Model 657 , 41 mag price check

[bigheaddaddy]

A local pawn shop has a model 657 / 41 mag / 3" barrel that is calling my name. It is stainless and has the wood grips with the finger grooves and the S&W medallions.

The grips and finish are excellent, and the only flaw I can see is a slight turn line on the cylinder.

Any idea what this one is worth? They have $699 on the tag.

Thanks for your help!

 

[kennyb]

i have carried a 657 3" as a ccw for a good while...mine has been ported,night sights,and an action job and it is indeed a shooter...i love it
the turn line is not considered a flaw all revolvers have these....the price on yours is not bad...enjoy!

 

[bigheaddaddy]

Thanks for the info.

I have been a .41 mag fan for many years. I have a Redhawk (5.5") and a Blackhawk (6.5"), and it looks like I may add a S&W to the collection tomorrow.

 

[kennyb]

yup...it's a great caliber..you will love it !

 

[wheelgun28]

does it look like this

full mag loads are uncomfortable to shoot

I paid about what your price is I did get the box, I think...

yes its got an aftermarket rear sight

 

[Cashdog]

I know the one you're looking at. Almost bought it myself a few weeks back. It's in great shape, and the price isn't too bad. He was firm on it then, as I tried to offer a little less and he wouldn't take it.

 

[Cpo1944]

A local pawn shop has a model 657 / 41 mag / 3" barrel that is calling my name. It is stainless and has the wood grips with the finger grooves and the S&W medallions.

The grips and finish are excellent, and the only flaw I can see is a slight turn line on the cylinder.

Any idea what this one is worth? They have $699 on the tag.

Thanks for your help!

I think that is a very good price,
I might have to buy it.
I only have one .41 and it is my favorite caliber.

 

[Sportsterguy]

I'd snatch it quickly at that price! Love mine and do use it as a carry weapon in the winter and for hiking loaded with 210 gr. Speer Gold Dots. Them S&W combats are pretty but are terrible (painful) when shooting with my small hands. Took mine off before the first shot as I have 4 S&W .41 mags and love the gun and caliber but it's not a .357 in the recoil department.

Go to GunBroker and see what they are going for. Your's is a steal IMO and they are great revolvers with outstanding accuracy for a 3" tube. Buy ya the gear for reloading as it makes em much less inexpensive to shoot.

 

[wyatte]

I also would buy it right now for that price. At first glance, that seems like a lot of money, but for that particular 41 mag, the price is very good. You should see what some of those get on the auction sites. wyatte

 

[SAFireman]

For what I have seen those 3" magnums go for....BUY IT NOW! If I saw it, you would have just seen a blur as I disappeared with it out the door....I have one that I absolutely love, but it is best for someone who has plenty of disposable income or is a reloader....some of the factory ammo is sky high right now. You can make really good reloads for much less....post some photos when you get it home.

Good luck

 

[kennyb]

i wonder if big head took the plunge?

 

[bigheaddaddy]

Yes I did!

I put it on lay-a-way until a few weeks ago until I could sell a safe queen, and I finally found a buyer this weekend.

I'm leaving in a few minutes to go pick up the 657.

I have 1000 rounds of .41 mag (150 freshly loaded) ready and waiting. I imagine the full house loads (20 gr of H-110 / 210 gr XTP) will be a handfull in the 657, so a milder load (8.2 gr Unique / Berry 210 plated FN) should be just right. I'll save the full house loads for the Blackhawk and Redhawk.

I'll post a few picks soon.

Yipeeeee!

 

[kennyb]

congrats bighead!you will love it...i usually run either 7.0 or 8.0 gr.of unique in mine for target shooting...

 

[Sportsterguy]

congrats bighead!you will love it...i usually run either 7.0 or 8.0 gr.of unique in mine for target shooting...

Ditto to what this fine gent said! 7 grains of Unique and a 210 gr. LSWC makes a fine plinking load thats very comfortable to shoot. Keep the round count down on them heavies and it'll last a long time.

Congrats on buying my favorite .41 magnum!

 

[bigheaddaddy]

Thanks!

In my younger days I would shoot the high power loads all day long, but the older I get, I seem to enjoy the mild accuracy loads so much better.

Like I said earlier, the 657 makes my third .41 mag. I was bitten by the .41 mag bug many years ago. I'm a long time Ruger man, and have a 5.5" Redhawk and a 6.5" Blackhawk in the safe.

I'm thinking I may need to add a long barrel S&W .41 mag to the collection. Any recommendations on which model I should get? It must be at least 6" to be considered. It would be used primarily for target shooting, and maybe an occasional deer hunt.

Lead me in the right direction.

 

[Sportsterguy]

I'm with ya on the aging factor. Used to love shooting my 57 with hot loads, my Ruger .338 Win Mag and my 14" TC in .375 JDJ. I haven't shot the Ruger or Contender since two summers ago up in Ohio on groudhogs. Forgot how hard and sharp the Ruger and Contender recoiled. No fun to shoot and actually hurt my back and neck the next few days.

Why not a 6" 57? I shot a buddies 8" nickel 57 against my 6" and the 6" shot just as well and felt better balanced to me than the 8". My old no dash has 38 deer to its name over the years. Used the old Reington factory 210 gr. JSP's for most of them. The six inch barrel rides quite well in an ancient Bianchi shoulder holster and takes deer down with authority. Some really great prices on the longer barreled 57's compared to the shorties.

 

[bigheaddaddy]

A 6" Model 57 may be next on my list.

As promised, here are a couple pics. I didn't have a chance to get to the range today, but I'll be there in the next day or so. I'll let you know how it shoots.

 

[Cashdog]

Very nice. I'm glad another forum member ended up with it. I know it's a nice one.

 

[SuperMan]

...there is now a warrant out for your arrest for THEFT.... A 657 3" in that condition with the original Combats on it is worth every bit of $900+. Congratulations on a great find.

As to your next S&W .41 purchase may I suggest since this will only be your "next" S&W purchase and not your last that you try an 8 3/8" 57 or 657... Reason being as you want at least a 6" gun and already have a 5.5 and 6.5 the fun factor of the 8 3/8" guns is really great. I've been shooting S&W .41s since 1974 and didn't "bother" getting an 8 3/8s till about 5 years ago...what was I thinking... Just a great shooter.

8.0 grains of Unique is my standard "go to" load and runs 950+- fps depending on the bullet used and is extremely accurate...

Bob

 

[bigheaddaddy]

Thanks fellows.

Yes, the 657 is in excellent condition and to me, it doesn't look like it's made many trips to the range. My wife actually thought it was a new one.

I would love to hold one of the 8 3/8" versions. I have a Ruger Bisley 357 with a 7.5" barrel, and I am partial to the longer barrels.

I have been a Ruger man from way back, but I am really impressed with the craftsmanship that went into making the 657. It really is a piece of art, but I promise you that it will spend a lot of time out of the safe.

My only other S&W's are 22's (2213 & the wife's 317 3"). Before falling in love with this 657, I was thinking my next 41 mag would be the 7.5" Ruger Bisley (through Davidson's), but now I am thinking that a longer barrel S&W might be the way to go.

I'll let you know how it shoots later in the week.