Model 57 S Prefix

[Hoptoad]

Greetings,

I'm new to the forum as of today. I have been a 1911 wonk, of the 38 Super variety, until today. I bought my first S&W revolver. It seems to me this is the right forum to join as I learn the ins and outs of my Model 57.

I've been looking for a respectable Model 57 for a while now, having been hooked on the 41 mag cartridge by my Blackhawk 6.5". It's a great shooter but I wanted to try the Smith & Wesson 'cause I believe it will be a big step up and a completely different gun than the Ruger.

My guru is a long time member here and I shot him a note about a Model 57 auction I was watching. He said he thought it looked like an S prefix gun. It is, 1968. Got it. It was not properly described and so it was overlooked. That and the pics were poor. And it has some ugly faux target grips. If the additional pics and the dealer aren't lying, and I think they're not, it is a very low mileage gun with virtually no wear.

I grew up almost next door to the Smith & Wesson plant but have not had one of their guns until now. (I just remembered I had a rather battered Airweight back in the early 70's.) I'm a little stoked about this new acquisition and look forward to enjoyable conversation with members here as time passes.

 

[bamabiker]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on getting the M57.
You do know we like pictures, don't you? When you get it in hand.

 

[kennyb]

welcome to the forum....i have several S&W 41 mags...barrel lengths include 3",4",6",and 7.5" they all shoot fantastic and may just be my fav.caliber....the 41 mag.has about 20% or so less recoil than the 44 mag.one suggestion...reload for this caliber...41 mag.ammo tends to be pricey and scarce....congrats you made an excellent choice!

 

[Hoptoad]

Pics

I'll get pics up as soon as it lands. In the meantime I'll be looking for presentable grips.

And thank you for the welcome.

 

[Hoptoad]

Thanks

welcome to the forum....i have several S&W 41 mags...barrel lengths include 3",4",6",and 7.5" they all shoot fantastic and may just be my fav.caliber....the 41 mag.has about 20% or so less recoil than the 44 mag.one suggestion...reload for this caliber...41 mag.ammo tends to be pricey and scarce....congrats you made an excellent choice!

Thanks for the welcome. I have a set of RCBS carbide dies for the 41 and am in the process of reeling in a Lee factory crimp die. I picked up a good batch of Starline brass and have to find some more boolits. I have only one box of Sierra but, I do have some factory LSWC and HP to work with for a while.

 

[jbs292]

I would love to find a nice 57. It is next on my list

 

[Old TexMex]

Welcome!
I sure like both of my 57s

 

[Hoptoad]

jbs - I've been looking for a while now and just couldn't pass on this. It was a low starting bid for what it was and noone else bid on it. I really got a kinda lowball deal because of the funky pics, lack of description and kinda hideous grips.

Old TexMex - Prettay! Very nice. I'm not yet decided about what to do for grips. I have a thing about ivory and have since I was a kid but not every handgun should wear ivory. I'd like to see a 57 with nice black grips, preferably with a little checkering. But maybe just smooth black ebony. I'll have some fun with this. Maybe a quality synthetic ivory.... BTW I like your stags. Nice work.
And thank you, glad to be here.

 

[teesur]

Hello Hoptoad,
Welcome to the forum. You've come to the right place for Model 57 lovers. There are some folks here who are really
experts and glad to share their knowledge.
Looking forward to pictures of your new gun.
teesur.

 

[weatherby]

Hi and Welcome
I still live close to the factory.
I'm a Stock junkie so I'll be paying close attention to your choice.
Some of my favorites are rosewood or figured diamond targets.
Of course Ivory looks good on anything

 

[Hoptoad]

S&W

Weatherby - I grew up in Wilbraham. Nice wood on yours. Are the grips with checkering rosewood? I'll keep you posted.

 

[weatherby]

That set would be Goncalo Alves.
I was born and raised in Northampton and now live in Feeding hills
so just across the river from S&W

 

[GM4spd]

Hi and Welcome
I still live close to the factory.
I'm a Stock junkie so I'll be paying close attention to your choice.
Some of my favorites are rosewood or figured diamond targets.
Of course Ivory looks good on anything

Paul is that bottom pair K frame? They are nice,Pete

 

[Hoptoad]

Does anyone have pics of ivories (or nice synthetic ivories) on an N frame? You guys are stoking my imagination - which I appreciate.

And if you all wouldn't mind, some info about why the S prefix guns seem to bring a premium would be helpful. I was not aware of this until a few minutes before I bought it. I just knew it was an older piece in very clean condition.

Dave

 

[weatherby]

You asked for it.

 

[RKmesa]

Welcome to a Great Forum!!!

