New 457, Questions for the 45xx guys... First post!

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ApK

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Hello my fellow 3rd gen addicts. Ive been really impressed with the 3rd gen pistols and have been happily lurking here for a while now, actually I consider it learning not lurking.
My first entry was a early 4046(im a DAO fan) in very good shape. And I told myself I wouldnt post until I had another model in my grasp and had pertinent questions.(all questions on the '46 have already been answered by reading this fine forum)
Well Ive gone and done it, so I need to keep my word even if its only to myself.
I jumped on a 457s that was posted just a day before I got my tax return and said "man if its still there after I get my tax money".
So Ive handled it for a few days now and the only thing I really dont approve of is the smooth front-strap, which will begrudgingly get fixed with grip-tape(which ive never been a fan of) or Hogue rubbers.
I also fixed the trigger click issue in about a minute and a half due to the wealth of info on this forum.

Question(s)...
The 457's are basically a dash-2(4513-2), is that right? I know theyre the value series line and everything but are all the parts from these models interchangeable? Besides the mag release button and the front sight obviously. I do remember reading a thread or threads on the 45xx's about guide rod improvements and springs and magazines and followers and dashes but hell its been a stressful day and Im already tired of looking at the 'puter screen.
The guide rod is metal with a plastic/nylon/polymer nipple that is fairly chewed up and Id like to go to an all metal guide rod as well as get rid of the two springs for a single spring. I know the answer to that is already posted here somewhere... I'll keep looking, but thatll have to be another day.

My 457 has double strike capability!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(dont know if all do) which was very unexpected but also a very welcomed surprise.
That brings me to another question... I dont know if it has to do with the double strike or not but when I pull the slide off the frame for disassembly, which of course at that point the hammer would still be cocked, the hammer falls against the frame!?!? Whether that hurts anything or not I dont know, it just seems weird to me and I dont like it that the hammer would automatically fall against the frame when removing the slide. But this is my first TDA 3rd gen so it might be normal, I dont know.

Question(s)...
Can the MIM hammer and triggers be filed and/or polished on? as well as the 'black' levers in the frame? Would it weaken them? Or cause rusting issues after the black finish is gone?
Or can I slick em up into a mirror polish or at least just the bearing surfaces like I did on the all steel 40? (THANK YOU BLUEBELLY) Note: I dont care about the parts 'looking shiny' or getting rid of the black finish, I care about the smooth and unrestricted operation of a well oiled machine. BTW the '46 runs like a CHAMP after the modz! Smooth, clean, crisp and DEADLY!!!!

Any info, insight, suggestions or your own experiences with the 457(or 45xx-? series)are absolutely welcome. Thanks.


Yeah, yeah, yeah... pics or it didnt happen.





 
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Congratulations, ApK, and welcome to the Third Gen Addicts Support and Enabling Group. :D

I can't answer all your questions, but I'll throw in on the ones that I can.

Your grip will be substantially improved (at least mine was) by the addition of a Hogue Handall sleeve with finger grooves in it. It's the only modification I've made to a 457, and it's well worth the few bucks those sleeves cost.

I don't know about changing the spring from the nested pair to a single spring. Instead, consider replacing the factory pair with a pair of the springs from Sprinco that were produced in response to our request from the Forum, and that are supposed to have a substantially higher round-count life than the others -- on the order of probably 5 times as long. If you need contact information, let me know or search Sprinco here and find the threads about these springs.

Again, welcome, and enjoy your 45! Before long, I imagine you'll be jonesing for another one in the series!:)
 
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Welcome to the Forum! :)

Let's see...Vigil and IraIII covered the springs so I wont rehash all that.

On the hammer falling, that's normal, but I don't think it's advisable. I remove the cross pin like normal then ease the slide forward until it sits like normal, at which point I decock the hammer then off safe and pull the slide off. I. Not saying it's the best or only way just how I do it.

Sorry, but I can't help much on the MIM parts being polished as none of my 3rd gens have MIM parts. I know that doing a lot of dry fire helped smooth out the triggers on my revolvers with MIM parts.

