The 'unofficial' 58 Club

....I wonder how a 3" round butt 58 would shoot...something like a Model 10 or 65 3" on steroids....in stainless it would really be a great carry gun.

Speaking of grips...have been having a hard time finding something that really fits right for DA and SA shooting on n N-frame gun. Have these custom grips on the 58 that feel real good but are just a little big around...










Have had both rubber and wood Hogue grips and they feel pretty good but the last finger groove isn't in quite the right place.




Have a set of Herretts I believe Shooting Masters on a 4" 57 that feel good and handle well...anyone ever try a set of their Detective grips?



Still looking for the right all-around grips for an N-frame...

Bob
 
Those Herretts sure look nice, Bob!
icon14.gif
 
New member with 58

Hi everyone. I've lurked here for a while, and now that I just purchased a Smith&Wesson model 58, I decided to join the forums and post in this thread.

I'm new to Smith & Wesson, but not to firearms. This model 58 is my first Smith & Wesson.

I was given the 'green light' from the Mrs. for a handgun purchase, so I decided I'd look around some local shops to see what was available.

I love revolvers. Nothing against autoloaders, but I love the old school feel of steal wheel guns. I have a Ruger SP101 in .357mag that I carry, and I wanted a Big Bore revolver with a '4' in the caliber.

I was very lucky and I found a Smith &Wesson model 58 (.41 magnum) in very good to excellent condition sitting in a local gun shop. It has the pinned barrel and recessed chambers, in blued finish. Lock up was tight (pretty much ZERO end shake as far as I could tell), good timing, and a super clean bore. It really doesn't look like it's seen many rounds at all. (the guy at the counter said an old retired patrolman sold it to them).

I'm very excited for this new purchase. I'm even going to carry this hand cannon in an OWB pancake holster that I ordered.

First range impressions: Holy Moly!! This is the most fun I've ever had shooting. I've shot all kinds of handguns before, but this Model 58 in 41 mag is just something unique in its own right.

Recoil was not sharp, but it was a very strong push. I definitely have to concentrate on each shot. Not so much wrist breaking muzzle rise, more of a strong push straight back (I do take a high grip). I'd say .41 mag is much closer (in recoil and noise) to .44 mag than it is to .357 mag.

This is the LOUDEST gun I've ever shot. The range was crowded, and after the first cylinder, two people immediately came over to my booth and asked what the heck is that! They thought it was .44, and They never even heard of .41 mag.

The model 58 performed flawlessly. No misfires, cases ejected perfectly. Primers all had deep dimples. The Smith trigger is a lot different from my Ruger SP101, whereas it doesn't stack as abruptly...it's more a smooth pull all the way to hammer drop.

Here's a photo of one of the targets: I'm no expert shooter, but I got some decent groups (and a few flyers as I learned more about the gun) at 10-12 yards. Used Remington 210 JSP

This is by far my favorite firearm, and I could not be happier to own this great piece of history that happens to also be a great personal defense tool.
 

Attachments

  • groups.jpg
    groups.jpg
    153.8 KB · Views: 87
  • 41..jpg
    41..jpg
    131.2 KB · Views: 68
American1776 said:
Hi everyone. I've lurked here for a while, and now that I just purchased a Smith&Wesson model 58, I decided to join the forums and post in this thread.

I'm new to Smith & Wesson, but not to firearms. This model 58 is my first Smith & Wesson.

I was given the 'green light' from the Mrs. for a handgun purchase, so I decided I'd look around some local shops to see what was available.

I love revolvers. Nothing against autoloaders, but I love the old school feel of steal wheel guns. I have a Ruger SP101 in .357mag that I carry, and I wanted a Big Bore revolver with a '4' in the caliber.

I was very lucky and I found a Smith &Wesson model 58 (.41 magnum) in very good to excellent condition sitting in a local gun shop. It has the pinned barrel and recessed chambers, in blued finish. Lock up was tight (pretty much ZERO end shake as far as I could tell), good timing, and a super clean bore. It really doesn't look like it's seen many rounds at all. (the guy at the counter said an old retired patrolman sold it to them).

I'm very excited for this new purchase. I'm even going to carry this hand cannon in an OWB pancake holster that I ordered.

First range impressions: Holy Moly!! This is the most fun I've ever had shooting. I've shot all kinds of handguns before, but this Model 58 in 41 mag is just something unique in its own right.

Recoil was not sharp, but it was a very strong push. I definitely have to concentrate on each shot. Not so much wrist breaking muzzle rise, more of a strong push straight back (I do take a high grip). I'd say .41 mag is much closer (in recoil and noise) to .44 mag than it is to .357 mag.

