Model 57- Talk me down, man......or don't, lol!

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JeffG said:
Nope, buy it! It's likely you will never see another. ;)
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Why? It was mass-produced item made in good numbers. While much less common than Model 29 samples aren't that difficult to find. Most I seen were in excellent condition.

If you wait a little longer you will probably be able to get one of them new "Spitting Cobras" from Colt in .357. Kool eh? New gun with warranty and .38/ .357 ammo at ubiquitous Walmart. Manna mia!
 
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A well executed 5" Model 57 is Unobtanium... it was not a regularly cataloged item. The fact that it's a no dash, and as long as it's in reasonable shape for the price, and it's something you are interested in... go for it.

People boo-hoo the availability of the .41 Magnum... no, you aren't going to find it at WalMart (actually, you might... just depends) but factory ammo is available at most sporting good stores that cater to firearms, too, and in any event, online. Ammo availability is a non-issue. Loading components are also widely available. It's just as versatile as the .44, generally speaking, unless you are just being picky, or have something specific in mind. I find it unlikely you would be disappointed, but, as one post mentioned, any no dash N-frame will get you your money back.
 
Charlie98

People boo-hoo the availability of the .41 Magnum... no, you aren't going to find it at WalMart (actually, you might... just depends)
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This can happen as I found one nearby WalMart that carried a couple of different varieties of .45 Colt ammo. This was a bit surprising as most area WalMarts only carried the typical selection of mainstream handgun cartridges (.380, 9mm. .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP).

I asked one of the clerks about it and it so happened he was the one who did all of the ordering of guns and ammo in the department. The reason he had .45 Colt on the shelves is that he had a couple of revolvers in that caliber and this was the easiest and least expensive way for him to buy ammo for them! He also said that if it was in their order book, even though it might be something that they didn't normally stock, he could still order it for me at their discounted price.
 
bannockburn said:
Charlie98



This can happen as I found one nearby WalMart that carried a couple of different varieties of .45 Colt ammo. This was a bit surprising as most area WalMarts only carried the typical selection of mainstream handgun cartridges (.380, 9mm. .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP).

I asked one of the clerks about it and it so happened he was the one who did all of the ordering of guns and ammo in the department. The reason he had .45 Colt on the shelves is that he had a couple of revolvers in that caliber and this was the easiest and least expensive way for him to buy ammo for them! He also said that if it was in their order book, even though it might be something that they didn't normally stock, he could still order it for me at their discounted price.
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Many Walmarts carry defensive .45 Colt ammo because guns like the Judge and its copy the Governor made it more popular. The .45 Colt is a whole lot more popular than the .41Magnum.
 
paulsj

Many Walmarts carry defensive .45 Colt ammo because guns like the Judge and its copy the Governor made it more popular.
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Popularity had nothing to do with the .45 Colt ammo being in stock as none of the other four WalMarts carried it. It was only there because the clerk in charge of the ordering made it a point to get it in, primarily because he wanted some for his own use (I stocked up on it as well; it was such a great price). He could do the same with any ammo I might have wanted, even .41 Magnum. As long as he could order it from one of their distributors and they had it in stock, he could get it in.
 
paulsj said:
Ammo not available at Walmart. The .41 is a useless cartridge offering nothing over .44 Mag through which you can also schoot .44 Special.
Another option is 10mm in semi-auto pistol. Ammo while not available at Walmart can be had for <$20 per box of FMJ. Usually loaded to .40S&W levels but for range ammo that is ok. This should save you several hundred by not purchasing that gun.
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The voice of reason, damn you! Lol

bannockburn said:
paulsj



Popularity had nothing to do with the .45 Colt ammo being in stock as none of the other four WalMarts carried it. It was only there because the clerk in charge of the ordering made it a point to get it in, primarily because he wanted some for his own use (I stocked up on it as well; it was such a great price). He could do the same with any ammo I might have wanted, even .41 Magnum. As long as he could order it from one of their distributors and they had it in stock, he could get it in.
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Our Walmarts normally carry 1 or 2 varieties of .45 LC, as well as the combo boxes Winchester sells with some Long Colt and some .410 shells.

Never seen .41 there though.

This does remind me of my brief flirtation with .44spl, though. I had a nice stainless Taurus 5-shot years ago, very similar ammo situation, and I did lose interest pretty quickly. Food for thought.
 
