S and W 457
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Nope. Great little .45 for conceal carry. Inexpenseive and will run and run.
Just a fine little gun. What are they asking for it?
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Some may say that the Model 457 was part of the economy line. It was. However, the economy line then is now "They do not make them like that anymore". Buy it and safely shoot it for decades to come.
1775usmarine
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Expect to pay a bit more for ones in 90% or better finish condition. I got lucky and have 2 that I would rate 92% or better for around $350.
Just in case it matters...
Worry about? Maybe just something to be aware of if you aren't already; they have plastic sights, plastic guide rods & plastic magazine catch releases, thus part of the Value Series.
Personally I've never come across one for a cheap enough price that'd entice me to overlook that. Always seem to be asking a premium price, plus I've found/bought 4516's cheaper, though they're ~9oz. heavier. I did find a 4553TSW pre-rail that fills my needs though & is just as light. And stainless steel is so much easier to keep looking nice over black/blued.
If it's a good price & in good shape, go for it if that's what you want, & don't worry.
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Worry about? Maybe just something to be aware of if you aren't already; they have plastic sights, plastic guide rods & plastic magazine catch releases, thus part of the Value Series.
Personally I've never come across one for a cheap enough price that'd entice me to overlook that. Always seem to be asking a premium price, plus I've found/bought 4516's cheaper, though they're ~9oz. heavier. I did find a 4553TSW pre-rail that fills my needs though & is just as light. And stainless steel is so much easier to keep looking nice over black/blued.
If it's a good price & in good shape, go for it if that's what you want, & don't worry.
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You can find 457s that were made for distribution by Zander with a SS slide instead of the black finish. The black finish is pretty thin and will wear off quickly on the high spots if you carry much. That is the Value series finish. Bluedot correctly says that there is not a "standard production" equivalent to a 457. There are to other guns for instance the 915 is the equivalennt to the 5904.
4516s are nice (actually IMO a great pistol) but very heavy for a CCW. If you are looking for a good "better" alternative the early production 4513 TSWs (no rail) has an alloy frame and SS slide, They are pretty highly sought after and you will pay a premium for them. If you like CCWs with a rail then there are options such as Bluedot pointed out. Later production Chiefs Special CS45s are also a nice alloy frame CCW with both SS and Black slides and frames. Again they will cost quite a bit more than a 457.
Others may point out more options and nuances.
I still stand by my original post .. they are inexpensive and will run and run...
4516s are nice (actually IMO a great pistol) but very heavy for a CCW. If you are looking for a good "better" alternative the early production 4513 TSWs (no rail) has an alloy frame and SS slide, They are pretty highly sought after and you will pay a premium for them. If you like CCWs with a rail then there are options such as Bluedot pointed out. Later production Chiefs Special CS45s are also a nice alloy frame CCW with both SS and Black slides and frames. Again they will cost quite a bit more than a 457.
Others may point out more options and nuances.
I still stand by my original post .. they are inexpensive and will run and run...
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Ahhh... Another coffee dude!
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vigil617
US Veteran
It's a great time to buy a 457, no matter which version you choose. For the past few months, prices on that large auction site are about as low as they have ever been. Local gun shops also seem to be offering them at excellent prices, probably as a reflection of the online guys' pricing. You just won't find a metal semi-auto .45 from a respected maker for a better price and value.
Sure, there are a few plastic parts in them. But I feel confident saying that unless you intend to run thousands of rounds through one, you'll never know the difference. I've owned both a blued 457 and, currently, a 457S, and never had a moment's problem with either.
A 4516 would be the closest comparable S&W model, price-wise, and you'll likely pay anywhere from $100 to $200 more for a similar-condition gun. That's a pretty good value, too, come to think of it....
Sure, there are a few plastic parts in them. But I feel confident saying that unless you intend to run thousands of rounds through one, you'll never know the difference. I've owned both a blued 457 and, currently, a 457S, and never had a moment's problem with either.
A 4516 would be the closest comparable S&W model, price-wise, and you'll likely pay anywhere from $100 to $200 more for a similar-condition gun. That's a pretty good value, too, come to think of it....
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If I carried my 457 on a regular basis, the only thing I would do is have a set of night sights installed. That would likely require a trip to BMCM for some slide machining, but would be well worth it.
1) There are plenty of parts available.
2) They rarely break, so you don't need a lot of parts.
Clean and lube regularly, replace the recoil spring when buying the gun. You'll be good forever.
All 3rd Gens are pretty robust, even the Value Line guns.
I've owned three 457s and have never had one problem with any of them.
2) They rarely break, so you don't need a lot of parts.
Clean and lube regularly, replace the recoil spring when buying the gun. You'll be good forever.
All 3rd Gens are pretty robust, even the Value Line guns.
I've owned three 457s and have never had one problem with any of them.
I agree with GaryS. Well said!
The only caveat I would add is if you plan on shooting over 4300 rounds through your 457, get an extra mag catch. I did lots of mag changes over the years and mine wore out at around that round count.
And if you plan on shooting over 9000 rounds through your 457, get an extra sideplate. That is the round count where I broke mine. In both cases, parts were EASILY found for very little cost.
Not bad performance for a "value line" pistol.
Regards 18DAI
The only caveat I would add is if you plan on shooting over 4300 rounds through your 457, get an extra mag catch. I did lots of mag changes over the years and mine wore out at around that round count.
And if you plan on shooting over 9000 rounds through your 457, get an extra sideplate. That is the round count where I broke mine. In both cases, parts were EASILY found for very little cost.
Not bad performance for a "value line" pistol.
Regards 18DAI
Good information. Of course if you order an extra mag catch, don't forget to order the plastic "nut" which is a non reusable part. And a "tornado spring." You probably won't need it, but it's fun to say "tornado spring."
I agree with GaryS. Well said!
The only caveat I would add is if you plan on shooting over 4300 rounds through your 457, get an extra mag catch. I did lots of mag changes over the years and mine wore out at around that round count.
And if you plan on shooting over 9000 rounds through your 457, get an extra sideplate. That is the round count where I broke mine. In both cases, parts were EASILY found for very little cost.
Not bad performance for a "value line" pistol.
xfarfuldog
Member
457
Passed up a NIB 457 at Lima show yesterday. Thought the asking price of
$ 500 was too high. He was not happy when I explained to my friends that the 457 was a value line gun.
Passed up a NIB 457 at Lima show yesterday. Thought the asking price of
$ 500 was too high. He was not happy when I explained to my friends that the 457 was a value line gun.
^^^ FWIW, it's never considered polite to bad-mouth a man's asking price. Buy it or not, but no need to run your mouth.
Carry on...
Carry on...
barbara_em
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I passed on a nice 457 at $375 a few months back, partly because it would have been the only .45 in the fold and party out of shear cussedness: the salesman at the shop was rude and in my line of work, I meet enough rude people that I won't deal with another if I have a choice in the matter.
