Review of S&W Model 57

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GUN DOG

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Yup hot a 6 in mod 57, a full load of 296 & 170 gr sierra. S&W have a slower twist than the rugers mine didn't like the 250 & 280 cast GC boolits, likes em light & fast. I would love a lever in 41 mag haven't found one yet they are pricey
 

gerhard1

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It is one of my Holy Grail guns. That and a S&W Model 20 That is the 38 Special with a 4" barrel and fixed sights made on the N-frame.

Similar to the 520 .357 fixed sight N-frame?
Almost the exact same thing. Incidentally I have two of the original 520's.

For those who don't know what we are talking about here, the Model 520 was produced in 1980 exclusively for the New York State Police via a special contract with S&W. It is a 4" barrel blue steel with fixed sights. 3000 of them were made and it is the only fixed-sight N-frame 357 S&W ever made. Anyway, right after the guns were made, NYSP cancelled the contract and S&W sold them on the open market. I was fortunate enough to get two of them before the prices skyrocketed.

They are robust, well-made guns, and a lot of fun to shoot.
 

1mathom1

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I've always heard good things about the .41 Mag but have never had the opportunity to fire anything in that caliber. A few years ago a pawnshop in Broken Arrow had a Winchester lever in .41 Mag. Thinking now I should have brought it home.

If it was a Winchester, it was a gunsmith custom. Winchester DID make a model 94 in .410 though. Rare bird and it takes a large truck load of money to buy one. Marlin made a .41 mag for a couple of years (I have one) but I don't believe Winchester ever did.
It is funny but the fixed sight 58 commands more $$ than the adjustable sighted 57. I ran across a 58 at an auction about a year ago that had been somebody's under-the-seat truck gun. It was ROUGH. Sold for $950.

I am a big .41 fan. Have a few and always in the market for more. Highest on my list right now are the 5" Redhawk (blued is much more rare than the stainless) and a 4" 58 or 657. Wouldn't turn down the 3" Lew Horton 657 if I found one either.

If you shoot them, you need to be a reloader. Ammo is not terribly abundant (but you can find it easier than .22lr) and it is expensive when you do.
 

flatwins

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If it was a Winchester, it was a gunsmith custom. Winchester DID make a model 94 in .410 though. Rare bird and it takes a large truck load of money to buy one. Marlin made a .41 mag for a couple of years (I have one) but I don't believe Winchester ever did.
It is funny but the fixed sight 58 commands more $$ than the adjustable sighted 57. I ran across a 58 at an auction about a year ago that had been somebody's under-the-seat truck gun. It was ROUGH. Sold for $950.

I am a big .41 fan. Have a few and always in the market for more. Highest on my list right now are the 5" Redhawk (blued is much more rare than the stainless) and a 4" 58 or 657. Wouldn't turn down the 3" Lew Horton 657 if I found one either.

If you shoot them, you need to be a reloader. Ammo is not terribly abundant (but you can find it easier than .22lr) and it is expensive when you do.

Ah, ok. Must have been a Marlin then.
 

gerhard1

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Before I worked for Boeing, their security in Seattle had a few of the Model 20's and they looked like they were decent guns. I wish I had been up there to get one when they were surplussed.

Incidentally, does Lew Horton still have S&W to make up small batches of guns for them from time to time? If they do and enough interest is expressed, Horton might (MIGHT) have S&W to do a small batch of the Model 58's. Or the Model 520. Or whatever.

Is that a thought?
 

UnSafe

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IMO, if you want or have any revolver in .41 mag, you need to reload. .41 ammo has always been overpriced and relatively hard to find. Even a Lee hand loader would work fine, at least until you go nutz with the process.

My 6" 657 is easily the most accurate 50 yd CF handgun I own. Weight, crisp SA trigger and big clear sights help.
 

AKguy1985

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Before I worked for Boeing, their security in Seattle had a few of the Model 20's and they looked like they were decent guns. I wish I had been up there to get one when they were surplussed.

Incidentally, does Lew Horton still have S&W to make up small batches of guns for them from time to time? If they do and enough interest is expressed, Horton might (MIGHT) have S&W to do a small batch of the Model 58's. Or the Model 520. Or whatever.



Is that a thought?


I think they may. I see them advertized in shotgun news from time to time.
 

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