Mine is also quite accurate shooting 230gr FMJ. I have two mags, both S&W marked and never had any feeding issues with them. Also no problem finding holsters for it, it fits the holsters for my G22.
457
- Thread starter Ameshawki
- Start date
I've had a 457 for quite a few years. Quite reliable and accurate, suitable for discreet carry. They were comparatively inexpensive when offered. .45 ACP is hard to beat for a defensive round. I consider it a worthwhile acquisition.
John
John
Yes. My first 457 came with five OEM and two after market. Those two would not allow the gun to fire in double action. I was never able to diagnose the exact mechanism of the failure so I tossed them.
Stick with OEM mags and you'll be fine.
Stick with OEM mags and you'll be fine.
Frank Black
Member
How many mags come with it? They’re nearly impossible to find.
Stay with SW OE mags as others have said. The OE 457 (1996-2006) mags are the same as the late 4516 / 4513TSW mags with black followers and are marked ES1 on forward face.
Due to some early problems with the 4516 feed using original mags, the early 4516 (1988-89) mags with orange follower were replaced by the 4516-1 (1989-1992) mags with yellow follower and finally the 4516-2 (1993-97 and 457 etc) mags with the black follower. Changes were also made to 4516 pistols including frame, guide rod, and barrel hence the -1 and -2 designations.
The last mags with the black follower and ES1 markings would have been OE to the 457 but earlier 4516 mags may work - just stay away from non SW mags.
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Two, which was a pleasant surprise. I priced mags before I bought this. Pricey devils.
3-4 years ago, you could find those for $30-35.00, but now they are going for closer to $70.00. If you can find them.
There's 20 or so on ebay right now. None are a bargain. I think two will suit me fine.
I bought a lot of them when people weren't hunting for them and got them at a good price. Which means that I don't need to look right now.
winter1857
US Veteran
That's good information. Thank you. The one I have has an orange follower and works fine. The new Pro Mags are no good at all.
RRH
Member
I like my 457, 908, and 410 S&W “value line” guns. Supposedly, the finish is not as durable and some parts are plastic. I have not experienced any issues with mine. I must admit that my shooting volume is down quite a bit due to multiple things (ammo prices, spouse’s health issues and subsequent bills). I purchased all three of these in a much more friendly price structure of several years ago. Even at the current price levels, I think that they are good guns for the money.
Frank Black
Member
Anymore these days, reasonable market pricing of a 3rd Gen pistol is determined by two factors: (1) the general condition of the gun; and (2) how many factory mags come with it.
To even get me interested, my minimum is three good-to-exc condition mags with the gun. A one-mag gun doesn’t rate a second look.
And a two-mag gun might tempt me only if it’s an unfired/NIB model that’s a “must-have” specimen for my 3rd Gen collection.
Obviously, the mileage of other folks may vary.
True especially for 10mm and 45 and other single stacks - but you can still get 5906 etc factory mags new and used at decent prices and 4006 etc used. And Mecgar 6906 and 5906.
Here's Mine!
I bought this new from Mace Sports in North Carolina in 2005.
The price was just shy then of $500.
It has been a constant companion.
There are two significant weaknesses with the pistol which I solved.
First the blue finish is very, very thin and cheap and does not protect the slide from sweat or moisture. After carrying the pistol in a bellyband, the sweat rusted it. Solved by sending to CCR for Cera-hide black.
Second, the plastic sights work fine until dropping the pistol crushed the rear sight. (ooops) Solved by having CCR install Tritium night sights.
I bought this new from Mace Sports in North Carolina in 2005.
The price was just shy then of $500.
It has been a constant companion.
There are two significant weaknesses with the pistol which I solved.
First the blue finish is very, very thin and cheap and does not protect the slide from sweat or moisture. After carrying the pistol in a bellyband, the sweat rusted it. Solved by sending to CCR for Cera-hide black.
Second, the plastic sights work fine until dropping the pistol crushed the rear sight. (ooops) Solved by having CCR install Tritium night sights.
Attachments
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Odinkar
US Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2007
- Messages
- 200
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- 88
I got a 457S as a off duty gun when I came back from Iraq in 2005. It's still in my carry rotation. I was looking at a CS45 but wasn't sure about recoil so I went with the 457. I agree that they are a underrated gun from S&W. At some point I want to add night sights to it but just haven't gotten around to it.
Night sights are going to be hard to find. The ones used on the regular 3rd Gen guns won't work without recutting the dove tails. The original 457 night sights are no longer available.
There are a couple of people on the forum who can do that.
Still, they are great guns and as you note, highly underrated.
There are a couple of people on the forum who can do that.
Still, they are great guns and as you note, highly underrated.
Hill_Country
Member
Good luck finding Trijicons for the 457. Just today I talked to their customer service and was told that they will no longer make those night sights - which are really the only option if you want metal sights.
However, while the 457 uses the SA28 model sight, the SA26 and SA27 will fit the dovetail if you can find them. The difference is in the height. This will affect your sight picture but is doable. In my case, I only needed the front sight and the front sight for the 410 (SA27?) is the same height as the front sight for the SA28 set. I found the front sight "for delivery in 4-6 weeks" and am keeping my fingers crossed.
FWIW, Trijicon CS suggested I contact ToolTech Gunsight Custom installer of Trijicon Night Sights – 248.628.1811 . I didn't call them, but let us know what they can do if you talk to them.
Hill_Country
Member
Just today I received a front sight from MidwayUSA in case I couldn't find a Trijicon.
It is a S&W PN # 562515 and the label says it fits S&W 410, 457, 457D 909 and 910.
The 410 and 457 (and these other models) use the same height front sight, but the rear sight height MAY be different. However, I *THINK* the dovetail (front and rear) is the same on all these models.
Also, from talking to Trijicon customer service, if you find a sight from an online dealer that says that sight can be delivered in 4-6 weeks, Trijicon will manufacture that part. However, if it says that model (like SA26, SA27, and 28) is obsolete, they won't manufacture it. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but maybe if they got several orders they might reconsider since they all use basically the same materials.
Edit to add:
These models all *appear* to share the same dovetail so if you can't find the Trijicon's you need perhaps you can adapt one of the other models.
Trijicon Model / Front Height / Rear Height
SA26 (410) .151 .273
SA27 (908) .132 .273
SA28 (457) .151 .374
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31Kilo
Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2009
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- 64
- Reaction score
- 67
I would love to see a picture of that! who did the work?
