Model 58 Identification Help

[focsle]

Hello everyone. My first post here and I am already asking for help. The story, a very good friend recently passed away and his will gave me a handful of handguns. One of which is this S&W Model 58. I have looked, but cannot find any similar handgun out there looking to put a value on it of some sort. Seems to be rather new, so it doesn't appear to be an older model.
Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[P&R Fan]

Welcome from Iowa.
Although S&W has recently been making the M58 again in their Classic Series, that looks like an old one. It has no lock, so that's what it appears to be.The M58 was made from 1964 to 1978. If you tell us the serial number from the bottom of the butt we can tell you the year it was made.
If it is drilled for the scope mount that will detract from value, as will refinishing.

 

[Sebago Son]

Howdy...

Yup. That's a 58. A heavily modified 58, but the real deal.

They look like this...

Give us an idea of the serial number (blank out the last two numbers with an x) and we can give you some idea of when it was made...

Drew

 

[focsle]

Thanks for the welcome and a shout back from the panhandle of Alaska.

Wow, the real deal huh, somebody sure modified it. Flat black finish, Hogue grips, serrated trigger add-on etc, etc...

Got the grip off...S2593XX.

 

[G-Mac]

Got the grip off...S2593XX.

S-series is an older one. Slightly more desireable to a collector in some cases, but in this case, I'd say that with the non-standard finish, it's been reduced to "shooter" status. Somebody else will be more precise on the year...

 

[P&R Fan]

Born the same year as me, 1965.

 

[SAFireman]

s259xxx would be a first year gun if memory serves....what was he using it for?

 

[focsle]

...what was he using it for?

From what I could tell, home defense. The scope is for up close and personal with the red dot. He was one to have something bedside, by the front door, in his pocket, etc...

Take the scope off and it will make a nice shooter as mentioned, maybe something for the sweetie. She is retired from Fish and Game and always carried a wheel gun in the woods and streams, counting fish spawning. Gave her an automatic once, but she was uncomfortable with it, so went back to a .357 for her around the house.

From what I've briefly read, the old police load worked quite well. Is anyone loading something comparable today that would work? I don't load, so I'm buying off the shelf and don't want her to use loads that make it uncomfortable to shoot. Thanks.
Mark

 

[TDC]

Mark,

I'm sure you've discovered a bit of the history of the Mod 58 by now. It was originally targeted to police departments as a fixed sight duty gun that would elevate officers to more power than a 38/357 could provide.

They weren't successful in their intended use. In many peoples opinion, including my own, it was because they weren't offered with a light loaded "Special" type factory produced practice ammo acceptable to the average LEO.

I used a 41 Mag Mod 57 for duty and competition, the 58s all-target counterpart, and was always amazed the caliber didn't find more favor with law enforcement.

Several of us would buy Mod. 58's because the cost for the gun was ridiculously low. We would convert them to target pistols using 4 and 6" bull barrels and install Bomar Sight Ribs. We'd add a set of quality custom stocks or Pachmayr Grips and would have the sweetest shooting 41 Mags imaginable.

Today the 58s have become a unique and very collectible handgun. What you seem to have is a 58 someone took the time and effort to upgrade and personalize to a better functioning handgun. It may have lost some of its collector potential but who cares... I have a feeling your 58 shoots much better than the run-of-the-mill Mod 58...

IMHO, you have one of the "best bang for the buck" pistols S&W has ever produced... Enjoy it.......

 

[Combat_Diver]

focsle,

Welcome from another 58 owner. Georgia Arms makes an equilvent load.
Georgia Arms - .41 REM MAG

You can also dupicate it if you reload with a 215 gr cast LSWC with 8 grs of Unique.

CD