My 457 shoots low

[les45]

OK, today I took my (new to me) 457 to the range today and it shot about 12 to 15" low in a random, almost circular pattern. That was at about 10 yards. It was also throwing about every third or fourth empty case over my head and sometimes onto my head. I've never had a S&W Gen 3 gun shoot this badly and I've gone through a lot of them. I was using the Walmart cheapo ammo, Winchester 230 gr FMJ in the white box, so I know that I need to go back and try some different ammo. I bought the gun used from one of the online auctions several months ago and I've taken it down and thoroughly cleaned and oiled everything before shooting it. All the internals look like new and there is no wear on the slide rails. Barrel looks almost new and ramp is bright and polished. Everything locks up tight. Any other ideas on what I need to check out before I send it to S&W?

[Steve C]

First step is to remove anything you may inadvertently be doing to cause the lower than normal shooting so try a few rounds off the bench with the front of the pistol supported so you won't dip it down by either squeezing your grip, lifting your head or anticipating recoil. Let someone else shoot it to see if their results are the same.

If it still shoots low then its time to send it back to S&W if its under warranty or have a gunsmith look at it.

[VAdoublegunner]

That sounds unusual for a 457. They are usually good shooters and the sights are on for that particular ammo. I know everyone dislikes to hear it as much as they dislike to suggest it, but shooting from a good rest or letting someone else who you know is a good shooter try it is the first thing to try.

As an example, I watched a guy and his friend shoot a new 44Mag Redhawk with factory 180gr loads one day and they were all over the place. I was doing pretty well with my 4" 629-4 and 240gr handloads. So they asked me to try it. Danged if I wasn't throwing stuff all over the range with it to, even from a bench. Thinking it was the ammo, I tried some of my handloads, surefire performers in my Redhawk (and 629). They shot great, and the gentleman who owned the gun shot them well too. It was an ammo issue with that ammo in that gun. It shot somewhat better in my 629.

[les45]

One thing I didn't mention, I was also shooting my 5" Model 625 in the same session with the same ammo. It was hitting as accurately as my old eyes have hit in a while with everything inside the 4" center ring at 10 yards.