The 'unofficial' 58 Club

I love my 58, I have coveted one for years. I like the weight, the heft, and the clean lines. However, I would be VERY UNLIKELY to issue them to everyone who works for me...while no handgun is a one size fits all solution, many others are better in that application for LEO duty use than the 58
 
SAFireman- Please refer to post #4. I've had a 58 for 22 years and I am quite familiar with this model.

I offer no complaints only opinions and fact. In my opinion the 58 is not particularly well suited for any particular purpose. There is nothing it can do that another gun can't do better. It is a fact that as a LE weapon it was a failure.

Its short production run and low popularity causing small numbers to be manufactured makes it interesting to collectors. Many like it because it was a failure. Hence the cult label.
 
Well, I'll add my 2 cents worth: like SaxonPig, I really can't figure out a serious use for the 58. That said, after playing with my Dad's for a few years, I bought a very nice one off a table at a San Antonio show a few years back for $300 OTD. That, after searching for a reasonably priced sample for quite some time. It needed the proper stocks, which were acquired locally. It simply has an aura of business, sort of like a 1917. I reload for both 58s and they shoot much better than they should. In fact, I recently bought a few NIP Safariland speedloaders for N-framed .41s while rooting through the back room of an Edmonton, AB gunshop while on a layover. No doubt--I'm keeping mine, mainly because it's cool!
 
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A serious use for a S&W #58? This one goes with me when I pick black berries in the north Georgia mountains.

58cylinderandbarrel.jpg
 
Perhaps I should have clarified for those that like to argue that an N frame/Model 58 is not suiteable for a lawmans work tool. It isn't for real policemen anyhow.
 
No photo but last year, I picked up a S.F.P.D. Model 58 revolver from a retired S.F.P.D. officer. He was also selling his off-duty handgun, a S & W Model 39-2 9mm L. I didn't want to break up the set up so both of them came home with me. They will have a place on honor in my collection and I won't be selling them off..... The one strange thing was that they also came with an extra set of N frame Target Grips that are still marked with the SFPD tag on them......
 
SAFireman said:
Welcome back into the fold brother....can't wait to see the photos when you get her home....and a range report will solidify your position here :) Did you get the one that was listed in the classifieds?
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Yes....that's the one
 
I went to a show a few weeks ago intending to buy a "S" series 58 that I had talked to the seller about a few days before the show. I had seen the gun before and he had come down to $650. I intended to buy the gun when I got there but he had just sold it even though I told him I was coming to get it. "I didn't know if you were gonna show up" was his excuse. He also had a nice T-series High Power for $600 that I bought instead. I took this to show to my friend and fellow forum member Hoot and he said "Did you bring this to trade for the nickel 58?" Huh? "What nickel 58?" I showed him the High Power and he showed me the 95% plus nickel 58 and I gave him $50 and the High Power and took the nickel 58 home. Stranger things have happened. I still have my old SAPD 58 also. I just wish I hadn't sold the 58 I carried back in the late 60's and early seventies when I walked the beat. Weight didn't matter back then.
 
SaxonPig said:
SAFireman- Please refer to post #4. I've had a 58 for 22 years and I am quite familiar with this model.

I offer no complaints only opinions and fact. In my opinion the 58 is not particularly well suited for any particular purpose. There is nothing it can do that another gun can't do better. It is a fact that as a LE weapon it was a failure.

Its short production run and low popularity causing small numbers to be manufactured makes it interesting to collectors. Many like it because it was a failure. Hence the cult label.
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There is one area that the model 58 was superior. When the model 57 cost $150 the model 58 cost $87.00. That was a lot of money at the time. My first .41 was a Ruger Blackhawk that I paid $87.50 for in 1965. I later traded it off on a Beretta 20 Ga Double Shotgun. In 1973 I bought a 6" model 57 and I bought my model 58 in 1978. At the time I was doing field work in Alaska and the model 58 was more comfortable to carry in a cross draw holster that the 57 was in a shoulder holster. After I left Alaska an unarmed USGS Geologist had a black bear attack her and she lost both arms as a result. Here is a photo of my model 58.

