Couple of online 457s for sale around $450. Is this a fair price (assuming gun is in good condition)?

I'd like a Smith .45 carryable and while my M&P 45c is fine, (and 4566 is too heavy) I'd like a hammer-fired version.

Had a 4516-1 and we didn't meld....maybe the no dash? Or certainly a 4513TSW but they seem hard to find.

That really depends on a number of factors,

Condition. The cleaner and less used one appears, the more it's worth.

Stainless or Carbon? Stainless are worth more, but I'm not sure how much more. I've seen them for $500.00 or more, but personally that's a bit high.

LGS or private seller?

The last one I bought, right after the first of the year, I paid $349.00 plus tax. Gun, box, paperwork, two magazines. The same shop sold one about a month previous for the same price. I never saw that one, but as I recall, the listing was similar.

I consider that a bargain price, but $450.00 for a non stainless version is at the top of what I'd pay.

That's just me and other people might just say I'm cheap.

Also, figure into your price calculations the cost of a new recoil spring. Factory ones are sometimes rare, but Springco makes a very nice set that will be yours for around $20.00, including shipping. Even if a gun is listed "ANIB" I replace the recoil spring. As S&W does not have any replacement 3rd Gen frames, it's cheap insurance.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Not since you bought that nifty Model 3953TSW! I couldn't have come up with that much money even if I closed and cashed out my entire bank account!

In regard to Model 457 & 457S prices specifically, all I can say is that condition is everything. Well, that and how lucky (or unlucky) you are I suppose. The bargain 457/457S pistols are out there, but you've got to be patient and keep your eyes open. GaryS did really well on that recent Model 457. That may be tough to duplicate if you are just looking at on-line listings and not keeping a close eye on your local dealers. My own luck has been mixed. I've scored some very nice condition guns, but no one would say I got them cheap. For the best of the best (100% ANIB condition), I had to swallow pretty hard before going for my wallet.

That and you live behind enemy lines so it must be even harder to find.

I got my 457 in Dec at my local shop as I was picking up a 909 I had won on that one site. The guy didn't have to do much to sell it to me when I saw it and agreed with his rating of 95% or better. $400 out the door but only 2 mags and nothing else.

I would call $400.00 for a 457 pretty reasonable. The price I got mine for was a bargain, especially considering the condition it was in.

Which is why I wasted no time in calling the shop and asking them to put a hold on it. I wasn't going to be able to get up to the shop that weekend as I was out of town.

Apparently, I wasn't the only person who saw it because I got a call from the owner to confirm that I was still interested as he had "several" other people who had asked.

It pays to call ahead!

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Here's the thing: if you like the 45ACP round, and you like compact semi-autos, then you just gotta have an S&W 457. It's a fine gun by most any measure, and value-wise, you get an awful lot for your money. To the point that you can use it without worrying about putting a scratch or two on it, or letting it be the rough and tumble beast it was designed to be. There are a lot of great 45's out there, including many with the S&W label on them, and a gallery of 1911 models, but IMHO, if you're serious about 45ACP semi-autos, then you need a 457 in the stable somewhere.

I think $400 to $500 for an excellent condition one is a deal all day long, for what the gun is.

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

Many thanks to all who shared their knowledge.

I got to thinking about my carry choices, however, and did something I should have done before...I compared the dimensions of a 457 and a Sig 245 that I've been carrying. Somehow I thought the 457 would be a bit smaller than the Sig; it is, but not enough to make a difference.

The 457 is 7.2" while the sig is 7.3. Sig has a fractional advantage on barrel length, but not enough for the way I shoot. Height is equivalent; Sig is an ounce lighter; and the Sig has Heinie straight 8s.

The difference is the Sig has beautiful wood grips...but they are bulky, so I'm ordering some Pirahna G10s and figure I'm saving $350. I'm sure I'd love the 457....but I think I'll save the money and keep looking for a 4513TSW and go for broke.

Again, much appreciate everyone's comments. (Here's the Sig.)

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Presumably, you mean the pre-rail 4513TSW as the later railed 4513TSW (or its rare unrailed variant) is going to be the same size and weight as the Model 457/457S.

And if you're looking for something really compact in a .45 (relatively speaking), why not a CS45?

I think I'd like the 4513 not so much for carry....but as a "companion" to my 4566 TSW. More of a collector-type piece than a daily self-defense gun.

And for a compact .45 I love my Shield and it's small enough for me, esp. in .45acp.