Two 457s to the range

[GaryS]

Earlier in the month I brought my "Unzander Special" 457S with a carbon steel upper to the range. It's been a while since I shot it, so I figured it was time.

The results were disappointing as I kept pulling shots to my left, including a couple that were totally off the paper of the reduced size B27 targets. I finally just packed up and went home.

Yesterday the weather was nice and I had nothing going on, so I brought the UnZander (BDKxxxx) 2004 production and my regular (BAYxxxx) 2006 production gun to the range along with the original slide for the UnZander.

I put three magazines with through each configuration, which is 22 rounds total.

The UnZander shot much better than the previous outing, enough to convince me that it was ME not the gun that had drifted off target.

Next the same gun in original configuration, with very similar results. I'll also mention same barrel, just swapped along with the recoil guide and spring. Pretty much the same pattern as the first round of shooting.

Last, the as built 457 BAY gun. That shot noticeably tighter groups, but not so much better that I'd carry that instead of the other gun.

Of course when I was driving home, it occurred to me that I should have swapped barrels around to see if that made any difference.

I think both guns are within specifications, I just thought it was odd that one was tighter than the other.

Barrel wear? Barrels of both look good, I think it's just tolerance difference.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Oh, I bought both guns used of course.

 

[stansdds]

These are mass produced parts and with mass produced parts, especially those that are forged and milled, there are slight variations in dimensions. When all these parts are assembled into a firearm, the tolerances of each interacting part creates tolerance stacking. Get a favorable combination of tolerances and the tolerance stacking is minimal and you have tight pistol. When the tolerances of the interacting parts are not favorable, you end up with a looser fit of the parts, most noticed as slop in slide to frame fit and barrel lock up.

 

[GaryS]

True, and I'm probably overthinking this because at "self defense" ranges it's not a real factor.

I don't think it would be worth even close to expense to have the gun "blueprinted."

These are mass produced parts and with mass produced parts, especially those that are forged and milled, there are slight variations in dimensions. When all these parts are assembled into a firearm, the tolerances of each interacting part creates tolerance stacking. Get a favorable combination of tolerances and the tolerance stacking is minimal and you have tight pistol. When the tolerances of the interacting parts are not favorable, you end up with a looser fit of the parts, most noticed as slop in slide to frame fit and barrel lock up.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I also have 3 , 2 are Zanders , one is a 457S . One of the Zanders is Guzzitaco's first try and gunsmithing , there's actually a thread where he goes in to detail what he did . Both are great shooters , but they don't get much range time . The 457S is nib , and I have no plans to shoot it .

 

[GaryS]

Considering that they are "Value Line" guns, they are great shooters. It's sort of a bargain basement 4513TSW, but of course with no rail.

Guzzi did his high quality work on a carbon steel upper I found on Ebay for a very good price. That included the kind of bluing that S&W never did on any of the Value Line guns.

I also have 3 , 2 are Zanders , one is a 457S . One of the Zanders is Guzzitaco's first try and gunsmithing , there's actually a thread where he goes in to detail what he did . Both are great shooters , but they don't get much range time . The 457S is nib , and I have no plans to shoot it .

 

[cherrypointmarine]

Guzzi has blued a few slides for me . I gather the barrels and innards , then send the slides to Guzzi . I like the 2 tone look and he takes care of me . Between him and BMCM we are truly blessed here on this forum .

 

[stansdds]

True, and I'm probably overthinking this because at "self defense" ranges it's not a real factor.

I don't think it would be worth even close to expense to have the gun "blueprinted."

In order to build a blueprinted pistol, you have to start with slightly oversized parts and machine them to the exact specification. You will likely never find oversized parts for S&W pistols.

 

[Brian Parrish]

Greetings GaryS!
Always enjoy and appreciate your contribution.

I also have a Bay**** 457 which shoots tighter than average or tighter than expected by some individuals. I have given up trying to achieve better accuracy from factory ammo. I am convinced that Hornady has small children dumping random amounts of gunpowder into each brass casing as a afternoon playtime activity

However, completely off a B27 to the left?
For no reason?
Even if it was "just" you, what on earth!?

Kind and Best to You!
BrianD

 

[Heymatt]

My two 457’s VLN and VYW, one as built from the factory(VYW). The other a pile of parts from different pistols.
For me, both shoot pretty consistent for me, spot on or low left. Which I know is me, not the pistol.

 

[wyo-man]

When the weather warms up (not quite yet in Wyoming) I will have to take my BAYxxxx out to see where it hits. Bought it last year and have not fired it yet.

wyo-man

 

[Ameshawki]

Mine is a VJH. Bought used a few years ago. Haven't shot it much but if memory serves it was at least decently accurate.