The 'unofficial' 58 Club

[policerevolvercollector]

C'mon in Charles!

Thanks! It is nice to be part of such an elite group!!

 

[SuperMan]

Hard to find a gunsmith that will work on Smiths anymore . Both Bowen and Clements have decided to stop working on them . I had known that Bowen had stopped but I thought Clements still would work on them . I emailed him about a conversion job on a Smith and he told me he had quite doing Smiths .

Jack Hunting is still doing custom Smith work. He just turned a Model 53 into a .327 Federal...

JRH Advanced Gunsmithing

 

[SuperMan]

Thanks! It is nice to be part of such an elite group!!

.."elite group"....no just a sub-Cult of a bunch of .41 Loonies...

Welcome aboard...Bob

 

[SAFireman]

A request to update your photos here

Gentlemen,

I just spent some time going through all 24 pages of this thread and updated all of my posts that had defunct photobucket links.

Please take a few minutes to update your photos here so that we can keep the thread alive and well.

Keep posting up your 58's

Here are some pics of my 1st year Model 58 in a smooth leather S&W brand holster.

 

[SAFireman]

A recent addition....

Well, some of you guys have probably seen my WTB ad for a Jovino 657 or 57 that has been running for what seems like a loooooong time. A kind and thoughtful member (enabler ) pointed out an auction to me and this is what I found.

Now, please excuse that it does not still have the proper form (58 frame, 4" non-lug barrel, 41 mag goodness), but I think that it still qualifies for the club.

This gun started life as did every other 58, but somewhere along the way somebody made it better! They round butted it, the original barrel was removed, a shortened and chopped 57 barrel was installed. Also, the hammer was bobbed, and the trigger rounded and polished. It has had a wonderful action job as well. I added the Pachmayers because the stocks that were on it when I bought it were horrible. We have had a single range session together, but there will certainly be more in our future.

What do y'all think? does she still qualify as a 58?

Here is with new shoes and a range session under her belt.

 

[Frank V]

Well, some of you guys have probably seen my WTB ad for a Jovino 657 or 57 that has been running for what seems like a loooooong time. A kind and thoughtful member (enabler ) pointed out an auction to me and this is what I found.

Now, please excuse that it does not still have the proper form (58 frame, 4" non-lug barrel, 41 mag goodness), but I think that it still qualifies for the club.

This gun started life as did every other 58, but somewhere along the way somebody made it better! They round butted it, the original barrel was removed, a shortened and chopped 57 barrel was installed. Also, the hammer was bobbed, and the trigger rounded and polished. It has had a wonderful action job as well. I added the Pachmayers because the stocks that were on it when I bought it were horrible. We have had a single range session together, but there will certainly be more in our future.

What do y'all think? does she still qualify as a 58?

Here is with new shoes and a range session under her belt.

I'm not a big fan of bobbed hammers, but that one would sure carry nice.
Enjoy!

 

[BigBill]

How can anyone not like the 41 magnum in the m58/ m57??

 

[LOBO]

58 no dash

 

[SAFireman]

58 no dash

That looks like it is all business right there!

 

[LOBO]

That looks like it is all business right there!

Thanks! Being a first year 58 I kind of wish it had the original finish, but I'm not too disappointed with the way I found it

 

[SuperMan]

Well, some of you guys have probably seen my WTB ad for a Jovino 657 or 57 that has been running for what seems like a loooooong time. A kind and thoughtful member (enabler ) pointed out an auction to me and this is what I found.

Now, please excuse that it does not still have the proper form (58 frame, 4" non-lug barrel, 41 mag goodness), but I think that it still qualifies for the club.

This gun started life as did every other 58, but somewhere along the way somebody made it better! They round butted it, the original barrel was removed, a shortened and chopped 57 barrel was installed. Also, the hammer was bobbed, and the trigger rounded and polished. It has had a wonderful action job as well. I added the Pachmayers because the stocks that were on it when I bought it were horrible. We have had a single range session together, but there will certainly be more in our future.

What do y'all think? does she still qualify as a 58?

Here is with new shoes and a range session under her belt.

...now I hate you.

 

[Iggy]

I gave a lot of thought to doing that to my duty 58 way back when, but didn't have the finances to do so. Now I have other guns that fulfill the urge.

That's got to buck and snort a bit when you shoot it, but it looks like it will get the job done.

I'm jealous.

 

[BigBill]

I'm a longer barrel guy. I like 5", 5 1/2", 6" & 6.5" longer etc. but the 4" on the m58 is perfection on the n frame. I won't go any shorter.

 

[Frank V]

Some nice 58s fella's thanks for sharing.

SAFireman, that is a great holster & from S&W too.
I really like that style holster.

 

[SAFireman]

Some nice 58s fella's thanks for sharing.

SAFireman, that is a great holster & from S&W too.
I really like that style holster.

Thanks Frank. I bought several of the old style S&W holsters a few years back. They are very plain, but durable and built to last. That is one of the holsters that carries that blued 58 at the ranch.

Since that style holster is not very collectible, they have been very reasonably priced when I come across them. I also have a basket stamped Safariland that is similar in construction, but the pattern helps hide some scuffs and bumps from the brush country.