This is the LOUDEST gun I've ever shot. The range was crowded, and after the first cylinder, two people immediately came over to my booth and asked what the heck is that! They thought it was .44, and They never even heard of .41 mag.

The model 58 performed flawlessly. No misfires, cases ejected perfectly. Primers all had deep dimples. The Smith trigger is a lot different from my Ruger SP101, whereas it doesn't stack as abruptly...it's more a smooth pull all the way to hammer drop.

Here's a photo of one of the targets: I'm no expert shooter, but I got some decent groups (and a few flyers as I learned more about the gun) at 10-12 yards. Used Remington 210 JSP

This is by far my favorite firearm, and I could not be happier to own this great piece of history that happens to also be a great personal defense tool.
Click to expand...

Welcome from Texas :D

What an entrance you made too....most folks don't start out with a Model 58.

Those Remington loads are pretty stout, I use them I my Marlin carbine as well as my 58.
 
Welcome to the club! I can tell you already love your M58. They are great handguns!

Cheers,

Rick

American1776 said:
Hi everyone. I've lurked here for a while, and now that I just purchased a Smith&Wesson model 58, I decided to join the forums and post in this thread.

I'm new to Smith & Wesson, but not to firearms. This model 58 is my first Smith & Wesson.

I was given the 'green light' from the Mrs. for a handgun purchase, so I decided I'd look around some local shops to see what was available.

I love revolvers. Nothing against autoloaders, but I love the old school feel of steal wheel guns. I have a Ruger SP101 in .357mag that I carry, and I wanted a Big Bore revolver with a '4' in the caliber.

I was very lucky and I found a Smith &Wesson model 58 (.41 magnum) in very good to excellent condition sitting in a local gun shop. It has the pinned barrel and recessed chambers, in blued finish. Lock up was tight (pretty much ZERO end shake as far as I could tell), good timing, and a super clean bore. It really doesn't look like it's seen many rounds at all. (the guy at the counter said an old retired patrolman sold it to them).

I'm very excited for this new purchase. I'm even going to carry this hand cannon in an OWB pancake holster that I ordered.

First range impressions: Holy Moly!! This is the most fun I've ever had shooting. I've shot all kinds of handguns before, but this Model 58 in 41 mag is just something unique in its own right.

Recoil was not sharp, but it was a very strong push. I definitely have to concentrate on each shot. Not so much wrist breaking muzzle rise, more of a strong push straight back (I do take a high grip). I'd say .41 mag is much closer (in recoil and noise) to .44 mag than it is to .357 mag.

This is the LOUDEST gun I've ever shot. The range was crowded, and after the first cylinder, two people immediately came over to my booth and asked what the heck is that! They thought it was .44, and They never even heard of .41 mag.

The model 58 performed flawlessly. No misfires, cases ejected perfectly. Primers all had deep dimples. The Smith trigger is a lot different from my Ruger SP101, whereas it doesn't stack as abruptly...it's more a smooth pull all the way to hammer drop.

Here's a photo of one of the targets: I'm no expert shooter, but I got some decent groups (and a few flyers as I learned more about the gun) at 10-12 yards. Used Remington 210 JSP

This is by far my favorite firearm, and I could not be happier to own this great piece of history that happens to also be a great personal defense tool.
Click to expand...
 
SAFireman said:
Welcome from Texas :D

What an entrance you made too....most folks don't start out with a Model 58.

Those Remington loads are pretty stout, I use them I my Marlin carbine as well as my 58.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the warm welcome. Pennsylvania here.

I know a bit about .357 mag loads, but I'm still learning about .41 mag. The Remington 210 JSP were what the gun store had in bulk, so I took those. Lots of noise, pretty good fire out the muzzle. Heck of a good time. Like I said, it seemed like everyone stopped what they were doing at the indoor range after I set these off (nobody was shooting magnums of any kind; mostly 9mm, 45acp, and some 22lr.)

I don't hand load, but it looks like I'll have to start doing so. I knew the price of .41 mag is high going into it. More like OBSCENE prices.

I look forward to many years of fun (and security) from this great Smith & Wesson.
 
howdy , were there any PD that isued the model 58 ??

especially in the ealry per 1969 era ??
 
oldafsp said:
And you will not be dissapointed. Welcome to the club.

The 58's combat accuracy leaves nothing to be desired.As you found out...:cool:

Congrats on a fine selection.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I was pleasantly surprised how accurate I was with this, especially from the start with such 'robust' loads.

I learned how to shoot on my dad's .22 LR revolver when I was 10, and I've always been most accurate with the wheel guns.

