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10-06-2021, 07:10 PM
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Model 57, not dead yet
I know the .41 Magnum still has fans on this forum. I picked up this Model 57 no dash back in 2018 off gunbroker. It was the first revolver I bought through gunbroker, which definitely opened up Smith and Wessons that I'd never laid eyes on in LGS or gun shows. Of course the first gun show I went to after buying this one had no less than five Model 57s at it.
This revolver has an 8 3/8" barrel, serial number N809XXX, and is P&R. I guess I'm in the minority in that I like the long barrel guns more than the snubbies, but that just means that some times I can find a good deal on them. I was really impressed with the throat and groove dimensions on this revolver. They are much more consistent than on my Model 29-2 with serial number N311XXX. I know that the Model 57 will always live in the shadow of the Model 29, but I feel the .41 Magnum is still a capable and potent cartridge. I don't know if there is enough of an appreciable difference between the .44 Magnum and .41 Magnum to need both, but variety is the spice of life.
I think that .41 Magnum is almost exclusively a reloading proposition. I bought one box of generic Remingtons that cost $70+ back in 2018 before my loading dies came in. I cast my own bullets as well which helps immensely with shooting a .41 Magnum cheaply. So far my favorite load uses a N.O.E. 412-220-SWC with 2400 as powder, but I'm looking at getting a WFN style bullet mould too.
Also pictured is the Model 57 with its Model 27-2 (N609XXX) and Model 29-2 long-barrel brethren. All are fun to shoot, and make even full house loads a joy with their long barrels. They also make it very easy to impress friends when they are trying to hit the 100 yard target on the rifle range with their compact and sub-compact bottom feeders.
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22hipower, 75Vette, ameridaddy, Birdhunter6, brendonjames65, cndrdk, D Brown, Dennis2149, Duckfood, fishwishin, GerSan69, gwpercle, Hair Trigger, jcelect, Jeromejr, kennethg, Llance, lrrifleman, ME94, Moo Moo, Narragansett, Nightowl, pawngal, philbrook3, Pine_Worker, rjm6120, rubiranch, scout II, series guy, SFIDEC, SS336, SuperMan, Triathloncoach, zipty6 |
10-06-2021, 07:22 PM
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I have the twin to your 57, but mine is in nickel. I'm not a huge fan of the long tube, but the 57 really is a joy to shoot. So, that makes me appreciate them! I took it on my last range trip and had a lot if fun shooting it!
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10-06-2021, 07:32 PM
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My 57 was my Dad's deer gun, after his shotgun got too heavy for him to carry. I had never fired it before he passed, but it soon became my favorite revolver.
Last weekend my son (his grandson) got to shoot it for the first time. When the time comes, and based on his comments, I now know who the gun will be passed to.
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10-06-2021, 08:13 PM
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I just finished washing and waxing the latest 57 to enter my stable, an 8 3/8" example, blued, P&R and in a presentation case with all tools but no papers...For inexplicable reasons it came to me with K-frame target grips stuck on it...I happen to have had a pair of nice N-frame targets waiting for a recipient, so upon exiting the gunwash they found their way onto the new arrival...The K-frame targets that came off it were just what my newly acquired 4" 581 needed after its bath...
Now all the new arrivals are happy and bedded down for the night...  ...Ben
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10-07-2021, 05:15 AM
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I prefer the long barrels,and think they also look the best. I can also shoot them more accurately than the shorter ones. Nice 57
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10-07-2021, 07:57 AM
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So here's a little twist on the long barreled 57s; a Performance Center 657-5. Yes, it has the modern tweaks but shoots pretty well too. And yes, I have an 8 3/8 57 no dash, as well as a 6 and a 4 so I too appreciate the older ones. Very nice gun you have, enjoy.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Last edited by 22hipower; 10-07-2021 at 07:58 AM.
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10-07-2021, 08:15 AM
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...U R not alone in your love for 57s, or .41s in general for that matter...
1964-2014...The .41 Magnum
.41 Magnum / 41 Special Load Data Center
I've owned two 657s and two 57s with the 8 3/8" barrel and they have been excellent shooters...
...and if you want to borrow a mold...I have tons of them...send me a PM...
Bob
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10-07-2021, 08:41 AM
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Long time member of the 41 Magnum Fan Club ... that's my Model 58 in my avatar with Ahrends Retro Combats in Cocobolo .
