S&W model 57

[tombogan03884]

Took a walk down to the "loyalist" gun store yesterday.
Not much but Glocks for hand guns , but they had a used S&W  Model 57 41 Magnum , $850.
Seemed pretty high. Maybe Alf can weigh in on that.

[Majer]

I'm not Alf,But if it was a pre-lock in excellent shape it sounds about right.I just sold my S&W Model 29-3 for $800.00

[tombogan03884]

Wow . Yeah, no lock, and looked in good shape, with a 4 inch barrel.

[alfsauve]

I was about to say, it would help to have more info.  Specifically, most importantly the dash number, 57-x. Any special features or markings.  (e.g., Bi-centinneal.)  Box?   Tell us more.   (Quite frankly I've found most used  S&Ws and especially the Colt snakes to be way overpriced.)

Today's version, with side lock, is the 57-5 and MSRP is $1,009.  Buds last price was $811.

History:   Introduced in 1964.  Standard barrel lengths include 1.75, 4, 6 & 8-3/8.  A few special ones may have other lengths.   Discontinued in 1993.  Re-introduced as a "classic" (with lock) in 2005.

Consulting Supica's book, I'd suspect $700 would be over the top, unless there were something special about it.  Then again, if you're a .41mag nut, then $800 might be cheap.   On Gun Broker all but one are starting for $700 or more and have NO bids.  The well used one is at $450, with 2 bids, but no telling what the seller reserve price is.


ASIDE:   My problem with the .41 Mag is that it's not that different from the .44Mag especially when you realize the .44 mag is actually... .429.   What little gain in velocity and flatter trajectory you loose in mass.    Inherent bullet accuracy might be a factor but I doubt if it would matter to many of us.

[tombogan03884]

Thanks Alf, no box, don't know the dash #, didn't see anything special about it and nothing special was mentioned on the tag.

[Sponsor]

[Conagher 45]

If memory serves me correct Bill Jordan championed the .41 mag as the new best round for law enforcement back in the late 60's or early 70's. Trouble was the start of auto loaders was just around the bend and a lot of administrative a$$ hats thought it to be too powerful and a lot of street cops didn't shoot it all too well. Not much difference than the .44 mag when you really get down to the nuts and bolts of things. Still I believe the .41 mag to be a great cartridge and wouldn't feel under gunned for anything up to and including black bear or even moose at close range.