M58 Ammunition

Hi-

Newbie here and glad, nice place.

I started on the other thread for newer revolvers, but found out I should be over here instead. The serial number started with an "s" so I was told that this 58 was older.

It has had some weird work done to it, but looks like a good shooter.

With that in mind, is it possible to get a modern cartridge that works well in this handgun? From what I've read, the old police loads worked quite well, but I don't hand load unfortunately.
Any suggestions as my wife would be the one to use it most. Thanks!
Mark

The 41 Magnum is a caliber that demands reloading. Factory ammo can be scarce, it is limited in variety, and is very pricey. I would not own a 41 if I did not reload. You should consider investing in a good press and accessories.

Most factory 41 ammo is way too powerful for most shooters to use as a defensive handgun. The recoil can be bruising making rapid fire an impossibility for all but the most experienced of shooters. People of smaller physical stature, including most women, often find the N frame revolver too large to use effectively and the recoil of the 41 Magnum unmanageable. Personally, I would place the M58 far, far down on my list of preferred defensive handguns.

If all this sounds like I am suggesting you would be better off with a different gun for your wife to use, good, I have made my point.

BTW- What is the nature of the "weird work" that's been done to it?

Mark, welcome. Try a company called Georgia Arms, they list a .41 Magnum load that appears to very close to the old factory P.D. load. 210Gr. SWC at 800 F.P.S.

Best of luck

Now that the obligatory negatives of the Model 58 are out of the way, those of us who are plankholders in the "Unofficial Model 58 Owners Club" here have a slightly different view of the old N frame.
However, unless your wife shoots a lot, or is comfortable with heavy handguns, I doubt the 58 is ideal for your wife to shoot well.
There is ammo available as another poster noted that mimics the original "police load". Even then it is less than an ideal platform for a shooter who doesn't shoot often or have access to a lot of ammunition and training.
Handloading is the best way to go with a 41 magnum, and it can be loaded in such a way that makes it accurate, controllable, and an effective fighting round.
My M58 is in my avatar.....

I also have a 58 and they are a beautiful revolver. My wife shoots somewhat often and I do believe I would not let her shoot it. The recoil can be a little stout and do not want to discourage her from shooting. I personally would not let your wife shoot the 41mag, no matter what ammo you put in it. As mentioned earlier, Georgia Arms has a load similiar to the old police load, but I reload my own as it is more affordable to shoot that way. Could not afford to shoot factory ammo for the overall volume of shooting I do with multiple calibers. Good luck with the 58, it is a great gun and hard to come by as of recently. Welcome to the Forum - Joe

Georgia Arms makes excellent ammunition as I have shot it for many years without problems. I too love the 41 magnum and especially the model 58 and 57 guns (kinda love older blackhawks in 41 mag too). Glad there are still folks still willing to defend the caliber and the guns. Also glad there are those that are willing to teach a spouse how to use a classic gun.

Mark,

I have had this very same dilemma....my wife has shot all of my 41's and the 58 was not her favorite...I had Executioner make some stag grips with 'extra bark' and they are not very kind on the hands with stout loads, so my 58 was not going to be my wife's favorite right out of the gate...I found that the wide and rounded combat finger groove grips were the most comfortable for her to use, but that her frame size was not really compatible with the N frames at all. She can shoot them all if she has to, but she prefers a lighter gun...now she is taking my 3" 686 CS-1 to the range...

as for self defense ammo, my choice is Winchester Silver Tip in 175 grain. They are not too hot and the Silver Tip round has been a proven stopper in both SD and hunting uses.

http://www.winchester.com/Products/handgun-ammunition/super-x/silvertip-hollow-point/Pages/default.aspx?c=41+Remington+Magnum

Best luck with your new 58, and be sure to post your photos and experiences over in the 'Unofficial 58 Club' - you can join the rest of the cult in appreciation of the fine Model 58.

And here's a photo of my kids.

"Now that the obligatory negatives of the Model 58 are out of the way..."

I assume this refers to me. I am not being negative, I am being honest. Everything I said is true and realistic.

Refusing to believe the sky is blue does not change its color.

One of the reasons the Model 58 and the .41 Magnum really failed as a police cartridge was because most officers could not qualify with it, even with the lighter loads. The N frame revolver for most people will be at the least uncomfortable. But, if you are serious with the .41 Magnum, handloading is a must due to the lack of factory ammo out there and the cost. Don't be too surprised when a box of 50 rounds costs north of a $50 bill.
Since I see that you are in Alaska and you mentioned personal defense for your wife are you thinking bears?
You might be better off with a good .357 and heavy cast bullet handloads which will have some decent recoil, but you could get them into a L frame revolver like a 686 which she might have more control of. But, if you are serious about the .41 Magnum (what the heck, let her shoot it with a good set of rubber grips, you never know) than handloading is the way to go. I also advise you to google the .41 Special. It is a handload, a wildcat, and gives that revolver a milder cartridge to use. I have done alot with the .41 Magnum and the .41 Special with both a Ruger Blackhawk .41 and my Smith 57. John Taffin has done alot of research and should have his name stamped on the round if the ammo companies can ever be persuaded to load it commercially. Out of my revolvers the recoil is mild, maybe about that of a mild .357.

