.41 Mag follows me home

[Oyaji]

Found a nice model 657-4 with a 3" bbl on consignment. It is a pre-lock in LNIB condition, bead blasted stainless and rosewood grips. I've wanted a S&W .41 mag for years and finally located this one although I would have preferred a longer bbl. Got to admit that I do like the looks of it with a 3" bbl. Ought to be a good defensive revolver. Paid $750.00. What can you tell me about this piece and do you think I paid too much for it?

 

[bamabiker]

Nice! 3" guns are hot right now and N frames are too so you got both in one gun. I think you did fine on that price.
As for 41 mag...I hope you reload.

 

[papajohn428]

All I can say is congratulations, I am really envious! I had a similar Lew Horton gun years ago and let it get away, if you look up "rueful dumb***" in the dictionary my picture is right there.

I carried mine off duty a lot, it taught me plenty about the importance of good belts and holsters. The guy who sold it to me said it had "the illusion of concealability", it looks like a snubbie but carries like a brick if you don't balance your load properly. I put several thousand rounds of warm ammo through mine in the few years I had it, it was a great shooter and had a wonderful trigger.

I really like that frosted finish, it goes quite well with those pretty grips. I know $750 is a lot of money, but I think you got a fair deal.

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulations on a good find. I consider the price quite fair. 200 or 300 of those were made.

If you decide that you paid too much for it, I will gladly give you your money back and pay for shipping down to Florida. Heck, I will even send up some king crab legs or lobster for your next dinner as a finders fee (presuming they are in season).

 

[charlie sherrill]

For a Lew Horton in the box I'd say you stole it. Look at completed auctions on the gun auction sites and see what they have been selling for. Actual production numbers may be as low as 150. For some reason they are not sure. I picked up 3" 657 non LH last Monday without the box for almost what you paid. If you didn't get a holster with it you'll probably have to get one made for that gun. If you're in California that's a super low price. Congrats, ya done good.

 

[geronimo1969]

That's my kinda stray!!!

 

[Oyaji]

I don't recall ever seeing this particular model in the S&W catalog/website. You really think this a special run with a limited production quantity? Lew Horton? Don't see any special markings on the revolver. Inside the yoke is Serial #CCV69XX, 657-4, and on the crane "144."

 

[m657]

!!!DAMN your eyes....er....I mean...."Great Deal".

Congratulations!

You pretty much stole it. I've never seen a similar model in the flesh in my part of the country.

If you reload, you've managed to acquire a true gem. If you don't reload, you've just given yourself impetus to start doing such....unless of course, your annuities yield enough to keep it fed properly with nutritionally adequate factory fodder.

 

[SAFireman]

Super find!

That is a very nice one....the full lug barrel was a distributor special and not many were made...I would have bought it too for that price

If it is a longer barrel you seek....there might be someone around here with a 4" 657 to trade....but then again, 4" 657's are quite hard to find as well.

Good luck with it.

 

[tt66]

It is a special run. It is listed in the Standard Catalog of S & W, 3rd edition, on page 268.

I believe you got a heck of a deal and a great revolver to boot. My is serial # CCV69** as well . I bought it LNIB four years ago.

Enjoy your new .41

Tim

 

[ko41]

Excellent find and a great price.

In my conversation with Lew Horton Distributing Co. Inc., I was told
they had 150 of Product Code 148119 Model 657-4 with 3" Full lug barrel made for them in 1998.

Mine also has a serial prefix of CCV.

KO

 

[Sportsterguy]

I have the standard non lugged model and love it. Yours is a grail gun for me.

You did steal that baby. Congrats on it!

If you ever sell put me first in line.

 

[Hound]

That was from a run of 150 made for Lew Horton in 1998. It sold new for approximately 560.00.

 

[mes227]

Here's my 657 Performance Center. Great gun, a work of art!

 

[Oyaji]

Here's my 657 Performance Center. Great gun, a work of art!

Very nice!

 

[kennyb]

i have a 657 three inch no dash and love it....it's my most frequent carry gun...it has the mepro nite sights,ported,and trigger job...this gun really shoots well ! i reload so 50 rounds is about six bucks

 

[Oyaji]

That was from a run of 150 made for Lew Horton in 1998. It sold new for approximately 560.00.

Hopefully, it has appreciated by a few dollars since 1998. I'd hate to think I spent too much money on it.

 

[Hound]

I'd say it is more of a shooter rather than a collector's piece. That said, there were only 150 made so they're not too common. Its worth is really more directly related to what you were willing to pay to have it. What others are willing to pay for something bounces around with the economy, location, and what everyone is excited about. 41 Mag is an eclectic cartridge to begin with, combine that with a 3" barrel and it's a very eclectic package. People either love them or hate them, but limited production (150) makes them desirable to some folks. You didn't get hurt price wise on it as there are only 148 others floating around. The only reason I know the 560 price is because that is what I paid when I ordered mine in 1998, so keep in mind that was based on the value of the dollar 13 years ago.

 

[41mag-fan]

I have a question here on the 3" barrels. I've been doing some research in my 3rd edition S&W catalog and am still a little confused. I know the Lew Horton's had a 3" barrel, but there is nothing listed if they are the full lug or half lug barrels. According to the book the 657 is a square butt and the LH is a round butt. It does list the 3" barrel as a production size in the mid 80's but that time frame I would assume should still be a sqaure butt. What are the distinguishing features on the LH's 3" and what should the serial or production numbers be?

There are a few round butt 3" barrel 657's for sale that are listed as Lew Horton's but are half lug barrels. Are these actually LH's or are people saying they are trying to get more money for a standard 3"?

Also, I think the standard 3" is still on the rare side, somewhere around the 5,500 mark, is that true?

 

[ko41]

This is the only Lew Horton Exclusive Limited Edition 3 inch 657 of which 150 were produced in 1998.

This is the regular production 3 inch 657 that quite often is referred to as a Lew Horton. 5,4xx were produced circa 1987 they were the first 657 with the round butt grip. It was not an exclusive to Lew Horton, any distributor could order them from S&W. Unfortunately the regular half lug round butt 3 inch 657 has been called a Lew Horton so often that it has become a Lew Horton.

As far a production numbers:
About 5,500 of the 3" half lug non-exclusive regular production 657.......... somewhat rare
150 657-4 3" full lug Lew Horton Exclusive.....more rare


KO