The 'unofficial' 58 Club

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

New Model 58 Owner checking in

Hello y’all! New poster, long time lurker.

It seems I’ve joined the club by a random stroke of good fortune. I was on one of my local gun groups a few weeks ago when a buddy sent me a picture of a S&W Model 58 in it’s box that said “You need this”

I looked at it for a couple seconds and messaged him back “You’re right! I do!”… Belay the fact that I’ve kept my reloading bench free and clear of anything but .357 and .45 Colt for many years, just for simplicity sake. So….arrangements were made…I let go of a Ruger revolver, some collectible knives, a couple hundred bucks and came home with a beautiful condition Smith & Wesson Model 58.

It came in original box, with original cleaning rod, manual, Magna grips, with barely a turn line showing on the cylinder and a tiny bit of blueing missing from the crown of muzzle, and appears to have been made in 1970.
I’ve been taking a crash course in the model 58, and what the .41 Mag has to offer as a handgun cartridge. Honestly…I’ve been desperate for folks who appreciate the gun and the cartridge that I can gain some perspective from, hence…my presence here.

Part of me wants to shoot the gun and enjoy it…part of me thinks that I’m not well suited to it. Seems to me that there are innumerable shooters out there, so….Perhaps I should think twice before I get this one all ridden with heavy use, holster wear, and all the things that happen to nice blued revolvers that are carried in my home state of Alaska. In summary, I definitely consider myself more of a shooter than a collector. If it was a well used 57, I figure I could enjoy it without conscience, but then…it probably wouldn’t have caught my eye either.

I did get enough reloading components to cobble together a few rounds for it. Those rounds include the ubiquitous 9 grains of Unique pushing a 210 grain LSWC, 19 grains of 296 pushing a Sierra 210 grain JHP, and some 2400 pushing a 210 grain Hornady XTP. The good news…all groups were AMAZINGLY accurate. If all bullet holes didn’t touch, it was clearly my own fault, and not the revolver to blame. I’m fairly certain it’s the most accurate revolver I’ve fired since I owned a couple Freedom Arms. I put about 49 rounds through it, and liked it pretty well, though it does feel a bit different, due to my time shooting mostly .45 Colt.

The bad news? Every load was about 4” low. I’m not sure if I can find some heavier bulk bullets to reload, change my sight hold from 6 O’ clock to covering the target, etc. If it were any other gun, I’d be filing the front sight, but…..Probably not an option with this one.

Additionally, I fired one cylinder of the lighter loads, and decided that the Magna grips were not for me. I switched over to some target grips for nicer time shooting it. If I decide to keep it, I might try the Magna grips with a Tyler T Grip, and maybe buy some shims and a spring kit for it.

I do like the feel of it. Kinda like a big, friendly Model 10. If I can get the sights figgered out, I think I might become quite partial to the N and L frame fixed sight revolvers.

Anyhoo, I know I’ve got a fairly rambling thread going on, but…all I can say is it’s built up. I wanna talk about S&W .41 mags, and even my gun buddies are giving me blank stares. I appreciate y’alls time and thoughts.

 

[SuperMan]

Shrek....If it is that perfect, LIB, you could sell it and find a shooter grade gun.......

If you are using a 6:00 o'clock hold you'll never going to be in the bullseye as these guns are sighted if for a dead center hold with a 210 grain bullet... If you have to have a low hold then buy a 57 or better for you a 657 in stainless....

And now you can just sell off the others and just keep .41s...makes life simple....

Bob

 

[SAFireman]

Hello y’all! New poster, long time lurker.

It seems I’ve joined the club by a random stroke of good fortune. I was on one of my local gun groups a few weeks ago when a buddy sent me a picture of a S&W Model 58 in it’s box that said “You need this”

I looked at it for a couple seconds and messaged him back “You’re right! I do!”… Belay the fact that I’ve kept my reloading bench free and clear of anything but .357 and .45 Colt for many years, just for simplicity sake. So….arrangements were made…I let go of a Ruger revolver, some collectible knives, a couple hundred bucks and came home with a beautiful condition Smith & Wesson Model 58.

It came in original box, with original cleaning rod, manual, Magna grips, with barely a turn line showing on the cylinder and a tiny bit of blueing missing from the crown of muzzle, and appears to have been made in 1970.
I’ve been taking a crash course in the model 58, and what the .41 Mag has to offer as a handgun cartridge. Honestly…I’ve been desperate for folks who appreciate the gun and the cartridge that I can gain some perspective from, hence…my presence here.

Part of me wants to shoot the gun and enjoy it…part of me thinks that I’m not well suited to it. Seems to me that there are innumerable shooters out there, so….Perhaps I should think twice before I get this one all ridden with heavy use, holster wear, and all the things that happen to nice blued revolvers that are carried in my home state of Alaska. In summary, I definitely consider myself more of a shooter than a collector. If it was a well used 57, I figure I could enjoy it without conscience, but then…it probably wouldn’t have caught my eye either.

