Minty Model 57-1

[The Mighty S&W]

Gents,

I have been slowly building my collection of Smith & Wesson handguns, and today I stumbled upon a gun that wasn’t even on my radar, but I couldn’t pass it up. My photos don’t do this revolver any justice whatsoever as it looks like brand new in every regard. The original owner was an older fella who said he had purchased it in the 1980’s. He included a set of dies along with some clean spent brass, the original cleaning rod/brush, a nice vintage leather holster, and a box of 210 grain .41 Magnum Gold Dots. I paid $1,100.00 for the whole enchilada. Everything on this gun is tight as can be. Seemed like a decent deal to me considering what the new versions are selling for.

For those of you who own a Model 57, how do you like it compared to say a model 29?

 

[22hipower]

Very nice; great price too I think in the current market. Compared to a model 29? Not all that different really. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[The Mighty S&W]

Very nice; great price too I think in the current market. Compared to a model 29? Not all that different really. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Yeah. I kinda went into this one blind, not really knowing much about the .41 Magnum in general. I’ve owned .44’s, and at least in external appearances the two look fairly similar. I saw that Smith had re-released the model under their “Classic” line including the dreaded lock and being made with carbon steel. Those seemed to be going for $1,200-$1,500, so I figured I wasn’t overpaying for this one.

 

[Skyhunter]

I've been a fan of the .41 mag. since 1971 when I bought my 1st Blackhawk. I didn't acquire an S&W for a long time. Finishing my enlistment, finishing college, etc., etc., etc.
In my AO I'd say you stole that revolver! Just kidding, but that was a heck of a good price for just the revolver - with the "extras" added, you did really, really well - IMO.
I don't have a 57 but would love to "find" one. But I do have a pair of 657's as well as my original Blackhawk (plus some siblings). The .41 mag. is a great round and reloading for it is easy - I'm presuming that you reload. Jacketed or cast (my revolvers see mostly my own cast projectiles), the .41 will handle either.
Enjoy that revolver, you done good!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[Tom S.]

I heard a story today about the 41 mag and our local sheriff department that I can neither confirm or deny. It seems after the 41 was introduced, the department ordered several revolvers in the 41 mag. I was told it was a total flop, not because of the caliber but because the guns turned out to be single action. The story teller couldn't shed anymore information other than the guns were quickly sold off at discounted prices. The only gun I can think of that would fit this description is the Ruger Blackhawk. Perhaps the tale is true but I'm wondering...

At any rate, although I've never owned a 57 or it's sibling the 58, they are tempting. But then again, so is almost every other S&W revolver. Congrats to the OP on getting a good gun at a good price!

 

[The Mighty S&W]

Next question for those of you experienced in the matter… How on earth do you keep such a great blues finish looking great aside from simply wrapping it in an oiled rag, and leaving it alone? Every blued gun I’ve owned prior to this one showed enough wear that I didn’t bother to worry myself. This one is a beauty.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Gents,

I have been slowly building my collection of Smith & Wesson handguns.... The original owner was an older fella who said he had purchased it in the 1980’s. He included a set of dies along with some clean spent brass, the original cleaning rod/brush, a nice vintage leather holster, and a box of 210 grain .41 Magnum Gold Dots. I paid $1,100.00 for the whole enchilada. Seemed like a decent deal to me considering what the new versions are selling for.

For those of you who own a Model 57, how do you like it compared to say a model 29?

Next question for those of you experienced in the matter… How on earth do you keep such a great blues finish looking great aside from simply wrapping it in an oiled rag, and leaving it alone? Every blued gun I’ve owned prior to this one showed enough wear that I didn’t bother to worry myself. This one is a beauty.

You got a good deal, getting the reloading dies and ammo and holster along with the revolver. What is the barrel length, 4" or 6" or 8-3/8" ? The M57-1 was made between 1982 and 1988.

The finish in the older S&W's was a better finish than the new guns have. One way to keep it really shiny is to wax the gun once you have it really clean. Don't wrap it in an oily cloth, oil leaves lots of fingerprints and collects dirt. If you wrap it in a cloth, use a silicone impregnated one. That will block moisture and polishing the gun with a silicone cloth will add luster, but waxing is best. (and then wrapping it in the silicone cloth for storage). Renaissance Wax is popular here among those who like very shiny guns with no fingerprints. You can also wax the stocks with it. Be sure to remove the stocks when you do the waxing so you can get the insides of the grip frame and back sides of the stocks.
I like .41 Magnum better than .44 Magnum, although there's only 0.02" difference in diameter (.44M is a 'pretender' it's actually a .430" bullet, but .41M is actually .410")), case capacity is a bit lower and it is a slightly milder shooting gun than .44M; it will launch a 210 grain bullet to 1400fps, where the .44 can do the same with a 240 grain. That makes significant difference in felt recoil from a gun that is almost exactly the same weight (for equal barrel lengths).

