Who has the 457S, and what are the good and the bad?

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Sure you did

I do not have own, but I did own a 908 for awhile. The good was S&W reliability, accuracy, ergonomics and price. The bad was (for me) plastic guide rod and plastic sights. Both of which I remedied right away. I also had to buy a holster specially for the 908, because like the 457, the slide is too square for it's non-value 3rd Gen counterpart's holsters. Bottom line; it's almost everything you would love about a 4513 for (in most cases) a lot less money. An actual owner of a 457 or 457S should chime in here shortly.

I own a 457S. I bought it about a month ago but I haven't shot it. I am waiting for a replacement slide stop from S&W. I dropped the slide stop on the floor and for some crazy reason the pin came out as well as the plunger and the spring.

I also own a 3913. I bought the 457S because it is only slightly bigger than the 3913 which makes it an excellent gun for concealed carry. The 457S conceals much better than a Glock 23. I carry the 3913 and the Glock in Fist all kydex holsters. I can actually fit the 457S into the holster made for the 3913. The 3913 fits a little loose and the 457S fits a little more snug. Both guns disappear under any golf type shirt.

It would be nice if S&W had made the exact gun in the more expensive series. As far as I can tell there is no deluxe version of the 457S so if you want a light .45 3rd gen gun without a rail you pretty much have no choice. except the 457. The 4513 has the shorter grip that I don't find comfortable.

The guide rod on mine is steel but I think the plunger on the end is plastic. The plastic sights are ok and I have no intention of changing them. The plain fact is that there are not a lot of models of this type available from other manufacturers.

There seems to be a very strong demand for the 3913/908 guns and the prices are rising. I expect that there will always be a demand for the 457 guns also.

Bill

You c-a-n have the rail removed and plugs installed on a 4513TSW, but I agree about the short grip models not being as comfortable. They are basically a CS45 in length.

While there may not be a deluxe version of the 457S, there are a couple Super Deluxe versions called the Shorty 45 and the 45 Recon. But they will cost ya a lot more than a 457S.

When it comes to guns I am strickly a meat and potatoes kind of guy. I have never shot a standard S&W revolver or semi-auto that I felt was not good enough for the amount of protection I needed. The deluxe versions are just not part of my mental reference. It is a shame that S&W didn't make a standard alloy version of the 457. Those deluxe models were a good suggestion and I am going to take another look at them before I see what they are selling for. :-)

Bill

Couple of 457's for sale in the classifieds here right now. Great gun, the ones for sale are not mine.