Smith & Wesson 4516
Posted: 08 Nov 2020 07:53
I am not a stainless guy at all but this is not a revolver or a lever rifle so it's fine. Boy this pistol is built like a tank. I got it as a defense arm. I had a chance to trade up from the tiny plastic Beretta Nano 9X19 to this "carry size" .45 AUTO. I think it weighs three pounds loaded (7+1). I still have a S&W Shield 9 if I need a tiny plastic gun. Pistol with two OEM mags and a leather OSWB holster for basically my Nano and 150 bucks (although I sold my stuff to one guy and bought this from another). Seems like a fair trade ... oh and I threw in 150 rounds of OEM 9X19 that I paid $24 for that's "worth" $96 now. Saw this gun for sale at 5 AM, contacted the seller via text (traded with him before), listed my Beretta for sale, sold it and had it picked up, then seller delivered this S&W all before lunch.
It came with some horrific Hogue rubber grips (I generally do not like aftermarket grips of any kind) I since changed for OEM I got from Numrich. I also cleaned it really well and re-sheened the stainless back to the "proper" look ... somewhere in it's past someone tried to "polish" it and it looks better with a satin look to me. I polished the feed ramp and the part of the barrel that is seen through the ejector window in the slide. I ordered a recoil buffer for it this AM.
Ammo: All I have is OEM FMJ, my own recipe of FMJ, and a "have it for it's oddity" box of vintage Black Talon. I was considering using the Lee 452-255-RF bullet for defense because of the nose profile but after a good while of searching I think it might be 20 grains heavy and probably too long from the base to the crimp groove. I have a Lee 90346 (TL452-230-2R) but it's the old style with the alignment "bars" and I'm not so sure a LRN is the greatest choice for defense. The only other Lee 2-holer with the old style alignment bars I've had was a .358" mold I couldn't get to cast, the original owner couldn't get to cast, and an experienced caster friend couldn't get it to cast (I had him throw it away). Most I've read online about heavy bullets for .45 AUTO were in 1911's which depending on several factors, might be "weaker" than this third generation all stainless S&W...?
What say you? Can I use the 452-255-RF over HP-38 or Unique? I also have Universal, TiteGroup, W231, Bullseye, AutoComp, Power Pistol, and likely 5-7 more pistol powders. Maybe about five grains AutoComp...
EDIT 1 - I have cast some of the TL452-230-2R and they look fine. I have about 40-50 made and tumble lubed. I have primed brass (bought for a song before the minor SHTF) I'll use first (to save loose primers).
EDIT 2 - I started digging in my stuff and found several boxes of Hornady 185 gr XTP I also bought for a song never thinking I'd use them...
Thoughts welcome. Here's the pictures.
It came with some horrific Hogue rubber grips (I generally do not like aftermarket grips of any kind) I since changed for OEM I got from Numrich. I also cleaned it really well and re-sheened the stainless back to the "proper" look ... somewhere in it's past someone tried to "polish" it and it looks better with a satin look to me. I polished the feed ramp and the part of the barrel that is seen through the ejector window in the slide. I ordered a recoil buffer for it this AM.
Ammo: All I have is OEM FMJ, my own recipe of FMJ, and a "have it for it's oddity" box of vintage Black Talon. I was considering using the Lee 452-255-RF bullet for defense because of the nose profile but after a good while of searching I think it might be 20 grains heavy and probably too long from the base to the crimp groove. I have a Lee 90346 (TL452-230-2R) but it's the old style with the alignment "bars" and I'm not so sure a LRN is the greatest choice for defense. The only other Lee 2-holer with the old style alignment bars I've had was a .358" mold I couldn't get to cast, the original owner couldn't get to cast, and an experienced caster friend couldn't get it to cast (I had him throw it away). Most I've read online about heavy bullets for .45 AUTO were in 1911's which depending on several factors, might be "weaker" than this third generation all stainless S&W...?
What say you? Can I use the 452-255-RF over HP-38 or Unique? I also have Universal, TiteGroup, W231, Bullseye, AutoComp, Power Pistol, and likely 5-7 more pistol powders. Maybe about five grains AutoComp...
EDIT 1 - I have cast some of the TL452-230-2R and they look fine. I have about 40-50 made and tumble lubed. I have primed brass (bought for a song before the minor SHTF) I'll use first (to save loose primers).
EDIT 2 - I started digging in my stuff and found several boxes of Hornady 185 gr XTP I also bought for a song never thinking I'd use them...
Thoughts welcome. Here's the pictures.