When I saw this model 58 sitting in the back of the display case, I knew I had found something cool.
I do love this revolver.
 
American1776,

I think handloading is the way to go with the .41 mag. I know I wouldn't be able to shoot as much or as often if I didn't handload. My M58 is one of my more accurate handguns. A real favorite of mine. You have certainly picked a great S&W.

Cheers,

Rick
 
Sebago Son said:
My personal preference for a Police Revolver would have been for a .45 ACP version of the Model 58.
Click to expand...

I AGREE WITH SEBAGO SON. THE .45 ACP HAS BEEN TAKIN' CARE OF 2 LEGGED PROBLEMS FOR OVER 100 YEARS. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN QUITE A WEAPON, WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF READILY AVAILABLE AMMO……..
 
American1776 said:
... Like I said, it seemed like everyone stopped what they were doing at the indoor range after I set these off (nobody was shooting magnums of any kind; mostly 9mm, 45acp, and some 22lr.)
Click to expand...

I had a similar experience. At the academy, we only had an indoor range, the first day of shooting was our warm-up/see what you don't know day....I shot my 657 4".....there were 20 lanes of shooters, they all jumped up a bit from the concussion of my 41 Mag. All activity ceased while I went through my 6 rounds. The range master, who later became a really good friend, hurried over and asked exactly what the heck was it that I was shooting. He suggested that I stop denting his backstop and choose another gun to finish out the academy with (I choose a sig 357 p229). I will never forget the look on the other cadets faces...it was priceless - none of them had ever even heard of a 41 Magnum before that day....some came the next day with double hearing protection....I guess that I made an impression ;) ......I only wished that I had a model 58 to carry at that time.
 
Great story SAFireman! On the few occasions that I have shot any of my .41's at an indoor range, it was quite an eye and ear opening experience for the other folks there, haha.

Cheers,

Rick

SAFireman said:
I had a similar experience. At the academy, we only had an indoor range, the first day of shooting was our warm-up/see what you don't know day....I shot my 657 4".....there were 20 lanes of shooters, they all jumped up a bit from the concussion of my 41 Mag. All activity ceased while I went through my 6 rounds. The range master, who later became a really good friend, hurried over and asked exactly what the heck was it that I was shooting. He suggested that I stop denting his backstop and choose another gun to finish out the academy with (I choose a sig 357 p229). I will never forget the look on the other cadets faces...it was priceless - none of them had ever even heard of a 41 Magnum before that day....some came the next day with double hearing protection....I guess that I made an impression ;) ......I only wished that I had a model 58 to carry at that time.
Click to expand...
 
oldafsp said:
What say the membership ?

Click to expand...


Looks good to me too...now where can we have badges made...cheap.

The .41 Magnum was really unnecessary as was the Model 58....it was all about marketing a new "weapons system" to LE. The probably better solution to the Model 58 already existed....the Pre-Model 21 .44 Special. The problem was because of the .44 Special Triple Lock and some other even less robust guns on the market, neither Remington or Winchester would make anything other than the 246 grain round nose lead bullet.

If there had been a .44 Special +P round with a 225-240 grain soft lead bullet that did an honest 950 fps from a 4" barrel it would have been exactly equal to the .41 Magnum Police Load.

The Model 21 also has a tapered barrel which makes it lighter but that said it would also have recoiled more than the 58 does with an equal load.

There was also the .401 Herters Power Mag.... If S&W didn't have such a big EGO that would have made a MUCH better LE round than the .41 Magnum. Bullets would have been between 135 and 200 grains and would have covered everything that the .40 S&W and 10mm do now in semi-autos.... And Colt could have easily adopted the round to the Python/Trooper line. It was a true crime that the .401 died....

But I'm not complaining... The .41 is way more than the .357 will ever be capable of and will do everything the .44 Magnum will with with less perceived recoil.... It would be an interesting race between a .401 and a .41....

Herter's .401 PowerMag

Bob
 
As a new Model 58 owner and a new .41 mag owner, and first time S&W owner, I have a question. (apologies if this is naïve)

How well does the model 58 stand up to 'long term' use in .41 mag (factory loads)? I understand that the N-Frame is made to handle .44 magnum, and from what I understand, .41 mag is supposed to recoil less than the .44 mag. Is it safe to infer that the N-Frame will handle .41 mag even better than .44 mag?

Is there anything particular to my model 58 that I should look out for in terms of wear over the years? Or is the N-frame .41 mag pretty much 'overbuilt' for that cartridge?

I'm still learning about this revolver and cartridge.
Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top