457s Guide Rod Question

[gunblade]

I just got a 457s and it has a steel guide rod with a little plastic plunger on one end with a double spring set up. Normal for this model? My 908s has a plastic guide rod. Anyone have any comments on the 457s as a daily carry piece? I plan to use it in the wintertime and the 908s in the summertime. Thanks.

 

[Dr Denby]

Hey, GB

That is the same set up on the one I was looking at I think it was last year.

As for a carry piece, if I am remembering right, doesn't it have that safety/decocker?

If so, I would not use it as primary defense.

I want my defense weapons without safeties. That is for me though, others say it is a must for them.

Doc

 

[GaryS]

My 457 has a steel guide rod with the plastic plunger. The double spring set up is standard on several of the compact 3rd Gen .45 guns.

Spring availability from S&W is spotty, but Springco makes a very nice replacement set that several of us have purchased.


I usually carry a 9mm 3rd Gen, but have occasionally carried my 457. It's utterly reliable, accurate, and the recoil isn't bad at all. I let a friend of mine shoot mine and he offered to buy it from me on the spot. I declined.

 

[XAVMECH]

Steel and plastic...

All three of mine have steel guide rods with the black plastic tip.
BTW, the two-tone is a ZanderSports model (Thanks, John). Just when I thought I'd gathered the "complete" set of this model, I now realize that I need to find the "unicorn" variant: the 457DAO. Jeez....

 

[TercGen]

My 457 also came with the metal guide rod w/ plastic plunger, and these are also the only kind of guide rods I've ever seen for the 457. I do like the fact that replacement guide rods are still being made, and are only a $12 part!

I also like to carry my 457 in the Fall/Winter months. You'll notice a step up in weight due to the heavier 45ACP ammo from your 908, but aside from that they are very similar. Just a bit more gun to conceal, but the same controls you're already used to and the same level of accuracy.

 

[gunblade]

Hey, GB

That is the same set up on the one I was looking at I think it was last year.

As for a carry piece, if I am remembering right, doesn't it have that safety/decocker?

If so, I would not use it as primary defense.

I want my defense weapons without safeties. That is for me though, others say it is a must for them.

Doc

The safety/decocker gives me a choice...I can always use it as a decocker only and carry it with the lever in the off position. Either way, I'm used to it.

 

[petepeterson]

The safety/decocker gives me a choice...I can always use it as a decocker only and carry it with the lever in the off position. Either way, I'm used to it.

I never leave the safety on after de-cocking. Draw and shoot. Just like a revolver. I feel alot more comfy with that DA trigger in my holster than I do with a striker-fired set-up. I prefer a SA auto cocked and locked over striker-fired, as well.

Someday I'll enter this century (kicking and screaming, I'm sure...)

 

[TercGen]

The safety/decocker gives me a choice...I can always use it as a decocker only and carry it with the lever in the off position. Either way, I'm used to it.

Excellent point, and also why I prefer TDA 3rd Gens over any other setup. It gives you the most options, and also provides the safest way to both carry and load/unload with a very secure safety in place. I carry 95% of the time with the safety engaged, and like yourself am totally used to it and expect it. I can always flip an ambi-safety off through my cover garments in a pinch.

Realistically, how I look at it is that if you CC, then there are 2 dangers you face daily: 1) A threat requiring a Defensive Gun Use, which is highly unlikely for most people; and, 2) The possibility of an Accidental Discharge, which you carry with you every time you carry a loaded gun, to some degree or another.

S&W 3rd Gens in TDA simply make me feel the safest about carrying a gun from day to day. And they happen to be fun to collect.

 

[nocents]

The safety/decocker gives me a choice...I can always use it as a decocker only and carry it with the lever in the off position. Either way, I'm used to it.

Ditto.....my thoughts exactly..

 

[nocents]

Excellent point, and also why I prefer TDA 3rd Gens over any other setup. It gives you the most options, and also provides the safest way to both carry and load/unload with a very secure safety in place. I carry 95% of the time with the safety engaged, and like yourself am totally used to it and expect it. I can always flip an ambi-safety off through my cover garments in a pinch.

Realistically, how I look at it is that if you CC, then there are 2 dangers you face daily: 1) A threat requiring a Defensive Gun Use, which is highly unlikely for most people; and, 2) The possibility of an Accidental Discharge, which you carry with you every time you carry a loaded gun, to some degree or another.

S&W 3rd Gens in TDA simply make me feel the safest about carrying a gun from day to day. And they happen to be fun to collect.

.............and two dittos on this....