I have both a M57 and M58 and shoot them fairly often, and I reload for them. Let's see some pictures of your beauty. I don't know why mine showed up upside-down.

 

[22hipower]

Next question for those of you experienced in the matter… How on earth do you keep such a great blues finish looking great aside from simply wrapping it in an oiled rag, and leaving it alone? Every blued gun I’ve owned prior to this one showed enough wear that I didn’t bother to worry myself. This one is a beauty.

Most of mine that look like that stay that way because they don't do time in a holster. In fact, most of those don't get shot much. I know, I know, they're all for shooting. I've got plenty of shooters though so the really nice ones stay that way.

Here's a 58 that can go to the range, and one that doesn't, at least not yet.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2nN8eb9 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2o3H53L https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[The Mighty S&W]

You got a good deal, getting the reloading dies and ammo and holster along with the revolver. What is the barrel length, 4" or 6" or 8-3/8" ? The M57-1 was made between 1982 and 1988.

The finish in the older S&W's was a better finish than the new guns have. One way to keep it really shiny is to wax the gun once you have it really clean. Don't wrap it in an oily cloth, oil leaves lots of fingerprints and collects dirt. If you wrap it in a cloth, use a silicone impregnated one. That will block moisture and polishing the gun with a silicone cloth will add luster, but waxing is best. (and then wrapping it in the silicone cloth for storage). Renaissance Wax is popular here among those who like very shiny guns with no fingerprints. You can also wax the stocks with it. Be sure to remove the stocks when you do the waxing so you can get the insides of the grip frame and back sides of the stocks.
I like .41 Magnum better than .44 Magnum, although there's only 0.02" difference in diameter (.44M is a 'pretender' it's actually a .430" bullet, but .41M is actually .410")), case capacity is a bit lower and it is a slightly milder shooting gun than .44M; it will launch a 210 grain bullet to 1400fps, where the .44 can do the same with a 240 grain. That makes significant difference in felt recoil from a gun that is almost exactly the same weight (for equal barrel lengths).

I have both a M57 and M58 and shoot them fairly often, and I reload for them. Let's see some pictures of your beauty. I don't know why mine showed up upside-down.

I posted a couple of photos in my original post. Mine only show up as thumbnails. Anyway… waxing? Holy cow! I don’t really plan to leave this thing hidden away in the safe full time, so as much as it pains me to say it, this gun might not stay this beautiful for long. Obviously, I won’t be doing anything to deliberately harm it, but at the same time I believe in using my firearms, and this one will be no exception.

How much of an issue would it be to leave a nicely blued revolver sitting in a drawer of a table between range visits and wiping it down with a silicone cloth when handled? I spent a lot of years carrying modern semi auto pistols in duty holsters year round, and it is my understanding that there were guys who did that with these types of guns for a long time. How did they keep them presentable? Or did they not?

 

[22hipower]

How much of an issue would it be to leave a nicely blued revolver sitting in a drawer of a table between range visits and wiping it down with a silicone cloth when handled? I spent a lot of years carrying modern semi auto pistols in duty holsters year round, and it is my understanding that there were guys who did that with these types of guns for a long time. How did they keep them presentable? Or did they not?

No issue at all to keep it that way, just keep it out of a leather holster, and make sure it is dry. Most of mine live in zip up cases and some of them have been in their cases for decades, no problems yet. Wipe them down occasionally and don't clean them too often, even the shooters. A little carbon residue isn't going to hurt anything and over cleaning can be worse than never cleaning. . . in my opinion anyway. It's nice, enjoy it, it will last longer than we will.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[The Mighty S&W]

No issue at all to keep it that way, just keep it out of a leather holster, and make sure it is dry. Most of mine live in zip up cases and some of them have been in their cases for decades, no problems yet. Wipe them down occasionally and don't clean them too often, even the shooters. A little carbon residue isn't going to hurt anything and over cleaning can be worse than never cleaning. . . in my opinion anyway. It's nice, enjoy it, it will last longer than we will.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Thank you for the menta reinforcement. The guns finish is so beautiful that it almost appears fragile. It’s like touching it makes me nervous as though it’s going to rust within moments. Hahaha! I’ve never owned a firearm with such a beautiful finish.