I did get enough reloading components to cobble together a few rounds for it. Those rounds include the ubiquitous 9 grains of Unique pushing a 210 grain LSWC, 19 grains of 296 pushing a Sierra 210 grain JHP, and some 2400 pushing a 210 grain Hornady XTP. The good news…all groups were AMAZINGLY accurate. If all bullet holes didn’t touch, it was clearly my own fault, and not the revolver to blame. I’m fairly certain it’s the most accurate revolver I’ve fired since I owned a couple Freedom Arms. I put about 49 rounds through it, and liked it pretty well, though it does feel a bit different, due to my time shooting mostly .45 Colt.

The bad news? Every load was about 4” low. I’m not sure if I can find some heavier bulk bullets to reload, change my sight hold from 6 O’ clock to covering the target, etc. If it were any other gun, I’d be filing the front sight, but…..Probably not an option with this one.

Additionally, I fired one cylinder of the lighter loads, and decided that the Magna grips were not for me. I switched over to some target grips for nicer time shooting it. If I decide to keep it, I might try the Magna grips with a Tyler T Grip, and maybe buy some shims and a spring kit for it.

I do like the feel of it. Kinda like a big, friendly Model 10. If I can get the sights figgered out, I think I might become quite partial to the N and L frame fixed sight revolvers.

Anyhoo, I know I’ve got a fairly rambling thread going on, but…all I can say is it’s built up. I wanna talk about S&W .41 mags, and even my gun buddies are giving me blank stares. I appreciate y’alls time and thoughts.

Welcome Shrek!

Shoot and enjoy your model 58. Yours is late enough in the production that it won't bother the collect-ability much.

I know that Alaska has it's own set of dangers to firearms, but if you keep it cleaned, lubricated, and waxed, I don't think that you will have too much of an issue with the finish.

Don't let the blank stares of your buds bother you....I have had buddies that had never heard of the 41 Mag, and it won me a lot of bar bets

And - Superman is 100% correct - the model 58 was designed for a dead hold with 210 gr loads between 900-1100 FPS. Mine are accurate like lasers if I do my part. Some dayglow orange paint on the front sight might help a bit.

Good shooting!

 

[Warren Sear]

As I said before the only way we were seeing these or other n frames is older collectors were hoarding there collectibles and now are selling them as they get older. It’s a game of musical chairs. You can win if you don’t play. Now the game is slowing down. The guns that needed new homes the game is almost over again. For many decades there were no used revolvers in 357 to be seen for sale nada. My local haunts offered nothing in used n frames. Now we’re back to full scale hoarding again.

"Hoarding"??? I'd call it "owning". There is no "game" or other conspiracy involved, just men enjoying their right to privately own property.

Hoarding my ***.

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

Thanks for the warm welcome, and I sure appreciate y'alls thoughts. I'm hoping to take it out when I get back to town and try my luck with a dead on hold. I habitually hold at 6 O'clock, and it wasn't until I'd beat my head against the wall for several hours fretting about POA/POI that it finally occurred to me that I should try a different hold.

If I decide to REALLY make it mine, I'll certainly take the shiny out of it, but...that's okay too. At that point it's living an active life hunting, fishing, and foraging in Alaska, so...I won't cry about it developing some character, especially as I won't anticipate it leaving the family then.

I'll keep playing with some handloads too, and see what it takes to hit 1100 FPS or so out of the 4" tube.

Thanks y'all!

 

[El_Phantasmo]

Awesome, trio you have there, Nathan! It will be interesting to see how your early '58 letters!

Wow, very nice!

Nickel looks good on a 58!

 

[rubiranch]

I finally got my M58 I am very pleased.

I'll post better pictures after I get it cleaned up. I have bullets, primers, dies and powder and I will order the brass soon and go sling some led at the range. I am very excited.










Was was also told that my M58 is from 1976. N270XXX




I also picked up a 6" M57 that IMO is also very nice.

 

[S.B.]

rubiranch, nice looking pistol but, I'll never understand why people do this to their pictures when no on will care about such as serial numbers? I mean, you didn't steal it did you?
Steve

 

[rubiranch]

I mean, you didn't steal it did you?
Steve

Kind of.






I'm glad these two numbers match.

Some folks here tell you to never share the entire number so I haven't been.

Everyone of my guns have come from a model LEO's private collection so I seriously doubt that they have ever been "illegal" at any point.

 

[SAFireman]

Kind of.






I'm glad these two numbers match.

Some folks here tell you to never share the entire number so I haven't been.

Everyone of my guns have come from a model LEO's private collection so I seriously doubt that they have ever been "illegal" at any point.

That one looks like it was made yesterday. Nice find!

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

I finally got squared away enough to post pics of my Model 58.

Apparently made in 1970. One of the best shooting handguns I've owned, though I'm not sold on the caliber just yet.
The Magna grips are original. Targets were just put on there to make it more shootable for me.

 

[SuperMan]

Ya gotta wonder how many more MINT 58s like we have been seeing lately are still hiding in the back of someones safe somewhere....beautiful guns guys....

...and rubiranch....you will be a LOT happier if you have a faster burning powder like Unique, Blue Dot, etc. over 296/H110....great powder for top end velocity but unless hunting why put up with all that muzzleblast....

