657 history info

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petemacmahon

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Pending my purchase of the upcoming SCSW latest edition when it becomes available............................can anyone give me a quick rundown on when the 657 started and the dates and info on all the dash model changes?

Thanks!!
 
The 657 is in the current "Bible"

It was introduced in 1986.

The 657-1 came out in 1988 with some engineering changes.

The 657-2 in 1990 with longer stop notches in the cylinder.

The 657-3 in in 1994 with a drilled and tapped (for scope) frame and with the rubber Hogue grip (I have one of these -- a very nice and accurate gun).

In 1996 round butt only. (Mine is square so must be around 1995).

In 1997 MIM thumb piece introduced.

The 657-4 (1997) was the MIM version trigger and hammer.

The 657-5 (2001) had the internal lock.

The 657-6 (2005) had a two piece barrel.

That's as far as the current guide goes.

Dave
 
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If anyone knows, did the M657 have a "catalog" name? Was it just the .41 Magnum Stainless?

Like the M686/586 is called the Distinguished Combat Magnum. And the M640 is the Centennial Stainless.

What was the M57/657 called?
 
Kernel Crittenden said:
If anyone knows, did the M657 have a "catalog" name? Was it just the .41 Magnum Stainless?

Like the M686/586 is called the Distinguished Combat Magnum. And the M640 is the Centennial Stainless.

What was the M57/657 called?
Click to expand...

Just plain ol' .41 Magnum® is all I've ever seen.


KO
 
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They could have called it the "KJS Enforcer", since Keith, Jordon & Skelton originally pushed for a cartridge between the power of the .357 Magnum & .44 Magnum for law enforcement. This is as close as they got.

If S&W ever comes out with a .41 Special in the L-frame, they have my permission to us it. :D

.
 
Just picked up a 657 no dash yesterday! It's been to Magna-port and has one set of ports and their "Double Detent Lockup". It's a 6 (or 6.5 ) inch with a straight backstrap and a patridge style front pinned sight. Smooth faced trigger, which I prefer. The only detraction is the ugly Pachmayr grips which will be in the garbage soon, to be replace by Miculek grips.

Everything is tight and the DA is real smooth and light. I'm really picky about DA feel, and this thing just feels right. Can't wait to get it out to the range.
 
Congratulations.
The pictures of it are not showing up for me. :)

KO
 
Here she is

Got her Jerry Miculek grips on and now and I'm getting the reloading press setup to load some 210 JHPs over H110 for PA dear season coming up. Not the best pics, but they should do.

Oh, she appears to have the wide target hammer & trigger, but the trigger is smooth. I much prefer that for my style of shooting so it's no big deal, but I wonder if it came like that or the previous owner had it ground smooth?
 

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petemacmahon said:
Got her Jerry Miculek grips on and now and I'm getting the reloading press setup to load some 210 JHPs over H110 for PA dear season coming up. Not the best pics, but they should do.

Oh, she appears to have the wide target hammer & trigger, but the trigger is smooth. I much prefer that for my style of shooting so it's no big deal, but I wonder if it came like that or the previous owner had it ground smooth?
Click to expand...
Congratulations.

She looks good :)

H110 is my favorite powder for the 41 Magnum. It sounds so good when it fires.

S&W does make the smooth combat trigger in widths up to .400"

However, that trigger looks like it has been ground smooth.

So what will your NEXT 41 Magnum be?
 
More history:

" In an effort to capitalize on the excellent sales of the 629 Classic Hunter, Lew Horton contracted with S&W to produce a run of 2000 .41 Magnum Classic Hunters (#103820) in 1991. These 657s had a 6.5" full-lugged barrel stamped ".41 Magnum", wide target hammer, smooth trigger, black ramp front sight, non-fluted cylinder, and a black rubber Hogue Monogrip on a square-butt grip-frame.", from "A Love for the Classics", by: Glen E. Fryxell.

It was later reintroduced in 2001 in the M657-5, 7-1/2" bbl., Product Code: #163946. Mine was made in Jul-2008.

.

657-5 Classic Hunter
657ClassicHunter01_zps85f472d2.jpg


.
 
And, I am tickled pink by her accuracy!

Here is today's trip to the range. On the left is HSM Cowboy action load. On The right, 210 grain Hornady XTP over 21.8 grains of H110. That's double action at 25 yards, as I no longer shoot single action at all. Standard 8.5 X 11 paper sheet.

Hmm, my flyers are in the same place.
 

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