What exactly is so great about the Model 58?

[JP@AK]

Hey John, what the heck does "need" have to do with it?

I'll agree about the .44. I own several and have had a few I let go over the years. They are more versatile and I shoot far more .44 Specials in mine than Magnums. When I'm hunting in bear country and want to carry a backup, it is a .44 Mag with hot Magnum handloads, usually my Super Blackhawk, but sometimes a Model 29. So, the .44 Mag is, and will remain, my big bore "go to."

None of that has kept me from wanting to own and occasionally shoot the .41 Magnum, however. It has a certain "cool" factor and is fun to shoot, not to mention the enjoyment of developing loads for it.

As you suggested, "to each his own."

 

[Art Doc]

I've been saying for years that the 58 really doesn't do anything well. It was meant to be a cop gun. In 1964 many departments forbade Magnums and auto pistols so the 58 was devised to give cops a big bullet in revolver. But the gun was too big for many shooters, and too heavy to be carried with comfort. Then Remington and S&W couldn't resist the marketing urge to name the new cartridge "41 Magnum" making it unacceptable in many quarters.

Instead of 850 FPS as the promoters envisioned the ammo issued with the revolvers was usually full power Magnum loads. Few cops could handle it well enough to qualify. The 58 didn't last long. The 57 is better with its adjustable sights.

I got a police surplus 58 around 1989 for $189. I shot it some and wondered why I bought it. A couple years ago I mentioned the gun on this forum and I was contacted by a cop whose father served on the force using my gun. He had been searching for 20 years to find a gun from his dad's old department. I really didn't want to sell it but what can you do? I told him if he bought a nickel 58 I would trade him. He did and I did.

The one I traded was from 1977 (late production) and had the correct stocks (58s used somewhat unique stocks). The one I got was very early, first year production and maybe first few weeks.

But the nickel 58 came with incorrect stocks. Pre-68 58 stocks are very hard to find. I finally paid a lot for a set that turned out to be shrunk or something because they don't fit properly. Sigh. No good deed goes unpunished.

Like any S&W revolver a 58 is fun to own and shoot. But I still haven't figured out a good use for one.

 

[k22fan]

[...] Like any S&W revolver a 58 is fun to own and shoot. [...]

For most of us that is the best use for our guns.

That's the first Target Hammer I've seen in a 58.

 

[Laketime]

It's actually light for a 4 inch n frame.any n frame holster will work.And it is a historical police service revolver.

 

[pengfire]

Model 58

Had a beautiful one once but, as they say, love is grand, divorce is a hundred grand...

In regard to the 44 Magnum/44 Special cartridge advantage, they also make 41 Special brass now although I haven't seen any commercial loadings.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

1. It's a Smith & Wesson revolver.
2. It's an N-frame.
3. It's just a big Model 13.
4. If you subtract 13 from 58, you get 45.
5. It's a .41 Magnum.

All that said, I don't have one. [emoji848]

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[CH4]

First off it's an N Frame. The big frame soaks up recoil and feels like an extension of your arm. Second it's a fixed sight N Frame which makes it perfect for the rough world of every day carry. Third it's chambered in a great all around cartridge, the .41 Remington Magnum. It's a great compromise between the .44 Magnum and the .357 Magnum rounds. And last but not least, if you have to ask.......

^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said

 

[Narragansett]

1. It's a Smith & Wesson revolver.
2. It's an N-frame.
3. It's just a big Model 13.
4. If you subtract 13 from 58, you get 45.
5. It's a .41 Magnum.

All that said, I don't have one. [emoji848]

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Well then you have something to look forward to

 

[Narragansett]

I do like fixed sight guns. Had a M65 that never should have gone away. I do have a couple M10's with fixed sights, BUT, having said that, without a doubt, given the option I would take a M57, like the 2 no dash ones in the picture below. Oh and I do have a M60, and no idea why

 

[kennyb]

Wow,many accurate,interesting observations on my fav.caliber.Yes I have a number of .41 mag.revolvers and hunt often times with my lever action .41.I suppose another thought is...many mention the .44 will do whatever, better than the .41...Doesn't that also hold true for any lesser caliber? .38,.32,.22 etc etc.Doesn't the .44 mag do better than these calibers as well?Just a thought I reload so .41 mag is as easy as any other caliber and I LOVE it!!

 

[rubiranch]

I should have my 57 & 58 around the end of the month.

Looking forward to shooting both of them.

 

[Art Doc]

For most of us that is the best use for our guns.

That's the first Target Hammer I've seen in a 58.

Someone noted that before and I hadn't noticed. Not mentioned in letter so I assume added by a former owner but I have no idea why.

 

[JiminMaine]

I picked up my 58 years ago for a song. The bluing was about worn off but the gun was still tight and shot great. I sent it back and had it re-blued, looks like new. It is my "go to" gun when I take a walk in the woods. No adjustable sights to worry about. Last fall I finally found a Marlin 1894s to go with it, shot my deer with it too. It is even more fun to shoot now that Starline is making 41 Special brass.
I also own Model 57 (no dash) 4", 6" and 8 3/8" but the 58 is the one I shoot the most.

 

[S.B.]

The model 58 may not be everyone's cup of tea. I've owned several model 57s over the years and have grown to
like them but, never owned one of the 58s till recently and it grows more one of my favorites as time goes on. I do
reload for the .41 magnum so, I may be prejudice?

Steve

 

[1-1917]

I have a 58, I reload and cast bullets (9 moulds) for it and a few other 41s. I like fixed sight revolvers and since I reload, the 58 is a near perfect revolver for me.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Well then you have something to look forward to

I'm pretty much locked into K-frames until I win Powerball. I just "loaned" my son-in-law my 3 inch Model 13-3. [emoji849]

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[Jack Flash]

If S&W had made a .44 Mag, 4", fixed-sight revolver, I wouldn't know the .41 Mag / M58 exists. Due to the residual effects of Mr. Wesson's predilection for handgun hunting, S&W always put adjustable sights on its .44 Magnum revolvers, NO MATTER HOW SHORT THE BARREL IS!
(Experts: correct me if I am wrong on this!)

I don't care about cult status or rarity, I just love the concept of a fixed-sight, 4", magnum-powered revolver chambered for a cartridge that starts with "4". That's what is so great about it.

 

[k22fan]

[...] S&W always put adjustable sights on its .44 Magnum revolvers, NO MATTER HOW SHORT THE BARREL IS!
(Experts: correct me if I am wrong on this!) [...]

Close but no banana. Remember, never write never and always expect to be proven wrong after writing always. There were small production runs of fixed sight N frame .44 Magnums and some from the Performance Center. I suspect you haven't noticed them because you do not spend much time in the post 1980 revolver sub-forum.

 

[StrawHat]

The Model 58 (or 57) is nearly the perfect revolver. I would prefer it in 45 ACP but not everyone feels that way. So, like Howard Johnson's, S&W offers 51 flavors, something for everyone.

Kevin

 

[SAFireman]

You can check out the Unofficial 58 club for details (pages upon pages of details), or you can just ogle the photos below.....

The 58 club - The 'unofficial' 58 Club


Model 58 EFFECTOR -

San Francisco,CA PD

San Antonio, TX PD

Two first year Model 58's

This started life as a Model 58. I bought it as a 41 Magnum, but it turned out to be a 44 Magnum....I carry it anyway

Ya gotta love the M&P on steroids