 

[Frank V]

Those are great holsters.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

This one is part M58....with a twist

Found this one locally this past week......it's frame is a M58 NO DASH but now sports a Target Rear Sight, .45 Colt Cylinder and .45 Cal Model of 1955 barrel......and well done I might add.

 

[SuperMan]

....have to wonder when the conversion was done and who did it... A beautiful job...

Bob

 

[S.B.]

Found this one locally this past week......it's frame is a M58 NO DASH but now sports a Target Rear Sight, .45 Colt Cylinder and .45 Cal Model of 1955 barrel......and well done I might add.

Too bad you couldn't show more detailed photos of the rear sight area but, seems like an awful lot of work?
Steve

 

[Paul1948A]

Need a Model 58 to photograph and test fire.......

.......for a major firearms publication. Does anyone have one they'd be willing to loan me? I have an FFL so shipping is not a problem. Will pay shipping and insurance both ways.

I can have my editors verify my bona fides.

 

[moralem]

So I have been itching to nab this 58 Louisiana department of corrections gun. But after finally seeing the gun it is well worn and I don't think I could live with it in such a condition. But the price is down now but still a bit high considering the issues with the gun.....I would appreciate your thoughts on whether I should hold out for a better conditioned one or go for it and see if I can live with it, but if not see about getting it refinished.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[SAFireman]

So I have been itching to nab this 58 Louisiana department of corrections gun. But after finally seeing the gun it is well worn and I don't think I could live with it in such a condition. But the price is down now but still a bit high considering the issues with the gun.....I would appreciate your thoughts on whether I should hold out for a better conditioned one or go for it and see if I can live with it, but if not see about getting it refinished.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If we were talking about safe queens, then I would say hold out for a better example. But we are talking about a former Law Enforcement firearm - it was used, it has character, it does not look to have been abused. If it is mechanically solid, and offered for sale in my area, I would likely own it if it were priced at $700 or less.

I think that you would be money ahead to just shoot it, clean it, and enjoy it as-is. Most refinish jobs are only to appease the current owner and usually do not raise the value of the gun all that much.

 

[loc n load]

Totally agree, it has been a "working gun". I have seen thousands of LE revolvers and have seen many in a lot worse condition than this 58. I am intrigued that LCD issued 58's, first I have heard of that. If I was after a shooter and the price was reasonable I would buy it, and forget about refinishing it.....that 58 is a duty gun.....has " rode the range " and it's looks reflect that.......most likely it has been fired little and is mechanically sound. I would take the money you would spend on refinishing it, buy ammo and shoot it.

 

[moralem]

I appreciate the feedback...The price is right at what the seller has said he will come down to from his very high asking price. His final price drop is down to 550 dollars and I am inclined to take him up on the offer......barrel looked good, mechanicals were solid, it is just that it was well worn but then I have a really good looking 57 to be the pretty one in the pile.

 

[SAFireman]

I appreciate the feedback...The price is right at what the seller has said he will come down to from his very high asking price. His final price drop is down to 550 dollars and I am inclined to take him up on the offer......barrel looked good, mechanicals were solid, it is just that it was well worn but then I have a really good looking 57 to be the pretty one in the pile.

If you don't buy it at $550, I will

 

[moralem]

If you don't buy it at $550, I will

I will let you know if I pass on it.....going to talk to the seller today to make arrangements. He also owes me some additional pictures of what is under the grips........I did not take the grips off when I inspected it. I should have, but I did not......if it looks good under there I may just take the poor stray pup home......I will keep you all posted.

 

[moralem]

Totally agree, it has been a "working gun". I have seen thousands of LE revolvers and have seen many in a lot worse condition than this 58. I am intrigued that LCD issued 58's, first I have heard of that. If I was after a shooter and the price was reasonable I would buy it, and forget about refinishing it.....that 58 is a duty gun.....has " rode the range " and it's looks reflect that.......most likely it has been fired little and is mechanically sound. I would take the money you would spend on refinishing it, buy ammo and shoot it.

I am not familiar with LE service revolvers and for that matter abbreviations on guns that reflect the origin department. So, is there a way to confirm that the LDC truly stands for Louisiana Dept. of Corrections....or is it just someone's initials......haha just kidding. Perhaps a letter would be helpful? I did not take down the serial number though......okay more to come later.

 

[S.B.]

moralem, I'd buy this 58 in a heart beat.
Steve

 

[moralem]

moralem, I'd buy this 58 in a heart beat.
Steve

I know that there are not many of these and the book of SW says about just over 20000 were made. I don't have the serial number to date it, but I suspect that it might be an early gun.......but I won't know until I get the serial number. I do know the grips are not original so that is another hit the gun takes but I guess that can always be resolved later on.......thanks again for all your feedback. I guess if I don't like it I can always flip it to one of you guys......

 

[S.B.]

I know that there are not many of these and the book of SW says about just over 20000 were made. I don't have the serial number to date it, but I suspect that it might be an early gun.......but I won't know until I get the serial number. I do know the grips are not original so that is another hit the gun takes but I guess that can always be resolved later on.......thanks again for all your feedback. I guess if I don't like it I can always flip it to one of you guys......

Well, if you decide not take this, I'd like to be second in line, for a chance at it, please?
Steve