Got a Great Deal on a Sweet Model 57

I don't believe that either the 57 or 58 came parkerized. I believe both came in blue. If its parkerized I'll bet its a refinish. The standard grips for these guns were not pachmayers. I think they were S&W magnas.

This doesn't make it a bad deal if the gun is in mechanically good condition, just means there is no collector value. Enjoy shooting it or consider having S&W restoring it to its original condition.

Welcome syr!

True, I would not expect parkerizing either!! This gun should be the deep luster blue of the older N frames. The .41 has somewhat of a ''cult'' following IMO - a very fine compromize cal. A minty 98% example would fetch quite a lot more IMO - up in the $600 region perhaps.

However, cosmetics aside, if this piece you have is mechanically good - good lock-up, timing etc .. then I certainly would not feel you had thrown any money away. Hopefully it'll be a great shooter.

Pics when you can would be good to see.

S&W Model 57 & 58 revolvers NEVER came from the factory parkerized. The 57 always had the S&W bright blue.

The early Model 58s also had the bright blue but that was later changed to a satin blue similar to that used on the Model 28 Highway Patrol.

You have to remember that the Models 58 and Model 28 were designed to be a police duty weapons. The satin blue resulted from eliminating the final poslishing step which lowered the cost.
The satin blue used on the Models 28 and 58 was to keep the costs low enough to to cpmpete with K-frame revolvers forpolice department bids.

syr74...

I'll post pics later on, but I found what I think was a super deal on a Model 57 Smith.

Click to expand...

Welcome to the High Road syr74. Even though you are a "Colt devotee", we'll let you stay and participate.

My esteemed friends here have already pointed out that S&W Model 57s, along with almost all other commercial models, never came from the factory parkerized. I think they have also indicated that this really does not matter unless you are a collector.

My first S&W N-frame was a 1955 pre-model 27 that was parkerized and it is a good shooter.

I have not seen very many (if any) Model 57's or 58's up here but from what I have read, you seem to have gotten a good price on a solid gun. I'm sure that you will enjoy it.

BTW, according to Supica and Nahas (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson you S&W was made in 1980.

Parked,blued,or painted green w/red spots-$318 is a very good price for a mechanically sound 41 Magnum!

Welcome to the fold-new guy buys the ammo!

yes, you got a good deal. dont hate me for this, but i hope you shoot it a few times and hate it then offer it to me for a Benjamin markup with me paying S&H. i have been hunting a 57 for years without success. closest is a 657, which i love. i suspect that after you shoot it that it is not for sale or trade and i wont blame you. good shooting.

You got a good price for a shooter with no collector's value. Just so you will know it is a 1980 model. It should have the S&W Goncalo Alves Target stocks and not the Pachy rubbers.

It's ashame what someone did to a really nice revolver, especially since the 4 inchers are harder to find than the 6 inchers.

A better deal

Heh, heh, I got a better deal on a Model 57 - $175 in exc. condition from a dealer, but the bluing was not too good. Super for a cheap truck gun.

You guys are killing me.

syr, welcome! Looking forward to the photos.

Alternate theory on the low price

In lurking about at gun shows and gun shops for many years, I have only seen a few model 57's. But when I do see one, it always seems as if the asking price is on the "low" side compared to a similar N frame Smith in .357 or .44 magnum. I was actually tempted by one a few years ago, in excellent blued condition with the Goncalo Alves stocks. But I passed it up because of the caliber. I just didn't want to add a fairly obscure magnum caliber to my lineup. when I already had N frame Smiths in .357 and .44 magnum.

I think the .41 magnum, which was never that common, is slowly dying out. When you can find commercial ammo for it, it is quite expensive. My theory is that the caliber deters most buyers, so these guns sit for a long time on a dealer's shelves, and are often marked down just to move them out. Additionally, there is no commercial ".41 special" available, unlike the .357 or .44, and you are forced to use magnum ammo all the time when you shoot it, unless you reload.

In lurking about at gun shows and gun shops for many years, I have only seen a few model 57's. But when I do see one, it always seems as if the asking price is on the "low" side compared to a similar N frame Smith in .357 or .44 magnum. I was actually tempted by one a few years ago, in excellent blued condition with the Goncalo Alves stocks. But I passed it up because of the caliber. I just didn't want to add a fairly obscure magnum caliber to my lineup. when I already had N frame Smiths in .357 and .44 magnum.

