Model 457 45 auto...Opinions

[BobsSmith]

Greetings everyone....

I was at the local gunshop today and looked at this Smith 457. It was like new!

I was very tempted. Price is $550. I really don't need another gun...lol. Already have a couple Sigs and Beretta's, but that being said, I liked the 457, and compared to the Sigs, the price looked pretty good.

Are magazines and parts easy to come by?

Any opinions very welcome!

Thanks

Bob

 

[BobsSmith]

Greetings everyone....

I was at the local gunshop today and looked at this Smith 457. It was like new!

I was very tempted. Price is $550. I really don't need another gun...lol. Already have a couple Sigs and Beretta's, but that being said, I liked the 457, and compared to the Sigs, the price looked pretty good.

Are magazines and parts easy to come by?

Any opinions very welcome!

Thanks

Bob

 

[CTSWnut]

Is it New or Like New? 550 seems about right for new, a little high for used. Of course that is what I've Seen here in CT. I have one & Absolutely love it. I believe it uses the same mags as the model 4516.

 

[69HEMI-R/T]

I have one and it is a fantastic pistol! Lightweight, reliable and accurate. Magazines are not too hard to come by but are "S&W" expensive.
I paid less for mine but I do not live in California either! Get it and try to negotiate the price down a little! You will not be sorry.

 

[Jon96]

I enjoy the one I have. To my surprise it is quite accurate for its platform. I cannot comment if it takes 4516 mags, but it will function with my 4566's mags.

 

[BobsSmith]

Thanks everyone..

I may go and take another look at it tomorrow. It looks like a good value. I am just a working " 6 pack Joe", but I will be working some OT next month!

I gota stay out of gun stores!!!

Best

Bob

 

[PeterBergh]

Originally posted by CTSWnut:
I believe it uses the same mags as the model 4516.

Your belief is correct.

 

[3rd Gen Neal]

Not to hijack this thread, but, to the 457 owners.. is the recoil pretty stout? I have a 4516 (all steel) but it gets heavy for carry. I like the idea of alloy frame ala 457/457s.

 

[jed]

I did not think the recoil was unmageable when I owned mine. I sold the 457 to a very good
friend. In my opinion, it is an ideal carry 45.

jed

 

[JnBy]

I really, really like my 457 as a practical SD gun. I've owned, and still own 1911's, and I do not find the recoil any more stout than a Commander. I have a perception that the top end (slide and barrel) may be a bit heavier on a 457, which may help absorb some of the recoil. Not to mention the dual recoil springs.

I will also have to say that my 457 is far less particular about ammo than any 1911 I have had. That thing feeds and shoots everything that I put in it. It's in my nightstand resting at the moment.

 

[Richard]

I gave $325 for mine new. Is a new M457 worth $550? In my eyes yes, it is a fine defensive pistol and easy to conceal. Regards, Richard

 

[3rd Gen Neal]

I really, really like my 457 as a practical SD gun. I've owned, and still own 1911's, and I do not find the recoil any more stout than a Commander. I have a perception that the top end (slide and barrel) may be a bit heavier on a 457, which may help absorb some of the recoil. Not to mention the dual recoil springs.
.

I will also have to say that my 457 is far less particular about ammo than any 1911 I have had. That thing feeds and shoots everything that I put in it. It's in my nightstand resting at the moment

I'm sure this will piss off the 1911 guys, but I have a few dffnt 1911's and now that I have a variety of 3rd gen .45's (4506,4516 etc..) the 1911's are doing dust collection duties. I respect the 1911 greatly, but it is no secret they are very picky

 

[BobsSmith]

Greetings everyone!

Thank you all for your responses.

I bought the gun today!!! They took $50.00 off the $550 they were asking. The barell looked dirty, but I am sure it will clean up just fine. Out the door, $576.25. Case and a total of 4 magazines!

Pick up the gun on March 10. Love Cali's waiting period.... Not.

Best

Bob

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Good for you, you will like the 457!
I have a 457S (stainless/alloy version) and really like it. It is a great shooter, has been absolutely reliable, and is suprisingly accurate. Really accurate or a carry/combat pistol.

Someone above asked about recoil compared to the all steel 4516. I have both, and actually find the recoil softer with the 457S in side-by-side comparisons. I think it has something to do with the 457's double recoil springs, or perhaps the slightly heavier slide. Who knows -- whatever the reason, my perception is the 457S shoots easier, and at least mine does so with a little more accuracy. It's also nice that the 457 and 4516 mags are interchangeable, so my mags available for use are doubled. I actually considered selling the 4516 I like the 457S so much, but...well, you know, that's so difficult to do with any decent 3rd gen auto.

 

[BobsSmith]

Thank Doublegunner.

I can hardly wait to pick it up. Strip it and clean it, then go to the range! I suspect it will be in the ball park with my Sig 220 and Beretta Cougar 8045 .

Best

Bob

 

[LH2]

457's are great pistols! Accurate and reliable, with a very pleasant recoil impulse.

 

[ispcapt]

When I was commanding a couple of drug task forces I carried a 645 as my primary and 457 as a second. Later carried the 457 as my primary. Still carry the 457 quite a bit now that I'm retired. It's never bobbled once on anything I've shoved in the mag. Surprisingly accurate. Like the others, I don't know why but it really doesn't have the recoil one would expect for an alloy frame gun. I find it a lot more controllable than an alloy Colt Commander.

 

[leeharrysouth]

I also recently purchaced a compact M457. Seems to be a great pistol. Feels good, looks good and shoots good. What more could I ask for. The only thing that I am going to have to get used to is the click sound that occures about half way threw trigger pull. I normally shoot revolver and have not experianced this. S&W said that it is normal for that model. Agin, great pistol.

 

[leeharrysouth]

Another point. Maybe some one can advise me. My 457 is compace with no trigger spur and it has the magazine safety that disengages trigger when magazine is removed. I did not get a manual with the pistol and therefore no instructions for disassembly. S&W said to use the manual on line for metal frame pistol. This manual states that prior to reinstallation of the slide pull the trigger and drop the hammer. This can not be done on my model due to the magazine function. I assumn that one just puts the decocker in fireing position and installs the slide on my model without worry of dropping hammer. Any comments

 

[ispcapt]

When the slide is removed the hammer will drop by pulling the trigger. When the slide is removed the mag disconnect is "disconnected" so the hammer will drop when the trigger is pulled.
However, word of caution. I recommend you ease the hammer down and not let it just drop on its own. When we were carrying 39s, also an alloy frame, we had a few where the guys would dry fire their guns too much with the slide removed and the hammer would crack the frame on the block on the frame in front of the hammer. You will see the area I'm talking about when you remove the slide. There is nothing like the slide to cushion the hammer blow so the lower part of the hammer strikes the alloy frame. A few times probably won't hurt it but enough times it can cause damage. How many times? That's the $64,000 question. It will depend on your gun. Maybe never, maybe the next time you do it.