457 Zander UPDATE-Roy Letter

HYPURR · Apr 21, 2019

Hi all, asking the many way way more knowledgeable than I...

Under consideration as trade + $$$ for a 2nd gen I have up FS. Reputable party. Both of us experienced CalGuns forum members with established itrader ratings.

Believe this to be a 1997 457 Zander. No box/docs/etc. Excellent condition - 95%ish. Probable hundreds of rounds fired maybe less. 5 S&W Original Mags/4 never used. Current owner stuck the grip hex's on the front strap. EZ to remove (claims not covering issues). Not original owner. He has never fired it.

But...SA-during take up midway a click. Similar to a double set trigger on a rifle. Then 2-3mm travel take up before the SA breaks as it should. DA operates as any normal S&W 3G.

I have never heard/experienced this SA trigger issue. Not 1 of many 3gs (9-45) in my stable exhibit this condition.

What am I looking at here? SEE attached for pics/reference.

Best, Dave

GaryS · Apr 21, 2019

The trigger play spring, which doesn't show up well in your pictures, is the culprit. It's a common problem in the .45ACP 3rd Gen guns.

Search "trigger play spring" in this sub forum and you'll find all sorts of information.

Jeppo · Apr 21, 2019

Nice gun, easy fix.

TTSH · Apr 21, 2019

Jeppo said:
Nice gun, easy fix.

... except if you are poor old TTSH.

Too fearful to try the pencil eraser fix
Too klutzy to replace the spring & rivet
Too poor to send my guns down to BMCM

But we can agree: That is a very nice looking gun!

Jeppo · Apr 21, 2019

TTSH said:
... except if you are poor old TTSH.

Too fearful to try the pencil eraser fix

Too klutzy to replace the spring & rivet

Too poor to send my guns down to BMCM

But we can agree: That is a very nice looking gun!

Gotta help out a bud. Send them to me and I’ll fix ‘em up. You won’t even have to pay for return shipping.

TTSH · Apr 21, 2019

Jeppo said:
Gotta help out a bud. Send them to me and I’ll fix ‘em up. You won’t even have to pay for return shipping.

I have learned to be very suspicious of Jeppos bearing gifts.

All kidding aside, I got a quote from one of my local gunsmiths: $85.00/gun (for trigger play spring replacement) if I supply the parts.

So all I've got to do is not eat for 4-6 months and my "clicking" problems are gone for good!

GaryS · Apr 21, 2019

The pencil eraser fix isn't hard, you just have to be careful.

Interestingly, my late production 457 has a steel trigger play spring. I have to wonder if it was one of those mysterious "LE" production guns?

Either way, it's a keeper. Not a Zander, but danged nice.

That Zander is very pretty too. No wear that I could see on it.

TTSH · Apr 21, 2019

GaryS said:
The pencil eraser fix isn't hard, you just have to be careful.

Interestingly, my late production 457 has a steel trigger play spring. I have to wonder if it was one of those mysterious "LE" production guns?

Either way, it's a keeper. Not a Zander, but danged nice.

That Zander is very pretty too. No wear that I could see on it.

It's a damn nice looking Zander.

I'd jump on that in a heartbeat!

But it's a California gun, so it's far more valuable where it is than what I could ever afford to pay for it.

GaryS, you know darn well that if I tried to do the pencil eraser fix, I would screw it up for sure... either breaking the spring or loosening the rivet or both.

100% guaranteed.

HYPURR · Apr 22, 2019

Many Thanks

Very much appreciate the replies and info from the knowledgeable.

In all my 3G experiences and examples thru the years I've yet to come across this "click" until now.

This 457 is calling me but the click caused pause with the high condition example. I'm just not convinced that this didn't have a spa day in a sonic tank along the way...current owner mentioned the grip was replaced due to handling marks and his OCDness.

For a pistol with literally "very little/no use" it's kinda unusal isn't it? Screams used to me more than parked in the back of the safe...

Or, Am I overthinking and being to shy cause it needs alittle work. Possibly I could aquire in the sale/trade at a smokin' deal to make it worth it. I'll use this as a shooter not a collector.

Either way he's committed to just purchase my 2G so i'm GTG.

Thanks again for the replies and advice, Dave

nocents · Apr 22, 2019

HYPURR said:
............................................................

Or, Am I overthinking and being to shy cause it needs alittle work................................................