NIGHTLORD40K

I still kick myself for passing on a blued Taurus Model 445 in .44 Special that was at the LGS and was very reasonably priced. I was less concerned about getting ammo for it as I was hesitant about their quality. Came back awhile later and it was gone. Always figured to be handloading for the .44 Special or the .41 Magnum anyways.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
I'm going to stop by after work tonight and see if we can work out a deal. I'll keep ya'll posted.:)
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Good! I'd like to revise my earlier answer to "BUY IT!"

If you load there's no reason not to. Even if you decide you don't want it chances are anyone you may sell it to would be interested in your dues as well.

Hope you work that deal out.
 
I must be the only one who would pass. The .41 is a decent cartridge but it's withering on the vine. Back in early 2000 I had a bullet casting business. I started out making .357 and .44 bullets and even picked up .45. I had 3 requests for .41 and purchased molds, doubt I sold 1000 bullets in 3 years.
 
460Shooter said:
Good! I'd like to revise my earlier answer to "BUY IT!"

If you load there's no reason not to. Even if you decide you don't want it chances are anyone you may sell it to would be interested in your dues as well.

Hope you work that deal out.
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Put it on layaway for $650+tax. It'll be a couple months before I pick it up, but when I do, I'll post some pics.

I figure any nice N-frame for $650 is safe money even if I don't gel to it later, but I have a strange feeling I'm really gunna like this one.

Compared to my Highway Patrolman, it is a measure more refined, with higher grade polish, and a smoother, crisper action. I wouldnt be surprised if this one has had only a box or two of ammo through it in the last 40 years- a pleasant side effect of the oddball caliber, no doubt. Subtle differences, sure, but noticeable.

Thanks for everyone's input!
 
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NIGHTLORD40K said:
Compared to my Highway Patrolman, it is a measure more refined, with higher grade polish, and a smoother, crisper action. I wouldnt be surprised if this one has had only a box or two of ammo through it in the last 40 years- a pleasant side effect of the oddball caliber, no doubt. Subtle differences, sure, but noticeable.

Thanks for everyone's input!
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I'm envious. But you're welcome anyway.:)
 
I had a model 57 no dash that was refinished in a matte blue, got it from an old deputy out of Corpus Christi, gave me an extra nickel cylinder for it, 200 rounds of ammo and a nice set of wood eagle grips with it. I say get it. Your only gonna live once and you can buy relatively cheap ammo from georgia arms.
 
NIGHTLORD40K said:
Put it on layaway for $650+tax. It'll be a couple months before I pick it up, but when I do, I'll post some pics.

I figure any nice N-frame for $650 is safe money even if I don't gel to it later, but I have a strange feeling I'm really gunna like this one.

Compared to my Highway Patrolman, it is a measure more refined, with higher grade polish, and a smoother, crisper action. I wouldnt be surprised if this one has had only a box or two of ammo through it in the last 40 years- a pleasant side effect of the oddball caliber, no doubt. Subtle differences, sure, but noticeable.

Thanks for everyone's input!
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A wise and prudent decision.
Congratulations!!!
I think you will find this an excellent combination of power and accuracy if your 57 is anything like mine.
My 57 is such a fine shooter that I found a way to buy a couple more .41Magnums, both of them Ruger BlackHawks.
And I am always on the lookout for another .41Magnum if it's a good deal.
 
I passed on a 3" 657 with box and factory combat stocks (worth a couple hundred by themselves) that was marked at 600 just a couple years ago.

I even already had a 41 Blackhawk at the time!

I didn't have the cash at the time and hadn't thought of putting it on layaway.

I did later buy a Rossi 92 though that I put on 90 day layaway, but paid it off within the first 30. At least I had some sense and didn't pass on that one.
 
The Evangelist Cowboy said:
I had a model 57 no dash that was refinished in a matte blue, got it from an old deputy out of Corpus Christi, gave me an extra nickel cylin
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375supermag said:
A wise and prudent decision.
Congratulations!!!
I think you will find this an excellent combination of power and accuracy if your 57 is anything like mine.
My 57 is such a fine shooter that I found a way to buy a couple more .41Magnums, both of them Ruger BlackHawks.
And I am always on the lookout for another .41Magnum if it's a good deal.
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Now that I'll be keeping a supply of .41 on hand, I suppose there's no reason not to pick up a .41 Blackhawk or Redhawk if I happen across one at some point.......:)
 
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