457 or 4516

[Charlie111]

I'm wanting to get a compact 45. I have narrowed my wants down to a 457 or a 4516. I'm interested in the pros and cons for each one. I currently use a 3953 and love it. I just started looking at the Smith's after reading this Forum. I have had many wonderful reads on this site. Thanks

 

[18DAI]

I've owned both and still own the 4516.

Do you want a light, relatively flat 45 carry gun that will not be fired in excess of 1500 rounds a year? Then the 457 is for you.

If you want to carry a very durable, slightly heavy 45 and compete with your carry gun, and fire more than 3000 rounds per year, go with the 4516.

I have owned two 457's. They were wonderful to carry, very reliable and accurate too. I just didn't find them as nice as the 4516 or 4513's for that matter. Personal taste I suppose. Good luck with your decision! Regards 18DAI

 

[Realzebub45]

I wholeheartedly agree with 18DAI.

I have both, and he hit the nail on the head, again.

4516 might be noticeably heavier, but it feels confidently solid, and more refined.

 

[Charlie111]

Thanks for the information. It will be a help.

 

[Two Guns]

If you are going to carry it get the 457.

 

[Aden67]

I have to vote for the 4516...yes a bit heavier...but darn solid and dependable. The 4516 is at the bottom.

 

[mpi]

4516, for sure!

 

[jcjacobvt]

I have to vote for the 4516...yes a bit heavier...but darn solid and dependable. The 4516 is at the bottom.

Try to find the 4516-2, a much better frame. Stronger than 4516. Have carried seen they were made.

 

[Andyd]

The 4516 is a good shooter but kind of heavy to carry. My son shot the 4516 together with two other guns at 12 yards when he was 14 years old and considered it accurate and easy to shoot. He always liked the .45 ACP but now is choosing something smaller and lighter to conceal in Florida.

 

[ultratec00]

No doubt the 4516 is a little better quality than the 457. The 457 slide is more square than the 4516 and has a larger dovetail for the front sight. The 457 also doesn't have an ambi decocker or a serrated hammer. It is/was considered a less expensive version that I believe replaced the 4516. Given that, the 457 is still very accurate and very shootable. Unfortunately you just can't slap a 4516 slide on a 457 frame. Won't work. Question is finding a 4516. Probably easier finding a 457. I like my 457, but it like my 4566 have been retired for the M&Ps. Just my opinion, while the 457 frame is not stainless it still will probably outlast most owners.

 

[cololab]

I prefer an all steel frame. My 4516 has lasted thousands of rounds and still is much tighter than the slide to frame fit on a friends 457. I don't know if he has really done anything to accelerate a loose fit, but it is there nonetheless.

 

[Jimmymac46]

Different animals

Kind of apples to oranges. The only similarity is they are both 45's and made by Smith. The 457 was designed for carry and is akin to the 3914 9mm......no bells and whistles, just for shooting. It is for those who want alot more than a 9mm in a similar size package. It is not a range gun. It is, however very reliable and accurate. I love mine, shoot it often, but not for target work. The 4516 is really a holster gun, and clearly built for more rounds and longer life, if fired daily. I have an early 4506, a great shooter, accurate, soft shooting, fun, reliable.....but is doesn't carry worth a damn. Big gun vs. small gun. Gets down to your usage.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I have both of them, a 457S and a 4516-2.

Thoughts:
The 4516 is certainly a durable, well made and machined all steel 3rd gen Smith. You'll know it's all steel if you carry it any appreciable time. It does not pocket carry all that well, although it can be done. It is also heavy IWB. Good range gun, nice traditional sights, good occasional carry gun but really needs a belt holster to carry it comfortably.

The 457's alloy frame makes it a bit lighter to carry, its sights are not as nice but work well for the purpose, it is not as finely contoured in slide or frame. I find that mine is more accurate than the 4516 with the same loads and actually seems to shoot softer...perhaps it is the double captive recoil spring it has that is different. In fact, I have had ladyfriends shooting them side by side and they preferred the 457 because it is lighter but counterintuitively seems to recoil less to them. I thought this so myself but it was interesting to see it corroborated by at least a few other shooters who are far more recoil sensitive than I am. The triggers are about the same on both.

I wouldn't readily trade or sell either one because they both have a purpose but if I did it would likely be the 4516 because I can use a 4506 for a range or heavy duty carry gun. Otherwise, if I wanted a 45ACP to use with mostly heavier +P loadings and practice with such more frequently, say to use as a field/woods carry option in a belt holster, the 4516 would be my choice. If I wanted more of an urban carry gun using mostly standard loads for practice and +P for carry, then the 457S would get the nod. Not that I think it is necessarily that much less durable ... most folks probably shoot no more than a 1000/1500 rounds a year anyway in their pet carry gun unless they really practice a lot or use it for action games.

You can't really go wrong with either. Since you already have a 3953 and presumably carry it, you will find the extra weight of the 4516 a lot more noticeable if that is a factor. I would like to find a 3953 (have a 3913). I have it's big brother 4053 and actually choose to carry it more often than either of the 45s. Great gun. Wouldn't a 4553 be just the thing?