What exactly is so great about the Model 58?

Izzydog · Mar 15, 2019

I'm going to poke the hornets nest here, but what is so great about the S&W model 58? They seem heavy to me, especially for a service pistol. They shoot an oddball cartridge that can be difficult to obtain, at least in my area. Reloading components also can be scarce, again in my area. And leather for it is either non existent, or so expensive as to render it unfeasible for my meager budget. Please don't misunderstand me it's a S&W, I just don't totally understand the cult following it has. Now the 10mm is a cult cartridge that I can understand, and easily reload

. Please illuminate my ignorance.

THEmodelof1989 · Mar 15, 2019

58's have the following they have because there were only around 20k produced. Those numbers, while not rare, are far less than most models. Just like everything else that there isn't a lot of, they cost a bit more, supply and demand being what it is. That's not to say the 58 is for you of course.

Leather can be EASILY found for a 58; any fixed sight N frame holster will do.

series guy · Mar 15, 2019

First off it's an N Frame. The big frame soaks up recoil and feels like an extension of your arm. Second it's a fixed sight N Frame which makes it perfect for the rough world of every day carry. Third it's chambered in a great all around cartridge, the .41 Remington Magnum. It's a great compromise between the .44 Magnum and the .357 Magnum rounds. And last but not least, if you have to ask.......

ken158 · Mar 15, 2019

The model 58 was a way for law enforcement to obtain a reasonable priced large caliber working gun without going to a 1911 with each weighing about 40 ounces. The plastic guns were not on the scene during the 58’s tenure and not an option. I disagree that the .41 is an oddball, but agreed the big box stores likely won’t carry ammo or .41 bullets for reloading. A 4” N frame holster fits the 58 just fine. If your budget does not allow for a quality steel handgun, there are many plastic frame guns now on the market that may suit your needs. As far as a cult following, that sometimes happens when guns are discontinued. As many know, the fun is in the search.

fishwishin · Mar 15, 2019

The fact the 58’s are a large framed, fixed sight service weapon chambered in an “oddball” round is exactly what makes them so sought after. They are a deviation from the typical norms, even for the gun world in the ‘60’s, and they speak to the desire of those who believe in being able to handle serious weaponry (I am not at all suggesting you are in that camp). I would absolutely love to have one and I am always keeping my out for one in really good shape.

gwpercle · Mar 15, 2019

If you have to ask... You'll never understand .

It's just cool . I enjoy my model 58 so much I made it my avatar.

It's not a plastic wonder nine . Blue steel and real wood .

Gary

moralem · Mar 15, 2019

Try it you will then see the light.....58 and 57.

fishwishin · Mar 15, 2019

moralem said:
Try it you will then see the light.....58 and 57.

Very nice! Any idea what the “LDC” stands for?

Narragansett · Mar 15, 2019

Izzydog said:
I'm going to poke the hornets nest here, but what is so great about the S&W model 58? They seem heavy to me, especially for a service pistol. They shoot an oddball cartridge that can be difficult to obtain, at least in my area. Reloading components also can be scarce, again in my area. And leather for it is either non existent, or so expensive as to render it unfeasible for my meager budget. Please don't misunderstand me it's a S&W, I just don't totally understand the cult following it has. Now the 10mm is a cult cartridge that I can understand, and easily reload. Please illuminate my ignorance.

Obviously you have poked the nest. I have never owned a 58, but come close. My personal preference is the 57 though

silentflyer · Mar 15, 2019

If you look at all the good things Elmer and Skeeter wrote about them you might understand... I only have 57 myself a no dash nickle 8 3/8", great shooter only drops about 4" at 100 yards.

Sixgun100 · Mar 15, 2019

Well, lots Model 58 Fans here, including me. Ammo is not hard to find, especially with on line sales. Plenty of holsters out there for them, plus any custom maker will be happy to supply you one. As said above, there is certainly a cool factor. I just love, blued, fixed sight Service Revolvers! Think of the Model 58 as a super sized Model 10/13.

My small collection: Model 13, Model 581, Model 58

swagmeister · Mar 15, 2019

Its old, its a pre lock, its big and heavy, and its a Smith. That's all I would look for.

colt_saa · Mar 15, 2019

I fell in love with the 41 Magnum cartridge back in the mid 1980s. My first one, a 6" Nickel Model 57, was acquired unintentionaly and that was the start of a life long friendship with the cartridge,

At the present time I own and shoot more then 3 dozen examples of firearms chambered in that cartridge

Here is a 10 year old group photo showing about half of my 41 Magnums

I do not now own a Model 58, have never owned one and can not see a reason to own one in the future. The same goes for Rugers chambered in 41 Magnum . . . and yes I have shot them

My collection is not about what will make money, or what is rare, or what has a cult following. My collection is about firearms that catch my eye and speak to me i one way or another . . . no, I do not mean the way Sledge Hammer's 629 talked to him

Here are some of the acquisitions that were made after that group photo

There are others, I just need more time to photograph things

k22fan · Mar 15, 2019

S&W should have built the economy version of the Model 57 the same way they finished the Model 28. As it stands the Model 58 is a Model 57 that was cheated out of its sights. The jacketed load routinely zipped through bad guys and went on to kill young mothers. The best they could do to reduce collateral damage was to assemble swaged bullet 950 fps loads that leaded so bad the gun's accuracy was gone in half a box.

