S&W 457 production changes

[marcus99]

I’m in the market for a mod. 457 and to that end am trying to learn as much as possible. I see someone with and without MIM hammers, some with steel and some with plastic guide rods, some with the S&W logo on the right side of the frame etc. What other changes am I missing, and when did these begin? I’m hoping to find one with the less “value” line parts, i.d. MIM and plastic, analogous to a 915 before it transitioned into the 910. Thank you.

 

[jsbethel]

The earliest 457 pistols came with a polymer magazine catch - be aware the steel replacement is discontinued.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/140499110-post32.html

 

[marcus99]

Thank you. Good to know. Does the mag catch not interchange with other compact 2nd or 3rd gens?

I’m also finding some 457’s with a two spring recoil spring assembly, others with a single spring. Seems the steel guide rods tend to have one spring whereas the plastic have two.

 

[ACEd]

I’m also finding some 457’s with a two spring recoil spring assembly, others with a single spring. Seems the steel guide rods tend to have one spring whereas the plastic have two.

Hopefully one of the pros will clarify, but I was under the impression that 457s were made 1996-2006 in 4 varieties:

Original Blue with left only safety SKU 104804 (1996-2006)
Two Tone Blue over Silver SKU 130120 (1997 only??)
457S Silver (stainless?), SKU 104808 (beginning 2003)
457D Blue, Double Action Only (VJB02xx not Double Strike SKU 108179 per SW and Mfg Date 6/1997)

And as far as I knew, all 457's were the same dual spring setup as the 4513TSW and the late 4516-2 (1993 and up) with the smaller diameter recoil guide rod and smaller hole for the guide rod at the end of slide.

 

[Brian Parrish]

What Diff?

Here's hoping you will be as happy as I am after carrying my 457 for 18+ years. Right now it is on my strong side in a Don Hume 721 open top. I have at this moment a CS40 on the weak side, what Kyle DeFoor calls "my other strong side".

I cannot advise you if I am right about what I believe you to be asking as I am convinced that those features do not make any difference.
Resale investment? Not that kind of gun.
Reliability? All 457's shoot anything. I like the double recoil springs. I can go between 230 grain +p and 185 grain standard vels no problem. I can feed empty brass.
Longevity? The plastic mag catch nut is simply not a factor. Now don't remove it unless you have a new replacement, though there was an armorer who pulled 'em off and put 'em back on with loctite and they lasted thousands of rounds. The mag catch itself is metal.
MIM trigger? It's a trigger...

Good luck!

 

[JohnHL]

Another production change was going from a "roll marked" slide to laser marked.

John

 

[GaryS]

Just a note that the 457D was made for Chicago PD as an authorized off duty or detective pistol. There were two versions. The first was like the 3914DAO made for NYPD. That had the single action notch removed to make it DAO. The second was a 'true" DAO with the hump back hammer like the early 4553.

I had a 457 which I converted to DAO and I can tell you that my arm got tired if I put more than 50 rounds through it because that was a lonnnnggggg trigger pull.

I've only seen one 457D for sale and it was here. That was one of the "true" versions. I still regret not buying it.

Hopefully one of the pros will clarify, but I was under the impression that 457s were made 1996-2006 in 4 varieties:

Original Blue with left only safety SKU 104804 (1996-2006)
Two Tone Blue over Silver SKU 130120 (1997 only??)
457S Silver (stainless?), SKU 104808 (beginning 2003)
457D Blue, Double Action Only (unknown SKU and dates) (circa 1997).

And as far as I knew, all 457's were the same dual spring setup as the 4513TSW and the late 4516-2 (1993 and up) with the smaller diameter recoil guide rod (though plastic) and smaller hole for the guide rod at the end of slide.

 

[ACEd]

Just a note that the 457D was made for Chicago PD as an authorized off duty or detective pistol. There were two versions. The first was like the 3914DAO made for NYPD. That had the single action notch removed to make it DAO. The second was a 'true" DAO with the hump back hammer like the early 4553.

I had a 457 which I converted to DAO and I can tell you that my arm got tired if I put more than 50 rounds through it because that was a lonnnnggggg trigger pull.

I've only seen one 457D for sale and it was here. That was one of the "true" versions. I still regret not buying it.

I have only seen 2 457D a VJB01xx and a VJB02xx s/n - I own the VJB02xx that SW dates to June 1997. Finish shows a lot of carry wear but otherwise good. Any idea of which version that might be and numbers made?

 

[GaryS]

No idea on numbers, but I'd guess a few hundred total. No mention of it in the SCSW at all. If you have the box I'd be interested in the Product Code.

Here is a picture of the hump back hammer of the "true" DAO version,

Note that "true DAO" is my term and people are free to laugh at it and me. The other version has what looks like a normal 457 hammer.

