S&W 45 ACP spring

[Cremon]

I added 4516-2 S&W 45 ACP to my collection yesterday. I bought it online and had it shipped to my local gun store. The gun is in great shape, but when I field stripped it, I noticed that the slide spring wasn't stock. Instead, there were two springs, one inside the other, around the slide guide rod and they weren't straight like a stock spring, but wound almost serpentine style around the rod. Now the gun works just fine and the the slide has high tension like my other 45. But I would really like to have the stock spring. I'm not returning a gun in such marvelous condition. Smith & Wesson doesn't make this gun anymore.

Does anyone know if S&W sells gun parts, and if so, how to go about ordering them? Or if there is another place to order parts?

I'm also considering getting spare barrels for my hand guns if I can get spare parts.

[dwatts47]

Brownell's and Midway USA have your stock recoil spring.

I wouldn't worry personally as this is likely and quality aftermarket like a Wolff (which most likely is the maker of the factory part). Previous owner may have liked +p ammo and installed the heavy spring to replace a worn out, or weaker factory spring. Did the same thing to my Wife's 5943 for +p+ win rangers.

She says to her the felt recoil is less than with the factory spring. I can't really tell as the 5943 is fairly hefty for a 9mm pistol.
The barrel is a special order part, also available at the above mentioned outlets.

Good luck .

[Cremon]

The double spring is quite strong. And these 3rd generation (4 digit model numbers) are designed to shoot +p ammo. I'll check Midway - thank you!!

Found it - $10.49 for the spring assembly (probably includes the guide rod). http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=289214&t=11082005 Thank you again!

[JoeHatley]

You can order parts from S&W by calling their toll free Customer Service number. www.smith-wesson.com

BTW: most parts are much less expensive from S&W and delivery is usually in 2 or 3 days.

Good Luck...

Joe

[18DAI]

Cremon - The dual recoil springs ARE the stock setup for 4516-2 and non-catalog 4516-3. After the 4516-1, S&W used the intertwined dual recoil springs from the TSW series in the 4516. IIRC, the 4516-2 and 4516-3 also have a different diameter guide rod. Late model 457's also use the same setup. I carry a 4516-3 as a duty pistol. Great compact 45, congrats. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI.

Edited to add: S&W still support the 4516, as they were making special runs of it for LEO's up until very recently. I broke a mag catch last year, and they replaced it quickly, and free of charge.

[Cremon]

That is interesting. The outer spring on my 4516-2 has some kind of blue stuff on it that looks like lock-tite. I'm glad you told me that. I guess a lot of things changed between the 4516-1 and 4516-2 besides the trigger and hammer color.

I have a 4516-1 too. I love these 45s. I used to carry a S&W 659 as my personal protection firearm, but switched to the 4516-1 after I bought that. I still own the 659 and keep it by my bed though. I also take my 45 hunting, but only to dispatch a deer that is still alive when I find it after being hit by my rifle.

I'm not a big fan of the new S&W guns with the polymer frames. I am sure they are great guns, I just don't like them. I was sorry to see S&W stop making the stainless steel guns.

[18DAI]

Yes, they changed a few things between the 4516-1 and -2. The barrels have a wider hood (R3 and R4 IIRC), the black MIM hammer and trigger, the black follower to the mag, and the recoil spring/guide rod, along with the guide rod tunnel bushing. I just took the slide off mine, and one of the springs is blue as well.

I tested alot of compact 45's (Kimber, Colt Defender, USP compact), and chose the 4516-3. It is more accurate than my Colt Combat Elite, and more reliable than the Kimber. It conceals easily, and has a good capacity. Great pistols that you don't hear much about. Thats fine with me too, as it helps keep the cost down. Enjoy yours. Regards 18DAI.

[fastbolt]

The current production non-captive dual recoil spring sets ... Recoil Spring - Inside Part #108670/ Outside # 108660 ... are used in the 4013TSW, 4513TSW, 457, 4040PD and some of the 4516 revisions, as 18DAI discussed, and they're color-coded light blue. S&W should be called before ordering recoil springs for any 4516's so the right spring(s) and recoil guide rod are used. Wolff makes a single recoil spring, last time I checked, for the earlier 4516's. I don't believe S&W stocks the single recoil springs for the early 4516's anymore.

The last bunch of replacement 'inside/outside' sets of recoil springs I ordered for my 4013TSW, 4513TSW & 4040PD were all light blue.

S&W color codes (paints) some of their springs, including some recoil & magazine springs. Don't try to make sense out of it, though. ;) It's not exactly consistent across the board.

The last 4013TSW magazine springs I ordered were unpainted ... as were the SW99 .40 S&W magazine springs ... the 4006TSW magazine springs were light blue on the top half of the spring ... some CS40 magazine springs were dark green ... and the magazine springs for the 4040PD are red (because they're the same spring used in the 3913, last time I called and checked). :D

Considering the recoil springs are about a $1.45/each last time I looked (retail), I order a few sets at a time in order to make it worth the shipping costs.