457 questions

[Malpasowildlifer]

I'm not a S&W semi auto guy at all and have a few questions.

My wife's best friend from college has a 457 she bought BNIB in 1997 and she wants to keep it going and shoot more regularly. I'd guess it's only had a few boxes through it during that time.

It's the all black one with the alloy frame. Is it the same thing as a 4516? Will it take the 4516 recoil spring and magazines? I'm in the search for a few more magazines and perhaps a recoil spring.

is it worth replacing the magazine springs on a 3rd gen magazine or just write it off like a 1911 magazine?

I noticed last night it has a dual spring recoil spring. I saw on the Wolff Springs website they don't have the dual ones, unless I'm mistaken. Will it be hard to find? Does anyone have a source?

Is it true S&W no longer supports the 3rd gen series? Would they do an armorer inspection?

Thanks so much

 

[mikerjf]

Numrich has both the inner and outer spring; I’d buy them pronto!

Mags will be expensive and a little hard to find. watch ebay and gunbroker. There’s a recent (couple days) thread on here discussing 4513 et al magazines you should read.

457 has an alloy frame, like the 4513. 4516 is steel.

It’s a great gun! Love mine.

 

[ACEd]

As previously pointed out the 4516 (1988-89), 4516-1 (1989-92), and 4516-2 (1993---) are stainless steel frames and slides while the later 4513TSW 7rd (2000-2004) and the 457 (1996-2006) have Aluminum frames. Other than that and the more squared geometry and plastic sights of the Economy Line 457, they are similar.

You are correct, in general SW no longer supports 3rd generation pistols, but most service parts are still available from "the usual sources". The exception is new magazines. (Avoid aftermarket mags except MecGar in 3rd gen pistols).

The 457 dual recoil springs p/n 108660000 and 108670000 (same as 4013TSW, late 4013 non-TSW, 4513TSW, late 4516-2) are reasonably available, Check Midway, Numrich, Brownells.

As to magazines, the late 4516-2 mags with black followers are the same as 4513TSW-7rd and 457. The earlier 4516 and 4516-1 mags with orange and yellow followers respectively may also work, but are officially "Not recommended" in the later (post 1992) pistols.

Correct mags with Black followers are out there but expect to pay in excess of $50 and be prepared to replace springs (typically <$10).

As to Magazine springs - they are same as 4506/4516 etc. and are still available - SW p/n 262600000 - again check Midway, Numrich, and Brownells. Wolff springs also has their versions - I believe 793636 or possibly 73961 is a +5%.

It is unlikely that a low round count 457 would have any problems that a good cleaning and new recoil springs would not resolve - but while you are inside, check the ramp in the frame where the barrel slides down on recoil. I have seen significant damage in 2 aluminum framed 3rd generation pistols presumably due to hot loads and/or weak recoil springs.

Best Ed

 

[GaryS]

Unlike 1911 magazines the magazines for the compact 45xx guns, including the 457 are no longer made. Fortunately, the tubes are pretty durable. Springs and followers are available and that's about all you need to "rebuild" a magazine.

Smith will service the 3rd Gen guns to the extent that they have parts available. Unfortunately, they don't have spare frames any longer, which is why we sort of obsess over recoil springs.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Midway has the outer spring in stock. The inner shows discontinued so they're no help getting a set.

Worth calling S&W to see if they still stock them.

ISMI GLC-18 or GLC-20 (not GL-xx) flat wire recoil springs will also work but will likely require trimming a coil or two off to avoid stacking. I used them for years.

Sprinco still lists the ones they graciously fabricated to fill the void back when S&W stopped making them for a time. They actually work on any of the other 3rd Gens that use the dual/nested springs (4013TSW, etc) too.

Sprinco USA - Springs

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