Can Someone Tell Me About the 457?

[Pook]

Hi all,

I snagged a 457 today. I had not planned on buying one, but its weight, balance, and the way it fits my hand are superb, and I decided I couldn't live without it .

Can anyone tell me about this pistol? Its good/bad points, reliability, durability, anything I should know?

Also, it has two recoil springs. Are they put on the guide rod one over the other separately, or is the smaller spring somehow "threaded" onto the larger spring? It looked like the two springs were wound together, but when I took them off the guide rod, they separated. I just want to be safe. The booklet that came with the gun does not cover this issue.

The pistol has a forged hammer, and its SN, VDK80XX, indicates it was made sometime during the mid-1990s. The box has a special order code, 6031; does anyone know what that means?

Sorry for all the questions, but my area of interest for S&W semiautos has always focused on the 59-type pistols, and I really don't know anything about the newer guns.

Thank you and all the best,

Pook

 

[alde]

The only bad point I can think of is I don't have one. It is pretty much an alloy frame version of the 4516. The 457 has a very good reputation for reliablity and accuracy. Many people covet them as carry guns for the balance of fire power and light weight. I have a 4516 and it feels like a brick compaired to the alloy frame guns. It still carries well but I am always looking for a 457 like yours. They are great pistols.

 

[ColColt]

I bought one about three months ago and love it. One thing I did find out, at least with mine, is that it has a plastic plunger in the guide rod. that can get a bit chewed under usage but there's an easy remedy from your local friendly guy at S&W. Just replace the guide rod assembly with one for the 4516. The plunger for that model has a steel plunger. Brownell's probably has this item as well.

I've put maybe about 400 rounds through mine and it's as accurate as I'll ever be and digest about any profile bullet you want to try from 200 gr LSWC's to Ranger T's and 200 gr Gold Dots +P. I think it's one of the best-not the most expensive or attractive but it'll hold it's own with my 4506 and 4566 TSW.

As with all alloy frame pistols-especially black alloy, be careful when you disassemble for cleaning you take care in removing/reinstalling the slide stop. You can easily mar the finish with a good scratch if you let it touch the frame as you swing it down and up.

 

[jazzman452]

I just found one this week at my local gun store. I will pick it up on Friday. I thought it felt really good in the hand also. They are a "value series" gun which I take it to mean they are not finished as well as some of the others and it was mentioned about the plastic guide rod. The one I am getting has black carbon slide, but they did make the gun in stainless also. I don't think it has been fired from the looks of it, if it has it has not been much. I am paying 299.00 for mine.

Jim

 

[ColColt]

That's a great deal. I paid more for mine but it was in wonderful condition with two new mags.

 

[Pook]

Thank you all for your responses.

I'm glad you brought to my attention that the 457 is a value series gun with a plastic guide rod plunger (I didn't notice that when I cleaned it). I remember value series 9mms were discussed on this forum, so I checked other parts on the pistol and found that it also has a plastic magazine release and plastic sights. I am not going to change the sights, but the guide rod and mag release will be replaced.

 

[alde]

I am not going to change the sights, but the guide rod and mag release will be replaced.

The only part of the magazine release that is plastic is the button. The catch inside the mag well is steel. It should not be a problem. As far as the other parts go it's just a personel choice. The plastic parts seem to work just fine. The plastic guide rod on my 908 looks like the day it was made and the sights work great. The only reason I would change the sights is to put night sights on it.

 

[ColColt]

I'm glad you brought to my attention that the 457 is a value series gun with a plastic guide rod plunger (I didn't notice that when I cleaned it). I remember value series 9mms were discussed on this forum, so I checked other parts on the pistol and found that it also has a plastic magazine release and plastic sights. I am not going to change the sights, but the guide rod and mag release will be replaced.

fastbolt is the one who enlightened me about the plunger-I take no credit for knowing that.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/157721-457-slide-release.html

 

[Squibb]

I have certainly enjoy mine. I have to say it may be the "no frills" version, but it is spooky accurate. It actually makes me look good; old eyes and all the little ticks not withstanding.

As the 3rd generations become more sought after, the good deals and some models, are getting harder to find. It's not unusual to see sellers asking $450 + for a good 908.

 

[Patches09]

Can someone tell me about the 457?

I saw a 457 recently at a gun show that had the black matte slide but the frame was the unfinished silver alloy. Saw an old ad where they listed some like this as a "stocking dealer" model 457. Anybody know anything about these? He wants $350 for the gun with only one mag & no box, don't know if that's a good deal or not.

 

[Deputy]

I bought one about three months ago and love it. One thing I did find out, at least with mine, is that it has a plastic plunger in the guide rod. that can get a bit chewed under usage but there's an easy remedy from your local friendly guy at S&W. Just replace the guide rod assembly with one for the 4516. The plunger for that model has a steel plunger. Brownell's probably has this item as well.

I've put maybe about 400 rounds through mine and it's as accurate as I'll ever be and digest about any profile bullet you want to try from 200 gr LSWC's to Ranger T's and 200 gr Gold Dots +P. I think it's one of the best-not the most expensive or attractive but it'll hold it's own with my 4506 and 4566 TSW.

As with all alloy frame pistols-especially black alloy, be careful when you disassemble for cleaning you take care in removing/reinstalling the slide stop. You can easily mar the finish with a good scratch if you let it touch the frame as you swing it down and up.

I have a 457S and I had the mangled recoil guide issue. I called S&W and they shipped out an all-metal guide rod no charge.

 

[Squibb]

Geez Patches, if that 457 is in decent condition that is a great price. You can always find mags. If that were me getting that offer I'd throw my body over it!