.41 Magnums
- Thread starter rubiranch
- Start date
I much prefer adjustable sights. How good or bad they are at gun fighting is debatable, But, I go with them every chance I get. That being said I have a 6" 57 and id a good deal came along on a 58 I would probably grab it. The rare example of a fix sight big bore magnum. Would I carry one? Not my first choice, not a bad choice though. I am a big bore carry guy.
Since I buy guns to carry concealed, I’d go for the 58.
boatbum101
Member
At one time I had 4 M58's & 3 M57's . Still have a pair of M57 6" Nickel , consecutive S/N's & they are pristine & live in the safe . Sold off 2 of the 58's a few years ago on GB for what I considered obscene prices , but they were NIB . One a factory reblue shooter was stolen & the last is a LNIB Nickel w/ factory TT & TH or so the box is marked . It too lives in the safe . I admit I'm a 41 loony & have a RBH 6" & a Henry lever gun , as stated above it's a reloaders cartridge . If your a hunter or paper puncher get the 57 , for SD / field carry get the 58 . You'll find with full loads the 57 is more comfortable & the 58 can be brutal unless you're a magnum pistol shooter . The 58 is much easier with mid range loads .
I am a BIG 41 Magnum fan. Ever since I accidentally bought my first one back in the eighties.
The 41 Magnum group photo is about 10 years old and is missing many additions.
This decision of yours is very easy for me as the Model 58 just has no visual appeal to me. So I have never owned one.
The 6" Model 57 would be me choice. That also happens the be the first 41 Magnum I ever owned, though mine is in nickel and still in my possession (lower left corner of group photo)
I never buy a gun because it is worth more than another gun. Monetary value/gain is meaningless if the gun does not speak to me in some way.
I buy for my personal enjoyment and satisfaction, not for profit
The 41 Magnum group photo is about 10 years old and is missing many additions.
This decision of yours is very easy for me as the Model 58 just has no visual appeal to me. So I have never owned one.
The 6" Model 57 would be me choice. That also happens the be the first 41 Magnum I ever owned, though mine is in nickel and still in my possession (lower left corner of group photo)
I never buy a gun because it is worth more than another gun. Monetary value/gain is meaningless if the gun does not speak to me in some way.
I buy for my personal enjoyment and satisfaction, not for profit
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Dieseltech56
Member
I wanted a 58 for woods carry but the dang things are so scarce and expensive now I'm not sure I can.
Buford Pusser used a M58. Shot a few people with it too.
At all of the gun shows I go to in my area, I’ll see a 57 or two. But I’ve never seen a 58 at a show. That should tell you something of their scarcity. I just went to the show in Port Charlotte this morning. Saw an N serial 6” and an S serial 8 3/8” in addition to one of the “new classic” 57’s in 6”. No 58’s.
Chubbo
Member
Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm sure that I'll be corrected, but, in this Mod. 57, - Mod. 58 discussion, a very important factor, has been overlooked, or ignored. When S&W first offered the .41 Mag. revolver, and cartridge, a mod. 58 Mod. was also offered. The 58 was intended to be used for a lower priced, fixed sight, self defense weapon, and S&W recommended that only the lower powered, cast bullet, load be fired in it. Anyone that has tried the "full house" loads in a Mod.58 will surely agree, with S&W's recommendation. The poor choice, of using an over qualified, extremely powerful load for self defense, and, using the Mod. 58 for other than it's intended purpose is what this whole discussion is really about. That's my 2¢ opinion on this matter.
Chubbo
Chubbo
Wrangler Rich
US Veteran
Skeeter would say, "Get them both."
So would I.
WR
So would I.
WR
The 58 is a .41 Magnum. It doesn’t say “Police load ONLY” on it anywhere. My old 58 shoots POA/POI with full-charge Remington 210 JSPs at 10-yards or so. (But who wants to shoot them! 
)
That’s all I know about that.
)That’s all I know about that.
