.357 Magnum REG 657

[Kansasgunner]

JADARE,
You are correct, both prewar and transitional N frames have a slightly longer grip frame than the modern (say post 1949)
n frames.

 

[03clyde]

On my bucket list - congrats

 

[Troystat]

Nice revolver, thanks for showing us.

 

[clang444]

Want some grips for this gun, but don't think I want to spend the money for the correct grips.
Are N frame magna style grips still available?
Think I was told that the pre-war frames have slightly different dimensions.
Any info on affordable options appreciated.

The correct grips are going to be pre-War N frame Magnas. One of the more notable features is they have larger medallions than post-War grips. They look like this:

You are going to need a pair that look like new to match your gun. Somewhere around a $1,000 investment or maybe more nowadays.


Another option is Service Grips with the Grip Adapter like these:

Probably an investment about as high or maybe higher than the Magnas.

You can go with the Service grips only (no grip adapter) in the $250-$500 range.


If you are looking for a more affordable alternative, some nice stag grips would work and be period correct. There are a couple of people right on this forum that make them and sell them here.

 

[.357magger]

Of course, with that 5" barrel, some repro Ropers would look right at home imo.

Stags too could appear period correct.

Nice RM. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[handejector]

Want some grips for this gun, but don't think I want to spend the money for the correct grips.
Are N frame magna style grips still available?
Think I was told that the pre-war frames have slightly different dimensions.
Any info on affordable options appreciated.

NICE gun! How did you come to own it?

Any N frame grips will work on your gun. As others said, modern grips will be just slightly short at the bottom- about 1/16".
If you don't want to spend the big $ for the correct magnas, why not just keep those Target grips on it that you have now?

 

[DARE]

I got the gun from my father. He acquired it in the 70's I think. He was a gun store owner, a gun writer and a promoter. He put on gun shows in the 50's and 60's. Brought Elmer Keith and Jeff Cooper and Ansel Adams to Dallas for seminars. We shot .44 magnums with Elmer Keith on a 300 yard range in Dallas.
My dad's name was also David Reynolds and think he was friends with Roy Jinks.

 

[SWSC]

FBI agent JC White died in 1969. I wonder if your father met him or knew him or bought from him. Mysteries of the past.

 

[Sabre29]

Beautiful revolver. If you plan to shot a lot I would recommend an extra set of Hogue grips to go along with originals once you find them. I have a set of Hogue on an old S&W Model 36-1 and it makes the world of differences in the shooting. Best of luck.

 

[jlemay69]

Got my factory letter on this gun today. Shipped Dec 24,1935 to Potchernick's in San Antonio, TX. Shipped with 5 inch barrel and blue finish. No record as to stocks or sights. Gun has a McGivern gold bead front sight. Appears to have been owned by an FBI agent in the San Antonio area.
Will send in the form for additional info.
Would be interested in some correct grips. Either type would be okay. Would trade the N frame diamond targets in the photo against them or could just purchase.

Consider Elk Antler from BigMtnMan on this forum.

 

[captaint]

Very nice revolver. Thanks for sharing. I would sincerely love to thoroughly clean that gun and give it a coat of Ren Wax. You think it looks good now............. Good luck with the stocks. Mike

 

[SWSC]

McGivern gold bead front sight for a mid 50s FBI agent makes sense.

 

[austintexas]

I thought Magna stocks weren't available until 1936, or possibly this revolver was in a transition period where both service and Magnas were available.
SWCA 892

 

[Doc44]

I think Magna stocks were authorized in September 1935. I know .357s ordered in October of that year could specify Magna stocks.

Bill

 

[RKmesa]

In support of Doc44's post, REG 649 shipped in December 1935 and it letters as having been shipped with the magnas (which number to the gun) shown in this photo:

 

[lestert357]

I thought Magna stocks weren't available until 1936, or possibly this revolver was in a transition period where both service and Magnas were available.
SWCA 892

Serial# 46978 Reg# 466 is documented as having shipped with Magna stocks on 09/17/1935. There wasn't a transition period per se; from this point on until the end of pre-war production the ".357" Magnum could be ordered with either the Magna stocks or the standard stocks with or without the grip adapter attached.

First picture below is an early order form which only gave the option of receiving the Magnum "with the Wesson Grip Adapter (attached) (unattached)"………

When the Magna stocks became available the order form was changed to give the additional option of receiving the Magnum with Magna stocks as pictured below…….

Those options remained available until the end of pre-war ".357" Magnum production.

 

[DARE]

Thanks, Terry.
Looking at this old thread again. My gun came with Magna grips, but used the old order form. Gun shipped December 24,1935. Maybe the new order forms were not available yet.

Gun with Magna stocks.

The letter.

 

[John Patrick]

That's a beautiful revolver, even more beautiful with the magna stocks!

 

[A10]

Factory 5 inch Registered Magnum with McGivern front sight and Magnas....That, Sir, is the Grail of Grails.

Congratulations on being the caretaker of this finest example of the gunmakers craft!