[MK11]

I stumbled across a four-inch Model 57. The gun is in great shape, looks like somebody fired off a cylinder and decided to go for a smaller caliber. Original factory grips. Price is $550, which sounds high to me, but it is in very good shape.

I've been looking for a nice four-inch, blue N Frame. I've always kind of wanted a .41 mag but is it worth it? I don't need a $500 safe queen, I want a shooter. How bad are the ammo prices? What's it like to shoot? I can crack off .357 mags all day long but I get tired of .44 mag very quickly. How sturdy are they? I understand the Model 29 isn't the strongest .44 frame, how does the 57 hold up?

Thanks!

[BluesBear]

.41 magnum factory ammo prices are OBSCENE !

Georgia Arms offeres some that are affordable.
Reloading is where the .41 really shines.

There is a good assortment of jacketed and cast lead bullets available.

The case is big enough for good charges of slow burning powders for heavy loads yet it's small enough to be efficient with faster burning powders for short barrels and lighter loads.


I have owned a .41 magnum in one form or another for 25 years.
After a bunch of reloadings if the case mouth splits I trim them back 1/10" and light load them as ".41 Specials" for plinking.
I am thinking about trying ".41 Russians" next. :D

[ACP230]

You could do better on price on the Net.
I'd check Gunsamerica for M57s. Maybe you could use those as leverage if you want to talk a deal with the local shop.

My first M57 cost me $350. I paid about $75 more for the last two .41s I bought, but one was a nickel M58 and the one coming in is a long-barreled M657.

[HSMITH]

From your post I would say you need a 27 or a 28 depending on budget.

That 57 kicks, much like a 44 magnum and the noise is every bit as bad. It is VERY expensive to feed unless you handload. The 57 will hold up very well.

As BluesBear said, unless you handload the 41 may not be the best bet.

$550 is a tich on the high side but normal "asking" price around here.

[riverdog]

If you decide to go for it (I would), Winchester SilverTips (175gr?) make a great personal defense load and have just a bit more lick than the .357; they aren't cheap but they can be found online. I really like the .41, but as has already been stated, you need to reload.

[Ala Dan]

The price seems high; but with a burning desire to
have another S&W model 57 myself (and with funds
permitting), I probably would pay it.

Factory fodder ammunition to feed that baby is kind'a
outrageous~! I can buy Remington-UMC 180 grain
.44 magnum factory fodder, a lot cheaper than I can
the .41 magnum stuff.

The sensible thing to do, is turn to handloading! Use
to, you could save several $$$$; but now the cost of
components is on the increase. But the joy is, seeing
your very own handloads sail through the X-ring!

And like my friend HSMITH said, that .41 magnum
will roar like a lion with full house loads. If recoil is an
issue, you might need to take his advice; and look for
a nice S&W model 27 or 28, cuz .38 Specials are a lot
more enjoyable to shoot.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[Majic]

They are nice and plenty strong, but they are hard on your pockets if you have to feed them factory ammo. If the .44mag recoil bothers you, don't expect the .41mag to be much easier on you. The M27 or M28 may be more along the line of what you prefer.

[Sean Smith]

Only thing I can say against the .41 Mag is that if you aren't reloading for it, you will get hosed on ammo prices. Comparing the cheapest factory ammo Georgia Arms sells in those calibers:

.38 Special: $125/1,000
.357 Magnum: $180/1,000
.41 Magnum: $270/1,000

:eek:

[LoneWulf]

Nice Model 57--Talk Me Out of It

Nope, I have a Smith 58 and I am looking for a nickel one now.
I say buy it.
It's a classic and only super cool people own them. :cool:

[Shootcraps]

It will kick as much as the .44.

Ammo will be very expensive.

$550 seems a bit expensive to me.

[41 magnum fan]

The 41 magnum is my favorite handgun caliber.The model 57 is one of my all time favorites.In myopinion the 41 has less recoil than the 44 mag.Ammo prices are super expensive,that is why I reload.My favorite load for the 4 inch barrel 41 magnums is a 210 lswc at 1000 to 1100 fps.This round is a joy to shoot,feels like med range 357 magnum to me.Also makes an excellent defense round and also will work on deer.The gun you found is worth in the $450 to $475 range.However if you really want I still might would get it.Model 57 guns,especially the 4 inch guns are not real easy to find in 90% condition or better.Try a 41 magnum and I think that you will love it.

[Sisco]

I had a model 57 and someone talked me out of it. I should have my butt kicked.

[LoneWulf]

Sometimes the "coolness" factor is more important than ammo cost. :D

[Standing Wolf]

How bad are the ammo prices?