I am a BIG 41 Magnum fan. Ever since I accidentally bought my first one back in the eighties.
The 41 Magnum group photo is about 10 years old and is missing many additions.
This decision of yours is very easy for me as the Model 58 just has no visual appeal to me. So I have never owned one.
The 6" Model 57 would be me choice. That also happens the be the first 41 Magnum I ever owned, though mine is in nickel and still in my possession (lower left corner of group photo)
I never buy a gun because it is worth more than another gun. Monetary value/gain is meaningless if the gun does not speak to me in some way.
I buy for my personal enjoyment and satisfaction, not for profit
Nice set of .41’s you have there. I can only imagine what it looks like now “with many additions.”
I’ve only got three: a blue S serial no dash 57 that someone chopped the barrel off to 4”, a nickle N serial no dash 6”, and a 657-3 6”.
when using a good holster, that covers the trigger and has a sight relieved tunnel. There is no advantage to a fixed sight revolver for Conceal carry.
the only slight advantage is when carrying without a holster.{less possibility for snagging in clothing} As a woods gun, there is a distinct advantage to having adjustable sights since the distance is farther where a shot may be optimal and we are not dealing with just shots only taken under 20 feet. {self defense with a bad guy}
the only slight advantage is when carrying without a holster.{less possibility for snagging in clothing} As a woods gun, there is a distinct advantage to having adjustable sights since the distance is farther where a shot may be optimal and we are not dealing with just shots only taken under 20 feet. {self defense with a bad guy}
Wasn’t the Model 58 supposed to be a police duty carry weapon? Metallurgically, they would be the same. It was just a cheaper version with no sights or frills designed so the average beat cop could afford one. The police wouldn’t be using just lowered power cast bullets.
Vulcan Bob
Member
Already have two 57's and I've been lusting for a 58. So its the 58!
Which ever you choose, you will enjoy shooting the .41. Both models are great!
Exactly, the strength of the firearms was identical.
The problem was that the "Police Load" was not a cast projectile, that might have proven successful.
The problem was the 210 LSWC that was used was swagged from soft lead and pushed to 1000 FPS in the 4" barrels. This Factory load would lead the barrels terribly in just a few dozen rounds, then accuracy would go out the window.
Another issue for Law Enforcement use is that as the 41 Magnum was introduced in 1965 and only taking it's baby steps in the market during the next several years. While the 41 Magnum was fighting for recognition as a new cartridge we came upon the genesis of the "WunderNine" revolution
Model 57 6"
EarlB
Member
I like them both. I currently have 6, blue and nickel 58's, blue and nickel 4" and 6" 57 no dashes. So obviously I'm in the get both category 
If you can have only one though, I'd opt for the 58 as they are harder to come by. If the choice is between a 4" 58 and 8-3/8" 57 then it's really a no brainer for me. I let my 8-3/8" guns go as they were just taking up too much safe space, have to draw the line somewhere.
This is what I feed my .41 Magnums...it isn't a super powerful load and being copper plated I haven't noticed any leading problems. My guns (including the 58's) shoot it well and like happy little puppies compared to my .44 Magnums. I typically buy it when it's on sale and with free shipping.
LAX Ammunition Factory New 41 REM MAG 210 GR 250 RDS W/FREE AMMO CAN #VN3216 | Lax Ammunition
If you can have only one though, I'd opt for the 58 as they are harder to come by. If the choice is between a 4" 58 and 8-3/8" 57 then it's really a no brainer for me. I let my 8-3/8" guns go as they were just taking up too much safe space, have to draw the line somewhere.This is what I feed my .41 Magnums...it isn't a super powerful load and being copper plated I haven't noticed any leading problems. My guns (including the 58's) shoot it well and like happy little puppies compared to my .44 Magnums. I typically buy it when it's on sale and with free shipping.
LAX Ammunition Factory New 41 REM MAG 210 GR 250 RDS W/FREE AMMO CAN #VN3216 | Lax Ammunition
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