 

[SuperMan]

Shrek...from the life style you are describing the 58 would be the perfect gun for you...loaded right it will stop anything that needs stopping...

So you could sell the .35s and .45s, get yourself a 6" 57/657 or a good Ruger or Freedom Arms single action and use the extra money on hunting trips....

GT Bullets has lots of great designs cheap....lots of cast HP and solids...

41 Caliber : GT Bullets!, Fine Hand Cast Lead Bullets

Just a thought from a .41 Addict....

 

[Warren Sear]

...GT Bullets has lots of great designs cheap....lots of cast HP and solids...

41 Caliber : GT Bullets!, Fine Hand Cast Lead Bullets

Just a thought from a .41 Addict....

I agree with your GT bullet comments. I normally cast all of my bullets. I wanted some hollowpoint .41 caliber bullets, yet not enough of them to justify buying a mold, so I bought 250 GT hollowpoint 175 grain 41 caliber bullets and loaded some of them up.

GT is an excellent company with which to do business. Great service and product.

For those interested in this sort of thing, using this bullet I assembled the following loads:
7.0 grains Unique; 865 fps
8.0 grains Unique; 1008 fps
9.0 grains Unique; 1125 fps

My standard load with this bullet will be 8.5 grains of Unique.

 

[S.B.]

I, recently purchased a 265 grain SWC mold for both my 57 & 58 jst haven't done the casting yet. Of course my goto is my Laman 220 SWC.
Steve

 

[cowboy4evr]

My everyday bullet is one I cast myself , the original Keith swc . 220 gr H&G 258 . When I want a little heavier cast bullet I use my mold from Tom @ Accurate Molds , 41-240F . Others shoot much heavier cast bullets , some up to 300 gr. My 240 gr from Accurate Molds is as high as I go .
My everyday carry load is 8.5 grs of Winchester Super Field using either of the above mentioned cast bullets . For a softer , lighter recoiling load , using the Keith swc I have found that 7.5 grs of Accurate #2 is just the ticket and yet still plenty of punch to do most of what would need doing . Target load is the Keith bullet on top of 5.0 grs of Bulls Eye powder . It's probably pretty close to ballistics of 45 acp using 230 gr ball ammo . All the above loads shoot POA = POI in my fixed sight 58 . Regards, Paul

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

Shrek...from the life style you are describing the 58 would be the perfect gun for you...loaded right it will stop anything that needs stopping...

So you could sell the .35s and .45s, get yourself a 6" 57/657 or a good Ruger or Freedom Arms single action and use the extra money on hunting trips....

GT Bullets has lots of great designs cheap....lots of cast HP and solids...

41 Caliber : GT Bullets!, Fine Hand Cast Lead Bullets

Just a thought from a .41 Addict....

No way I'd ever live without my .357s and .45s. My Daughter and I can't think of many things funner than a bucket of handloaded SWCs and a day at the range or river bed. And...through hard experience, there's places I go that I would not venture without at least a stout .45 Colt with 300 grain hard cast.

That being said, there may be plenty of room at the table for the .41 Mag. a decently quick moving 210 grain load would be a darn reasonable response to anything from dangerous meth monkeys to angry bull moose. It splits the difference quite nicely.

The cartridge is good, but the gun itself is amazing. remarkably smooth, accurate, tight, well finished, tight B/C gap, no hammer wobble, rugged, uncomplicated fixed sights...It undoubtedly has alot to offer.

I've been reluctant to really "make it mine" by carrying it, using it, filing and painting the sights to suit my preferences, etc. but based on the trade offers I've had so far, it may not be as valuable as I had previously thought, so....I might as well start using it and getting some enjoyment out of it.

I'll definitely be checking out GT Bullets. They sound like they'd be perfect for what I want.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience!

 

[Warren Sear]

What is the advantage of using very heavy bullets? I see this being done more and more often, and seems to be a trend. My standard load uses 210 grain SWC bullets, which are analogous to 240 grain in a .44, my standard bullet weight in that caliber.

 

[rubiranch]

Ya gotta wonder how many more MINT 58s like we have been seeing lately are still hiding in the back of someones safe somewhere....beautiful guns guys....

...and rubiranch....you will be a LOT happier if you have a faster burning powder like Unique, Blue Dot, etc. over 296/H110....great powder for top end velocity but unless hunting why put up with all that muzzleblast....

I'm going to order the brass and have a friend load them for me.

What I have already is what I'll use.

I'll probably put 50 rounds thru each, 57 & 58 and it might be years and possibly never before I shoot them again.

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

What is the advantage of using very heavy bullets? I see this being done more and more often, and seems to be a trend. My standard load uses 210 grain SWC bullets, which are analogous to 240 grain in a .44, my standard bullet weight in that caliber.

I can only speak for myself in this regard, but in my considered opinion and in personal observations, penetration. Heavier bullets penetrate farther with less velocity required, which is a real factor for me.

That being said, I’m sure the heavier 265 grain .41 mags aren’t slouches.