S&W 457 questions

[Storm]

Today I picked up a new S&W 457 out of layaway. Two months was long enough (obligatory photo below). Everything that I've heard about this gun has been extremely positive so I'm anticipating (hoping for) a heck of a gun. This gun was test fired in April of this year. I don't see the gun listed on the S&W web site. Is the gun still being produced?

Also, on both mags that came with the gun, on the top of the black plastic follower, there was a line drawn down the center of the length of the top of the follower in what looks to be a white grease pencil. Any idea what's up with that? I've never seen that before.

Has anyone changed hammer springs on theirs? If so, what weight did you go with and how did it work out?

 

[41 magnum fan]

I bought my S&W 457 in 1996.Mine has been a great gun and 100% reliable.My gun is stock.The only thing that I have done to mine is to change out the recoil springs a few times.I think that the 457 has been discountined along with all of the third generation auto pistolsexcept for LEO.I recently bought a M&P 45 compact and themags for it also had thewhite marks on the follower.I have never seen this beforeeither.It must be something new that S&W is doing now.

 

[Dollar An Hour]

S&W 3rd Gen pistols are sleepers. Great pistols that are under the radar. Comfy ergonomics, and a nice smooth DA first trigger pull are pluses.

I've had my 457S three years and enjoy it tremendously. It's accurate, a fun pistol to shoot, and utterly reliable.

I've not seen the grease pencil mark on the mag follower.

 

[chipperi]

I carry the all steel version of your gun the 4516. You don't need to change a thing, the only thing that is not factory on mine is a set of hogue grips as I have big hands and just didn't care for the plastic one piece deals. I fully agree with the poster that said that S&W 3rd gens are sleepers, people just don't realize how good they are.

 

[dispatch]

I picked up one almost by accident. My son in law was looking for a Glock and long story short, I found a good deal on the 457. I love the pistol. .45 ACP in a compact frame. Shoots great. I say- congrats for a good choice.

 

[iluvlabs1]

I have both the 457 (new) and 4516 (used).

Wouldn't trade them for anything.

100% Reliable, fit the (my) hand perfectly.

Both are stock.

Absolute sleepers...... and keepers.

 

[ktd]

Neat guns, got one when they were fairly cheap.

Take your slide off, or take a good flashlight and look up the magwell at the charging rail (I think that is what they are called), it is the little rail in the middle of the slide that actually contacts the round during feeding. With the slide forward the length of the charging rail presses down on the round (or follower) in the magazine. I would guess this rail is also covered in "grease" pencil, which I also guess is dried lube grease. This grease would then rub off onto the magazine follower.