P1040435.jpg
 
I have read repeatedly that part of the .41 magnum's decent into nitch status was the fact that they made hunting ammo for the 57 and police duty use ammo for the 58, but too many people were buying the hunting ammo for the 58's and cops siad recoil was too fierce. 58's came with magnas and had no intention of hot and heavy loads although they could. So just like how (and this is IMHO) overly hot, no matter how well they worked, 125 grain magnums killed the K frame magnums, hunting ammo killed the 58's chance at popularity. I hear enough how just because the 19/66 say .357 on the side then by God that's what they are going to be fed. And go figure (like I'm getting into a habit of posting here) S&W dropped new combat magnum barrels from production. So too many people fired ammo the 58 wasn't made for (not that it hurt in in this case) but they all complained to no end of recoil, and they were dropped. But for hunting the .41 magnum and the .44 magnum are so similar that there isn't enough separation from the two to justify enough people to jump on the 57's bandwagon. The best most can say is that anything a .44 can do then so can a .41 and that isn't enough when you can load .44 specials and have dozens of factory loads to choose from. So maybe calling it the .41 magnum and not the .41 Police is what killed it. The 58 was made as a beefed up model 10 and was supposed to just offer more power to those that felt they needed it. Making a hunting version of the same gun and offering hunting ammo may just have been the finishing kill shot.

Either way, I would still like one at some point. I think it looks very down to business with the M&P look to it.
 
As the 58 should have been made

Forgive me but this is how the 58 should have looked. Sort of like S&W finally realizing that the Second Model HE was not quite right and needed to be improved to the Third and then Fourth Model with the barrel shroud.



Keith
 
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Here's my month of february/2011 purchase. Its a brand new S&W m58 41mag in nickel finish, its my new CCW gun. I hung up the 9mm's when i looked at the ballastics again. I always carried the wheel guns in magnums before. I paid only $699 for it. I also purchased a brand new S&W M57 w/6" barrel in nickel too, in january/2011. I put the pachmayer presentation grips on my m57 and put the m57 orginal wood grips on my new m58. I'm not sure yet which new S&W i want next for the month of march yet. But i may go for the S&W 657 in 41mag in stainless or the S&W M57 4" in 41mag in nickel too. I want both anyway. Since my dealer has all of them in 41mag and with most marked $699 i can't pass these up. At this price i can look past the key hole for sure. I picked up some Cor-Bon hunting ammo in 41mag its 1250fps/850ftlbs i use these as my carry rounds right now. I also picked up some new federal ammo in 41mag also which is a tad lower in ballastics. With the 41mag ammo being hard to find at times i picked up 900rds of brass, the lee carbide dies and a lee pro1000 set up for 41mag too. When my dealer told me its the first time he has the 41mag ammo in two years i figure to stock up on everything to stay ahead. Bill
 

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here's my 58 was my fathers r.i.p. he carried when i was young we had property backed up to the mountians he saw a bear once. i was about 7ish when i first fired it. was in total aw' still am what a brute. i like odd not every has one things.havent had it out for years.picked up a wittness p 45 acp looked at it at home and thats not a gun this is a gun. just dug it back out and fell back in love its blue and has harrett grips i maybe a fool but ordered s&w rosewoods today dress it up. any comment about that ill understand just wanted s&w grips. pick up some silver tips $$ wow is been a while. but this is a only live once world and in my hood i think this will stop them at the door. going to take to the range and see how it handels,haha. have a 586 357 also nib maybe carry that
 

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This thread makes me want to dig out my 58 that was purchased in early 1970's, but hasn't been fired in 20 years.
 
Geronimo Jim said:
This thread makes me want to dig out my 58 that was purchased in early 1970's, but hasn't been fired in 20 years.
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Jim,

Did that 'ol boy out and give it a work out...I bet that you can't put it down....if that's not the case, let me know and I'll PM you my address ;)
 
any question on dumping the harrett girps for some new s&ws just what to know what you all think
 
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My wife calls my 58 my "Barbie gun" cause I change stocks like Barbie changes shoes....
I have N frame Targets, Rogers, and right now she is wearin' Elkhorn stocks by forum member Executioner along with a Smith and Wesson branded T grip.
I like your Harrett stocks, they look great on your 58...but having several pair ain't ever a bad idea....HOWEVER, if you decide to sell the Harrett's, you know how to reach me....:)
 
cprher said:
Forgive me but this is how the 58 should have looked. Sort of like S&W finally realizing that the Second Model HE was not quite right and needed to be improved to the Third and then Fourth Model with the barrel shroud.

BowenModel58in45Colt001.jpg

BowenModel58in45Colt002.jpg


Keith
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I do like that shrouded barrel and front sight....real nice carry gun...
 
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