This is nicer looking in person, and nicer than many much younger guns. I’ll get it lettered, maybe, but really no need to. Looks like it was unfired by the condition it’s in. This is a very nice “I’ll take it” and I’m very elated, to say the least! It’s gonna be raining for a couple days but I’m not sure if I want to shoot it just yet, it looks that nice! Lousy pictures from the I Pad but I’ll try harder. I feel like it’s Christmas and I’m 12 years old. Thanks kmecjohnson!

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That is nice, to say the least. I recently got a 6" in like condition from a friend. I was surprised he let it go. I have not shot it yet but I am stocked up on 41 mag ammo. Have fun.

Very nice M57, and go Steelers!

The only thing that could make that gun any nicer is displaying it on a Terrible Towl

That's a beautiful Model 57! You didn't mention the s/n so we can't tell when it was manufactured. Did you acquire it with the mahogany presentation case? The first handgun I ever purchased was a brand spankin' new 4" blued Model 57 with the case in 1978. At the time I was looking for a Model 29 (which were as scarce as hen's teeth thanks to "Dirty Harry"), but I really liked the look and feel of the M57 and I figured the .41 Magnum would be a little friendlier to shoot than the .44 Magnum. Loved that gun and handloaded a bunch of ammo for it, but unfortunately it was stolen a year or so later during a burglary of my apartment. The thief only left me with the presentation case and tools. Jump forward about 40 years- I finally replaced my stolen M57 with a minty 4" nickel Model 57 (ca. 1980). I don't know why it took so long since I have been accumulating N-frames (.357s, .44 Magnums, and .45 ACP) for years. I hope you shoot and enjoy that Model 57!

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Congratulations on your new .41 Magnum. Great looking revolver - and it’s probably anxiously awaiting a trip to the range.

"That's a beautiful Model 57! You didn't mention the s/n so we can't tell when it was manufactured."

Its Serial # is N145303, I guess its born on date is 1973. The case came with the gun, but no tools. I do plan to shoot this as soon as the rain stops. Probably this coming Monday or so. The seller really cleaned this up pretty good, and he said he never shot it while he owned it. It's a nice revolver; just hope it doesn't hurt to shoot. Anything less painful than a .44 Magnum and I'll be fine.

Looking GOOD! Am 71 years old and never seen a .41 mag at the gun ranges or had the chance to fire 1! The closest I own is a 29-3. Bob

Congrats on the very nice-looking Model 57. I picked-up a long tube one a couple of years ago and love it. Took a bit to find some new .41 mag brass. Been loading mild stuff with Bullseye and Unique behind a 215 grain Missouri Hi-Tech Coated semi-wad lead. Can shoot it all day without pain.

First time I fired my 6" M57 at the pistol range the shooting came to a halt for a few seconds as the other guys there (shooting 9mm and .22's) thought something had blown up.

I think on the thread I had asking about .41 Mag alternatives that I could use. (Like 41 special if it existed for the public, etc.) One member said something about a reloading set up at a low price, and quality very good. I need to go back down to that thread and write down what he told me. So I could reload to my wrist's desire and save $$$. I almost forgot about that. Thanks, Dennis2149! And everyone else that kinda made it clear that it's a reloader's caliber. I can have at it if I get the press, etc.

Edit to add: Suggested by member gwpercle is a Lee hand press and Lee carbide reloading dies. Under $100, when he bought them. And many others basically talking me into, using common sense, reloading and experimenting with loads. I can't wait to move out of the city and into America on some property where I can shoot from home. I know there are a ton others who reload here, and it's making more & more sense to me. I just didn't think about how little one can spend to get started; and I've seen reloading equipment in prices ranging from a couple hundred to infinity. I appreciate with all my heart & soul all the help we get from each other...especially the enablers! I know I can be a jag, but deep down I like to keep myself/my brain working. Thank you all. Now how 'bout dem Buccos!?

Having your own pistol range like I do just adds to the Heaven of living in a rural area.

I cleaned the case somewhat and it looks pretty good for a one-time shot cleaning. I used Milsek “Futniture & multi- purpose cleaner.”

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Now apply a good quality paste wax and buff it out. Looks good!

Reflock the lower insert now and if you can't find an original upper insert (almost impossible) and don't want to spring for one of the fine reproductions produced by a forum member/vendor here, you can build your own upper insert as I do from cardboard, then flock it...It won't pass for OEM, but it's much better looking than leaving the raw mahogany inside...



Below is one I reflocked and used stiff cardboard to replace the missing insert......Ben

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Nice job Ben, I am impressed.