...........yes

Jeppo · Apr 22, 2019

TTSH said:
GaryS, you know darn well that if I tried to do the pencil eraser fix, I would screw it up for sure... either breaking the spring or loosening the rivet or both. 100% guaranteed.

If you bust ‘em, I’ll take the useless metal off your hands. How ‘bout $10 an ounce?

Seriously, $85 to swap out the spring, labor only? Is it possible the guy has no idea what you actually want done?

HYPURR · Apr 22, 2019

Trigger Spring and?

Is there a recommended "kit" of springs to get including the Trigger Spring? R&R a few of them while in there is the thought.

Thanks, D

Jeppo · Apr 22, 2019

HYPURR said:
Is there a recommended "kit" of springs to get including the Trigger Spring? R&R a few of them while in there is the thought.

Thanks, D

That spring is a job to swap out. Requires removing the rivet and installing a new one (sold separately from the spring). I’m not aware of any “kit” that contains the spring and rivet. These VERY rarely go bad.

HYPURR · Apr 22, 2019

S&W CS

Called CS and was told they have the parts and can do the job. Shipping there and back plus parts and labor is around $ 200ish. A lot of $$$ for this shooter.

Jeppo: These VERY rarely go bad.

Keep coming back to this > Barely used pistol with this issue? Never seen or heard this on any/all my 3Gs I use and collect for the last 30 years.

Appreciate the continued input! Best, D

jsbethel · Apr 22, 2019

HYPURR said:
Called CS and was told they have the parts and can do the job. Shipping there and back plus parts and labor is around $ 200ish. A lot of $$$ for this shooter.

Smith & Wesson Trigger Play Spring S&W 3953TSW 4003TSW 4006TSW 4013TSW

Smith & Wesson Trigger Play Spring Rivet S&W 3953TSW 4003TSW 4006TSW

I must have a good gunsmith - he probably wouldn't charge me more than $25 for this fix.

You could almost save money just buying a new drawbar with the spring already installed!

Smith & Wesson Drawbar Assembly DA S&W 4513TSW 4553TSW 4563TSW 4583TSW

233390000 - Drawbar Assembly - Cylinder & Slide - Handguns parts and accessories

18DAI · Apr 22, 2019

The main cause of the trigger play spring problem in low round count pistols, is over aggressive cleaning. You just can't stick a brush in the frame willy nilly and go to town.

That said, it is a simple fix. Just get a #2 pencil and push forward on the ears of the spring with the eraser. GENTLY.

I have had a pistol, model 910, where the spring was snapped off. No worries, no problem. Alls that spring does is keep the trigger from moving in SA mode.

I would not pass on that two tone 457 over the trigger play spring. My 0.02. Regards 18DAI

WTN1271 · Apr 22, 2019

"Fixed" a 4566 with the same issue using the pencil eraser method and never had the problem again. I won't pass on the 457, it is a sleeper in the world of compact .45's.

03Fatboy · Apr 23, 2019

Buy the parts and mail them to me in Long Beach. It will take me 15 minutes and I’ll mail the repaired part back.

I suspect you can break it down to the bits and pieces since you have mentioned a wealth of owning them over the years. Once broke down your half way there. I’ve incurred the issue and bought them with this issue. Don’t fret, easily fixed and there are how to threads to fix if you want to go a little further.

BLUEDOT37 · Apr 23, 2019

HYPURR said:
Jeppo: These VERY rarely go bad.

Keep coming back to this > Barely used pistol with this issue? Never seen or heard this on any/all my 3Gs I use and collect for the last 30 years.

How many large frame (.45 & 10mm) 3rd Gens TDA's do you have? These are the ones it's commonly found on, not the smaller medium framed pistols, for some odd reason, nor on DAO pistols.

Probably half of my large frame TDAs have that symptom, to some degree or another. New Law Enforcement models were often ordered from S&W with the trigger play spring deleted, like my CHP 4013TSW was. Don't let it be a deciding factor on a pistol you want, it won't affect it's operation.

.

HYPURR · Apr 23, 2019

Forward!

Very much appreciate the assistance and great advice form all.

I will not pass on this pistol. Buyer is deciding re trade fodder as he committed to my 2G. This would be in partial trade. CA Valuations, Trigger bar, his mood, etc. drive this side of our deal.

By the way I looked for a vid or pics of the "Pencil Eraser fix." How's that go down? Any insight/images from the experienced here?

I'm in for the 457! Will advise...

Best, Dave

457 Zander UPDATE-Roy Letter

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