.html). Link: http://firearmsid.com/recalls/FA_Recalls%205.htm

SMITH & WESSON
MODEL 3904, 3906, 3913, 3913LS, 3914, 3914LS,
1006, 1066,
4506, 4516, 4516-1,
5903, 5904, 5906, 5946,
6904, 6906 & 6946, PISTOLS

RECALL: Smith & Wesson has shipped over 300,000 Third generation Pistols. We have had a very small number or reports where a dropped pistol resulted in a broken grip resulting in a failure to fire by releasing mainspring tension. Resultant testing and review have shown that a pistol dropped at a specific angle can cause a fracture of the grip.

As a result of these occurrences and our testing, we have made a change in the grip material to a thermoplastic alloy of increased durability. This new material, which is now being used on all current production models, can be identified by a dimple on the bottom of the grip, next to the large opening. Additionally, the blue product box has a green dot sticker on the label end.

We believe it unlikely that you will experience any problem with your original grips. However, in order to safeguard our customers from the possibility of such a malfunction, we will make available, free of charge, an easily installed replacement grip. Please inspect your pistol and if you have a model listed below that does not have a small dimple next to the large opening, please write us including your model and serial number or call 800-338-2466. If you prefer, you can send your pistol to a Smith & Wesson Warranty Station where we will replace the grip for you.

Models Affected:

3904, 3906, 3913, 3913LS, 3914, 3914LS, 1006, 1066, 4506, 4516, 4516-1, 5903, 5904, 5906, 5946, 6904, 6906 & 6946

Smith & Wesson's development process is a continuing one. We are constantly striving both to develop new products and improve existing products. We are committed to building the safest, most reliable, finest performing firearms possible.

Source:

American Rifleman, August 1990; page 20

AFTE Journal, October 1990; Volume 22, Number 4:452

Petersen's Handguns, October 1990; page 25

American Rifleman, October 1991; page ?

Guns & Ammo, September 1990; page 108

[Chuck Haggard]

With our 5906s the only real option was to use grip tape. Stippling into a grip that thin no workee.

[167]

If the grip is too thin to stipple you can always apply a texture to the grip panel with something like Marine-Tex. That is what I did with a cheap set of 1911 grips.11007

[That Guy]

Guys, I think some of you are skipping over the fact that is gun belongs to someone else. I am not going to start burning, filing, or gluing the grip. :) (I won't even mention the response I'd get if I suggested she get rid of her big bore .45 and replace it with a girly little europellet launcher... ;op ) Looks like Operation Talon Grip is a go, then. Hopefully I can apply the tape relatively tidily.


That is correct. Also, some of the grips were defective material (would crack) and there was a recall. I'm posting a link and extracting the verbiage since you have to dig through a lot to get to it on the webpage.

Wow. Thank you for this info! I learned something new again. :)

[CSW]

Guys, I think some of you are skipping over the fact that is gun belongs to someone else. I am not going to start burning, filing, or gluing the grip. :) (I won't even mention the response I'd get if I suggested she get rid of her big bore .45 and replace it with a girly little europellet launcher... ;op ) Looks like Operation Talon Grip is a go, then. Hopefully I can apply the tape relatively tidily.



Wow. Thank you for this info! I learned something new again. :)

I purchased a 3913 just last year, and found out about the recall.
When I called the CS dept. at Smith, they didn't even know about it, being so old, but looked it up and actually sent me a brand new set of grips for the gun. When I asked if they wanted the old ones returned, he just sorta chuckled and said no.

On my 4506, I put the rubber Hogues on instead of the factory grips. It did make the grip bigger, but still managable.
damn, another I should have kept.

[HCM]

One more cheap an non permanent option: get a bicycle inner inner tube an cut a piece to fit over he grip. I greatly pree this to the hogue sleeves because the inner tube is much thinner, and it doesn't matter if it rotates. If the hogue sleeve rotates the finger grooves and palm swell will impede your grip.

[SW CQB 45]

I was a huge SW 4500 shooter and carried them on duty from 1998 to 2008. In 2008, when Admin allowed the carry of 1911 I never looked back. SW started getting out of 3rd Gen guns in favor of M&P, so I sold my guns.

I carried 4506, 4516, PC4563, PC4566 and Shorty45. All gone now.

anyway, none of the grips I thought were ideal....wood, factory plastic slipperies, hogue.

I took rare 1076 palm swell grips and carefully trimmed grip tape and used Brownells grit grip spray on the other. While the grip tape was grippy, the painted grit grip was not that bad either. Since my guns were heavy use, the grit paint did start to minimize and thin. if you go that route, make sure you prepare the surface so it will properly adhere.

always keep several spare grips on hand and keep a clean set for sunday carry. Factory grips were everywhere and cheap in the 2000s. Not sure about now.

I would also get a rough grip and get a decent heat source and experiment with home stippling. I would think low heat and a pointy tip on the so called checkered area would be ok. just touch the surface.

here is an old pic of a pic of my PCs

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee412/SWCQB45/Gun/IMAG3962_1_zpsxdbc3zhs.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/SWCQB45/media/Gun/IMAG3962_1_zpsxdbc3zhs.jpg.html)

http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee412/SWCQB45/Gun/IMAG3963_zpskywtyeyo.jpg (http://s1226.photobucket.com/user/SWCQB45/media/Gun/IMAG3963_zpskywtyeyo.jpg.html)

[Duelist]

Guys, I think some of you are skipping over the fact that is gun belongs to someone else. I am not going to start burning, filing, or gluing the grip. :) (I won't even mention the response I'd get if I suggested she get rid of her big bore .45 and replace it with a girly little europellet launcher... ;op ) Looks like Operation Talon Grip is a go, then. Hopefully I can apply the tape relatively tidily.



Wow. Thank you for this info! I learned something new again. :)

I never suggested that she get *rid* of that gun! Far from it. Just try out the 3913, though, if you/she finds one. It's significantly smaller and lighter, so a friendlier carry - at least as far as size and weight go. Of course, the 4516 and 457 are smaller and lighter w/o giving up the .45, but they are still bigger than a 3913.