New to me 657 no dash Leupold 4x

[oysterer]

Walked in to my friendly neighborhood LGS just making sure I don't miss anything... Good decision. There was a Smith 657 no dash, never cleaned gummed up but not much fired other than on a hunt or 2. I have never owned a stainless smith and thought I may give this one a run for the money. I don't need it and after much haggling, tire kicking and 7 bens exchanged, I was on my way. 4 power is perfect, as much as I can hold steady. I totally disassembled, cleaned. The action is so butter smooth, it accepted a 11 lbs return spring. Stainless is a little softer than carbon steel and I think that is the reason action, trigger etc turn out so smooth. Shoots like a laser.

I set up for 25 yards rested on a bag. Knowing how well 8.4 gr. of HS-6 do in my 44 spl, I made up a few 8gr. HS-6 CCI 350 210 Gr. Sierra JHC loaded in 41 spl cases. First 18 rounds I shot made a big hole after the initial few rounds fouling the barrel. Adjusted POA down and shot my old standard load of 5.4 gr. W231 and also got very great accuracy. I will try a little more grains of HS-6 and I expect to be in the same hole. Happy with it!!!

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

That's an excellent deal, considering that Leupold scope will sell used for $200 easily, is probably the highest quality handgun scope on the market, and a fixed x4 power is ideal for medium sized game with a big bore revolver.

 

[ctxcummins]

Man that is gorgeous. Nice buy

 

[Dieseltech56]

I would buy that scope if you ever decide to sell it. Definitely worth $200 in my opinion.

Was a 657 of that vintage drilled and tapped from the factory?

 

[oysterer]

I would buy that scope if you ever decide to sell it. Definitely worth $200 in my opinion.

Was a 657 of that vintage drilled and tapped from the factory?

Thanks for your nice comments. The original rear sight gone missing but the drilling was done well, no complaints. It was definitely not drilled from the factory. The scope has some scratches from Bubba moving it without releasing the mounts enough but that all cleaned up quite alright. You still see some marks on image 3. I went over the scope and gun with a little flitz carefully, mounted the glass the way it should be and all in all I am super happy. Plus it is a very very accurate shooting gun, especially once I feel out the limits of the load. There is a certain magic to this one and the grips are very pretty too. My resistance to stainless guns is now done, right at a time when I wanted to stop buying stuff.

 

[75Vette]

That's a beautiful gun and really nice overall set up with the Leupold. I've been tempted by many a 41 Mag but resisted not wanting to load another caliber. Great shooting and congrats!

 

[CLASSIC12]

Congratulations, beautiful gun and setup with that Leupy scope.

 

[kennyb]

my fav.caliber...congrats!

 

[AveragEd]

I have Leupold 4x handgun scopes of the same vintage as my Gen I T/C Contender Super 14 on its barrels. The one on my 7mm T/CU barrel is a target scope with the high elevation turret. I like them all but would go with lower power scopes or variables if I was doing it over again. Scopes of that magnification are hard to hold steady offhand - a 1-4x variable would be a much better choice.

Ed

 

[colt_saa]

Congratulations on a fine addition

Smith and Wesson's 41 Magnum revolvers have always proven to be exceptionally accurate

My first stainless 41 Magnum was stunbled upon at a Gun Show 23 years ago.

Obviously it has the 8 3/8" barrel, is wearing a 2x scope and came with a beautiful leather shoulder rig as well.

 

[oysterer]

I have Leupold 4x handgun scopes of the same vintage as my Gen I T/C Contender Super 14 on its barrels. The one on my 7mm T/CU barrel is a target scope with the high elevation turret. I like them all but would go with lower power scopes or variables if I was doing it over again. Scopes of that magnification are hard to hold steady offhand - a 1-4x variable would be a much better choice.

Ed

I have this one which I love, 29-6 with a 2.5 - 8x. I shoot this gun from a bag to 100 yards and I end up dialing it in at 5-6x. The 4x is also great. I lime it and do not feel I like to go lower when shooting between 25 and 100 yards. The 2.5-8 is also great, just pure fun. It has a bigger diameter and lets more light in.

 

[jrm53]

I have a 8.375 657 like colt ssa has in the above post and I was lucky to find a S&W shoulder holster that fits it like a glove and it is open on the front just enough to accommodate the scope. It was in a pawn shop and I was able to check the pistol in it check the fit. Jeff