Smith 3rd Gen Experts...

[MattyD380]

Here's a fun one:

https://s3.amazonaws.com/mgm-content/sites/armslist/uploads/posts/2017/05/21/6857911_01_s_w_4566_640.jpg

4566
Black finish (melonite, I'd guess)
Front slide serrations

Anyone got the scoop on these? It's for sale in Indiana, not terribly far from me. I'm in that "I really shouldn't, but I could probably make it work" space. Obviously, these are pretty rare. Is this something worth jumping on? I mean... assuming the guy agrees to meet at an FFL or ship it... etc.

[OlongJohnson]

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?25180-A-5906

[DocGKR]

I carried a 4566 on uniformed patrol in the 90's--worked well.

Parts are now scarce.

[MattyD380]

I carried a 4566 on uniformed patrol in the 90's--worked well.

Parts are now scarce.

Cool. Thanks. Definitely a solid gun. Just wanted to see if anyone knew anything about these special melonite examples. I googled it... and the ones that come up don't have forward cocking serrations. So these could be pretty rare. If that's the case, he's got a priced pretty low for what could potentially be a collector's item. If it's legit.

Sigh... I'm talking myself into it. I gotta send the guy a message.

[DpdG]

My first issued duty gun was one of the melonited 4566s. It did not have the forward cocking serrations though. If it's any help, the serial range for that agency's guns was RJF31xx. I heard rumors of PC made versions that had a Briley bushing and forward serrations. Perhaps this is one of the PC guns?

[MattyD380]

My first issued duty gun was one of the melonited 4566s. It did not have the forward cocking serrations though. If it's any help, the serial range for that agency's guns was RJF31xx. I heard rumors of PC made versions that had a Briley bushing and forward serrations. Perhaps this is one of the PC guns?

Thanks.

Yeah, maybe it is a PC gun. Or maybe they just used leftover slides from the PC guns.

Maybe the guy doesn't know what he has...

[DocGKR]

In addition to the normal stainless 4566's, we had some of the aluminum framed melonited PC ones with the forward serrations and Briley bushings.

[MattyD380]

In addition to the normal stainless 4566's, we had some of the aluminum framed melonited PC ones with the forward serrations and Briley bushings.

Nice. Here's an old listing for one of those:

http://chesterfieldarmament.com/products/sw-4566pc

To be honest, I'm usually not a huge fan of front serrations on guns that aren't P30s, PX4s or other space age guns. But these still look pretty cool.

Not that looks have an bearing on functionality.

[396]

Might check over on the S&Wesson forum. Several experts over there. I know there's been several threads over the years on Melonite 4566's.

[farscott]

The factory Melonite 4566 are collector's items. There is a lot of conflicting information out there, mostly because these guns were never cataloged items. It is known that the West Virginia State Police (WVSP) ordered lots of them, many that have WVSP rollmarks. There have also been small batches released that are popular. One batch of 300 (??) known has "KJF" as the serial number prefix. Another batch has the "RJF" serial number prefix.

[MattyD380]

Cool. Thanks a lot guys. After I get out of work I'm going to text the guy.

[muzzleblast]

It actually sold Monday. A friend bought it. Not sure why the ad is still up, unless the seller is waiting to receive his funds via the mail before pulling the listing. It is a Melonite 4566 LE sales sample. It is the KJF prefix with forward slide serrations as pictured on pg 378 of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th edition.

[MattyD380]

It actually sold Monday. A friend bought it. Not sure why the ad is still up, unless the seller is waiting to receive his funds via the mail before pulling the listing. It is a Melonite 4566 LE sales sample. It is the KJF prefix with forward slide serrations as pictured on pg 378 of the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, 4th edition.

Damn. I texted the seller a while ago. Haven't heard back.

Probably good for bank account if it's sold.

[Duelist]

I would sell some stuff I really like to make funds to get one of those.

[DocGKR]

Just checked--our alloy framed melonited pistols with front slide serrations and Briley bushing were 4563's with SN's starting with "CQC"

[DpdG]

The factory Melonite 4566 are collector's items. There is a lot of conflicting information out there, mostly because these guns were never cataloged items. It is known that the West Virginia State Police (WVSP) ordered lots of them, many that have WVSP rollmarks. There have also been small batches released that are popular. One batch of 300 (??) known has "KJF" as the serial number prefix. Another batch has the "RJF" serial number prefix.


The RJF prefix guns I mentioned were issued by NH Marine Patrol. They special ordered 25-30, and apparently S&W made a few extra and held onto them (maybe in case of warranty issues?). S&W apparently sold a few RJF guns as "overruns" in 2009, which is when NHMP traded in the 4566s for M&P45s.

All the NHMP guns were RJF31xx serial numbers and were de-cock only, with the magazine disconnect intact.

[DpdG]

Forgot to add- they were all standard non-PC fare. No Briley bushing and all had the standard Novak style night sights.

[MattyD380]

Thanks for the info. I texted the seller and left a VM. Haven't heard anything. My guess is it's gone. Regardless, it's always interesting learn more about these guns. I know, everyone says it... but I wish they still made the third gens. Seems like these melonite versions were more or less the final evolution of the line. I heard there were melonite versions of the 5906 made for the Mexican military as well. Would be cool to get one of those.

[MattyD380]

Finally heard back from the guy. Sold.

But...

I picked up this guy instead:

http://www.armslist.com/posts/6880374/jacksonville-north-carolina-handguns-for-sale--s-w-4516-2-semi-auto

Hopefully it makes a solid carry .45. Plus... it'll look nice next to my 645.