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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 01-23-2020, 05:57 AM
YogiBear YogiBear is offline
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Default To Drill or Not?

Howdy,
I'm in a quandry.
I have kidney failure and do home dialysis. On a limited budget.
I can still shoot, and have discovered red dot sights.
I have one on a M27 and love it.
Now, I want to put one on my 4 in M57, it needs to be drilled & tapped to put a base on it. It's well used so I don't think there would be any loss in value.
I Want to hunt with one of my 6 in 57s which also needs to be modified for a base.
Problem is which one, never fired blue or slightly fired nickle?
To add to the problem is that I Need help walking in the field. The Wife thinks hunting is a bad idea because I need a babysitter.
I Want to try hunting with my 57.
I Want to get a Axis deer from Texas because I can.
So, the question is which 57 to modify? Blue or nickle?
Or should I forget the hunting idea and leave the guns as is in the safe?
Your thoughts?
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Old 01-23-2020, 06:25 AM
Lonegle57 Lonegle57 is offline
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Sorry to hear about the health issues. Have you looked at an aftermarket scope base, want to say bomar but could be wrong. They use the the rear sight screw hole and clamp on toward the front of the base. Have one on a 686, came with it. There are red dots that will go in scope rings. There might be a little wear to the finish from rubbing but no extra holes in the frame.
As to red dots, started playing with them for hunting this year. Have found them great with good light but right at dark and sunrise would prefer a scope, the dot makes it tough to see the deer.
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Old 01-23-2020, 07:30 AM
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murphydog murphydog is offline
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Welcome! There are/were no gunsmithing optic mounts for S & W revolvers but none seem available any more, and by history their reputation seems iffy at best.

If you are set on the idea and using iron sights is out of the question, a trade for one of your model 57s for one that is drilled/tapped for the mount from the factory (a blue 57-4 or later, or a stainless 657-3 or later) may be the simplest route. The optic mounts for the later guns are inexpensive, but unless you already have one the optic itself may get pricey. Good luck in your decision.
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Old 01-23-2020, 11:14 AM
series guy series guy is online now
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Drill and tap the 4" Model 57 and use that gun for hunting. This leaves the two 6" guns original. There's no downside to hunting with a 4" barrel. The red dot negates the advantage of the longer sight radius.
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Old 01-23-2020, 11:51 AM
Swissfan Swissfan is offline
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Yogi-I have a no drill B Square mount if you want it. PM Sent.
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Old 01-23-2020, 01:12 PM
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mmande mmande is offline
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I have used a lot of no drill B-square mounts on .22 and .38 revolvers BUT...I personally would never use them on any magnum caliber revolver. The front mounting screw (a #3 thread I think) is too small to handle the recoil! I also stayed away from the ones that clamp around the frame ahead of the cylinder because they rub and scratch the bluing very quickly.
This is just my opinion and others may disagree;
Mike
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Old 01-23-2020, 01:26 PM
mtgianni mtgianni is offline
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Slight detour. I have a friend that has been in a wheelchair since age 19. He hunted for many years from his Bronco. Told me when he shot a deer he tied a rope to his front bumper, crawled to it, gutted the deer , tied the rope then crawled back. He would then back up until the deer was at the road and wait for someone to come help him load. He said "I never remember a car passing that wouldn't help me load the deer". He got out to the deer once and it had started to snow, and he got so cold he wasn't sure he could make it back to the truck. Said he was glad when his son was old enough to go with him. I used to think I was tough.
My point is there is no shame in having a "Babysitter" hunt with you. The shame would be in thinking you should go and not investigating all possibilities. In Montana it is legal for a handicapped hunter to shoot from a vehicle. See what applies in Texas, or what you need to get to a good blind. Good luck, and I would take the 4" with a red dot.
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Old 01-23-2020, 01:54 PM
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My thought's are you want to hunt...HUNT.
It's in my blood too and dialysis doesn't take that out.
About the 57''s sell one and buy a beater maybe even an 8 3/8"
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Last edited by weatherby; 01-23-2020 at 01:56 PM.
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Old 01-23-2020, 02:44 PM
Eddietruett Eddietruett is online now
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I’ve used the Weaver and B Square no drill mounts on 357 and 44 mag S&W Revolvers with Simmons and Bushnell Red Dot Tubes. Worked Great on Both. The. B Square uses rear sight screws and also clamps to frame over the cylinder. I put blue painters tape on the frame before installing the mount and have not had any finish damage on blue or nickel. Have one mounted now on a 8 3/8” Model 629 with about 300 full bore magnum rounds and has held zero. I use them a lot to test new to me guns and see what shoots well and what doesn’t.
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Old 01-23-2020, 10:57 PM
toad67 toad67 is offline
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If you decide to D&T one of your guns, I have a Weigand weaver style base that you can have for free. PM me if you decide to go that way..
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Old 01-24-2020, 12:39 AM
YogiBear YogiBear is offline
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Howdy,
I have accepted mounts for my 57 4in.

At the same time I am willng to trade a 4 in M329PD, scandium 44 mag for a used blu 57 6in already drill & tapped.

The 329 was my Alaska gun. I don't go to Alaska anymore because my Alaska buddy passed due to cancer. I don't need or want it.
Will be putting it into classifieds soon.
YogiBear

Thank you for all your advice,
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Old 01-24-2020, 10:37 AM
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I bought a K38 with a no drill mount attached, and quickly found out the front sight hole that has secured it to the frame was sheared off. I had to have it drilled out and replaced with a slightly larger screw. This tells me that even with 38's continued use put too much recoil stress on the srew. I wouldn't put one on anything but a .22.
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Old 01-24-2020, 11:02 AM
paplinker paplinker is offline
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Please keep hunting!!

There is nothing like the clean mountain air filling your lungs and blowing across your face to let you know your still alive.

A buddy going with you is a good idea anyway as you have to get your deer in the truck anyway. Just pick one that doesn't talk too much. They will suck up all that clean air

I hope to hunt until its my time to go.
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Old 01-24-2020, 01:53 PM
Dave.357 Dave.357 is offline
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Default Your gun

Do not hesitate to modify a gun ,to be able
To keep hunting is way more important.
Please have gunsmith do the modifications.
Good luck and good hunting
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