If you reload and cast bullets you might want to check out a rare Wadcutter mould created by NOE www.noebulletmolds.com
it is based on the discontinued Lyman #358432 design just enlarged to 41 cal. NOE # 413-215-WC (413432) . You can order one mould that will cast a solid point , hollow point and cup point .
This bullet reminds me of the blunt British Man Stopper . It has a crimp groove and is not meant to be loaded flush with the case but with the nose and a driving protruding like a SWC .
Very accurate design ... my model 58 loves to shoot small groups with this one .
The reason I mention it is ... except for SWC design's there just isn't much out there for the 41 ... Lyman has stopped all production of 41 cal moulds . Lee makes only two 195 gr. SWC and 210 SWC TL .
There just isn't much out there but the NOE WC is a winner !
Gary
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10-07-2021, 09:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gwpercle
Long time member of the 41 Magnum Fan Club ... that's my Model 58 in my avatar with Ahrends Retro Combats in Cocobolo .
If you reload and cast bullets you might want to check out a rare Wadcutter mould created by NOE www.noebulletmolds.com
it is based on the discontinued Lyman #358432 design just enlarged to 41 cal. NOE # 413-215-WC (413432) . You can order one mould that will cast a solid point , hollow point and cup point .
This bullet reminds me of the blunt British Man Stopper . It has a crimp groove and is not meant to be loaded flush with the case but with the nose and a driving protruding like a SWC .
Very accurate design ... my model 58 loves to shoot small groups with this one .
The reason I mention it is ... except for SWC design's there just isn't much out there for the 41 ... Lyman has stopped all production of 41 cal moulds . Lee makes only two 195 gr. SWC and 210 SWC TL .
There just isn't much out there but the NOE WC is a winner !
Gary |
I managed to luck into one of the Lee 2 cavity .41 WC molds on eBay that got listed with a $20 "buy it now". That'll never happen again.
Accurate Molds also has the 41-190W. Accurate shows a bunch of .41 designs.
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10-07-2021, 09:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Truckman
Now all the new arrivals are happy and bedded down for the night... ...Ben |
For those interested, the latest arrivals stood for inspection and ID photos following their their trip through Dunkin Gunwash...The 57 is decked out in more appropriate, although aftermarket, N-size shoes while the 581 was happy to don the hand-me-down K-size targets that it's larger brother arrived wearing...  ...Ben
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10-07-2021, 10:32 AM
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I'm a huge fan of the 41 magnum , along with my sister . We both have 57's , 4" barrel nickel plated . I have several others as well . Veral Smith @ LBT molds is where I got my WFN , 220 gr mold . But , I have tried several times to contact him lately and got no response . I would verify he's still in business before sent off an order . His molds are among the best for me and I have tried several different brands . Regards Paul
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10-07-2021, 10:46 AM
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A M57 6' blued is one of my favorite hunting handguns.
Got a great deal on this one on GB a few years back - had some nasty rash on the side of the barrel, like it had been in a wet holster.
Easily cleaned up, and for a hunting tool, who cares?
Great shooter.
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10-07-2021, 08:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gwpercle
Long time member of the 41 Magnum Fan Club ... that's my Model 58 in my avatar with Ahrends Retro Combats in Cocobolo .
If you reload and cast bullets you might want to check out a rare Wadcutter mould created by NOE www.noebulletmolds.com
it is based on the discontinued Lyman #358432 design just enlarged to 41 cal. NOE # 413-215-WC (413432) . You can order one mould that will cast a solid point , hollow point and cup point .
This bullet reminds me of the blunt British Man Stopper . It has a crimp groove and is not meant to be loaded flush with the case but with the nose and a driving protruding like a SWC .
Very accurate design ... my model 58 loves to shoot small groups with this one .
The reason I mention it is ... except for SWC design's there just isn't much out there for the 41 ... Lyman has stopped all production of 41 cal moulds . Lee makes only two 195 gr. SWC and 210 SWC TL .
There just isn't much out there but the NOE WC is a winner !
Gary |
Look at Accurate Molds...he has tons of designs for .41... Have several of his molds and MP molds from Slovakia..real works of art.
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10-07-2021, 09:58 PM
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.41 Forever!
6" 57 No dash, '79 or '80.
4" 58 No dash, '64 or '65
Love 'em both. They are keepers.
