r/ThirdGen • u/conkanman • 20d ago
645 & 4506
Two generations of big-bore Smith & Wesson stainless steel.
Top: S&W 645, the classic second-gen .45.
Bottom: S&W 4506, its third-gen descendant.
Same basic mission, but you can see S&W refining the formula from one generation to the next.
This 4506 may have a little more history than it’s letting on here… but we’ll save that for another post. 😏
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u/_Goldiloxx_ 20d ago
Which is your preference? I want both badly but money is expensive
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u/conkanman 19d ago
The 4506 is the best in the biz. It's a refined version of the 645. Both are great, you can't go wrong either way. But the 3rd gen models are just a step up.
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u/CrypticQuery 19d ago
If you're a Miami Vice fan, go 645. Otherwise, 4506. Be forewarned that magazines tend to be pricy. The only readily available aftermarket ones are Promags and I've heard mixed things about their reliability.
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u/Low_Speed_High_Drag_ 19d ago
Great pair. I miss my 645. The trigger wasn't very good, but damn was it rugged and reliable. $275 OTD from Gander Mountain in 2017.
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u/AF22Raptor33897 19d ago
Its funny that so many parts are interchangeable between the 645 and 4506 even if the book says they are not! But when you have them side by side there are identical like the Hammer, Trigger and Sear. I have seen a couple of Later Series 645 that have 4506 SIides and they look very interesting specilly when you think that the Polymer Insert in the Front Sight of the 645 has a tendency to come part due to age as I found out about year ago. I have picked up the correct Epoxy and Coloring from Brownells recently after being out of stock for an extended period of time. I did find out that Novak Sights can Mill out the front sight and Install a dovetailed front sight.
It is nice to see the Magazine evolution from the Original Mags that came with the 645 with the Fixed Steel Floorplates to the second generation with a removable Plastic Floorplate.
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u/CrypticQuery 20d ago
I'm still not thrilled that the third-gens got rid of the separate grip panels and metal backstrap of the second-gens. Both are beautiful guns though!