Tell me about the SW 457
- Thread starter bearmgc
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When I was commanding a couple of drug task forces I carried a 457 as a backup to my 645 while on duty and the 457 off duty. Later I carried the 457 as my primary on duty weapon and still carry it quite a bit today.
Good solid reliable gun. Never had a lick of problems with mine. Shot several thousand rds thru it without ever a glitch. Mine isn't for sale.
Good solid reliable gun. Never had a lick of problems with mine. Shot several thousand rds thru it without ever a glitch. Mine isn't for sale.
MachIVshooter
Member
It is basically the economy version of the 4513. The cost savings is in the final machining and finish. It is a good, solid workhorse of a gun.
That said, if you can find a 4516, I think you'd find the benefits far outweigh the extra few ounces of the steel chassis. I run .45 Super loads through my 4516-1 on a regular basis, and it's still compact enough for CCW in most circumstances.
That said, if you can find a 4516, I think you'd find the benefits far outweigh the extra few ounces of the steel chassis. I run .45 Super loads through my 4516-1 on a regular basis, and it's still compact enough for CCW in most circumstances.
457 Thumbs UP
When I was considering getting one of these, I looked at them long and hard and didn't find any problems with them. I read lots of comments (including from ISP above) who trusted their lives to them everyday.
I found one in great shape and I love it. (full disclosure: I am a huge fan of S&W Third Gens & the 457 was one of my first)
It is accurate, easy to shoot, easy to take down, and fairly common for accessories.
Side note: I recently found a used H&K .45 that caught my eye. I took my 457 out and compared it and found it very similar. The H&K was a great weapon...but I figured for the $900 I could send the Smith off to the performance center, add different sights, have the barrel & slide coated in a couple different finishes and still come out about even.
If you find a good one, it will serve you well.
When I was considering getting one of these, I looked at them long and hard and didn't find any problems with them. I read lots of comments (including from ISP above) who trusted their lives to them everyday.
I found one in great shape and I love it. (full disclosure: I am a huge fan of S&W Third Gens & the 457 was one of my first)
It is accurate, easy to shoot, easy to take down, and fairly common for accessories.
Side note: I recently found a used H&K .45 that caught my eye. I took my 457 out and compared it and found it very similar. The H&K was a great weapon...but I figured for the $900 I could send the Smith off to the performance center, add different sights, have the barrel & slide coated in a couple different finishes and still come out about even.
If you find a good one, it will serve you well.
Mine works well and carries well. It was my first pistol. It is more compact than many .45s out there even today, or at least no larger.
In my testing with wet newspaper covered by denim and T-shirt, 230 gr Gold Dot reliably expand out of the short barrel, and this was not the short barrel variety of Gold Dot. 230 Gr Golden Saber was very erratic in performance.
Exactly 2 failures - both to fully go to battery - in about 1200 rounds. The first was due to a small 12 yr old limp wristing it. The second was due to a brass case (factory Remington) that was too long. It took a few minutes to figure out why it would not go to battery, including loading it in a revolver. When the cylinder would not close I compared it with another round, and it was obviously longer.
In my testing with wet newspaper covered by denim and T-shirt, 230 gr Gold Dot reliably expand out of the short barrel, and this was not the short barrel variety of Gold Dot. 230 Gr Golden Saber was very erratic in performance.
Exactly 2 failures - both to fully go to battery - in about 1200 rounds. The first was due to a small 12 yr old limp wristing it. The second was due to a brass case (factory Remington) that was too long. It took a few minutes to figure out why it would not go to battery, including loading it in a revolver. When the cylinder would not close I compared it with another round, and it was obviously longer.
fastbolt
Member
Solid, dependable, low cost workhorse of a compact .45 pistol.
Just because the mag catch isn't adjustable like the regular line of 3rd gen/TSW pistols were, and has a nylon button instead of a threaded nut for a mag catch button, it doesn't mean the steel mag catch is any less sturdy.
The plastic sights weren't my personal favorite, but the other cost-saving steps involved didn't particularly concern me.
Just because the mag catch isn't adjustable like the regular line of 3rd gen/TSW pistols were, and has a nylon button instead of a threaded nut for a mag catch button, it doesn't mean the steel mag catch is any less sturdy.
The plastic sights weren't my personal favorite, but the other cost-saving steps involved didn't particularly concern me.
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