Model 58, Is there any excitment for these?

[Rule3]

Well you bunch of enablers "made me do it" I put a down payment on the M 58 today. I took some "crummy" cell phone pics but did not save them Gotta wait 30 days (pawn shop rules)

What confuses me is it is a N2616** But by the SC of SW that serial number put it at 1974-1977* there is a asterix with a explanation, but the guns where only made from 1964 to 1968 (page 221) So I have no idea what year it is???

 

[StatesRightist]

Well you bunch of enablers "made me do it" I put a down payment on the M 58 today. I took some "crummy" cell phone pics but did not save them Gotta wait 30 days (pawn shop rules)

What confuses me is it is a N2616** But by the SC of SW that serial number put it at 1974-1977* there is a asterix with a explanation, but the guns where only made from 1964 to 1968 (page 221) So I have no idea what year it is???

It makes us feel better to have company in our gun rich, cash poor world....lol.

 

[Art Doc]

There's nothing magic about the 41 Magnum. It's simply the 44 Magnum reduced by about 15%. Ammo and bullets for loading are more available for the 44 than the 41 and there isn't anything the 41 can do that the 44 doesn't do about 15% better.

The caliber has devout followers. Good for them. But the 41 never really took off and as a police gun (as the 58 was intended) it was an abysmal failure.

I have a 58 that I bought back around 1988 or so. Paid $189 for it from a PA wholesaler. It was supposed to be a police trade-in but I have no idea from which agency. I have never figured out exactly what it is good for. Too big really for carry. The fixed sights limit its usefulness as a sporting pistol. Recoil is heavy for a smaller person or neophyte shooter. I keep it as an oddity.

I also have a 4" nickel M57. Was looking for a 29 in that configuration when I found the 57 priced at $325 and couldn't resist.

 

[NFrameFred]

What confuses me is it is a N2616** But by the SC of SW that serial number put it at 1974-1977* there is a asterix with a explanation, but the guns where only made from 1964 to 1968 (page 221) So I have no idea what year it is???

I think you've mis-read the info - production ceased on the 58's around 1977-78.

 

[Rule3]

I think you've mis-read the info - production ceased on the 58's around 1977-78.

I be confused. My book says:

SC of SW 3rd Edition top right corner of page , Engineering and production changes

58 (1964) Intro as Sxxxx
1969 M 58 discontinued.

 

[NFrameFred]

I be confused. My book says:

SC of SW 3rd Edition top right corner of page , Engineering and production changes

58 (1964) Intro as Sxxxx
1969 M 58 discontinued.

The book seems to contradict itself in the previous column, production extended to '77 maybe ending with the 'dash one' ? I guess production of the "58" may have been halted for a while - I'm sure someone will chime in with the skinny soon. I can see where one would be confused, but the serial numbers back up the thru '77 date.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

I going to be honest, I never heard of the .41 until I came here. Also, ammunition is hard to find for this gun and that is the only reason why I would not own one. Neat to see though. If a 58 is what you like, then so be it. Cult? There is other calibers that are scarce and people collect guns in those calibers so I would not call it a cult.

James

 

[Rule3]

The book seems to contradict itself in the previous column, production extended to '77 maybe ending with the 'dash one' ? I guess production of the "58" may have been halted for a while - I'm sure someone will chime in with the skinny soon. I can see where one would be confused, but the serial numbers back up the thru '77 date.

Thank you. I see that now. I would imagine that the serial number indicates the correct year. I seem to remember a thread in the Lounge were we (members) requested not a new addition but perhaps an update or revision page, primarily with values and correcting known errors. Even if it was just a on line PDF file or something that would not cost a lot.

Regards

 

[Art Doc]

I have the letter for the one I posted above. Shipped in 1977 (I didn't realize it may be last year of production and makes me wonder how close it is to the last one). No way the 58 was dropped in 1969.

 

[jtcarm]

I've owned 2 58's (a 57, a Ruger NMBH and a 12" contender barrel). traded them of for something else along the way. Wish they'd have made the 58 a .45......

