S&W 57

[CLASSIC12]

Sometimes I buy a gun because I found cheap ammo in a caliber I don't have a gun for (yet)

Sometimes I buy a gun because it's been sitting for sale for a long time and feels like a puppy in dire need of adoption

This one ticks both boxes :

Last year I bought this ammo super cheap ($ 110) but didn't have a gun for it. I thought I can either find a gun, of trade / sell the ammo, and I favoured the second option as the last thing I needed was another caliber in my collection

Now if you wonder why anyone would sell this quality ammo so cheap, I believe no one here in Switzerland shoots .41 Magnum, so there's really no demand for it. I love those old green / yellow Remington boxes, brings back a lot of good memories when I first started shooting .44 magnum as a young man

Which then leads to the gun. A year ago, an amateur gun trader I know bought several nice S&W revolvers : a 27-3 in 3.5", a 19-3 in 4", a 29-2 in 8 3/8", a 25-3 in 6" commemorative, a 586-1 in 4", and this 57 in 4"

I was interested in the 27-2 and the 19-3, but after a lot of back and forth horse trading we couldn't find an agreement. Good on him since he sold both fairly rapidly.

However the 57 was stuck with him, and after talking about it a few times end last year, I visited him yesterday to buy some Luger and GP35 mags, and while at it I had him pull out the 57 from the safe.

He had it for sale for over a year, originally at $ 1320.-, we agreed at $ 950.-

The grips are quite reddish so rosewood I suppose ?

Serial number puts it at 1977 I believe

What can I say, I'm weak when it comes to classic P&R Smith & Wesson revolvers. They just don't make them like that anymore

 

[bill-in-texas]

Wow! It was meant to be… or, maybe that's just perfect serendipity.

Thanks for sharing that story and your truly beautiful M-57!

I've had only one .41 Mag, a 1970 Ruger Blackhawk w/ 4 5/8" bbl.
I'm still looking for my .41 Mag N-Frame.
-Bill

 

[CordWood]

The 41 magnum is a great round. I have owned 41s since I was a kid.
My favorite is a 4" blue Model 57. It is a fun gun to shoot and is very accurate.
Enjoy, you have bought a special revolver.
Butch

 

[stansdds]

Very nice Model 57. I suspect the stocks are Goncalo Alves as that particular wood varies considerably in figure and color and was a standard wood for S&W revolver stocks.

 

[SAFireman]

I predict that you will fall in love

That is a very nice example. Now you will have to work on finding dies to begin reloading. The 41 Mag is just a sweetheart of a caliber, if you don't like it, box it all up and send it to me

 

[Hair Trigger]

Yes, the stocks are Goncalo Alves, yes, the gun is from 1977 (the SN is about 1000 earlier than my M27-2, also 1977), yes, you stole the gun, and no, they don't make them like that any more. What a gorgeous revolver!! Not even a visible turn line. Shoot it, enjoy it. It's milder than .44M, but not by much.

I always liked the look of a big-bore 4" N frame, like a bulldog with a bad attitude. Of course, the 6" looks pretty mean, too. Now, you need to find a companion M58 to go with it.

 

[murphydog]

Nice find on both the ammo and gun!

Those 200 210 gr lead SWCs will probably leave lots of lead residue in the barrel. Fortunately you have 300 rounds of jacketed ammo to help clear it out.

 

[Truckman]

It looks like two bargains fell into your hands...Very nice!......Ben

 

[loc n load]

Great acquisition on the 57 & ammo. I carried a 41 mag as a duty weapon back in the 80's, and that factory load was my carry load.
Enjoy your new addition, and you are right. They don't make them like that anymore.

 

[Rlg#17]

Beautiful, just beautiful…. I love the 41 magnums! Even prefer it over the 44's. AND, since I acquired a Henry lever gun in 41 mag I love it even more. An excellent rifle to pair with one of those revolverS!

Enjoy it! Reload for it if you can. It becomes so much more versatile!

Regards, Rick Gibbs

 

[oysterer]

Hopefully not too hot for that beauty.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Beautiful revolver...looks to be unfired and NIB. You didn't mention if the mahogany presentation box came with it, which would be a big plus. These Model 57s were always shipped with the wooden box. In any case, you got an extremely great deal on the ammo and the revolver. A Model 57 in that pristine condition would bring between $1500 and $2000 USD over here. You did very well! Sich erfreuen!

 

[Claymore33]

GO buy a lottery ticket ! You hit HOMERUN on gun and ammo.

 

[series guy]

That was well bought. The .41 Magnum is one of my favorites.

 

[captaint]

I must say, the 41mag is one of my very fav's. In 1981 I found a used mod 57 in the LGS and couldn't resist. I always wanted a 41mag and this mod 57 had the blank diamond around the grip screw. I didn't know a lot then, but I knew that made it an older gun. Done deal. $ 300 bucks later I take it home. Didn't even know what Cokes were then. I was reading here and saw some stuff and went to the safe and "how about that" ? Cokes.
The gun is flawless and I did shoot about 40 handloads thru it. Now I'm afraid to chip the grips.... I know, I'll have to get another one. One I can shoot all I want. So I did. That was about 10 years back and I'm so glad I did that. Both guns are very happy with 6.8 grains of RedDot and my cast 210 gr swc's. Love that 41 mag..

 

[colt_saa]

Beautiful revolver,
I am a huge 41 Magnum fan

As has already been mentioned in this thread, the 210 grin lead load is known for how much it leads

If you can sell them to a cartridge collector you might be better off

But if that is the only way to get brass, then you have no choice

 

[CLASSIC12]

Beautiful revolver...looks to be unfired and NIB. You didn't mention if the mahogany presentation box came with it, which would be a big plus. These Model 57s were always shipped with the wooden box. In any case, you got an extremely great deal on the ammo and the revolver. A Model 57 in that pristine condition would bring between $1500 and $2000 USD over here. You did very well! Sich erfreuen!

No box, just the gun

 

[max]

Years ago (1980?) I taught an adult ed class and was paid $500. I headed to FJ Volmer's and bought a 6 inch nickel 57. I subscribed to 4 gun mags and Skeeter and others spoke highly of the .41. In retrospect, the .44 would have probably been a better choice but I have no regrets. I later bought a used 4 inch blue 57 that I had Smith refinish in nickel.

I think I still have the box of factory ammo I bought when I purchased the first 57. It is really a caliber that demands reloading due to cost, etc. My standard for years has been 7 grains of Unique and a cast swc.

I am sure you will enjoy your 57, they are a wonderful pistol and cartridge.

 

[scott1970]

Congratulations.

I traded into this 57 last week, and it's an extremely sweet shooting gun.