Here is a photo of my 1965 Model 57:



And a couple of N-frames with real ivory on them:

357 Variety:



44 Mag Variety:



I'm looking forward to your photos...

 

[Hoptoad]

Oh Lord, guys! Those are beautiful! Do you find much difference in shootability between the target style grips and the smaller style? I've been shooting my 41 Blackhawk, which evil revolver got me hooked on the 41, and that is not a large grip. I just wish there was more relief between the trigger guard and grip. Wonder how the smaller S&W grip handles.

 

[Hoptoad]

BTW, you guys take good pics.

 

[jubela#4]

First year production.



1968 production with Goncalo Alves diamond targets.



1965 production on top and first year production on bottom.



You may consider trying to find original type grips to go on your gun which would probably be diamond targets for the year your gun was made.

 

[weatherby]

You know Jubela I was born in 64 and it would look good at my place too. Some real beauties you have

 

[jubela#4]

Weatherby,

I understand, they are not easy to find.

 

[Hoptoad]

I really like the Goncalo Alves grips. Nice color and streaking. To me they look very classy and with the 57 that's a good thing. You guys have some fabulous collections.

 

[SuperMan]

Hello Dave....yes it's me Bob who got you into this "mess"...so now we here at the Forums have the newest member to The Cult of the .41....

The .41 with hotter loads will bite a little more with the Service size stocks on it over Targets but since you will really enjoy the gun with 8.0 grains of Unique at 950 fps both grips will work well.

Welcome aboard.....

 

[mkk41]

Oh no!!!!!
Not another brainwashed member of that so-called ".41 mag CULT !!!!

Ya just had to jump right in and start a .41 mag / Model 57 thread , didn't ya?!?!

Welcome aboard! (Ruger's too!)

 

[PFNELKAK]

Hi to all & hoptoad! ! This too is my first day on the
forum and I am also looking at a few. 41 mags. I' ve
been looking now for 6 months to find a nice one.
Gorgeous pics everyone. Two guestions-
1) do they come in ss or just nickel
2) One has a 5.5" barrel which either is a
special order or an original 6.5 and cut down?
I' ll get pics of front site & barrel & s.n.#.
Thanks to all for your fellowship.
Paul

 

[teesur]

If you are looking for something to help tame the hot loads and really looks good, fellow forum member "kurac" makes
custom N and K frame stocks that fit the gun and my hand
better than any stocks I've tried. He's a real craftsman and a good guy to deal with and his stocks are very reasonable.
Here is a 6 inch 57 with a set of his "coke" style smooth target stocks in walnut.
Hope this helps.
teesur.

 

[Hoptoad]

grips

If you are looking for something to help tame the hot loads and really looks good, fellow forum member "kurac" makes
custom N and K frame stocks that fit the gun and my hand
better than any stocks I've tried. He's a real craftsman and a good guy to deal with and his stocks are very reasonable.
Here is a 6 inch 57 with a set of his "coke" style smooth target stocks in walnut.
Hope this helps.
teesur.

Very nice work!

 

[Hoptoad]

I greatly enjoy these pics. All kind of good ideas here for me and your collections are very fine. What a pleasure.

Yes, I have followed SuperMan here. He is my enabler. He found out I had a hankering for a Super and that was it. It all started with a 38 Super. Now I have the 41 affliction. Bad.

Let the good times roll!

 

[Hoptoad]

MKK41 - Very nice. I'm very much looking forward to having fun with the 57. The MO is on the way to the seller. In the meantime I will enjoy the Ruger. I really like the way it handles with the 6.5" barrel.

 

[SuperMan]

Hi to all & hoptoad! ! This too is my first day on the
forum and I am also looking at a few. 41 mags. I' ve
been looking now for 6 months to find a nice one.
Gorgeous pics everyone. Two guestions-
1) do they come in ss or just nickel
2) One has a 5.5" barrel which either is a
special order or an original 6.5 and cut down?
I' ll get pics of front site & barrel & s.n.#.
Thanks to all for your fellowship.
Paul

..welcome aboard....

S&W .41 Magnums "came" in both carbon steel (blue and nickel) and stainless and was called the 657. They came in 4, 6 and 8 3/8" barrels as well as some full underlug Classics and Hunters with 6.5" and 7.5" barrels as well as two limited runs of 3" guns, one standard and one full underlug. Smith reintroduced the blue and nickel 57s in their Classic series a few years ago and they are around. There was also two runs of Mountain Guns, one blue and one stainless that bring big money...

Also remember that one measures a S&W barrel from the muzzle to the forcing cone that is inside the frame window not the shoulder of the frame.

Hopefully U 2 can be a Cult member soon....

Bob