Model 57 & 58-what's the differences

Maddawg46 · Mar 5, 2013

I saw u used Model 58 at a gunshop a week ago. I have a 57, but don't know about the 58.. It was a 4" with no rear site, just a groove. Looked like a great defensive gun. Was late 70s I think. Had a pinned barrel and counter bored cylinder.
How much slop in the cylinder is too much?

murphydog · Mar 5, 2013

You pretty much described the difference; that and the model 58 came with smaller stocks and the rear of the grip frame is not grooved. The cylinder play in your model 57 should be comparable to a 58 that has been used the same; a small amount of rotational play is normal, fore and aft should be very slight or absent.

Unless you are in a very isolated area of central CA or the asking price was too high, I wouldn't bet on the 58 still being there after a week...

.

Maddawg46 · Mar 5, 2013

If I rme,ber right, the price was around $650. Looked in pretty good shape.

05CarbonDRZ · Mar 5, 2013

$650 for a model 58 is a pretty good price.I would only buy a .41MAG if you reload though,Factory ammo is about $1 a round or more.

Maddawg46 · Mar 5, 2013

I've been reloading for years. I can't remember what factory .41 costs. I think I only have fired reloads in my .41s.

SuperMan · Mar 6, 2013

$650 is definitely a bargain worth paying if the gun is in good shape. The 58 is a real classic gun to shoot...

I have had a dozen or so over the last 40 years and still have three.

...a customized 70s vintage...

...a NIB 70s vintage...

....and a first year of production 1964 that someone "thoughtfully" parkerized...but it is a GREAT shooter...

...grab it you can...you won't loose any money on it at that price even if it doesn't have the original grips....

Bob

Realzebub45 · Mar 6, 2013

Don't forget to check the timing. Pulling the trigger back real slow for each chamber, see if the cylinder stop clicks in to the cylinder cut outs before the trigger sets.

If the timing and shape is good, I think that's a very good price for People's Republik of Pelosistan. Especially if the grips match the S/N of the gun.

BigBill · Mar 6, 2013

I like my S&W M58 in 41mag with the 4" barrel it handles the recoil much better than i thought it would being a magnum. I put my grips from my m57 on it but now i up graded it to the S&W N frame combat grips recently. Its my new CCW revolver.

kaaskop49 · Mar 6, 2013

Is anyone here old enough to remember the old wives' tale that the 58 was not as strong as the 57? George Nonte put the lie to this canard.

Realzebub45 · Mar 6, 2013

kaaskop49 said:
Is anyone here old enough to remember the old wives' tale that the 58 was not as strong as the 57? George Nonte put the lie to this canard.

Wha chu talkin' about Willis???

Say it ain't so...

JCS&W · Mar 6, 2013

The differences are, adjustable rear sight on the M57, fixed on the M58,the front sight had the red insert on the M57 and is larger than the front site of the M58, the M58 only came in 4", unless it was a special order, the M58 came with the magna stocks instead of the target stocks and the M57 had several barrel options. I must say I like the fixed sight M58 more than the adjustable sight M57, but both are great N frame Smiths.

Model 57 & 58-what's the differences

Maddawg46

Member

murphydog

Moderator

Maddawg46

Member

05CarbonDRZ

SWCA Member

Maddawg46

Member

SuperMan

Member

Realzebub45

Member

BigBill

Absent Comrade

Attachments

kaaskop49

Member

Realzebub45

Member

JCS&W

US Veteran

Similar threads

Latest posts