Can anyone tell me about a 657 with a 4" bbl. Black ramp front sight with roll marked bbl (not a mountain gun).

I'm looking at one and cannot find a comparison.

I have to make an offer - just interested in fair market value; not the deal of the century or twice its value.

I looked all over the net and came up short. Also checked GB for current and completed auctions and still nothing like it.

It's 97% or better with nothing but the gun.

Been looking at this caliber for awhile and think this will make a fine woods gun.

Time is of the essence here guys and gals. If you snooze, I lose so help a feller out with any info on this piece and suggest a price please. Many thanks!

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Your gun is a early production M657. The four inch is very hard to find as it was only cataloged for the first two years of production(86-87) if I'm not mistaken. The black front sight is standard issue and it shipped with wooden target stocks. After years of searching, I found mine in late 2009. Bob!

Thank you Bob. Can you give me a $$ to start at? High/low perhaps?

Any stainless N frame(technically called a G frame) in 41 44 or 45 caliber in excellent condition should be a $600. gun.

On the higher end $800. but probably no more than this.

Does the seller not have an idea?

As stated the 657 4" was produced in relatively small numbers.
The finish on the one in the picture looks to be bead blasted.

And another note; the area on the frame just forward of the
cylinder stop lug is shiny. This means the cylinder stop notches on the cylinder have been peened a bit and when the cylinder is open all the way out they are rubbing slightly against the frame creating that polished look.

Do not buy this gun without an inspection period first.
It may have been abused some in its life and some of the cylinder stop notches may be quite deformed.

Don't ask me how I know this. But I do.

Good luck and contact me via P.M. if you want to talk.

Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

The 657 no dash 4" like you are looking to buy are very hard to find. I suggest snagging it!! Here are 3 of em, each with different front sights from the factory:

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ken
SWCA #1959

PM sent, Allen.

$525 is a "strong buy". They only came in satin finish from the factory...if its been bead-blasted, that's aftermarket. If you decide not to buy it, let me have a crack at it!

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ken
SWCA #1959

What does strong buy mean? I'm still learning the lingo.

"Strong buy" = a good deal!! BUT, check out those cyl notches as Allen-frame suggests. Good luck!

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ken
SWCA #1959

I'll pay that for it......easy....525....give him cash....the peening issue can be addressed...

That means get it before it's gone...

-TS

Jump on it!!!

...why are you still here??!!???

I'm laughing my butt off at these replies. Thank you everyone - I will talk to my lovely wife tomorrow and get this as my early birthday present.

BTW, I just got off the phone with Allen-Frame. What a class-act and an absolute pleasure to meet and speak with.

Where else can you go and get a total stranger to offer their time like that?

Man, I love you guys I made a new friend, I'm gettin a new gun, I love everybody right now!

Seriously, thank you all very much. The response was overwhelming and this was alot of fun.

Cheers.

At $525 it would have gone home with me instantly.

4" 657s are not popping out all over the place. You learned this trying to find another one for price comparison.

I love mine, enjoy yours when you get it.

I will hear from the owner today and try to secure an inspection perion as he is out of state.

I will let everyone know how this turns out.

If I had the money I would be trying to beat you to it.

excellent deal...congats!

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

I'd buy it in a heartbeat, even though I have one. If you don't already handload, now's the time to start. Bob!!!!

Well, I talked to the seller tonight and he told me the finish was original so the pic must just be deceiving and not re-finished in bead blast.

I asked about the mark on the frame and he said that it was mechanically sound all the way around.

He kept referring to the "book" where it talks about the gun and it's value. Apparently he is going on Blue Book for the selling price and still making money.

He offered up a box of ammo for sale with the gun. I'm almost afraid to tell you the final price including shipping for fear of being a braggart.

Suffice it to say it will be a great deal going on your reactions. I will post pics when I get it home. Probably a week from now.

Thanks guys. I would have been ignorant and let this slip through my fingers.

Very nice! Glad all things worked out and you got it!! And don't fear to quote the price...one of my 657 4" I got for $439 +$20 shipping a year ago!

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ken
SWCA #1959

Wow, that was a good price. This comes shipped for 525 plus 25 for a box of ammo to get me started.

I think the ammo was the better deal at more than half off of anything I found on the net.

Glad I got into casting and reloading! It's probably the ammo prices that kept the store-bought shooters from getting to this first.

A special thanks to Ken and Allen for their PM's and phone calls. You guys are cooler than the other side of my pillow.

any one know of a 4inch 657 for sale? been looking for one for over a year I have a 4inch model 57 mountain gun but its blue, prefer the 4inch stainless with heavier barrel and red ramp /white outline rear sights.
Fortyone

i know is like 2yrs later but look up top guns, hes got a model 57 4" nickel, over priced thou

Hope you were able to find this archived page. I have found Armslist postings for $800 with a millet red dot scope mounted. Hope this helps.

41 Magnum Model 657 4 inch.
What a perfect gun. S&W bring this back. Other barrel lengths too. I would buy one.

Or a 41 Mag L frame ala the new M69.

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Accuracy supercedes Speed

There was an even rarer 4" Model 657 made for only a short time.
It was targeted toward police sales.

It had the 4" barrel and black front sight, but had the "combat" hammer and smooth trigger.
The combat hammer was narrower and shorter then the usual Target type hammer as shown on the above pictures.
The trigger was not quite as wide as the Target trigger, and was smooth.
It shipped with Goncalvo Alves Target type grips.

I had posted about my upcoming acquisition of a 4" 657, and a couple of other 57's, and it appears to be the one you mention dfariswheel. I was able to examine it for the first time today and it has the black front sight and a smooth target trigger. Do you have any more information on this particular variation?

Hmm, I think an early 4" 657 might be next on my list...

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-Roger

Were there any 6" versions like yours made with the RR and WO sights?

Had to post the 4" 657 I bought today at a local gun show. Came with 5 boxes of factory ammo, a new set of Ahrends grips in the package, the box it is in, and a tool kit.

The gun looks to be in about 98% condition and the other items were icing on the cake.

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Nice! Here is a pic of mine:



I carried it all last week, one of the few times I managed to tote an N-frame. It's a lot of gun for OWB, and works better in my Alaska shoulder rig. It's kind of a niche gun, isn't it...too heavy and big to belt carry concealed and not enough barrel length for a true range gun. As a wilderness gun though, I don't think there are many better choices.