I just purchased a S&W model 57 w/6" barrel and a model 58 w/4'' barrel. My dealer said they haven't seen the factory 41mag ammo in two years and just received some. I purchased two boxes of Cor-bon 210gr jhp hunting ammo and 6 boxes of the federal 210gr jhp ammo too. Plus i got some GA 210gr leadcast ammo too. I also ordered 1,500rds of 215gr leadcast from SnS castings to reload plus brass from any place that has it since its scarce too. I also purchased a LEE Pro 1000 progressive press setup in 41mag too and i ran 500rds of leadcast and 400 rounds of the 210gr berry flat point jacketed bullets too. My point is I figured i'd jump in with both feet into the 41mag caliber and cover it all since its a underdog and ammo/reloading stuff is harder to get. I do believe the overall popularity is growing on the net with the 41mag too. Its a great caliber but its side stepped by many shooters. If a shooter wants something more powerful than a 357mag but less recoil than a 44mag but almost the same power as a 44mag the 41mag is it. If it wasn't for S&W still offering there classics i would own the N Frames in 41mag today. My hats off to a great company for not forgetting us baby boomers who wanted the S&W back then but couldn't afford them till now. I'm going to take advantage of what S&W is still offering today for sure. Bill

BTW; Lets not forget most of the old leo's back them had the 38 special for most of there Leo life, then they were probably thrown the 357mag or the 41mag to try to qualify with. Thats a big change over night to the magnum calibers after shooting the wimpy 38 specials. Plus the guns also got larger and heavier in size too. I believe it takes a lot of practice to get good with a larger weapon. Even with my 60yo diabetic eyes at 100yds i can hit a paper plate with 6 shots from my 44mag without practicing. With any gun its a matter of practice, practice and more practice. I'm no expert shooter but i can hold my own if need be within reason. If the weapon fits your hand and you like the feel and balance buy it. Then its a matter of shooting it alot. Start off with the leadcast lighter loads and work your way up. Then try staggering the leadcast loads withy the jacketed loads to improve your flinching and improve your focusing. You will improve your accuracy with the magnum loads too.

I started off with the 357mag, then moved to the 45acp, then the 44mag, then the 9mm luger, then the 9mm makarov and now i have the 41mag and the 45 long colt that i recently purchased this year. I went back to the magnums because of the knock down power over the 9mm's / 45acp's i like the 800ft.lbs. with the 41mag.

Don't 'let' your wife shoot it?!?!?! Come on guys.....

My wife shoots everything I own and her favorite of all is my 629 .44mag 4 incher.

You think I could tell her, "No, I won't let you shoot this gun." ? Not if I value my body parts.

Let her shoot whatever she wants and let her decide what she like/dislikes.

She hasn't shot my 58 yet, but she will.

The .41 is a great (but expensive) round.

You tell a wife she can't shoot one of your guns, and I suspect a drought will be coming your way.

i too am a huge fan of the 41 mag.i will however echo what others said...reload the round...saves you a ton of money and you get what you want..when you want

kennyb said:

i too am a huge fan of the 41 mag.i will however echo what others said...reload the round...saves you a ton of money and you get what you want..when you want

Click to expand...

Yep.... The 41 Mag factory ammo is expensive -- but I wondering if some of the posters on this thread have checked the prices recently on other calibers?

I shoot 41, 44, 45 ACP and LC, as well as 500mag. All of them are going "through the roof" with their factory ammo prices.

The 41 mag has long been my favorite caliber. But because of the comparatively small number of this caliber sold through the years the factory ammo isn't available in every "mom & pop" store.

The 41 mag has become a re-loader/shooter favorite and IMHO a dandy at that. I find it discouraging to see this fine caliber picked on based on factory ammo purchase price and "control-ability" when there are obvious solutions to remedy these issues...

Yes, re-loading is the best option, but that applies to many other popular calibers as well for the same reasons..... If re-loading isn't an option perhaps a person considering any big bore caliber should re-consider based on their intended use and pocketbook.....

JMHO

I said the 41 was a caliber that requires reloading. I didn't say it was the only one.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/184025-model-58-identification-help.html

Here were the modifications done to the handgun, too bad for one. I posted this in handguns 1981 to the present, so just reposted it again.

The good news is you got it for free. The bad news is that at this point it is not worth much. If I got it for free, and chose to keep it rather than sell it (but in reality I would try to sell it) I would lose the scope and replace the rear sight and stocks and have a refinshed shooter grade 58.

Is the original side plate under that scope mount? Tragedy if not.

SaxonPig said:

"Now that the obligatory negatives of the Model 58 are out of the way..."

I assume this refers to me. I am not being negative, I am being honest. Everything I said is true and realistic.

Refusing to believe the sky is blue does not change its color.

Click to expand...

Yes, I was referring to your post. Notice also that I didn't try to change the color of the sky, nor did I actually disagree with you or challenge the truthfulness of your statements.
What I wrote in somewhat wry recognition of your lack of appreciation for the Model 58 and 41 mag as evidenced by various posts you have made in past discussions was intended as humor, obviously it fell flat....
Next time I will use one of thse...

I don't lack appreciation for the 58. I appreciate it for what it is. It is a gun of limited usefulness that was a failure in the marketplace. I never said I didn't like it, only that it doesn't really seem to serve any particular purpose that isn't better served by another gun.

Here's mine in case you forgot that I have owned one since 1989.

A couple of quick points:

The M58 fills a unique and extremely under-represented niche. A blued, fixed-sight N frame with more power than a .357 Mag.

If the gun fits your wife, by all means let her shoot the snot out of it.

I have seen more factory .41 mag ammo options in the last two years, than ever before. The GA Arms is a great bet. The Win Silver Tips are a great round, but you may find they shoot low with the M58's fixed sights.

I encourage reloading for everything above the .22lr. You get exactly want you want for a much better price.

Hope this helps.

Chubbs