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10-07-2021, 10:55 PM
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The 41 Magnum has never been close to being dead
Lots of manufacturers make lots of firearms in this caliber, even in long barrels be they revovler or lever action
Smith & Wesson has made revolvers from carbon steel, stainless steel and even scandium alloy over the past few years
Then there were Mountain Guns
There was even a nice long barreled V-Comp
This Cartridge will outlive all of us
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10-08-2021, 01:12 AM
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Long time fan of the .41, have owned several, currently only 1, a M57 4in.
Those of us that own them know what we have, others don't have a clue. Many have never heard of the cartridge.
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10-08-2021, 07:52 AM
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"Lots of manufacturers make lots of firearms in this caliber, even in long barrels be they revolver or lever action"...once upon a time...
Currently:
Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8" and 6.5"
S&W 6" blue Classic
Freedom Arms 83 and 97 in several barrel lengths
Henry has four models of their lever action carbine...
...and that is it.
Sad...truly sad...
Yet today there are more manufacturers making .41s in more bullet weights then ever before...
Last edited by SuperMan; 10-08-2021 at 07:58 AM.
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10-08-2021, 07:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pawngal
Long time fan of the .41, have owned several, currently only 1, a M57 4in.
Those of us that own them know what we have, others don't have a clue. Many have never heard of the cartridge.
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...that is the "Best of the Best"...and happens to be my favorite also...
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10-08-2021, 09:27 AM
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My Nickel 4” & 6” Model 57’s
The 57 was a very under appreciated revolver from the start- i have a first year 4” in nickel and a later N# in 6” in nickel, both in as new condition…. I have a new classic as well, but the quality of the older ones is very apparent…. Bill
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10-08-2021, 10:31 AM
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41 Mag
That's a good looking "almost" long tube 41 Mag! This is my favorite 41 Mag, amongst a few others!
This is one of 4 made by S&W. I know where 3 are but one is still in the wind! Everybody, keep looking, I would love to know where the 4th gun is! !
jcelect
Last edited by jcelect; 10-08-2021 at 10:33 AM.
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10-08-2021, 11:06 AM
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Gotta love S&W hand cannons😂😂
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10-08-2021, 11:43 AM
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57-1 was the 1st handgun I ever purchased back in 85.
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10-08-2021, 01:05 PM
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I bought my S 57 a few years ago. It came with a 4" bbl but as I intend to use it for hunting I sought a 6" bbl and made the change. Now I wish I'd gotten the 8-3/8" tube too.
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10-08-2021, 01:31 PM
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I have collected S&W revolvers for 47 years. Mostly Magnums. I just got my first MODEL 57-1 last week. Great caliber. Shooting downloaded .41 Spl @ 800fps from GEORGIA Ammunition until I can get my .41 dies in.
I prefer the 4" and 5" guns because I like to holster while working , riding and hunting. How you you guys with the long tubes carry those monsters around ?
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10-09-2021, 10:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Claymore33
How you you guys with the long tubes carry those monsters around ?
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I have hunted with the 44 Mag version of the 10 5/8" Silhouette model 29 since they were brought out! The ONLY way I can carry this gun while walking in the woods is in a chest rig with the bottom retained by a belt!
jcelect
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10-09-2021, 05:27 PM
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41 mag
I just got home from the local gun show with another 57 no dash. The seller said his father bought it new and has never been fire. If that IS the case I will be the first. I also have a 57 no dash with a 6 inch barrel and a 657 3 inch and I love the 41 mag. I do not reload and can not find any ammo local. Anyone know where I can order some for less than an arm and a leg? Thanks for any help
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10-09-2021, 09:16 PM
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The odds of getting factory .41Magnum ammo at a price that does not make you whimper and cry are very low. Maybe an estate sale if you watch out for one. I got a bunch of ammo in my favorite calibers during a period roughly 5-10 years ago and should be ok. I am also doing more to save empty cartridge cases for potential reloading after I retire/move.
As for bullet types: I would not bemoan the prevalence of the SWC types. As a rule, I have gone full reactionary, and almost all of my revolver ammo that is not also in a pistol cartridge (such as 45 ACP) is SWC (or WC, in .38 Special). In the auto-pistol calibers, I prefer to take advantage of the research on service ammo since the mid 80s, and I tend to go with Doc Roberts' advice. A heavy for caliber SWC in most medium to large revolvers will perform adequately well, with any needed performance variation addressed by picking a decent velocity for your purpose.
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