New to 41 mag.

[mudbug123]

Back when I was in high-school in the Seventies, I lusted after a model 57 on display in a gun shop near my home. Even if I'd been old enough to purchase it, I never could have afforded it.
Fast forward forty five years...
This past Saturday. I spotted a used model 57 at my LGS. It looked to be in excellent condition. Serial number S237604. I'm not a big collector but I do have a few C&R guns and I do reload. Any information on the gun, reloading, sources for brass, etc will be appreciated. Sorry for the poor quality cell phone pictures.
I did go ahead and buy it (I'm old enough now & can afford it ). Just awaiting "approval " from local law enforcement to bring it home.

 

[SF VET]

I suspect there are quite a few of us who finally obtain a firearm we have always wanted, one that we wished somehow we could acquire back in our youth. Then one day, we run across precisely the rifle or pistol that perhaps we have no need for, but our life circumstances now allow us to acquire. Just to have it.

For me, in the past few yeas, I finally ran across the British Mk5 303 Jungle Carbine I have wanted since I was young teen, and a year ago, decided to find the companion Ruger 44 Mag Carbine to the 1022 I bought in 1965. I reload and shoot both of them.

We get it, and know how this works for us. Nice pistol.

SF VET

 

[D Brown]

Your Model 57 is most likely from the first year of production, 1964. Very nice gun!

Congratulations!

ETA:

Starline is your best source for both 41 Magnum and 41 Special brass.

 

[Birdhunter6]

Welcome to the .41 tribe. You won't be disappointed.

I've been shooting a 58 since the early 80s. I waited until 2020 before adding my 6" 57 no dash. It's a joy to shoot also.

Starline is your best bet for new brass. My 58 likes a Berry 210 grain plated flat point over 231. For the 57 I've acquired Sierra 210 grain hollow points and 2400 as a starting point but haven't loaded any yet. I'm really happy with the way it shoots the Hornady 190 grain FTX load. Strangely that ammo has been available locally this year. When it comes in I buy all I can.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Beautiful revolver, and the SN does put it in the first year of production, 1964. I can't tell for sure, but the S&W roll stamp on the side plate looks a bit washed out, like it has been re-blued. The edges should be nice and crisp. But for that year gun, I don't think the price tag is too much. I gave $1300 for a 1968 S M57 two years ago, and it didn't have the original (or even factory) stocks with it.

Like D Brown said, Starline is good brass, it's what I use, but factory ammo will be rather difficult to come by, and not cheap when you find it.

 

[22hipower]

Looks like it just left the factory; very, very nice. Looks like someone changed out the "cokes" that it would originally have worn but those look like very nice diamond targets. For not too much more than their value you can find a set of cokes. Here's mine about 600 SNs later than yours. Whatever brass you can find will be good. I load on the milder side for my 41s; its an easy round to load. Enjoy.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2n2CG74 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[steelslaver]

I think it is the photos that give the S&W trademark the wash out look. I would not bee surprised to learn that model 57s are one of models most often found in near new condition.

Nice gun nice round, an easy any to reload for, I would get a mold to cast bullets for it

 

[amarin]

Welcome to the forum and especially the .41 Magnum bunch! I've had .41's since the early 70's and enjoy shooting them. I know you will have years of enjoyment over your purchase. Very nice Model 57.

 

[ACP230]

I second StarLine as a source of brass.

I shot some bowling pin matches with some of my
.41 Magnums. Launched the pins impressively with
215 or 220 LSWC bullets and Unique powder to drive
them. Lots of fun.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Soon after college, I bought my first S&W revolver (around 1978, during the Dirty Harry era). Model 29s were scarce as hen's teeth, but I did find a brand spankin' new blued 4" Model 57 in the mahogany presentation case at a local gun shop for a good price. My roommate at the time had a 6" Python, so we set up a very basic reloading bench with an RCBS single stage press. We reloaded a bunch of ammo for the .41 Magnum and .357 Magnum, trying all different types of bullets and powder. Both were great shooters and seemed to like everything we loaded. Although I currently own quite a few more .44 Magnums and .357 Magnums than I do .41 Magnums, I actually prefer shooting the Model 57. What a great revolver and what an under appreciated caliber. Your first year Model 57 is beautiful and has really nice stocks- it's too bad that someone scavenged its original Coke Bottle stocks. You could always correct that sometime down the road if you wanted. Enjoy!

 

[GypsmJim]

My Dad started deer hunting back in the 1930's. Shotguns were the only legal deer gun then, so he bought a 12 gauge. He used his venerable old Parker double barrel until into his 70's. When carrying the old girl became a bit much for him, and he could only walk about 50 yards out into the woods, he bought a Model 57. He bought it in the early 1990's for $385. (He never told Mom how much he actually paid....LOL)

Both of these firearms are the centerpieces of my collection.

I loaded .41 mag (starting for him) in about 1994, and I personally started loading .41 Spl. last year. All Starline brass.

Other than hunting loads, Dad liked the mild recall of a Lee 175 gr. I have a mold, but I don't think they make that one any more. I water drop them, coat with Liquid Alox and size them to 0.410. They are simply a tack driver.

My favorite store bought bullet is a Hoosier 215 gr. HiTek coated. I tried Berry's 210 plated and they measured out to 0.409 and the accuracy was lousy. Used the rest of the batch for tin cans.

ALL reloads were with Unique. I recently made trials with HP38 / W231 and that looks like an excellent second choice.

 

[jrm53]

You will never regret the model 41 mag, I have a 657 83/8" a 6" blue and another 83/8" blue. I like them better than the model 29 .44s but then I like S&W's, you can never have too many. Jeff

 

[629shooter]

Congrats on the 57.

I also use Starline brass, and have had great success with Barry's bullets over Unique powder. For a little more excitement, and/or hunting I load the 210 gr. Hornady XTP over H110.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[DR505]

Great acquisition I really like the .41 magnum cartridge. For hunting I uses these Cast Performance 265 grain WLNGC bullets. I also use Starline brass.