S&W Model 57

[Dudemeister]

I just purchased a S&W Model 57 from an Estate sale, along wit a SW99. Is till have to do the paperwork on the guns next week, and then wait for their 10 day prison sentence, but I'm happy with my purchase.

The model 57 is a nickle plated version in 6". The only issue is that the nickle plating started to oxidize/corrode in a couple of places: On the top right edge of the top strap near the rear sight, and on one of the edges of a cylinder flute. Other than that it's in very good condition, although it looks like the owner didn't clean it prior to putting it in the box years ago. Also the original wood box, has some kind of blue finish "something" for the interior padding that is flaking off.

I opened the yoke, and looked at the serial number and information, and it a no dash model, with pinned barrel. The serial number is "78" something, and I don't remember if there was a letter prefix or not. Another thing that is missing are the original grips, which were replaced by wraparound Hogue, which considering the recoil on this beast is understandable.

Here is a quick shot. I should have more once I take possession of it.

So what do you guys think f the Model 57 in general, and this purchase in particular.

 

[black mamba]

Probably the finest 41 magnum ever produced. I've had several of them in different barrel lengths, and they've all been superbly accurate with a wide variety of loads (I handload) from 170 grain up to 240 grain. It will give you 95% of the power of a 44 magnum, with about 80% of the blast and recoil. Plus, I'm partial to the nickel: it looks great and cleans up easy as well.

 

[Riomouse911]

The 4” Model 57 is one of my grail guns. I hope yours shoots as well as it looks on the picture.

Some of the others may have a solution for the nickel finish issues you mentioned. (My only nickel gun is a Model 49 Bodyguard but it hasn’t got any finish issues.)

Stay safe.

 

[Starter52]

Flitz polish is great for nickel guns.

The interior of your wood case has deteriorated over time. This is a very common problem with S&W cases of that era.

The problem can be corrected.

 

[Dudemeister]

When you say, the problem can be corrected, you're referring to relining the case with some other material, right?

 

[bannockburn]

Dudemeister

I had both a Model 57 blued with a 4" barrel and the fixed sight service revolver version, the Model 58. Both were great guns and I only sold them because I needed the money at the time.

Second the notion of gently using some Flitz on some of the trouble spots on the nickel plating. I have been using it for over 40 years and it has done a great job of cleaning, polishing, and protecting my gun's finishes.

 

[.38 Special]

That is a nice find, especially in California. And with the slight finish wear, you should feel no compunction about shooting it as much as you like. It should be a good, accurate gun with a perfect single action trigger, and as long as you are happy with the price tag, I think you will enjoy it!

 

[Dudemeister]

That is a nice find, especially in California. And with the slight finish wear, you should feel no compunction about shooting it as much as you like. It should be a good, accurate gun with a perfect single action trigger, and as long as you are happy with the price tag, I think you will enjoy it!

The price tag was "a song and dance" less than $500, so it was right, but I wonder if it would ever go up in the future considering the nickle wear/damage

 

[nofendertom]

Don't worry about worth in the future---SHOOT IT---you will enjoy it !

 

[.38 Special]

The price tag was "a song and dance" less than $500, so it was right, but I wonder if it would ever go up in the future considering the nickle wear/damage

Wow! I don't even like the .41, but at that price, here in California, I would have snapped it up!

I don't think the price will go up much. The collectors have driven old S&W prices up beyond all reason, but only for rare and/or high grade specimens. In my opinion, especially in California, serviceable guns with honest wear - or cosmetic imperfections, like yours - are the way to go. I suspect that eventually the "roster" will be overturned and prices here will fall more into line with those in the rest of the country. Meanwhile, you have an exceptional gun that you can shoot as much as you like, and I am green with envy!

 

[Riomouse911]

I would have been all over it, too.

My last local magnum pickup was a 4” Model 66-2 that I got at Turners Outdoorsman for $500.00. I didn’t hesitate twenty seconds before pulling out the card and asking for a purchase form to fill out.

Stay safe.

 

[cfullgraf]

The 41 Magnum is an interesting round and in today's environment, you really need to be a reloader to take full advantage of the cartridge.

A few years ago, I stumbled into an 8-3/8" Model 57. I bought it because I was on an 8-3/8" kick at the time--actually still am but I have most of what I want with 8-3/8" long barrels.

It looks like the OP has a good shooter that may clean up. I hope he enjoys the 41 Magnum.