Thanks, Gil...I appreciate the kind words...Here's another one I got a little more ambitious with...Almost all the S&W presentation cases are for N-frames with target grips, and I wanted one for one of my birthyear guns, a 6" K-22 Masterpiece with its original Magnas...

I had a blank empty case and some stiff closed-cell styrofoam to start with, so with a lot of cut, try, cuss, try again I finally wound up with something I could work with...For the upper insert I got a little more ambitious and added side liners to match the flat of the lid...Again more cut and try before I was satisfied...

It will never match the molded professionally made inserts, but it works for a poor boy scraping by on Social Security......Ben

EDIT: I really need to take more time and correct these dumb sideways photos from my phone before I upload them...

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

"I really need to take more time and correct these dumb sideways photos from my phone before I upload them"
Let me know how that works out for you! I found that if I hold my I Pad horizontally when I snap a picture it comes out normally when I post a picture. There's a simpler way to do it but I don't remember how.

I remember how, I'm just too lazy to do it......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

If that's the case.. you will be fine.

Al

My 57 is from the 60s. Have the presentation box. The liner is loose on the hard foam filler. It is a maroon color cloth. I need to send it to our esteemed forum member who refinishes the boxes. It is S serial numbered 4 inch and in the carried condition when I carried it while guiding. I I hardly shoot it these days but even my bear/hunting load is not shot at absolute mag loads. At 1100 FPS it will shoot completely through a large (A/Y moose) front to back...or a grizz. . I wanted to buy a 44 at the time but the gun shop guy said he doubted there was a 4 inch 44 mag in the whole state of Alaska. the gun is in good used/carried condition but shot lightly. I had an early 58 S serialed too but sold it. I hope you shoot that gun Jeffrefrig. I think it will do all you would need to do with the 44. As far as reloading... Rather than a hand press..find a good condition bench press. you can find them for 40-50 dollars. And it makes it even easier to reload I just bought a RCBS RSII at the gun club with a set of 44 Mag dies and the primer feeder for 50 bucks(almost new condition). When you reload you can go from mouse fart to moose killer with that 57. Lotsa luck and good times.

Just sold my model 57 { no dash } 6" at a large local gun show this past weekend . Wood box, paperwork, 3 T's , pinned & recessed with no finish wear for $1200. Still have a model 57 no dash 8 3/8 in the very same condition, but hanging onto it for the time being. Sadly just finding it time to 'thin the herd "somewhat .

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Good looking liners! There's a lot of work doing one like that but the end results is top notch! The OP's case is the last type used by S&W from about 1979-1985. The original top liner was 3/4" foam rubber covered with a blue material that desegrated over time, along with the bottom liner covering! If you look at the edges of the bottom plastic, you will see the remnants of the double sided tape that held the material on. A before pic of this type case liners!

An after pic of these liners after I have recovered them with a cloth.

jcelect

Praise from Caesar!......Ben

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Cogito, ergo BOOM!...

Congrats on your new acquisition. I personally think that smiths of this time period show the very best workmanship of the post 1950's manufacture. These revolvers were made in a time when hand fitting was still required and the folks who worked S&W were top notch craftsmen.I think that makes your revolver kind of special. I hope it gives you years of enjoyment. IrishFritz

I‘ve of course heard of .41 magnum revolvers, but until I saw this one posted here I never saw one that I needed to check out a little more because I liked it so much. I heard nothing but good, except the expected rarity of the ammo. At Dunhams Sports I bought two 20-round boxes of 210 gr JSP for $48/box, not exactly cheap, and a box of 50 rounds 210gr online for total $57, I think. Not cheap, but I might remedy that when things slow down with my danged neck and honey-do baloney around the house. I used this laser sight-in thing and it was P D close at 75 feet. I ran four cylinders through the gun from the 25 yard range, no rest, and no danged ear muffs (just foam things). But I did better than I expected. Now, note that I used a rifle target, not a handgun target, so that’s my excuse for the total misses!

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Nice! Certainly agree the factory 41 mag ammo is hard to find and expensive when you do. A good excuse to start reloading if you don't already. It's an easy round to load and loading them down a little makes them more fun, for me anyway. I understand that "group" on the target. . . .which is why I use a rifle when trying to hit anything that might run away. Enjoy that Model 57.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

No excuse needed! Large gun, large caliber, and larger recoil for the first time is always hard freehand! NOW, get a good rest, and try again! From your shots, I would predict your gun is shooting low. It also could be, you were jerking the trigger in anticipation! Large caliber guns are a totally different ball game, compared to the 9mm/38 Spl/32 class of calibers when shooting!
jcelect