Hi Guys,
For most of my 65 shooting years I have been a 1911 devote, however in the late 60's and 70's I became fancinated by the model 57 41 mag. With hand loading I could get inch groups at 20 yards however somehow I drifted back into the 1911 until now in my 70's I dearly want a blued Model 58. I would like a revolver that is mecahnically sound. A long as there are no deep scratches, worn bluing is fine and I want the original service grips or exact copies of such. Can someone tell me what I should look for to make certain it is mecanically sound? Also what would be an appropriate price range.
Any infowould be most welcome,
B-B-Bill

Welcome Bill....

58s are a Cult favorite around here... As to what to expect to pay for one. I just saw two very clean but with some wear 58s sell, one on GunBroker and the other AuctionArms for the mid-$700s. Sellers usually will ask mid-$800s to start but with holster wear, incorrect not serial numbered to the gun grips, box or paperwork $650-850 is the expected price range for a 1964-mid-1970s vintage gun. The nicer the finish/condition the more you will expect to pay...

The 'unofficial' 58 Club


Lots of good posts and links here...

.41 Magnum / 41 Special Load Data Center


As to mechanically sound...even if the timing is off, there is excessive endshake in the cylinder and most other mionor problems, they can all be easily addressed and fixed by any competent Smith smith...


May your search go well....Bob

For me:
* see that its clean - if the seller didn't clean it to sell, he never cared for it for himself
* cock the hammer, then push it forward with your thumb to see that it won't fall (push-off)
* check end skake. Move the cylinder forward and back, checking for excessive play
* rotational play. Rock the cylinder back and forth on every chamber, checking for excessive rotational play. Lay the thumb of you off-hand lightly on the cylinder as you slowly cock it on every chamber. If the cylinder locks into place, timing and hand are likely good
* cylinder alignment. Here its good to have a .41 "range rod" with handle. Drop the range rod through the barrel and through every chamber in the cylinder. If the rod will travel through the cylinder to the firing pin when you rock it in rotation with thumb and forefinger (it's a tight fit) cylinder alignment is good
* barrel/cylinder gap. Feeler gauges are good for checking b/c gap on every chamber, in cocked position, in relation to each other and excess in any/all
* matching serial numbers. SN's on butt, barrel, cylinder & stocks
That's a few of my "do" procedures. I'll leave prices to others - I only own 57's/657's.

__________________
Jeb

I have bought numerous guns from gun broker , including my one and only 58 , blue finish . It came with a set of after make grips . After searching on gun broker for awhile I found a set of PC Magna grips to make it more factory original . They are very accurate shooting whether it's a target load or a magnum load .
Just take your time , they are out there and at a price less than $1K . Good Luck , Regards, Paul

As stated the 58's have a cult following and that means alot of people are looking for them. Around 20,000 made, not that many out there and those who have one aren't lookng to sell. Nice ones in the box can go for $1200 and up.

Charlie

Hey thank you all. The info you have given me has led me to a wealth of books and articles. Now before I buy I might be able to judge what I'm purchasing with a bit more confidence.
B-B-Bill

But in some markets they are considered somewhat like a red headed step child, as are the other .41s. In which case you can get a better deal on one. I picked up a like new example in the box a couple of years ago for six bills.

B-B, The hard part may be finding some original 58 grips. Many have been separated from the gun, kind of like cokes. Cowboy's solution gets you close if the originals are not with the gun.

__________________
Jim
Many K and N Frames