Yep, a m22 or 21 heavy barrel would be a dream come true..

Too bad the fixed sight N frames (and pretty much all the non-magnums) went out of regular production in the 60s, or we might have seen them.

 

[Rule3]

I have the letter for the one I posted above. Shipped in 1977 (I didn't realize it may be last year of production and makes me wonder how close it is to the last one). No way the 58 was dropped in 1969.

What color lipstick do you put on yours?

I am ordering dies, brass and bullets today. Yet another caliber to keep track of Other than the SW 500 I think that's all of them.

 

[frankw]

The .41 magnum was the first cartridge I ever loaded for also. Sitting at the kitchen table with a little Lee Loader and some 2400 powder. I was young and freshly married.
I had bought a Ruger Blackhawk a few years earlier (1968) and wanted to reload for it.
My BIL was a Deputy and carried a nickled 4" Model 58 in a Jordan holster. He took me behind his house several times and we gave that gun a workout. I always have loved the .41 magnum.
Sadly I have never owned a S&W .41, I have a Blackhawk, Redhawk and Contender barrel and have taken a good many whitetail deer with that caliber and it has always performed great.
Marriage, raising kids and then the opportunity to retire early has always wedged itself between me and the 58 I always wanted.
It is still on my bucket lists but my how the prices have soared.

 

[max]

I traded for this beat up nickel 58 at the Richmond SWCA meeting from our forum owner Lee. I sent it back to S&W and had them renickel it. Now it is too pretty to shoot.

 

[motocop]

I just bought one about 5 minutes ago. Ive been reading this thread and found one for a good price. I have never had a .41. mag. Now for the ammo hunt.

 

[semperfi71]

For me the M58 shines as a carry gun in the woods. The sights are rugged, and the round poweful enough for almost anything.

Most of my handguns get one load and I stay with it so adjustable sights are not necessary in a lot of my use.

In its day, even the "Police Load" with the lead 210 grain bullet at somewhere about 850 fps (I have heard it actually chronoed faster) was too much for a number of cops, and size in the human does not equate to an ability to handle recoil.

A good number of police departments went to the .41 but they quickly dropped it. Adjustable sights were the rage in the sporting industry so the fixed sight guns (any fixed sight gun) lanquished. Ten or so years ago M58's were quite cheap and usually in very good shape.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Rule3, you will like that gun. My son is the only person I have ever run across that doesn't care for it, mostly because it looks lik a S&W #10...he doesn't like those either. I do not recall dropping him on his head as a child, but my wife did once.

 

[Rule3]

I just bought one about 5 minutes ago. Ive been reading this thread and found one for a good price. I have never had a .41. mag. Now for the ammo hunt.

In my search for brass I was looking at Cabellas. They have the HSM Bear loads, box of 50. It ain't cheap but and if you spend $99 free shipping.

Ammo to go is less but have to add the shipping cost

Ammunition To Go : 50rds - 41 Mag DRS 220gr. Lead Round Nose Ammo [DRS41MAG220LRN] - $28.95


Cabela's: HSM Bear Load Handgun Ammunition

 

[robbt]

hi guys , sory I cannot post pictures of my nickel 58 with Farrant grips today photobucket is not allowing to to resze uploaded pictures today , perhapd tomorrow ,I really wanted to join the modedl 59 club today ,
robbt

PS ;
anyone else having any trouble the photobucket ???

 

[Badkarma 1]

It was because of this particular forum that I went on a model 58 hunting spree! I found one at a local gun show for $650, it had a problem with "push off" but I had my local gunsmith fix it and give it an electroless nickel finish.
I have several post on here about "The Fightin 58" and at the local range it's known as "The Beast" as it tends to silence the hi-cap 9mm/.40 crowd!
I've stocked up on Win. Silvertips for it and in winter it's my go to piece. It has all but replaced my 10mm...and that's saying something! Dale

 

[Art Doc]

"...I had my local gunsmith fix it and give it an electroless nickel finish.

Oh dear God...