The first pistol I purchased was a Smith & Wesson model 457 .45 acp pistol. It is a compact semi-automatic which holds 7 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. S&W; has been around for a long time so I thought that I would be getting a solid product. However my experiences are mixed with the design.
To start off with the positive I liked the feel of the grip in my hand. It is a slender single stack and fits naturally and comfortably. In fact Smith & Wesson pistols are some of the most comfortable pistols I have held. Aside from looks it is a reliable weapon and did not have one failure to fire. Reliability and safety are the top priorities in a firearm design and the model 457 passed the test. Also, this model was relatively cheap, I got mine for around $400.
The pistol is quite heavy for its size and this helps reduce recoil, although the recoil on a compact .45 can be quite stout for some people. The standard sights are pleasantly designed but I was not as accurate with the 457 as I was with other pistols in the same caliber. The slide safety is easy to use and functions smoothly. This model is designed for close range self defense and as a concealed carry weapon. However, I would recommend other brands and models of pistols for these purposes such as a compact Glock, XD, or a compact 1911.
Once of the things I noticed was that the finish on the top of the slide had some weird crease marks on it. I did not really notice this until I had taken it home to do further inspection. It was entirely cosmetic in nature but this is not the first S&W; I have come across that has had exterior flaws on it.
The pistol slide had an issue with rust. After a year of standard use the slide had a slight orange hue on it. Granted the model 457 is somewhat of a budget priced pistol compared to the entire S&W; lineup but I expected better than this. If you use this weapon be prepared to clean and maintain the exterior to keep oxidation at bay.
Firing in double action is pleasant but I was surprised at the stiffness of the single action. This is one common issue I’ve noticed with budget pistols. Trigger function is of prime importance in the handling of a firearm. This is why the 1911 design has stood the test of time (it having some would say the best trigger of all semi-autos). The single action trigger on the 457 is nothing to write home about but is not as bad as some other pistols I have handled.
I did hold on to the pistol for quite a few years but ended up selling it. They are not the worst or the best of breeds but one should be able to find a used one on the cheap. As stated before the recoil may be considerably stout for some people with the 457. Compact .45’s are probably not the best choice for beginning shooters. If you are a seasoned shooter then you will probably have better accuracy with it than I did. In the end I can not recommend the gun but you may want to check out for yourself to see if it fits your needs.
Here are the factory specifications of the Smith & Wesson model 457 pistol:
Model: 457
Caliber: .45ACP
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds
Barrel Length: 3 3/4″
Front Sight: Dot Front Sight
Rear Sight: Fixed
Grip: Plastic Grip
External Safety: N/A
Frame: Small
Finish: Blue / Black
Overall Length: 7 1/4″
Material: Alloy
Weight Empty: 29 oz.
