Smith 457 magazine catch

[N_Frame.SquareButt]

Picked up a used 457 the other day. Problem is the mag catch is worn and nobody has one. Someone said you could use a 4506 mag catch but you had to drill out for the plunger. Anybody got any experience with this?

 

[Muhkanik]

Did anyone get back to you on this? I picked up a 457 the other day and the entire mag catch assembly is missing. I keep reading about how you can use the assembly from the 4506 but I can't find anything about someone who has actually done it.
I have an idea for drilling out the hole for the plunger that I think would be fairly simple but I'd like to know if the parts will actually fit before I order anything.

 

[dsf]

^
What you described can be done. There's a fairly detailed "how to" thread on this forum somewhere. I'm sure someone will post it.

 

[JohnHL]

Did anyone get back to you on this? I picked up a 457 the other day and the entire mag catch assembly is missing. I keep reading about how you can use the assembly from the 4506 but I can't find anything about someone who has actually done it.
I have an idea for drilling out the hole for the plunger that I think would be fairly simple but I'd like to know if the parts will actually fit before I order anything.

If you can't find the correct mag catch and push-on plastic nut for the M457, you can use the M4506 mag catch with the threaded nut and you won't need to drill the plunger hole.

Install the M4506 mag catch and instead of using the M4506 plunger and spring, substitute the "tornado" shaped mag catch spring from the M457.

Install the M4506 nut and adjust it so magazines release properly.

Now apply a small drop of "wicking" thread locker to the center of the mag catch nut.

That will work until you can acquire the M457 catch and push-on nut.

John

 

[Muhkanik]

^
What you described can be done. There's a fairly detailed "how to" thread on this forum somewhere. I'm sure someone will post it.

It would be nice to read to see if my thoughts line up with theirs. So far I haven't had any luck finding it on my own!

If you can't find the correct mag catch and push-on plastic nut for the M457, you can use the M4506 mag catch with the threaded nut and you won't need to drill the plunger hole.
Install the M4506 mag catch and instead of using the M4506 plunger and spring, substitute the "tornado" shaped mag catch spring from the M457.
Install the M4506 nut and adjust it so magazines release properly.
Now apply a small drop of "wicking" thread locker to the center of the mag catch nut.
That will work until you can acquire the M457 catch and push-on nut.
John

I'll give it a shot. It would be nice to have it in working condition.

 

[JohnHL]

I'm sure you can do it.

I was a "Muhkanik" for 40 years and working on guns is easy, by comparison (no heavy lifting ).

Midway has the plastic nut and tornado spring, but not the mag catch.

They DO have the threaded 4513TSW mag catch and the threaded nut.

Have you tried Smith & Wesson?

John

 

[Muhkanik]

Between Neumrich and Brownells I was able to get everything except the old style catch. It should all be here soon so I'll be able to see how it runs by next weekend!
I called S&W and received the equivalent of a dumb look over the phone. ��
I'll keep an eye out for the old style mag catch and keep it on hand if the spring and thread locker method turns out to not be reliable.

 

[Muhkanik]

Quick follow up...
The 4506 catch and nut with the 457 tornado spring were installed last night and fit perfectly! This particular setup seems to work best with the nut about 1/16th of a turn from being bottomed out.
Gave the whole thing a good scrub while it was apart and the rest of the gun appears to be in really good shape.
Range report in a few days!

 

[BC38]

Quick follow up...
The 4506 catch and nut with the 457 tornado spring were installed last night and fit perfectly! This particular setup seems to work best with the nut about 1/16th of a turn from being bottomed out.
Gave the whole thing a good scrub while it was apart and the rest of the gun appears to be in really good shape.
Range report in a few days!

If you took some pics and added it to your post it would make this a handy reference for others to use in the future. Just a thought...

 

[Muhkanik]

Pictures as requested. I was unable to make it to the range this weekend but I'll update as soon as I can.

 

[BC38]

Very nice!
Thanks!