Model 57 - finally a photo!

[WVfishguy]

It's Saturday, the wife and I went drove 50 miles to the Charleston, WV, gun show, picked up the Model 57 no dash while we were in town.

Serial number N6695XX, made in 1979-1980
I took it home and gave it a good cleaning. I took off the Pachmayrs, put on the cocobolo Herretts, and shot the photo (wish I had a better camera). I have a set of set of smooth S&W targets for this gun, and I may use them.

This gun is actually better than I remembered. Target trigger, target hammer. There appears to be NO wear on any of the bluing, not even on the end of the muzzle. This revolver has never been in a holster.

It appears the original owner fired a few rounds, saw the price of .41 magnum ammo, and put the gun away.

This is the best $530 I've ever spent. Really, it's too good for a clod like me. (My wife gets mad when I say that, but she has a mint nickle 1968 Colt Python, among several others, and NOTHING is too good for her).

Fed Ex brought 1,000 rounds of brass and 500 .41 bullets yesterday. I bought a powder measure at the gun show today, and my .41 dies arrived while we were gone. I'm set to reload 41. magnums tomorrow.

This is my first .41 magnum.

HOT PUPPIES, I'M EXCITED!

 

[bgrafsr]

You will like it. I load W-W 296 behind jacketed hollow points for my stout loads and I believe either 2400 or Unique with my cast lead swc's. Nice looking gun.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Nice six gun ya got there and a good photo too! I was just introduced to the .41 Mag a few years ago and it has turned out to be one of my favorite calibers for the way out there stuff. Enjoy!

 

[Iggy]

Looks like a dandy.

You done good!!

 

[bronco45]

Beautiful specimen of a great revolver. Are the grips pictured Herretts?

If so how did you get them?

 

[WVfishguy]

Beautiful specimen of a great revolver. Are the grips pictured Herretts?

If so how did you get them?

Yes they are Herretts cocobolo, bought from CDNN. Not available just now, but possibly later.

 

[TDC]

Very good lookin' '57, WVfishguy,

Mod. 57s have long been one of my favorite hunting guns. It's a caliber that's finally being recognized for its true potential...

If a guy re-loads that can open up a whole new world of power and accuracy for the .41 Mag. Congratulations on a great gun purchase and an excellent caliber choice!

 

[n4zov]

You will like it. I load W-W 296 behind jacketed hollow points for my stout loads and I believe either 2400 or Unique with my cast lead swc's. Nice looking gun.

+1 20.0 grains of 296 behind the Sierra 210 grns JHP is a great load that won't beat you and gun to death.

 

[NT430]

Nice Gun!! The Model 57 was a "Top of the Line" S&W...& you found a good one....Let us know how it does for you....
Thanks for sharing...

 

[Dostum]

Outstanding; thanks for sharing. You stole that one! Gotta love an old N-frame, and .41 is a great caliber. I tested handloads for a buddy w/6" 657, and that thing shot cloverleaves at 25 yards from the bench. Time to find one for me!

 

[ko41]

Very nice 57 WVfishguy.

I thought I found myself a nice early N s.n. 4" nickel 57 w/ papers and wood presentation case yesterday at the Sioux Falls gun show. I was just about ready to make the gentleman an offer when I looked at the price tag again, this time with my glasses on, what I thought was $650.00 was actually, as written...... 11 65.00 oops, ah, thank you for letting me look at your fine revolver .

KO

 

[Geronimo Jim]

GREAT GUN AND A GREAT BUY. CONGRATULATIONS

 

[GF1]

You've been bitten, there's no going back! I have 3 M57s (4", 6" and 8 3/8"). Got rid of my M29 after falling in love with the first M57, don't miss it a bit. The .41 Magnum is the perfect cartridge for the N frame Smith & Wesson revolver. The only thing I've done to my guns is trim up the target grips to better fit my hand (cut off about 3/16" from the bottom, rounded the bottom, shaved a bit off the inside of them).

I've been loading the .41 for almost 30 years, have settled on a stout load of 2400 powder, std primers, 210 grain bullets (jacketed or hard cast), good crimp (though not as much as needed for the ball powders). I've tried most of the other powders, always came back to 2400. Very accurate.

 

[true fire]

nice find also like grips very fine looking 41 good luck with it

 

[Sportsterguy]

My all time favorite S&W and caliber. I too have 3. You did great on that deal! Don't Sell It! Ever!

 

[MSgt G]

Nice looking Smith! I love the grips too.