Saw a couple two tone 457's. What gives? I thought they were all black.

According to the Standard Catalog, 2nd edition, they were made in 1997 for Zander's Sports. More may have been made after that and some one with a later book might have more information.

What is the price/condition of the ones you are seeing?

Bill

I just purchased a two tone 457, and I thought they were all either blued or stainless. But anyway I just paid 400.00 for mine, basically new in the box, with papers and mags. The guy I bought it from said he shot a couple of times but that was it. I don't have it here yet, should get it by Wed. next week.

The ones I saw were around 90-95% @ 450. I've seen them for almost a year so maybe next show he will come down. I'll try at 350.

I think that they are most likely a bargin .45. I plan on carrying mine. I assume they are usual S&W quality, although in the value line. From what I have read they have plastic sights and I will change those out. but in that price range in a .45 all you get is foreign made .45s and I would prefer to stay with S&W. The ones I have seen in blue are fairly ugly, but like I said I am going to carry it, not frame it and stare at it so hopefully it will be just what I am looking for.

They had clean 4506's for the same price.

Yes, but I believe the 4506 is a full size .45 and all steel of some nature. The 457 is on an aluminum frame and smaller and lighter.

I have a 457S that I have owned for about a year. I carry it about 60% of the time and my 3913 the rest of the time with the 640 revolver getting some time also.

The 457 isn't beautiful but it carries very well. I really like the gun. For a relatively light weight gun the recoil is not bad. I have shot it side by side with my 4506 and all things considered the 457 does a great job especially at typical self defense ranges. I like the gun so much that I am thinking about buying a second one, maybe a somewhat worn blued one.

I don't know if you can swap out the sights but I wouldn't bother unless night sights were available. There is absolutely no problem with the polymer sights. I think it is best to appreciate the gun for what it is - a nice reliable .45 at an affordable price.

Bill

I think that Novak makes night sights for them, that is what I am going to look into when i get mine. You sound about like me, i carry my 3913 most of the time, and I carry a model 60 (today!) I am hoping the 457 is decent to carry and shoots half way decent. We will see. my 3913 was not the most accurate pistol when I got it, it was new in the box. I had to have it crowned and sighted. It is kind of fussy about the ammo. It will feed anything, but to be accurate it likes just a few types, and I was able to work up a cast load that I make that it shoot very well.

The rear sight is a standard size and can be readily replaced with a steel version. The front sight is a proprietary design unique to the value series. Finding a steel version of the front sight is, well, probably impossible except for night sights which are also hard to find for this model. I would like some plain black steel sights for my 457 but have never been able to find any. Novacs does not list them.

I found these night sights:Trijicon SA28 3 Dot Green Front Green Rear Night Sight Smith and Wesson Value Series 457 Free Shipping: Laser Sales Not cheap at all! Most places list them as special order, but not this place. Anyway I don't know if they would work for you or not.

Thanks. That was a great find.

I was able to use the model number to do a search at the Trijicon site and came up with this information, no information about price or availability:

PRODUCTS
SA28O Value Series Model 457 3 Dot Orange Front & Rear Night Sight Set


SA28Y Value Series Model 457 3 Dot Yellow Front & Rear Night Sight Set


SA28 Value Series Model 457 3 Dot Green Front & Rear Night Sight Set

Thanks for that info, I could only find them in green. Anyway just about every website has them listed as special order, but the link I posted earlier does not say that and they let you put them in their cart. If I could just get my pistol here...........As I get time I will look around for other makes of sights, if I find them I will post them up.