Conversely, they're a good reason to load your own, if accuracy weren't a good enough reason.

[Sisco]

Not only is the factory ammo pricey, just try to get some at WallyWorld.

[gunfan]

And love them! Talk you out of it? Are you kidding? Buy the darned thing!

Scott

[dinosaur]

Do not buy that gun! Tell me where it is. All I can find are these pimp 4" 57`s.:neener: :evil:

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

As a long retired California Saeco Main distributor (The Founding Saeco Co.) I really enjoyed the several bullet designs we had from Elmer Keith for our 38/357, 44 and especially our 41 magnum. We used lifetime quality Meehanite cast iron that never warps and when I retired in 1979 I kept some of my Saeco inventory with me for trading material.

I have several .41 mag 220 gr 4 cavity with patterned gunstock walnut handles molds that I am proud of but no longer need any extras for my two model 58's For the most beautiful bullet in the most beautiful and accurate billet mold ever made contact me off line.

A West Virginia mold customer uses his .41 for deer and my Alaskan customer just told me he uses his for a one shot kill on moose and bear and he likes the .41 because he says it is more accurate. Living in California I have only shot targets with my S&W police model 58. I respect bears on my ranch and we leave each other alone. After shopping in Redding and having to walk a mile home because of the deep snow on my mile long driveway I was surprised to see fresh bear tracks and a continuous line between them going up the road ahead of me. I continued on and around a corner the bear saw me, dropped the rope he was pulling and took off into the woods. It was a nice rope.

Fitz
coffeyn1@castles.com

[schromf]

The 41 mag has around 30% less recoil than the 44 it was it's whole purpose. I have had my Model 58 since the early 70's ( 4" barrel) and while the recoil is stout with the full mag loads, I don't suggest a steady diet of those.

I use 215gr SWC and 210gr Sirra JHP ( and several others ) I load the SWC reasonable, and the 210 JHP for nasty business. Yeah there is a difference I only want to shoot about 75-100 of the JHP in a setting, where I can shoot 200-300 of the SWC without a bother. It also helps if you go to a new style grip like a Hogue, I haven't and won't but the ergonomics are much better if recoil bothers you.

Sound advise has already been given, reload for the 41 mag. Buy 500 rounds of brass which should last a long time as my brass life is real long. And don't shoot a steady diet of full pressure reloads, its hard on you and the gun eventually if you push your N frame S&W to the limit regularly.

Don't know if you bought it or not but decent condition Model 57's are hard to find, especially at a reasonable price. There seems to be more 4" and 8 3/8" available than the 6" though.

[Tamara]

Five and a half bills seems a tish steep, unless it was an S-prefix gun, in which case I may come off the cash against the odds of ever seeing a cherry one again.

I like my 57. :)

[stbuggy]

:eek: My father has a model 57 blue .41 magnum and we dont know much about it. Its in excellent condition. What would be a good asking price for this gun? it is a Smith and Wesson. I think he said it has an 8 inch barrell

[22-rimfire]

How bad ammo prices are to you really depends on how much you shoot. Price-wise, it is hard to find a nice Model 57 for less than $500 these days. I would buy it if you want it.

The 41 mag will do most anything the 44 mag will do with less recoil. It shoots flatter, is more accurate than a 44, and is a pleasure. It still kicks though. If you shoot a lot and don't reload, I'd buy some of the Georgia Arms ammo and get their lowest powered loading. I put pachmayrs on my Model 57's that I shoot.

[Master Blaster]

Take out your wallet, now see that dirty paper stuff in there, pictures of deadguys on it? Smell it it smells bad, look at it its dirty, no telling where that useless dirty old money was, wash your hands before you eat or scratch yourself. Now if the government went broke tomorrow that stinky old paper money would be completely worthless. Be smart eliminate this risk.

Take that dirty old worthless paper money down to the gun store and get your self that nice shiney funn to own and shoot Revolver before someone else does. After all they are printing more of that money right now as I type this but they Aint makin no new 57s.

[Eightball]

.41 magnum factory ammo prices are OBSCENE !Yes......yes they are. More obscene than a drunken sailor of old. Which is why I like my .357. :)

[steveno]

I have shot both a 4 inch M-57 and 4 inch M-29 and while they both recoil quite a bit , the M-57 is noticeably less. I think 4 inch M-57 is the best all around revolver made. first of all you have seen this revolver so there won't be any unseen problems by buying one over the internet. I have both a 4 inch blue and a 6 inch nickel and they are keepers. 41 mag ammo is expensive so reloading is almost required but worth it