I have only seen 2 457D a VJB01xx and a VJB02xx s/n - I own the VJB02xx that SW dates to June 1997. Finish shows a lot of carry wear but otherwise good. Any idea of which version that might be and numbers made?

 

[JohnHL]

Gee, Gary, I don't think anybody wants to laugh at you for saying "true DAO".

And you're welcome to say it all you want, because we have free speech here in America (unless, of course it disagrees with a Washington agenda, in which case you will be censored "in the public interest" for disseminating "disinformation".)

What you call "true DAO", I think of as "non second strike", "partially cocked", or "S&W DAO".

In my pea brain, "true DAO" is like a typical revolver (or how you modified your 457) in that you can pull the trigger (cycling the hammer) as many times as you wish (or until your forearm cramps up, whichever comes first).

That's why "second strike DAO" and "non second strike DAO" helps keep my tiny brain straight.

John

 

[ACEd]

No idea on numbers, but I'd guess a few hundred total. No mention of it in the SCSW at all. If you have the box I'd be interested in the Product Code.

I dont have the box but a query to SW for my 457D VJB02xx gave Product Code (SKU) of 108179 and Mfg Date 6/1997. It is NOT Double Strike Capable.

 

[ACEd]

Back to question of 457 Guide Rods and Dual or Single Recoil Springs. The only 457's I can recall have dual spring setup with the smaller diameter guide rod and matching slide like 4516-2 and 4513TSW. I stand corrected - I just rechecked one of my 457s and it has a black metal guide rod. Can someone enlighten me about 457 single springs and/or plastic guide rods.

 

[GaryS]

I can't enlighten you because of the five 457s I've owned all had nested double springs.

There was a thread here at some time where BMCM talked about suitable single spring set ups with flat wire springs and turned down recoil rods. I don't hink it was for the 457, but I'm not sure.

Back to question of 457 Guide Rods and Dual or Single Recoil Springs. The only 457's I can recall have dual spring setup with the smaller diameter guide rod and matching slide like 4516-2 and 4513TSW but with a plastic guide rod. Can someone enlighten me about 457 single springs and/or metal guide rods.

 

[4T5GUY]

Can someone enlighten me about 457 single springs and/or metal guide rods.

I only have one kinda late 457. It’s a 2005 and has a metal, (black,) smaller diameter guide rod and uses dual nested springs.

Reading this got me looking around at 457’s being offered. I had no idea how much they are selling for. I can’t believe the high asking prices that aren’t selling.

Jim

 

[ACEd]

Agree - All the 457s I have seen are the dual recoil spring and small diameter guide rod.

After reading 4T5GUY's post I rechecked one of my 457s - a Two Tone dated 1997 by SW and it also has a black metal guide rod - not a plastic guide rod - I believe the plunger is plastic, but not the rod itself. Now I have to go recheck the others.

I think the thread you are remembering on springs was for CS40/CS45 since the flatwire recoil springs for those pistols are apparently no longer available.

Also the original 4516 and 4516-1 had single springs. The 4516-2 went to the dual spring and some of the earlier 4516 and 4516-1 were retrofitted with dual springs and a tophat type sleve to reduce slide hole diameter. I dont think the single recoil springs for the early 4516/4516-1 are still available.

 

[GaryS]

Interesting. That product code does not appear in the SCSW.

I dont have the box but a query to SW for my 457D VJB02xx gave Product Code (SKU) of 108179 and Mfg Date 6/1997. It is NOT Double Strike Capable.

 

[Fastbolt]

The M457/M457S, like various other models often referred to as the "Value Line" guns, had a nylon mag catch button and was designed to use the dual (nested, inner/outer, light blue painted) recoil springs. (Same nested spring set used in the compact 4513TSW, 4013TSW & 4040PD, BTW).

The guide rods which initially came with the nylon plunger were the newer 1-piece design, without the older staked collar holding the plunger and its spring in the rod. They were just a press fit, with the wider end of the plunger spring inserted first into the rod body. I saw both nylon and steel plungers being shipped as repair parts, probably depending on what S&W had at the time. I eventually didn't have a preference, all things considered. I checked the nylon ones for 'strings' shaved off the edge of the tip, and the steel ones for burred spots on the edge of the tip.

Some older pics of some different 1-piece guide rods.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I don't think the single recoil springs for the early 4516/4516-1 are still available.

Wolff Gunsprings still offers them.

Recoil Springs

For Use in:
4013*, 4014*, 4053*, 4054*, .40 S&W
4516, 4516-1, 4536, 4556, 4596, .45 ACP (Call for 4516)
* Not for Rev. 4, dual recoil spring models.

Reduced Power...: 15 Lb.
Factory Standard.: 16 Lb.
Extra Power........: 17, 19, 21 & 23 Lb.

.

 

[marcus99]

Tons of great info, thank you all

 

[Holden6v8]

Springco.com has great quality double springs in production for 457. Blue painted like factory but better springs....