S&W Model 58 review and firing

[@Joakim-j7h]

I'm a huge 41 Mag fan, I have used em 30+ years now. Have couple of 57s. A 58 like yours is my dream carry revolver! :D I wish S&W would make them again, in stainless! :P

[@wsc31]

I have had my Mod 57 4" for almost fifty years. It was my duty weapon until deparment policy changed and required the use of the issue Mod 681 on duty. I used the police load and reloaded practice ammo to approximate that load. Kept a half dozen full house magnum rounds on my belt in case something big and hairy considered me a candidate for his lunch.

[@thomasvess6253]

That S&W 58 looks like an overgrown mod 13 which is absolutely sexy. There's something about a 4" fixed sight N frame that is just mean. I'm really wanting to get one, I do have a 29-2 coming to me shortly but that 41 mag is a little harder to find in North Alabama (Roll Tide)!!

[@Alfalfa61]

@thomas vess, i completely agree! I lucked into this one from some local guys who loved their three inchers the most. I think you will see a resurgence of interest in 41’s and hopefully some more moderate prices. Good luck!!

[@RBG-tr9ce]

Just picked up 58 and a model 13-3 the other day, Hadn’t got to shoot either yet. They look good next to my 29 and 69!

[@michaelhatfield3430]

I love my model 58 and 657 and other 41 magnums. My favorite revolver caliber

[@Alfalfa61]

Michael Hatfield this is my first 41. Haven’t fired it a lot yet, but I am loving it so far! Not sure why it has taken most of my life to come around to trying it.

[@Alfalfa61]

Michael Hatfield I am starting to understand why. We grew up w 44 blackhawks as kids then RedHawks and m29’s. Just assumed 44 was the solution, but I am loving the 41 now too!

[@rascal0175]

There was a Remington police load designed for the Model 58. The 58 was offered as police service weapon but could not compete with the autoloader surge. The 58 will shoot full .41 magnum loads but was not intended for that purpose, The police load was a 210 grain lead semi-wadcutter at 900 FPS.

[@RBG-tr9ce]

I think San Antonio PD tried using the .41 magnum in the 60’s or early 70’s. Big frame for officers with small hands was one reason it didn’t last.

[@travhammer]

Oddball or no, fixed sight Smiths have always been my fav. I have most all of them. Just picked a 581. She's a shooter.

[@Joakim-j7h]

581s are great guns!

[@markofwisconsin]

"Gordon Kahl fired at least one round, which severely wounded Matthews in the heart, and Matthews fired a single .41 Magnum round from his 4-inch Smith & Wesson Model 57 revolver, which hit Kahl in the head and instantly killed him." The 41 magnum is a ferocious cartridge in the full magnum load. I personally own a model 57 and 58.

[@m.loughlin1915]

Best all around handgun cartridge in the history of firearms. Scary accurate with squib target loads to hot magnums. Pisses me off for the last 35 years that it didn't become too popular. I had a 57 with a 4" tube decades ago. Sold it because at the time, the conventional wisdom was that it would be totally obsolete by the 1990s. Now, in 2021 they're still in use and people who have them are not giving them up. Had a friend back in the days who had a 57 with an 8 3/8" tube. When he passed away in '85, his son inherited it, rightfully so, and he ain't parting with it to this day. Don't blame him a bit. I would so love to have a 58. Maybe, someday, I wish, I hope, I pray!

[@Alfalfa61]

@M. Loughlin, I am with ya! I followed the crowd down the 44mag path forever or more correctly the .429mag path. I lucked into this one, and some bulk ammo so have grown to love the 41. I am probably odd, but I really like the fixed sight 58. I packed it out deer hunting a couple years, just in case. I hope you get lucky down the road and can bag one! Thanks for your comment!

[@m.loughlin1915]

@@Alfalfa61 😉

[@walatsway7092]

These are great revolvers powerful and great testament on great workmanship! Great caliber! Enjoy

[@Alfalfa61]

Thank you! I am looking forward to more trigger time with this! Agreed on the design and workmanship!

[@zivendine]

IGOOD VIDEO I have two 41’s, models 57 and 58. My favorite ammo is the Winchester Silver-Tips. If you’re a serious 41 fan, get into hand loading as the 41 mag ammo can be difficult to find. I’m anxiously awaiting S&W to chamber the 41 in a smaller 5-shot frame as they do with 44 mag. I became infatuated with the 41 mag after reading in a 1970’s Cartridges of the World. The author Frank Barnes praised the 41 claiming deeper penetration on game than 44 mag with 70% of the 44’s recoil. I used to carry my m-58 no dash as a car gun. After seeing the prices they are fetching used I no longer risk having it stolen. More often than not I forget to bring my car gun back in the house. My current car guns are a S&W Model 10, 38 Special or a Bulgarian Makarov. I’ve carried my m-57 with 8 3/8” barrel on a few but unsuccessful Javalina hunts.

