.41 Magnum - Model 58 without model number?

[Hair Trigger]

It is still a non-US gun, I don't live in the states.

At the moment I'm waiting for my reloading equipment for the .41 Rem Mag. I have nothing in this caliber yet and I am curious to find out it is to shoot.

Oh, you'll like how it shoots, I'm sure. What are you using for brass, have you found a reliable source, or are you reloading brass from factory loads? If there is a down side to the .41Magnum, it's a limited selection of projectiles and brass to choose from. I use Starline brass, good quality and somewhat easy to find, and generally use Hornady XTP bullets, 210 grain. The powders with the most varied load range that I've used is Accurate #7, Accurate #9, Win296, and H110. For primers, you don't necessarily need a magnum primer, I've used Winchester Large Pistol, but have also used Federal 150, and CCI 350. However, I don't know what is available to you across the pond. Something in the 1100-1150 fps range are relatively mild recoil.

Here's my M58, a "S" prefix from 1967. I sat unfired in 2 different safes for 52 years until I bought it two years ago from a retired LEO who inherited it from his former partner's estate.

 

[rpf2000]

Oh, you'll like how it shoots, I'm sure. What are you using for brass, have you found a reliable source, or are you reloading brass from factory loads? If there is a down side to the .41Magnum, it's a limited selection of projectiles and brass to choose from. I use Starline brass, good quality and somewhat easy to find, and generally use Hornady XTP bullets, 210 grain. The powders with the most varied load range that I've used is Accurate #7, Accurate #9, Win296, and H110.

Thanks a lot for your input. It is not easy to get all the needed components for this caliber.
Surprisingly I found new Starline brass in a local shop and reserved it for me.
Then I ordered from a different source some ammunition to have something to compare my loads with and some ARES bullets (Slovakian company).
From a third source I ordered the dies and a Lee mould to create my own bullets.
For powder I have H110 and VIHT N-110 ready.
For the start I should have all I need!

 

[SuperMan]

Very interesting piece...

As to H110 or N-110...they are for TOP end loads only. With a 210 grain bullet one has to run 20+ grains of powder and a hot primer other wise one can have ignition problems... I run 22-23 grains with most bullets. The recoil in the 4" 58s with those loads is not pleasant at all...

If you can find some fast burning shotgun/pistol powder target velocity loads can be easily made. The original 210 jacketed soft point loads were running 1250+- fps from a 4" barrel. The 210 grain lead loads 950+- fps... I run 8.0 grains of Unique and get right at 950 with a 210 grain bullet.

Have had 10 58s over the years..the two I have left are a 1964 that someone parkerized and a 1970s that someone "customized"...both are excellent shooters...

If you end up shooting full Magnum loads in the 58...get a set of rubber grips like the Pachmayr Presentation...will make a huge difference in shootability...

Bob

 

[ken158]

I think this will turn out to be someones project gun from the S&W armorers school.

No way… school students got frames with barrels installed and only access to parts for that particular model.

 

[Retired W4]

...Darn unusual gun. The M58 is one of very few models that had no engineering changes (they are ALL no-dash) during the original production run, so any one you find should be exactly like each other, except for nickel or blue finish. I wonder how many of those originals had a nickel finish? I've never seen one, myself.

I wouldn't touch it if it made its way to the US, but it is interesting.
Nickel 58.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Nickel 58.

Thanks for posting that picture. Looks good in nickel.

 

[A10]

It looks legit to me. Maybe a factory prototype? Built on an unstamped 38/44 frame. Just a WAG though....I would letter it if possible.