Been Wanting One Of These For Over 40 Years!

[XTrooper]

Success! I've been pining for a decent example of a Model 58 that I didn't have to pay an insane amount of money for since the early 70's and I finally snagged one on Friday! It looks to be in decent shape and was manufactured in 1973.

I ordered it online and will hopefully have it by Friday. When I get it, I'll take some decent photos. In the meantime, here are a couple of the seller's pics.

 

[gkitch]

Nice! I see it has the target hammer and trigger which were expensive options in the 1970s.

 

[shamuscull]

Very nice. I have been looking for one myself.

 

[XTrooper]

Thanks. fellas!

gkitch: Yes, I noticed the target trigger and hammer too and thought it odd, but they certainly look period so I assume they are original to it.

 

[cowboy45]

Nice score. I want one, but like you I am patient. One will show up at a good price or trade. I have a 57, so I'm not in a big hurry.

 

[XTrooper]

Nice score. I want one, but like you I am patient. One will show up at a good price or trade. I have a 57, so I'm not in a big hurry.

Thanks, cowboy.

I've owned several 57's over the years. They are fine revolvers.

 

[XTrooper]

Here's a closeup of the target trigger and hammer. Case coloring is faded, but appears to be mostly all there.

 

[gkitch]

Thanks. fellas!

gkitch: Yes, I noticed the target trigger and hammer too and thought it odd, but they certainly look period so I assume they are original to it.

Since they were expensive, folks assumed they were better than the standard. Many guns were ordered with them and many had them installed later. I remember my local shop (1970's) having a stand with S&W grips, hammers, triggers displayed so one could upgrade their S&W. I seem to remember the TH and TT selling for around $30 each back when a new Model 58 was about $250 or so.
The reality is that the TT/TH were only better for SA work, but actually provided a bit of a disadvantage for Double-action shooting.

 

[XTrooper]

Since they were expensive, folks assumed they were better than the standard. Many guns were ordered with them and many had them installed later. I remember my local shop (1970's) having a stand with S&W grips, hammers, triggers displayed so one could upgrade their S&W. I seem to remember the TH and TT selling for around $30 each back when a new Model 58 was about $250 or so.
The reality is that the TT/TH were only better for SA work, but actually provided a bit of a disadvantage for Double-action shooting.

I certainly never liked serrations on the triggers of my Smith service revolvers nor did most of my companions. I carried Smith revolvers for over half my police career and we routinely had their triggers polished smooth, whether standard or target type. This made them easier and a lot more comfortable to shoot in double-action as the serrations tended to file away at your fingertip. The greater number of serrations on the wide target triggers equated to more filing. Ouch!

 

[Bullet Bob]

That's certainly the overwhelming sentiment, but I remember when Jerry Miculek first burst on the scene with his 8 & 3/8" model 27, he had the target trigger with serrations, saying it allowed him to feel the trigger return better.

Worked for him.

 

[XTrooper]

That's certainly the overwhelming sentiment, but I remember when Jerry Miculek first burst on the scene with his 8 & 3/8" model 27, he had the target trigger with serrations, saying it allowed him to feel the trigger return better.

Worked for him.

Well, as a firearms instructor, I've never been dogmatic about technique or equipment. As long it's not unsafe, my motto is "whatever works best for you."

 

[L Pete]

I remember in the old days, too. I've seen small boxes of target hammers and target triggers just loose inside. The price was marked on the outside of these small boxes. I believe S & W shipped them that way, and when received at the LGS, the lid was torn off and price marked. I've installed many for myself and my friends. Ahhh, yes,.....the good old days

 

[H Richard]

I've always preferred target hammers, but standard width triggers, until they come out with the medium width smooth combat trigger. That's what all double action triggers should be like.

 

[bedbugbilly]

Congrats on your find! A great looking revolver! That's so pretty I'd take it regardless of what trigger/hammer it had and even if it was painted pink! I hope you'll give a range report on it once you get it - looks like a nice shooter!

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Glad you finally found your dream.

I remember the buzz about the 41 Magnum in the 70's, too bad it languished. I think the "magnum" term in the name scared away too many departments from acceptance. Maybe they should have called it the "41 Politically Correct" round and it would have been better received.

 

[XTrooper]

Congrats on your find! A great looking revolver! That's so pretty I'd take it regardless of what trigger/hammer it had and even if it was painted pink! I hope you'll give a range report on it once you get it - looks like a nice shooter!

Hahaha Thanks, billy! I'll be sure to do that!

I just got the tracking number for it. If all goes well, it looks like I've have it on Wednesday which means I'll be at the range by Thursday IF I can scare up some .41 Mag ammo by then. I have some ordered, but don't know when it'll be in. I shot up or gave away all the .41 Mag ammo I used to have here.

 

[XTrooper]

Glad you finally found your dream.

I remember the buzz about the 41 Magnum in the 70's, too bad it languished. I think the "magnum" term in the name scared away too many departments from acceptance. Maybe they should have called it the "41 Politically Correct" round and it would have been better received.

Interesting you say that. From what I've read, it was originally supposed to be called the ".41 Police," but ".41 Magnum" won out.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Does anyone have a model 58 that letters with a target hammer and trigger? I thought they all came with the .265" service hammer and trigger.

 

[XTrooper]

Just out of curiosity, I dug out my original copy of the Gun Digest for 1966.

The price of the Model 58 is listed as $80.00 blued / $85.00 nickeled.

In my 1967 Gun Digest, the factory price for S&W target triggers and hammers is listed at $6.50 each for either.



Talk about inflation!

 

[sub-moa]

Congrats Brother, scratching a 40 year itch must be heaven...

Carried an M58 as my BUG ...working dope in the '70s. Primary incidentally was an M36 w/ the hammer bobbed, loaded w/ the issue 158RNL carried on the ankle. Policy...what can I say , had to have the duty load while "on-duty". BUG could be "whatever" you could qualify with and were willing to buy the ammo for...and we qualified to 50yds .

M58 cylinder was loaded w/ the 210 SWC Lead "Police Load", an HKS Speedloader w/ the same 210 SWC in the right fatigue jacket pocket and an HKS Speedloader w/ the 210 SJSP Magnums in the left fatigue jacket pocket for SHTFs. Carried it in either a Roy Baker Pancake or the IWB I made myself. Grips were factory Magna w/ a Tyler Grip Adapter .

There was a "noticeable" difference BTW, between the 2 loads

Oh. you do reload don't you?