You have a great carry gun there, enjoy it in good health and welcome to the club. :D
 
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I feel like you may be wasting your time conducting a polishing campaign with the small parts of a 457, like those levers, and perhaps are on the verge of doing unnecessary harm.

Instead, I'd concentrate on getting in a supply of springs like the recoil set mentioned above. Having done that, I'd enjoy my pistol and heartily congratulate myself on my purchase as these are great old workhorses. Below are two 457s, for example, that once rode many a mile through the streets of Rochester, NY, with a couple of cops. Still accurate and supremely dependable after years of service in Rochester winters, probably only casual maintenance, and jolly little internal polishing:

IMG_0225_zps81e9d092.jpg
 
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"Support and Enabling Group" I like that! I just ordered two sets of springs from Sprinco. $2.50 for shipping!

Thanks for the links IraIII theyre very helpful.
 
Guevera said:
I feel like you may be wasting your time conducting a polishing campaign with the small parts of a 457, like those levers, and perhaps are on the verge of doing unnecessary harm.

Instead, I'd concentrate on getting in a supply of springs like the recoil set mentioned above. Having done that, I'd enjoy my pistol and heartily congratulate myself on my purchase as these are great old workhorses. Below are two 457s, for example, that once rode many a mile through the streets of Rochester, NY, with a couple of cops. Still accurate and supremely dependable after years of service in Rochester winters, probably only casual maintenance, and jolly little internal polishing:

IMG_0225_zps81e9d092.jpg
Click to expand...

Not one, but two prime examples of the 457D (for DAO) that are part of the 457 lineup! That makes four -- the matte blued finish 457, the 457S, the 457D, and the duo-tone 457 with the black slide and satin stainless frame. Worthy pistols all.
 
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Guevera, Thats a nice pair! I agree with what you said completely. I didnt mean to say I wanted to polish everything, just the burrs and ragged edges that might drag. The levers in my 4046 were terribly ragged with burrs all around em. As well as oversized to the point of binding against the slide, youd have to whack it pretty hard to get the slide off or back on and was starting to wear into the slide. I took a small amount of material off the high spots, polished em as well as the underside of the slide and still drags but is smooth and doesnt bind anymore.
I think your advice of good springs and happy shootin is spot on. I probably wont mess with anything until I can shoot it anyways. Havnt even had time to fully disassemble and clean yet.
 
I cant really tell from the pic but if they were carried by NYPD then they prolly are D's. Id like to find one for myself too!
 
Welcome to the forum ApK and congrats on the 457! :)

One of, if not the most underated compact 45 carry guns extant.

Yes, the 4516-2 and the 457 share most of their parts. I would not worry about the plastic tip of the guide rod being a little chewed up. My 457 is in similar shape and it does not affect function. Enjoy that fine 45! Regards 18DAI
 
S&W 457

Welcome to the Fourm ApK
Your S&W 457 is a great carry gun. Very accurate and easy to handel. I carried the 4516-2 and the 4513TSW. Until the 457s came along. Then the heaverier guns were Parked. The 457s is what is carried today. And it is BET YOUR LIFE ON IT ACCURATE.

Enjoy your 457.

SAFE SHOOTING ALWAYS.
MR835 IS GONE
 
vigil617 said:
Not one, but two prime examples of the 457D (for DAO) that are part of the 457 lineup! That makes four -- the matte blued finish 457, the 457S, the 457D, and the duo-tone 457 with the black slide and satin stainless frame. Worthy pistols all.
Click to expand...

I think it was Chicago PD that authorized the 457D for off duty carry.

Is the frame on the 457s really stainless. Or is it just the slide and the frame is aluminum alloy like the 4513TSW?
 
The choir has heard me preaching this before, but in my time I have had full-size 1911s, Commanders, Officer's Models, a Defender and a New Agent in .45 and now own a Cylinder & Slide "Adventurer" micro-1911, but would still far rather be carrying my rather worn "Bargain Line" 457s than any of them.
 
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