Model 457

[Bassmanpa]

Here are a couple pics of my model 457, with new Hogue grips. Sorry about the pic quality. My close up function isn't working properly.

[mg2112]

You are a lucky man. The 457 is a great shooter. Super accurate and ultra-reliable. Feed her the cheap Tula ammo. My 457 eats it right up.
I love my 457. Avoid the 6 o'clock hold. This little marvel is a point and shoot gun. Put the front site where you want the bullet to go. Great little gun and you can find mags on gunbroker.

[chuck0291]

Great gun, Mind has been my EDC for a few years now. Never leave home without it.

[t-bird]

Thanks for the pics and info.

[GerSan69]

Love my new-to-me 457! I took another Forum member's advice and went with a Sig 229 holster... fits perfectly. I also just found some used Hogue wood grips on eBay. This semi seems to be one of those diamonds in the rough you hear about but seldom see. Looking forward to a long and happy relationship!

[tom-tom]

I think the 457 is one of the homeliest pistols out there. I have all the 3rd gens I'll ever need. .45 ACP is expensive. Heck, I don't even shoot my Combat Commander any more. So why do these darned 457s keep calling my name?
You guys aren't helping any. Can't you give me a break? Please?

[GerSan69]

Tom-tom. Dude. You're the magnet, they're the steel. Also, they know you don't mean it when you call them ugly.

[Masterbuck54]

Pick up last fall...sweet shooting for sure
Masterbuck54

[Guevera]

For those not familiar with it and the size of the 457, you can see here it isn't a whole lot larger than this 908 wearing a 3913 slide.

I bought this 457 as "police surplus," but have to wonder if that is true and what department might have carried this model. In any event, the 457 is a swell pistol and a great value.

[georgesmith]

I picked up a 457 A few weeks ago. The price was great and it shoots well. I carry it in a Yaqui holster I bought for a Sig P6.

[dogsoldier]

Originally Posted by Guevera

For those not familiar with it and the size of the 457, you can see here it isn't a whole lot larger than this 908 wearing a 3913 slide.

I bought this 457 as "police surplus," but have to wonder if that is true and what department might have carried this model. In any event, the 457 is a swell pistol and a great value.

I picked up my 'surplus' 457 a few months ago. It formerly 'rode' with the Syracuse, NY PD. It is my EDC.

[USMC586]

The 457 is an underrated side arm and it's price is deceptive compared to it's quality. Enjoy the hell out of your sleeper. It's a Hemi in a Dodge Dart. That gun will treat you right. For those of you unimpressed with the looks, a little fine tuning and it can become the animal it is destined to be. Search if you wish, there are a few threads that show the 457s alter ego.

[GaryS]

The 457 is my only 45ACP gun as I prefer 9mm. Still I like it and wouldn't hesitate to carry it every day. There is a 457 and a 457s at a LGS I've done business with. Every time I look at the listings on their website, I have to tell myself that I need to save some money in case a 3rd generation 9mm comes along.

If someone told me that the 457 was the only hand gun I could own, I could live with that quite easily.

Originally Posted by USMC586

The 457 is an underrated side arm and it's price is deceptive compared to it's quality. Enjoy the hell out of your sleeper. It's a Hemi in a 4 door Dart. That gun will treat you right. For those of you unimpressed with the looks, a little fine tuning and it can become the animal it is destined to be. Search if you wish, there are a few threads that show the 457s alter ego.

[jazzman452]

is 400.00 an ok price for one of these. Looks to be about 95 percent. I cannot find any mags for it online which also may influence my decision to get it.
Thanks,
Jim

[GaryS]

I would say it's a good price based on what I see them going for locally. Magazines, holsters, and other accessories that will fit the 4513/16 will work for the 457 as it's a "Value Line" version of those guns.

Originally Posted by jazzman452

is 400.00 an ok price for one of these. Looks to be about 95 percent. I cannot find any mags for it online which also may influence my decision to get it.
Thanks,
Jim

[nocents]

Originally Posted by jazzman452

is 400.00 an ok price for one of these. Looks to be about 95 percent. I cannot find any mags for it online which also may influence my decision to get it.
Thanks,
Jim

that is waaaayyyy over priced and mags are impossible to find ......where is it for sale and I will personally take that seller to task for trying to take advantage of you...

