457 Makeover...BMCM inspired...(many pictures)

andrewb70 · Oct 9, 2012

Many of you have seen the 4516 thread by BMCM...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...ond-dremel-now-melted-melonited-4516-1-a.html

Bill is a great craftsman and he inspired me to follow in his footsteps, albeit in a more limited fashion. My EDC is a trusty 457. As you all know, the 457 is part of the S&W "economy" line of pistols. If a 4516/4513 and a 457 were ever compared side by side, it is easy to see where the cost savings came from. Compared to the 4513, the 457 slide is very block and angular. No doubt S&W cut costs by reducing machine time along with using plastic components. For instance, the sights and the disconnector are plastic, as is the mag release.

For this project my goal is simple. I want to improve the appearance of the 457 slide and add durability by replacing the disconnector and sights.

Here are pictures of what I have done so far. All comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks for looking,
Andrew

Here is a stock 457 for reference:

grif684 · Oct 9, 2012

Looking good so far, I love the melted look, what are you planning for a finish?

andrewb70 · Oct 9, 2012

grif684 said:
Looking good so far, I love the melted look, what are you planning for a finish?

I want something very durable, so I am thinking the same melonite finish that Bill did on his 4516, but I am open to suggestions.

Andrew

SW CQB 45 · Oct 9, 2012

I like it!!

How bout a nice blue finish!

not mirror polish, but a few steps under.

andrewb70 · Oct 14, 2012

I love America. You can get anything you want or need delivered to your door. I ordered some files, emery cloth, and most importantly a 9x12 granite plate.

The plate allowed me make the side and top perfectly flat and smooth. It also made it easier to evenly bevel the transition from the side as it goes up to the top of the slide.

I plan on doing more work on the nose and also to have the left side of the slide laser engraved with Tu Ne Cede Malis.

Andrew

andrewb70 · Oct 15, 2012

Well, I think I am done with everything that I am going to do with the slide. What do y'all think?

Andrew

33jayman · Oct 15, 2012

Cool project! I like it.

Can I ask where you got the piece of granite? I need on of those too.

Be sure to keep the pictures coming.

Jay

andrewb70 · Oct 15, 2012

33jayman said:
Cool project! I like it.

Can I ask where you got the piece of granite? I need on of those too.

Be sure to keep the pictures coming.

Jay

Grizzly.com

I got the 9x12 2 ledge model. It's the perfect size for this kind of work. It's also a great surface for attaching a small suction cup style vise.

Andrew

wlp624 · Oct 15, 2012

Really nice so far. One question though, do you think the safety / decocker arm might be a little too slick to operate with the grooves ground away?

BMCM · Oct 16, 2012

Lookin' good so far. have you thought of doing anything to the rear of the slide? You have a good deal of meat there especially where the slide transitions to the backsight.

Cheers
Bill

andrewb70 · Oct 16, 2012

wlp624 said:
Really nice so far. One question though, do you think the safety / decocker arm might be a little too slick to operate with the grooves ground away?

Yes, it probably is a little too smooth and slick, but for me, this is not a concern. I don't carry with the safety on and the only time I use the decocker is at the range or when loading a bullet into the chamber before I holster. If I carried with the safety on, I would have left it alone.

Andrew

andrewb70 · Oct 16, 2012

BMCM said:
Lookin' good so far. have you thought of doing anything to the rear of the slide? You have a good deal of meat there especially where the slide transitions to the backsight.

Cheers
Bill

Bill,

Thanks for the suggestion. I will look at that today and see what I can come up with.

Andrew

andrewb70 · Oct 16, 2012

I decided to leave the back of the slide mostly alone. I just beveled some sharp edges and made sure the it was polished like the sides. Today I am going to send it off to:

Colorado Gun Writes | custom laser engraving

for the laser engraving and then off to Coal Creek to get finished.

Andrew

D Rock · Oct 16, 2012

Nice job! Thanks for posting the pics.

Look forward to the finished product.

Dave

blujax01 · Oct 17, 2012

andrewb70 said:
Grizzly.com

I got the 9x12 2 ledge model. It's the perfect size for this kind of work. It's also a great surface for attaching a small suction cup style vise.

Andrew

And for giving the mailman a hernia, no doubt!

Not nearly as expensive as I would have imagined.

tomshilling · Oct 17, 2012

I plan on doing more work on the nose and also to have the left side of the slide laser engraved with Tu Ne Cede Malis.

Okay,,,, I will admit that I am apparently the ONLY person on the board who doesn't know Latin... what does it mean?

BTW: I have no idea how you are melting away all that metal, but it looks awesome! My only concern would be how do you know if you have taken off so much metal that the structural integrity may be sacrificed when it comes to absorbing all the energy and recoil from the .45 acp? Some spots look pretty thin!

andrewb70 · Oct 17, 2012

tomshilling said:
I plan on doing more work on the nose and also to have the left side of the slide laser engraved with Tu Ne Cede Malis.

Okay,,,, I will admit that I am apparently the ONLY person on the board who doesn't know Latin... what does it mean?

BTW: I have no idea how you are melting away all that metal, but it looks awesome! My only concern would be how do you know if you have taken off so much metal that the structural integrity may be sacrificed when it comes to absorbing all the energy and recoil from the .45 acp? Some spots look pretty thin!

The 457 slides are big and block, way more so than the 4516 slides. I didn't take off as much material as might appear. Did you have a particular spot where it looks "pretty thin."

Tu Ne Cede Malis -- Do not give in to evil

Andrew

wlp624 · Oct 17, 2012

How about "Illegitemi non Carborundum"... "Don't let the *******s wear you down"

half-lug · Oct 18, 2012

Great work so far fella!!!

Sounds like you've figured out the finish issue, but I was going to offer a matte or bead blast hard chrome as a finish. Hardchrome is nearly indestructable, and has a great lubrocity to it. It would wear great unless you plan on dragging it everywhere you go, and will be protected from rust and moisture in a HUGE way.

USMC586 · Oct 18, 2012

Looks good!
I did the same to mine about five years ago, however your melt is more agressive than mine. As far as the finish goes, I did mine in Robar NP3 and it has held up like a champ. Good luck with the final details and keep us posted.

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457 Makeover...BMCM inspired...(many pictures)

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