I think the .41 magnum, which was never that common, is slowly dying out. When you can find commercial ammo for it, it is quite expensive. My theory is that the caliber deters most buyers, so these guns sit for a long time on a dealer's shelves, and are often marked down just to move them out. Additionally, there is no commercial ".41 special" available, unlike the .357 or .44, and you are forced to use magnum ammo all the time when you shoot it, unless you reload>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>pogo 2.

This alternative theory on the low price has been around for over 30 years.
I don't know about the 41 slowly dying out- it seems slowly be keeping on keeping on. Ruger, Smith, and Taurus chamber it. There are probably more. Marlin reissued the lever not that long ago.
As for the price- it depends upon area and the shop in question. There's no incentive for a Ca Store like Turners Outdoors to carry it- for some of the reasons you observe. However, in a gun shooters market, they are very desirable.
Most serious gunnies handload anyway, and couldn't or wouldn't afford factory ammo.

A poster up on the top called the calibre a good compromise calibre. I'll quote Metcalf, "no compromises, just great performance."

munk

Yeah, but there are enough of us .41 weirdos out here to get them snatched up pretty quickly. A buddy of mine just grabbed up a nice 6" 57 for $395. If I'd've seen it first . . .

Yes sir! sounds like a great deal to me; provided the weapon can pass
my friend Mr. March'es excellent revolver check-out!

Back in the good old day's (early 70's), I was the proud owner of a NIB
S&W 4" barrel model 57 (in the mahogany box). My records indicate I
gave $175 for it, with an "S" serial prefix (S319XXX).

Kept if for some years (?), then the .44 magnum bug bit me. Ended
up, swapping it even for a well used police department .44 maggie. A
move I should not have made; even though the .44 was factory nickel,
and my .41 was blue. Like my other compadres, I've NEVER seen any
model 57's that were factory parkerized. Enjoy~

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

I know of a shop with a nice blue 6" 57. Price $500. I don't reload anymore so not my kinda gun. Any interest PM me. I don't know about box etc.. Gun looks great. It's mom n pop operation and friends of mine I only mention it cause I know a lot of people want .41 Smiths. Me, I like the .22's as in 4-5 screw pre K's. I know, so what.

Pogo2,
We have all heard that story many, many times about the caliber. As been pointed out there are new handguns, rifles, and loads on the market in .41mag. Most shooters of the cartridge handload and could really care less that the factory doesn't provide a lower powered load.

When you find those .41mag firearms sitting on dealer shelves collecting dust at dirt cheap prices just drop me a note please.

metcalf

I live right in Smith & Wesson's backyard and do not recall ever seeing a Model 57 or 58 around here for sale. I checked with a clerk at one of the more active gun stores nearby and he recalled only one and that was when he first went to work many years ago. Of course it's possible that I saw one or more at gun shows and mis-identified them. But they are not common here.

#1 all time favorite

Here is a photo of my all time favorite...

S&W Mod. 57 a lot easier to shoot than my Anaconda...
I'm 6'3", wear XXL gloves, so the size and weight are no problems.

At one time I could buy ammo ay "WalMart" ! No more.
I'm constantly on the lookout for ammo... Not easy to find in Calif...

Regards, Robert

S&W Model 57 & 58 revolvers NEVER came from the factory parkerized. The 57 always had the S&W bright blue.

Click to expand...

I have a 57 that is nickel, I bought it new. 8 3/8 barrel, mahogany box.

What 41MAG said. New guy buys the ammo

>>My theory is that the caliber deters most buyers, so these guns sit for a long time on a dealer's shelves<<

Maybe if their Rugers, but not Smith & Wessons!

Welcome to THR!
I'll let you slide for not posting picks.
Not even going to bring it up. (Posting pics)

You did very well! I've been looking for a nice 57 for a long time, with no luck. The .41 Mag is more popular than ever these days, I don't know where the "dying out" idea comes from........must be from those factory ammo only types

I just picked up a nice new Model 57 Mountain Gun for $530.
Very pleased. I and setting up to reload so ammo will not be as much of a challenge.
thanks