Did I knock the price down to affordable? I have the box ready to fill. Probably not so I'll defend the cartridge against the 10 mm. I own guns for both. Factory cartridges for both are too expensive for ordinary men to waste their money on so any price difference is irrelevant. All comparisons of effectiveness should be done with 100 yard numbers. That leaves the 10 mm auto whimpering off with its tail between its legs.

cmj8591 · Mar 15, 2019

Izzydog said:
I'm going to poke the hornets nest here, but what is so great about the S&W model 58? They seem heavy to me, especially for a service pistol. They shoot an oddball cartridge that can be difficult to obtain, at least in my area. Reloading components also can be scarce, again in my area. And leather for it is either non existent, or so expensive as to render it unfeasible for my meager budget. Please don't misunderstand me it's a S&W, I just don't totally understand the cult following it has. Now the 10mm is a cult cartridge that I can understand, and easily reload. Please illuminate my ignorance.

You hit on just about all the reasons why they didn't take off as duty guns. The low numbers make them nice collector guns but as a duty revolver there were many better options available.

bmcgilvray · Mar 15, 2019

swagmeister said:
Its old, its a pre lock, its big and heavy, and its a Smith. That's all I would look for.

Watch out there!

It's not that old!

I'm pretty certain there are actual Forum members here who are still breathin' and still postin' though older than the Model 58.

The Model 58 .41 Magnum is an elegant way to do "less is more." Everything an all-around revolver really needs: real blued steel and walnut with a pleasing weight that gives balance and shoot-ability, powerful and flexible cartridge, simple, durable, and usable fixed sights, and is actually a repeating handgun.

"Less is more" these days means ever-smaller, ever-lighter, cheap-o plastic, aluminum alloy and piano wire, snap together with no workmanship to speak of, yet all done up to give the appropriate black "tactical look."

.41 Magnum is no problem for the handloader

S&WIowegan · Mar 15, 2019

If you find a near-new-in the box Model 58 it's collectible, especially if it's nickel. Good used 58s don't command high prices and can be fun shooters IF you are a handloader.

FYI: I've seen Model 58s that were radically altered into pin guns or other shooting games. So, the not modified guns are bit more scarce.

JP@AK · Mar 15, 2019

bmcgilvray said:
Watch out there!

It's not that old!

I'm pretty certain there are actual Forum members here who are still breathin' and still postin' though older than the Model 58

I guess!

I remember well when S&W first announced it was releasing revolvers chambered for this new round. My brother and I went down to the local hardware store and drooled all over the counter displaying the Model 57 and 58. We read every gun magazine article we could find about the new guns and new ammo. We wanted one badly, but never came up with the money to buy one.

Then my brother started college and joined the handgun team. He had to sell his Marlin Golden 39A to buy a 6" HP to shoot in competition. Won lots of trophies with it.

I graduated high school and ended up in 'Nam for two years.

A year or so before he died, I called him up all excited because I had finally found and purchased a Model 57. He was happy about it, since the event brought back to us long-forgotten memories, but I was never able to show the .41 to him or go shooting with him after that.

So, yes, he and I were around for a long time before there were any Model 58 revolvers . . . They aren't "old."

Bullet Bob · Mar 15, 2019

Izzydog, you mention your area a couple times, but it's not in your information. Is it 51? That could have something to do with why you don't see 58's or .41 stuff.

For me, a .41 magnum in a 6" or longer barrel was comfortable, .44 magnum was not. A lot of self-annointed experts will tell me it's bad technique on my part, I'll tell them I like what I like. And every .41 I've handled over the years has been very accurate.

These days even the .41 mid-range or police load, take your pick - is only fun for just a few shots, same as .44 Specials. Last week I had my Wilson Classic .38 Super 1911 out to the range, and even that's getting questionable. C'est la vie, enjoy it while you can.

I don't know why some unknown prior owner thinned and blued the hammer on this early 58, but it still shoots great.

PALADIN85020 · Mar 15, 2019

Yeah, the .41 Magnum Smith revolvers are not that old - I can remember when they first came out. On the other hand, maybe that means that I'm old...

From the very start, in spite of the usual hype from the gun press about how wonderful the newly introduced .41 Mag was, I was totally unimpressed. My first lack of excitement holds true today, and in spite of collecting quite a few Smiths, I still have never acquired a .41.

There is NOTHING a .41 Magnum can do that a .44 Magnum cannot do better.

The .44 Magnum can also accommodate .44 Specials - way easier on the hand for practice or fun.

.44 Magnum and .44 Special ammo is widely available, as are bullets for reloading. Absolutely NOT for the .41.

So at the risk of annoying the .41 aficionados (who are certainly entitled to their opinions), I still am firm with my first opinion - who needs it?

My love for the .44s, both Special and Magnum, continues unabated.

John

What exactly is so great about the Model 58?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

SWCA Member

US Veteran

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Similar threads