[Guevera]

I picked up two of these surplus pistols when they were available and consider it one of the smartest things things I've done lately. In the past I've owned Colt Officer's Models and New Agents and would far rather carry this well-worn 457.

Following up on the Syracuse NY police department connection mentioned above, I posted an inquiry on ARFCOM asking about this to people on the NY "hometown" forum. Somebody who responded said "That model was carried by plain clothes officers in the Special Investigations Division; narcotics, vice, etc. at the same time, most officers carried the 4506 or 4566. A few years back, the dept. Switched over to the M&P 45." I assume this information is correct.

Syracuse cops or not, I'm really pleased by this pistol and it has been my winter EDC. Light and accurate with all the qualities we enjoy in Third Generation S&Ws.

[vigil617]

Originally Posted by Masterbuck54

Pick up last fall...sweet shooting for sure
Masterbuck54

Masterbuck, according to the SCSW, these two-tone models were a special run for one of the distributors in 1997, and instead of the alloy frame, they have a stainless frame with satin finish. (I'm assuming the slide is stainless also, but with the blued finish?) They're also supposed to be, according to the SCSW, twice as valuable as the other 457 models. Thoughts, anyone? Any idea how many were made, or original retail price? Is this version hard to find?

Also, as a Value Line pistol, do the 457 models have any internal parts that are plastic, compared with the 4513/4516 models that are all-metal? I'm more and more intrigued with the 457 the more I read about it.

Do they have the nested recoil springs, the way the Shorty 45 has? I notice the barrel lengths are the same as the Shorty 45, and wonder if a 457 would be a good back-up (and parts source, perhaps) for the PC gun....

[nocents]

the alloy frame is what makes a 457 desirable to me anyway....unless someone is looking for a rare collector type gun .........and if the two tone has a SS frame and commands twice the price.......... a 4516 of any variant sounds like a better option.....that said I really would like a 457 for my modest collection....since the price of 4513's have gone off the charts

[Guevera]

Originally Posted by nocents

.....that said I really would like a 457 for my modest collection....

Sportsmen's Superstore sold a batch of surplus pistols, and even though they are sold out they make it sound like they may receive some more. I would have thought they'd simply delete this page otherwise: http://www.sportsmansoutdoorsupersto...457-45acp-used

[nocents]

thanks Guevera.....I remember when those were available.....I know of a like new example close to me that is available....but the tax man and some spring home projects are putting gun acquisitions on hold for a while

[vigil617]

In response to my own question about about the two-tone 457s produced one year: I saw a couple of them in the completed sales portion of GB that sold well under $500. They seemed roughly in line with the other models that had sold, so the "twice the value" contention in the SCSW might be true only in theory. I know two-tones aren't for everybody, but at the same time, an all-steel pistol for that kind of money, in .45ACP, is worth considering.

I'm with nocents, though, in that the aluminum alloy frames are worth it, especially in a carry piece.

Still would like to hear from anyone about the nested-springs question, especially....

Thinking I have a good candidate for a "truck gun" now, especially if I can find one for only a few hundred bucks that's as reliable as the Smith Third Gens are.

[nocents]

^^^^^^"Doorman for Dogs"^^^^^...+1 on that

[ultratec00]

I own a two tone, but it has an alloy frame not SS.

Great little firearm. Accurate and manageable. Only downside that I can think of is the 457 does not have a standard sight dovetail, but unique to the model. I was able to find a set of tritium sights for mine while the model was still in production.

Originally Posted by vigil617

I know two-tones aren't for everybody, but at the same time, an all-steel pistol for that kind of money, in .45ACP, is worth considering.

[andrewb70]

Originally Posted by ultratec00

I own a two tone, but it has an alloy frame not SS.

Great little firearm. Accurate and manageable. Only downside that I can think of is the 457 does not have a standard sight dovetail, but unique to the model. I was able to find a set of tritium sights for mine while the model was still in production.

XS offers both their Big Dot and Little Dot sights for the 457.

Andrew

[sintered]

My 457D has duel springs (one inside the other). Is that what you meant by "Nested?"

[vigil617]

Originally Posted by sintered

My 457D has duel springs (one inside the other). Is that what you meant by "Nested?"

Yep. Thanks.