Model 58 recoil issues with service grips.

[smokey04]

Everyone to his own,but about 35 years ago I was shooting .44Mag, .41 Mag and some very warmed up .45ACPs in "N" frames regularly. When it came to recoil I couldn't tell the difference between .44Mags. and .41Mags.They all got tiresome in just a little while. Then, it occurred to me that Elmer Keith had ivory grips of the approximate size of magnas on his everyday .44.I believe I read about his steer head carving just fitting the palm of his hand and helping to mitigate the recoil.
At the time I was an "underpaid" Captain in the Army and couldn't afford ivories let alone carved ivories.So I tried a set of plain clothes[PC] magnas 'cause I knew the target grips sure didn't work for me.That resulted in a bruised knuckle so I added a grip adapter[I don't remember if it was Pachmayer or Tyler], but MAN, what a difference [for the better].I don't have large hands[size 11 gloves]so, for me that combo was the majic ticket.
Then,as luck would have it,I came across a beat up Mod. 58 "boat gun" that had seen better days. I bought or traded for it with the idea of making a .44 Spec. or .45 ACP belly gun out of it.Now remember, 35 years ago there were NO round butt "N" frames. I remember spending an evening at my LGS using his belt grinder to round butt the 58 and I was the "butt" of the jokes for my friends. I trimmed the PC grips to round butt on the back but left the front strap normal[square butt]. With those mods, I made a "handcannon" into a manageable handling hot Magnum.
Today, I'm elated at the S&W round butt "N" frames and for those who don't like them ,they are easy to add conversion grips, the best of both worlds! The other mod. I made regularly was to smooth the trigger and/or replace the target triggers with narrow or medium wide triggers.Those serrated triggers would raise a blister on my trigger finger before I could shoot 50 rounds.Enough rant ,just one mans opinion base on my experiences.Nick

 

[SuperMan]

...nice to see another "Cult" member on board...

A few points to respond to....

Since you are a traditionalist you could go out and find yourself a set of Target grips from the period that your gun was made. There are documented examples of 58s that came from the factory with not only Target stocks but Target Trigger and Target Hammer also. Back in the 1980s I saw a 58 in the box with the proper label and marking for the target items that the gun was wearing. Since even original to the gun Target stocks are never numbered no matter what the model you could "pretend" without departing from the traditional.

Tyler T-Grip is still in business but from what I understand under new ownership. A grip adapter helps a lot in managing the 58s recoil.

If you check some of the 1960s vintage SHOOTERS BIBLE you will find that in 1964 when the .41 Magnum cartridge came out there was no handgun rounds (except some of the rifle rated 38-40/44-40) that were even jacketed let alone jacketed HPs. The .41 Magnum was the first modern handgun cartridge introduced with a jacketed bullet. Jacketed rounds in .44 Magnum and .357 came shortly thereafter.

Velocity was listed as 1500 fps for the 210 JSP and 1100 for the 210 lead Police load. I believe these were either pressure test barrel velocities or from 8 3/8" Model 57s. Actual 4" velocities were 1325 for the 210 JSP and 950 for the lead round.

If you scroll down a few pages you will see a post on "The Unofficial Model 58 Club"...there are a lot of information and pics in that thread...

Bob

http://smith-wessonforum.com/showthread.php?t=173441

 

[J D Allen]

service grip on S&w 58

Wow you got an original model 58 ! Way to go ! I have a model 57-5 with hogue grips. its easy to shoot. I want to thank all these guys. Your a goldmine of reloading information for the 41 magnum.

 

[K Frame Keith]

If you want the look of wood along with the best possible recoil management I suggest a set of Herretts Jordan Troopers. I tried a set on my Model 29 after other wood grips caused intense pain a after a few rounds of magnum ammo. The Jordan Troopers reduce felt recoil almost as much as Pachmayr grips. (For me). The wider the grip, the more comfortable the recoil.