As I posted earlier, I have owned a S&W 1911 for quite a while now and couldn't be happier with it. After reading a lot of posts by some very knowledgable members about the 3913, I decided to look into finding one for my wife. She shoots everything that I own from .22 to .44 mag, but I wanted her to have a semi that she was comfortable with as an alternative carry and/or home defense weapon (she has a 642).

We looked at a new 3913 LS model last year, and she really liked the feel of it. The price, however, was crazy, IMHO. Then we found out S&W was discontinuing it. So we started searching for a nice used one. I found one for a pretty good price, bought it, did some detail work, put a set of Hogues on it and gave to my wife. I was kind of hoping she wouldn't like it, because I REALLY liked the way it carried and shot. Man, that is one convenient, accurate, powerful little gun. No such luck, however. She latched onto it like it was a pair of diamond earrings. Oh well. That was last year.

So now I am on the hunt for a single stack DA/SA 45 for me to carry. I too have an airweight .38, and was wanting something a bit more, um, substantial for "special occasions" but I did not want a full size weapon. I wanted a full size round in a compact frame. Recoil was not an issue.

I again turn to this the S&W Forum for some sound, experienced advice. I read some great posts about the model 457. Sounded like I needed to look at one. The search was on.

So I'm in my local gun store the other day and don't see one in the display case. No surprise. I ask the friendly man at the counter if he has one, not expecting him to know what I wanted much less have one. He proceeds to go in the safe and pull one out, like a magician with a rabbit in the hat. It is nearly new, and comes with box, papers, and 2 mags. $400 out the door, including tax, title, license, and dealer prep. No kidding!

I took it to the range and was thoroughly impressed and very happy with the way it shot. Not one burp, hiccup or complaint from anything I put in it. Hollow point, RN, reloads...whatever. What a GREAT carry gun. I ordered a set of Hogues and a couple of extra mags (had to go aftermarket...S&W's are in short supply, apparently).

I wasn't crazy about the "plastic" sights with the white dots painted on them, so I carefully center marked the dots with a vary sharp awl, and then took a 3/32 drill bit and twisted it between my fingers to make a slight indentations that I could put a drop of paint into. It worked fine. At 3 - 10 yards, my groups were great doing controlled pairs and failure drills.

The best part of this story is that my wife really likes the fact that I bought the 457. I think she was feeling guilty about being so possessive of her 3913.

Life is good. Thanks for the info!

PS - Any good IWB holster recommendations?

Don't you love when a good plan comes together!


Cat

457'S can shoot dirt. They spit out any thing you feed them, fantastic carry gun..

I've got over 5000 rounds through mine and it runs like a sewing machine and it has never jammed or failed to fire..