I'm looking at using a NIB old stock 457 as a duty gun in a new assignment I'm trying to land. I keep seeing references on this board to replacing the 457 plastic mag catch with a metal mag catch.

Several posts indicate that Chicago PD and other LE units using the 457 had metal mag catches in their guns.

I also have seen posts that say you have to break the plastic 457 mag catch to remove it. Once removed you need a new one to replace it.

So my question is, can you use a 4516 mag catch in place of the OEM 457 mag catch? Is this advisable? I had a 457 but had to sell it years ago to feed the divorce attorney. I cannot recall if the mag catch was plastic or not.

I do know that the OEM mag catch in my value line 910 went over 2000 mag changes, minimum, and still functions to this day.

So is this OEM 457 mag catch really an issue or something to be concerned about? Thanks for your time! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

The mag catches (bodies) are steel. The mag catch nuts are plastic.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if a major LE agency got some guns modified from a standard production configuration for that particular model, though. It's just a machining change done by programming.

I've run my CS45 with its "Value Line" plastic mag catch nut & steel mag catch for a long time without any problems. My CS9 for almost as long. (FWIW, I think I'm still running a really worn and ratty looking plastic guide rod plunger in that CS gun, but maybe a steel plunger in my CS9. I'd have to look. I think I replaced one of them when the steel plungers were being shipped, but lost interest in "over-fiddling" with them.)

I've never had to replace any of the plastic mag catch nuts in the personally-owned Value Line & CS guns being used by any of our folks. I ordered a couple sets of the nuts, springs & catch bodies several years ago, just in case. I come across them, still in their little baggies, every once in a while when I'm rummaging through my parts boxes. I chuckle and put them away to be found again another day.

I'd not worry about it, if it were me.

Yes, the plastic mag catch nuts are a 1-time installation part. They have a raised inside rib (plastic, of course) which has to "snap" over a raised rib on the pin of the steel mag catch. Armorers are told to replace the plastic mag catch nuts if they're ever removed for "service". Other than a gun being submerged in water (especially salt water), or some other nasty bit of contamination, or someone breaking one because they fiddled with it without knowing what they're doing , I can't see why I'd feel the need to remove one.

Use the gun. Try to wear it out.

The recoil springs are still on back-order, BTW. I'm still waiting for some.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

BTW, a friend of mine carried his early production 457 as an authorized duty weapon while working a special enforcement detail for a few years. Frequent shooter. Later on became head rangemaster. Likes the gun.

Never had a problem with his 457 ... although I had an "interesting" time replacing his plastic sights with an adjustable rear (his choice & he's a good friend). Not exactly my favorite experience replacing 3rd gen sights for some reason.

If I remember right, there's another forum member who carried one while working a task force position for some time. Maybe he'll see this thread and post (if I'm even remembering correctly that he used a 457).

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Thank you FastBolt!!

After I posted my question I thought maybe I should just PM Fastbolt. Next time I will!! Thanks again! I appreciate you! Best regards, 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

De nada.

My PM box fills fast about every other day, so it's best to just email me.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer