I just inherited 2 pistols. One is a S&W model28-2 357 mag, and the other is a S&W model 58 41mag. At least that is what is stamped in side of the crane. But this pistol has some of the model 58 features and some model 57 features. It has no ejector rod shroud, but has a frame that is the same size as a Model 29, and it has adjustable sights, which the 58 did not have. Did S&W ever make the 58 with adjustable sights, or the 57 without the ejector rod shroud?
For all of you revolver gurus
- Thread starter DE44mag
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Jim Watson
Member
Nope, BigG, the M58 .41 Military and Police had fixed sights... and no shroud.
The M57 had adjustable sights and ejector rod shroud.
I know of no crossbreeds, not to say there weren't any; or that a gunsmith could not have flanged something up.
Got pictures, DE?
What does the front sight look like? And how is it attached?
Or the rear. Compare it to a standard M57 or M29. Or that M28, for that matter.
Something to take to
www.smith-wesssonforum.com
The M57 had adjustable sights and ejector rod shroud.
I know of no crossbreeds, not to say there weren't any; or that a gunsmith could not have flanged something up.
Got pictures, DE?
What does the front sight look like? And how is it attached?
Or the rear. Compare it to a standard M57 or M29. Or that M28, for that matter.
Something to take to
www.smith-wesssonforum.com
Mike Irwin
Member
How about posting a picture of the 58?
What's the barrel length on the 58?
I'd also bet that it's either an aftermarket rear sight or a mismark.
I once saw a Model 10 stamped Model 39...
Not just the wrong model, but the wrong action type.
What's the barrel length on the 58?
I'd also bet that it's either an aftermarket rear sight or a mismark.
I once saw a Model 10 stamped Model 39...
Not just the wrong model, but the wrong action type.
de44mag - the m-58 is the same size frame (N) as the m-29
i've seen so weird sight retro-fits in my days...guys used to install J-frame sight in a m-58 to try to use the stock front sight...and of course it was very common to see 1911's with K-frame sights
i've seen so weird sight retro-fits in my days...guys used to install J-frame sight in a m-58 to try to use the stock front sight...and of course it was very common to see 1911's with K-frame sights
Thanks guys. For those who wanted to know, the barrel is a 4". SaxonPig, these sights look to be Factory installed, NOT a butcher job! The sights, with the exception of ribbing on the 58, are the same as on the model 28-2, or on my buddy's model 29, and look to be factory installed. For a little more back ground on the 58, my Dad got it from a guy who carried it when he was with the San Diego police dept. The next time I see hi, I will ask about it, but he lives in Idaho and I don't know when I will see him agian.
so it looks like a heavy barreled m-13, on steriods, with m-19 sights?
SouthpawShootr
Member
Any chance that this gun could have been special ordered in this configuration? Bascially, it sounds like a M57 frame with a M58 barrel. Should not have been to hard to coax S&W into doing this. I once got them to put a 6 inch tube on a RB M19 frame (this configuration was not listed in their catalog at the time, but all it took was a small bit of trouble on my dealer's part). Probably the only way to find out for sure is to get some sort of history from S&W (find out exactly how it left the factory).
SouthpawShooter, you could be right, I will try contacting S&W with the serial# and see if they can tell me anything. In the mean time here are some pics of the 58, sorry for the quality, my cammera isn't the best. The yellow insert in the front sight was added by my Dad about two months before he passed away.
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Mike Irwin
Member
There is something VERY funky about this gun.
It's got a Model 57 front sight, but notice how the front part of the leaf on the rear sight base extends past the frame step. It's hard to tell for certain, but it looks as if it extends way too far. I'm thinking that this may be a later 1980s rear sight base when the leaf was extended.
The yellow ramp also isn't normally an S&W color.
My best guess at the moment is that someone took a 58 and added Model 57 sights to it.
I don't think that's a factory job, but they certainly appear to be factory parts.
It's got a Model 57 front sight, but notice how the front part of the leaf on the rear sight base extends past the frame step. It's hard to tell for certain, but it looks as if it extends way too far. I'm thinking that this may be a later 1980s rear sight base when the leaf was extended.
The yellow ramp also isn't normally an S&W color.
My best guess at the moment is that someone took a 58 and added Model 57 sights to it.
I don't think that's a factory job, but they certainly appear to be factory parts.
Sorry, forgot to mention that the yellow insert was added justa couple of months before my fathers death. the leaf of the rear sight extends to the edge of the frame like my model 28-2, though it is hard to tell in the pic. I think that I am going to get the history of this pistol from the folks at S&W. It only cost about $30 and will tell me if it left the factory with the adjustable sights.
Mike Irwin
Member
OK, then the rear sight leaf is OK. It just looks way weird in the pictures.
The hammer is also a Model 58 hammer.
I think you're going to find out that your gun was shipped as a stock Model 58, and was later modified post factory but using S&W parts.
It's an interesting hybrid in that it used factory stock parts, and it could have been done at the factory, but I sort of doubt it.
The hammer is also a Model 58 hammer.
I think you're going to find out that your gun was shipped as a stock Model 58, and was later modified post factory but using S&W parts.
It's an interesting hybrid in that it used factory stock parts, and it could have been done at the factory, but I sort of doubt it.
i'll bet you this is what happened, the original modification, back in the early-mid 70's when it was almost impossible to get a m-29 at anything clost to retail...the demand overflowed to the m-57.
for someone wanting a DA adjustable sighted .41 mag, gunsmiths were willing to slap a set of N-frame sights onto the m-58
for someone wanting a DA adjustable sighted .41 mag, gunsmiths were willing to slap a set of N-frame sights onto the m-58
i think they just added a front ramp and sight blade to the m-58 barrel. it is hard to tell from the pictures, but i don't think there are any serrations on the top of that rib
having seen the pictures, it is growing on me. if it did not have sentimental value to you, i'd be asking what you'd want for it. all i'd do is shorten the rear sight leaf and maybe serrate the top of the rib/topstrap to match.
having seen the pictures, it is growing on me. if it did not have sentimental value to you, i'd be asking what you'd want for it. all i'd do is shorten the rear sight leaf and maybe serrate the top of the rib/topstrap to match.
SouthpawShootr
Member
I think it's a rather good looking gun. I don't think I would go to the trouble of having one made up, but it certainly doesn't bother me either.
Mike Irwin
Member
Agreed, that's a Model 58 barrel.
I just spent a little time with photoshop working on the picture that shows the top of the rib, and it's not grooved.
I just spent a little time with photoshop working on the picture that shows the top of the rib, and it's not grooved.
I know for a fact that this gun was carried by a retired San Deigo police officer as a duty gun. And that is the same guy that sold it to dad. I have seen other model 58s with the same sights that were supposed to be SDPD guns. I will be spending the $30 to get the history from S&W. Then we will all know for sure.
de44mag - this sounds very interesting, it is hard to imagine either a department paying to have this done or smith doing it at the factory. my guess would be someone had it done to their gun and other officers saw/liked it and did it to theirs...but that's just a guess.
the only department in CA i knew of that had issued the m-58 was SFPD (san francisco)...only because i've seen one marked that way
the only department in CA i knew of that had issued the m-58 was SFPD (san francisco)...only because i've seen one marked that way
BluesBear
member
Was this mystery ever solved?
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