I may need to keep my eye out for a 6" Model 57 to keep the 8-3/8" version company.

 

[Pat Riot]

I agree with @nofendertom. Shoot it and have fun with it.

 

[Bush Pilot]

The 41 magnum is an excellent choice, reloading is almost a necessity. A few years ago the Mensa society asked applicants what their preferred handgun cartridge was, the board separated the true geniuses from the rest of the applicants when they replied 41 magnum.

 

[Gunsquirrel]

I picked one up a couple of years ago, enjoy shooting it as often as I can!

 

[CleanDean]

I am happy to join those who are members of the ".41 Remington Magnum Society".
Owning a TC/Contender 10" in. With factory sights ( no scope) it has a moderate weight & great ballance; Proud of that pistol.
My old protector of my Tavern Biz. was a S&W Mod. 58 , that also held the title of the ☆"Finisher". During a wild boar hunt, a big bruiser needed two shots , so my 4" Smith in .41... did the valiant finale.

 

[Dudemeister]

Thanks for the kind works everyone.

FWIW, I'm not a big fan of magnum cartridges, I'm more content plinking away with quieter (and less bruising) stuff. I have a lot of .357, but invariably I run .38SPL through them. Sure, occasionally I like to sneak a round or two of 357 in the cylinder, and enjoy the surprise rapport. But at my age, big bruising rounds are not my daily cup of tea.

I bought this simply because the price was right, and I didn't have any other large magnums in my "collection". And I plan to put a few "proper" rounds through it, but I'll probably concoct some cream-puff rounds to reload at normal/low pressures, kind of the equivalent of what the .44 special is to a .44 magnum. Does anyone have such a recipe?

 

[Jim Watson]

You did well on price even with flaws in the nickel plate, and need not worry about rubbing it up while shooting.

When I was shooting IHMSA, it was thought that a Model 29 .44 Magnum would not hold up to a "steady diet" of full charge magnums, but that the Model 57 was below some sort of threshold and was a lot more durable with full loads.

 

[nofendertom]

Look up John Taffin tests 41 magnun loads---lots of good stuff on the 41 mag.

 

[Dudemeister]

Look up John Taffin tests 41 magnun loads---lots of good stuff on the 41 mag.

That was a great read. However, I was left with a couple of questions:

He mentioned that he was building his loads for the modified SAA .45 that he had converted to .41 special. But why does he trim the .41 magnum case down to 1.160. The original case length should fit the cylinder length of the SAA, as the .45 case length is 1.285", and the .41 Mag is 1.29".

I'm looking a some of the recipes and I like the 220gr. cast over 6.0gr. of Unique, but do I need to trim the normal 1.29" .41 magnum case down, or can I leave it as is?

 

[nofendertom]

There is 41special brass made by Starline---John Taffin made his own by shortening 44mag brass---I have shot 7gr of Unique with 210gr LSW in 41mag cases
for a light load.

 

[Dudemeister]

I just looked at the .41 special Starline brass,and it is indeed a shortened version. Just curious why they would shorten the case, if the full length case fits to start with.

 

[jdh]

I just looked at the .41 special Starline brass,and it is indeed a shortened version. Just curious why they would shorten the case, if the full length case fits to start with.

1. Because of pc police chiefs that had no magnum rules in place. Since from the beginning there was no factory special cases were someone to shorten the case and stamp the head 41 Special it would allow those of us who did carry the 41 to comply with the that administrative BS.

2. L frame cylinder is shorter than the N frame cylinder. L frames converted to 41 could not take the full length 41 mag case with heavy bullets.

 

[Dudemeister]

OK, that makes sense.

 

[luzyfuerza]

I bought this simply because the price was right, and I didn't have any other large magnums in my "collection". And I plan to put a few "proper" rounds through it, but I'll probably concoct some cream-puff rounds to reload at normal/low pressures, kind of the equivalent of what the .44 special is to a .44 magnum. Does anyone have such a recipe?

The classic mid-range .41 mag load is a 210 grain LSWC bullet over 8 to 9 grains of Unique. In my 6" model 57, 8.4 grains of Unique produces 1117 fps and 3/4" groups at 13 yards, rested. With mild-to-medium recoil. I don't like full power loads, but this one suits me just fine.

If you can find them, the old 220 grain Speer half-jacketed bullet works really well in my model 57.