.41 Magnums

[rubiranch]

Which one would you pick if both guns were in identical condition?

A Model 57 with a 6 1/2" barrel (N806XXX) or a Model 58 with a 4" barrel (N270XXX)?

Is either one worth more than the other? More sought after?

 

[biku324]

I am most fond of 4" barrels and own both a 57 and a 58 in 4". I'd take the 58.

 

[turnerriver]

I have both a model 57 with the 8 3/8” barrel and a model 58. I shoot the 57 and the 58 stays in the vault. I’d rather have the model 57.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[rubiranch]

I don't have a gun with a 4" barrel so I'm leaning that direction.

Are there major differences between the two?

 

[biku324]

Yes - the 58 has a narrow trigger and hammer unless replaced with a target hammer and trigger. The sights are larger and more visible on the 57, and I think the finish is a little nicer. If the barrels were the same length, then I would take the 57.

 

[cowboy4evr]

You didn't say , " for what purpose " , hunting , target shooting , defense etc ? I have both . My 57 , 6" gets the most use . I would love to have a 4" 57 , but they have become out of my price range . I have a shoulder holster rig for the 58 . That's how I best like to carry it . The adjustable sights of the 57 are more favorable when trying different loads , different bullet weights . The 57 is easier to fine tune for accuracy . Good Luck , Regards, Paul

 

[Jeppo]

Hmmm...I’ll need a moment to think about it.

 

[tlawler]

I think the 58’s are a little less common and especially with a 4” barrel, it will command a higher price over the 57. Ive got an early 57 with 4” barrel and it balances nicely. If you can live without adjustable sights, I’d say definitely go for the 58.

 

[GRT3031]

I'd snap up the 58 because they are hard to come by. A 57 or 657 can be had later.

 

[rubiranch]

You didn't say , " for what purpose " , hunting , target shooting , defense etc ?

I don't there's a purpose per say.

I don't hunt and I carry my 642-1 so just for fun I think would be the purpose.

Some target shooting and just to have one.

It will be a tough decision but I'm leaning towards the M58.

 

[biku324]

If you're going to carry it once in a while (even fun guns might end up in a holster), definitely get the 58 in 4".

 

[moralem]

I like the sights on my 57 but the barrel length of my 58. I know we say this a lot......but get them both. Mine are not collector grade but I enjoy the heck out of them.

 

[Texas Star]

First, you're off on the barrel length. The 57 never came in 6.5 inch, just 6.0 inches and four inches. And I think in 8 & 3/8th's inches, for those who like long barrels... There may be some obscure 6.5 inch version I haven't seen, probably with full lug barrel.

I would DEFINITELY select the six-inch M-57. It'd handle the blast and recoil better and give added velocity and is just a nicer gun. The M-58 was just a bigger M&P service gun.

Also, I once fired another shooter's M-58 with fake pearl Magna stocks. It was absolutely the nastiest kicking revolver I've ever shot! My M-29 was much easier to shoot well.

Frankly, unless there's some reason why you want .41, buy a .44 Magnum. Ammo has a wider selection and is much more easily found.

As for glamour factor, we all know Dirty Harry's .44 and it's been in other books and movies. The only place I've seen a .41 Magnum mentioned outside of gun literature is that Modesty Blaise used a .41 on several occasions in Peter O'Donnell's novels. And one bad guy had one. The author didn't mention model, but I'm pretty sure he knew only about Model 57.

Any man or animal you shoot with a .41 will never know if it was a .41 or .44 Magnum. If anything, I lean a little toward the heavier, longer .44 bullets.

If you plan to shoot either cartridge much, plan on handloading. Using moderate loads will make either gun last a lot longer. And even a moderate load will be more powerful than the old .45 ACP service round!

If you buy a .41, try for a nice M-657. Bill Jordan told me that he considered stainless steel the greatest advance in handguns in over 100 years. If you wear a gun much in all sorts of weather, you'll probably agree.

I've read that the .41 Magnum has especially consistent barrel/bore and cylinder measurements and tends to be remarkably accurate.

 

[rubiranch]

I like the sights on my 57 but the barrel length of my 58. I know we say this a lot......but get them both. Mine are not collector grade but I enjoy the heck out of them.

These aren't collector grade either. The more I look and the more I read I'm "hoping" to end up with both but will most likely take the 58 if I can only swing one.

 

[rubiranch]

First, you're off on the barrel length. The 57 never came in 6.5 inch, just 6.0 inches and four inches. And I think in 8 & 3/8th's inches, for those who like long barrels...

I would DEFINITELY select the six-inch M-57. It'd handle the blast and recoil better and give added velocity and is just a nicer gun. The M-58 was just a bigger M&P service gun.

Also, I once fired another shooter's M-58 with fake pearl Magna stocks. It was absolutely the nastiest kicking revolver I've ever shot!

Frankly, unless there's some reason why you want .41, buy a .44 Magnum. Ammo has a wider selection and is much more easily found.

As for glamour factor, we all know Dirty Harry's .44 and it's been in other books and movies. The only place I've seen a .41 Magnum mentioned outside of gun literature is that Modesty Blaise used a .41 on several occasions in Peter O'Donnell's novels. And one bad guy had one. The author didn't mention model, but I'm pretty sure he knew only about Model 57.

Any man or animal you shoot with a .41 will never know if it was a .41 or .44 Magnum. If anything, I lean a little toward the heavier, longer .44 bullets.

Thanks on the barrel length correction.

I think the draw to the .41 mag is just that's its not a very popular caliber.

The nastiest kicking gun I remember shooting was a m29-2 with a 4" that my brother let me take rabbit hunting.

I thought the 29-2 was a fun gun to shoot.

 

[moralem]

These aren't collector grade either. The more I look and the more I read I'm "hoping" to end up with both but will most likely take the 58 if I can only swing one.

That’s the attitude......always negotiate.....what is the worst that can happen, I always say. And welcome to the .41 club and the sub-club of the 58.

 

[Roofuss]

I already have a shooter model 57 no dash in 6" , so for me the 58 would be next. If I had to pick just one, the 57, for sure .

 

[Texas Star]

Thanks on the barrel length correction.

I think the draw to the .41 mag is just that's its not a very popular caliber.

The nastiest kicking gun I remember shooting was a m29-2 with a 4" that my brother let me take rabbit hunting.

I thought the 29-2 was a fun gun to shoot.

Well, if that rarity is your thing, pick up a .38 Super auto and a .280 rifle!

Did you HIT a rabbit with a .44 Magnum? Much meat left?

Hunt bunnies with a .38 or .38 ammo in a .357. Flat point bullets kill best and don't wreck all the meat. But if you were shooting jack rabbits just to thin out agricultural pests, who cares? Few eat them.

 

[oysterer]

any 58 will have to be grabbed when there is a chance...

 

[M29since14]

Assuming the 57 is sound mechanically, or easily put back in order, buy it! Very fine revolver for its intended purpose. The 58 was more or less unsuccessful, and other than the recent cultish internet popularity, I don’t know of anyone who actually used/uses one. (I guess our forum member Iggy would be a notable exception to that statement. )

Like 3-1/2” N-frame .357s, around here they sat forever on dealers’ shelves and the 58s only sold to people who were desperate and couldn’t locate the target model. The 57s, on the other hand, were not considered golden quite like 29s, but no one laughed at them, either. They were/are serious shootin’ irons.

That is my experience, anyway, from way back when.