Thinking I might like to try one.

I bought one off Gunbroker a couple of weeks ago. Have not had the chance to shoot it yet.

I got mine at a gun show a while back. $325 cash OTD with 2 mags. It shoots like a 5in .45 , but it fits in my pocket. I just put some Hogues on it and it's an every day carry now.

Yes and they damn nice guns.
I have owned 2 in the past and both where solid shooters and good every day carry guns.
I only had one issue with my last one and that was my hand has some degeneration in my thumb and artheritis in my middle finger, the 2 main fingers for gripping the gun firmly.
so i traded mine for my current M66 2-1/2" and with the smaller grip frame can hang on to it with out any problems.
the M457 is probably one of the best kept secrets in the S&W line, its to bad they stopped making them.
if you can find one and get it for a good deal, you won't regret it.
I'm all revolver now but back when i carried mine I never felt under gunned.

I have one and like it for a CCW. Much more compact than my 4506, but still has enough weight to handle the .45acp round.

It still shows as available on the S&W website.

Product: Model 457 Pistol

Hope this helps,

-TS

Wow I registered yesterday to find out about this exact gun.My plan for this year is to add a compact 9mm and .45 to my collection. I was looking for the 9 first but a LGS has a police trade in 457 dual tone with 2 mags for $325. I looks to have a few rounds under it's belt but feels smooth and tight and shows no exterior wear. The mag does take a good smack to seat (is this normal?) I wanted a .45 that could serve duty in the night stand,truck and could also carry. Like the OP I am very interested in feedback as I plan on picking her up today.I s this a reasonable price? How does it point? seems quite a bit higher sights than the newer poly guns but it just looks D&*n good.Thanks for any help

ozarkkawi, yes that is a very good price for one with 2 mags.
as was said before, they shoot like a 5" model but are compact enough to carry all day.
that model and many others are still listed on there web site and as long as there supply of already manufactured ones last they will still be avalible.
from what I was told when I bought my last one about 1-1/2 years ago, they where no longer in production, that was what was told to me buy several good dealers along with the one I bought it from, that they were still in stock till they ran out, but things might have changed since then and they could be back in production, its hard to find good info.
I traded mine off after a couple of months because of problems with my hand.

[QUOTE=ozarkkawi;1258300] I wanted a .45 that could serve duty in the night stand,truck and could also carry.[/QUOTE

Picked mine up a few years back at a pawn shop for 3 hundred and something (they say your eyesight is the second thing to go, I can’t remember the first) and it is a real favorite of mine. I actually shoot it a little better then my 645. It is my truck gun and I keep a minimalist IWB clip-on holster in the glove box in case I need to unexpectedly go a-packing. If I KNOW I am going to carry concealed I strap on the 4040PD if IWB or, model 38 if front pocket carry is preferred but would not hesitate to carry the 457 (I am just blessed with options!). Get the 457, I predict you will like it and as someone said above, they are real sleepers in the S&W line. I WILL buy another if I run across one at the right price, and $325 IS right IMHO.

A quality compact lightweight .45 for $325, whats not to like. I would replace the recoil springs before I shot it much. I find that I shoot my 457 better than my 4516 for some reason.

m.

"The mag does take a good smack to seat (is this normal?)"

That's the case with mine. There is not a lot of excess compression in the magazine spring. It does not seem to do any damage.

I bought mine because a guy in Alvin had bought 6 mags at a gun show in Dallas, thinking they were for a different Smith 45, which he had on order through his department. When they didn't fit, he offered them to me for $50. Once I had the mags, I pretty much had to buy a gun to go with them.

But, I've never bought a pistol just because I had a holster, yet.

I have bought a couple of guns just because I got some mags in a trade or good deal. I thought I was the only one that did something like that. I feel better now that I know some one else has the same (problem) as me.

I was very happy with my 457, sorry I had to sell it.

Bought mine sometime in the later/mid 90s to carry as a backup to my 645 when I was commanding a couple of drug task forces. After I left the task forces I carried mine quite a bit in plain clothes and still carry it quite a bit now that I'm retired. It's a great shooter and with the narrow butt it conceals very well. It's one of my favorites.
This picture was when I first got it. The rubber sleeve has long been discarded and it shows a bit more wear these days.

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183rd FBINA

The 457 is a great choice for concealed carry and in a non-pip squeak caliber. I carry mine loaded with Remington 185 grn. Golden Sabers and it is totally reliable.

Thanks to all the input, I brought her home with me.Stopped by wally world and picked up some federal ammo for $17 a box(not as bad as expected). I'll try to take her to the farm next weekend and run some of that through her and build up some brass for loading. If anyone has a pet defense load that your 3rd gen likes I'd be interested. I could not find a spring listed on the wolff site for a replacement and and also might be interested in aftermarket grips if any suggestions and of course a holster.If it shoots anywhere near as good as suggested I am very happy and relly like the looks over the poly guns I had intended to buy and got it for 1/2 of what I had budgeted to spend so now enough is left to go ahead and pick up compact 9mm.I had decided on an m&p but Xd is giving it a run for it's money.Anyway thanks again and I'll see if I can figure out how to post some gun pron of my new aquisition.

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Very nice, you did good.

You found a Wally World that had hand gun ammo? Where do you live?

I've been carrying my 457s for about 4 years as my primary off duty firearm. It is a very good shooting pistol, consistently accurate and will shoot every kind of ammo I put into it, from cheap junk to premium. The only change I made was to replace the factory plastic sights with XS 24/7 Big Dot night sights. I prefer to carry this over my Springfield 1911a1.

I keep it loaded with Federal 200 gr. +P EFMJ ammo and always carry at least one spare mag.

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Retired Police, Life NRA

I cant find a 457 anywhwere round my neck of the woods you are lucky sir lucky indeed!

I just bought one at a NC gun show...traded off a 4046 AND a .38 SP101 to get the 457 without having to add any cash. I haven't fired it yet because I'm concerned about a potential magazine problem. Look for a separate thread on this.