Shot M57 .41 Mag for the first time today!

[Nightcrawler]

Hoo hoo! Is this think a HOOT to shoot! Shot 40 rounds of 175grn Silvertips, 20 rounds of Federal 210grn JHP, and 20 roundsof Federal 250grn HardCast.

The Silvertips are puppydogs in the big 6" N-Frame. Sweet shooting. The Federals, espeically the 250 grainers, were more noticable.

The M57 in question cost me $350, in such mint condition that it only BARELY had the line around the cylinder. Whomever owned it before me apparently zeroed the sights and didn't shoot it much.

I found in an impromptu test that the Silvertip rounds are so flat-shooting that I'm confident I could hit a man sized target all the way out to 100 yards.

I have a new favorite handgun.

 

[Erich]

Congrats on the purchase and on a great price. I enjoy the .41s.

 

[riverdog]

Congrats on the Mod 57. I have one in 4" and it is a blast (literally and figuratively .

I really like the 175 gr Silvertips for PD due to the relatively light recoil.; it's very controllable. It also has a totally different report than a .357 Mag. It sounds beefier -- whatever. Congrats, you'll enjoy it.

 

[caz223]

My 657 and my blackhawk .41s both do paper plate groups at 70 yards offhand. (Assisted by a red dot.)
Red dots are nice, if you can hit it with a red dot, it's inside your effective range.

 

[Majic]

With just a little hold over I can occasionally hit the 10" steel gongs at 300yd at the range I used to shoot at. Try it if you ever get a chance and you will then see just how flat it does shoot.

 

[tex_n_cal]

I saw a Model 657 today, with 7.5" heavy barrel. That ought to be a pretty fun piece.

I had a M57 some years ago & sold it. I don't recall it being that accurate, but my handloading skills had not yet jelled. I keep looking at it & think it might be fun to re-visit the caliber.

 

[caz223]

You don't need mad skills to reload .41 magnum, just pick a load, and try it. (2400, H110, blue dot, etc.)
Chances are, it will outshoot your other pistols.

 

[tex_n_cal]

Ummm...what I've learned in the past 20 years about reloading for revolvers still applies to the .41 mag:

1. Turn down the expander, so it's at least .005" smaller than bullet diameter. A tight crimp can not by itself replace tight bullet fit in the case.

2. Make sure the cases are the same length, or trim to size if not.

3. Use a seating die with a floating alignment sleeve for most accurate bullet seating. Redding and Hornady being two of them. Not sure if the Redding Comp seating die is available in .41, though.

4. Hodgdon Lil"gun powder, at least in full power mag revolver loads

 

[munk]

1st double action was a redhawk 41
1st handgun was a bisely 41

Traded the Redhawk 5.5" for a new 657

Sold the 657 (nice gun though)

Curently have same Bisley
a blue 7.5 Redhawk
and a 4" 57

no more trades or sales


munk

 

[happy old sailor]

there's just something about a .41

some undefinable something that makes me want another one.

 

[munk]

Got a 44 Superredhawk 10 years ago, though I called it a super shi- hawk for about 5 years until I finally got it fixed.

Wanted to see what the 44 was about, and how it differed from the 45 Colt or 41. I never cared for it with 240 gr bullets. But with 300's it settles right down and is a fine shooter.

People who say there is no earthly reason for the 41 might as well say there is no earthly reason for a 44, since the 45 Colt will outperform it every time with the proper handloads.

But all three are wonderful rounds. If biggest was best we'd all carry Smith 500's.

It is usually the 4" 41 that goes with me in the woods.


munk

 

[Nightcrawler]

I contacted Smith & Wesson. For a total of a little more than $200, they can rebarrel it to 4" for me. PERFECT!

What I REALLY wish, though, is that instead of a full underlug or mountain gun barrel, I could find a plain barrel that has no underlug, save the little nub in front of the ejector rod to protect it. You know, like on a Model 10 or an old 1917? I think those look the best.

I don't know if they made those in .41, though, and I don't know where I could find one in new condition.

 

[ACP230]

A barrel from the Model 58 might be made to work. Gun Parts Co., doesn't seem to have any, but I wonder if Smith still might.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Is that what the M58's barrel looked like? Can somebody post a picture?

 

[db4]

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=8994554

 

[ACP230]

That's a 57 on GunBroker. I can't post a pic, but if you can find a copy of Gun Trader's Guide, or an old Gun Digest at a bookstore, the 58 should be pictured there.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I've found a picture of the 58. I like that, and I like the full underlug on a 4" tube. The half shroud (mountain gun style) is okay, but not my favorite.

I wonder what kind of barrel the performance center will have to install?