 

[Birdhunter6]

I'm a dedicated .41 shooter. I have a 4" 58 and a 6" 57. Reloading is a must. The only .44 magnum I own is a lever action.

My 58 was refinished years ago and has seen a lot of holster time since. The 57 was pristine when I got it. I intend to hunt with it so it might not stay that way. My revolvers are mostly shooter grade but I do have a few that are in very nice shape. I do shoot the nice ones, but NEVER holster them. They go out in a padded range bag or pistol rug. Short of an unfired example the nice ones can be shot and will stay nice with proper care.

 

[D Brown]

Gents,

I have been slowly building my collection of Smith & Wesson handguns, and today I stumbled upon a gun that wasn’t even on my radar, but I couldn’t pass it up. My photos don’t do this revolver any justice whatsoever as it looks like brand new in every regard. The original owner was an older fella who said he had purchased it in the 1980’s. He included a set of dies along with some clean spent brass, the original cleaning rod/brush, a nice vintage leather holster, and a box of 210 grain .41 Magnum Gold Dots. I paid $1,100.00 for the whole enchilada. Everything on this gun is tight as can be. Seemed like a decent deal to me considering what the new versions are selling for.

For those of you who own a Model 57, how do you like it compared to say a model 29?

I currently own two Model 57s.

6" Blue Model 57-0

4" Nickel Model 57-1

I really like the Model 57 and I'm always on the lookout for more. That being said, I'm also quite fond of the Model 29 and 629.

If you reload, be sure to pick up some 41 Special brass from Starline. More fun for the 41!

 

[JDBoardman]

The difference between a .44 (actually .429) and a .41 (actually .410) is actually quite small (0.019" in diameter, or less than a .22). The .41 shoots flatter further while the .44 is a rainbow arc. There isn't much functional difference between the two; the .44 kicks harder and the .41 barks louder, but which ever one you choose, you can drop anything short of a Cape Buffalo riding in an armored car, and that won't be a risk on this continent.

 

[dobegrant]

You did very well, I love the .41 and my 57

 

[colt_saa]

I only own a couple of Model 29s because every collection needs one or two.

I can not recall the last time I fired 44 Magnum

I have been a HUGE fan of the 41 Magnum cartridge in general and the Model 57/357/657 revolver family since 1980.

Here is a 10+ year old group photo of some of my 41 Magnums

Over the years, many more have joined the herd, but it just gets too hard to update a group photo. Heck I do not even keep up on the individual photos any longer

One thing that keeps guns looking good while protecting them from finger prints and hand oils is Renaissance wax

 

[The Mighty S&W]

I only own a couple of Model 29s because every collection needs one or two.

I can not recall the last time I fired 44 Magnum

I have been a HUGE fan of the 41 Magnum cartridge in general and the Model 57/357/657 revolver family since 1980.

Here is a 10+ year old group photo of some of my 41 Magnums

Over the years, many more have joined the herd, but it just gets too hard to update a group photo. Heck I do not even keep up on the individual photos any longer

One thing that keeps guns looking good while protecting them from finger prints and hand oils is Renaissance wax

That’s an incredible collection! Perhaps the .41 Magnum isn’t quite as obscure as I previously believed. It seems the cartridge has a healthy following, and even some genuine fans. I look forward to trying mine out. I have enjoyed the .44 Magnums I’’he owned, but everything I keep seeing about the .41 Magnum makes it sound like it might just have some advantages without giving up much.

As for the Renaissance Wax, I suppose I will have to look into it as there are now multiple people recommending it to me here. As I have said before, I intend to use this revolver. It’d be nice if I can keep it looking sharp while doing so.

 

[Ruger 13]

Very nice pistola………I had a 57 several years ago that was a tackdriver that I never should have traded!

 

[Hawg Rider]

My 4" Model 57 is a noticeably softer shooter than my 4" Model 29-2 with full power loads. That's a very nice .41 Magnum!

 

[jcelect]

Mod 57

This is my favorite mod 57! One of 4 made by S&W. Wearing KB grips!

jcelect