[@Alfalfa61]

James Byrnes thank you for your comments! This is my first exposure to the 41. I love it! I don’t know why I’ve been so unaware of them for all these decades. I actually packed this one out hunting last fall, just in case. My experience was much along what you described-less recoil, terrific performance! I will need to get the gear for reloading when it becomes available in the future. Thanks again!

[@andrewmcgibbon9785]

The 41 mag was originally introduced for law enforcement who wanted an upgrade in power over 357 magnum. The cowboy loads are probably pretty close to the load developed for law enforcement. About 950 fps with a 180 grain bullet.

[@leewatts5956]

I knew a cop in the late 70’s that carried a 58. He wouldn’t have anything else until he bought a model 57. In reality the 41’s were more durable than the N frame 29’s of the time because they were not getting the pounding that a 44 mag put out. Of course the 41’s were slightly heavier in weight than the 44’s because of smaller bore diameter.

[@Alfalfa61]

Lee Watts. Thinking back, we were enthralled with all the 44 mags, and still love them, but ignored the 41. Pretty regrettable now, as I am finding the irons and the caliber to be pretty amazing!

[@leewatts5956]

@@Alfalfa61 I owned a nickel 6 inch 57 back in the early 80’s. That was when the N frame adjustable rear sight Smith’s came in a beautiful wooden case. It was a great shooter and had a flatter trajectory than the 44. But it was before I had gotten into reloading. The ammo was scarce and only came in two loadings. A 180 grain semi wadcutter for cops and a 210 grain JSP for hunting. I sold the revolver for school money. And have cried about it ever since. 😂

[@CraftyAndy27]

I think they were 20k of these made for Law Enforcement with an Elmer Keith inspired loading meant to give cops something more powerful than 38 special. This was not meant for duty with the screaming magnum loads. Remington put out both loads at the same time. The 57 has adjustable sights and more of a target hammer and trigger.

[@robertmakowski7808]

58 is great gun...the original 210 lead police load ran 950 fps from the 4" barrel. The 210 JSP ran 1260. Hope you are still enjoying yours...

[@Alfalfa61]

Now that winter is nearly over this year, it will be time to get back out in the hills with it!

[@thomasschreiber9559]

The model 57 was the deluxe model .41 revolver, the 58 was the no frills police duty weapon. They also made a lower velocity .41 load for law enforcement, 1150 ft/s 210 grain semi wadcutter, this was the combo they hoped would really sell. It probably would've been better if they had named the lower velocity round the .41 special.

[@sonnygunz9207]

That ain’t no antique son. 😎

[@jd_lawdog5858]

The .41 Magnum was developed as a Law Enforcement Handgun. I knew a lot of Lawmen who carried this revolver, Including my Grandpa and a great uncle, also one of my hero's Sheriff Buford Pusser carried and shot a woman in the line of duty. The 210gr ammo was the standard carry ammo. This is a fine handgun, it's not ancient or antique, I started my Law Enforcement career with this handgun and still carry it today, Oh and the notch rear sight don't make a difference, it's the front sight you concentrate on.

[@Alfalfa61]

Thank you all for you comments! It is fascinating to me to learn and experience more with this fine caliber and iron. I enjoy hearing stories of people who have used them before.

[@ssn711]

Model 58 was a fav of SFPD motorcycle squad in late 70’s. They could shoot the guns & were not to be trifled with..

[@Alfalfa61]

I did not know that. Thanks for your comment! I continue to gain more appreciation for the 41 and those who used it!

[@myalaskalife5837]

I live in Alaska and a S&W model 57 almost identical to that one is all I cared wall in the woods granted I'm 32 now and had it all through my 20s but it well worth for everything I need..

[@richardjohnson4238]

What happened to the cylinder that had the plug in it or whatever it was?

[@joeltowle2737]

41 mag is an awesome cartridge. It actually shoots flatter then the 44 mag. Enjoy

[@williamzeller294]

The correct name of the gun is "Military & Police Model 58." That is suggestive.

[@Alfalfa61]

Thanks for your comment! It certainly lives up to its venerable name.

[@RBG-tr9ce]

I have recently acquired a model 58. The Cowboy Action ammo I shot smoked like black powder, but it was accurate

[@sparky_-mf2cs]

How much did u get that for?

[@ericwethington]

The issue with the chamber is probably it simply needs a good cleaning its not uncommon when shooting.38spl in a 357 the shorter case can cause buildup in the chambers

[@vincedagiel3905]

I’m a big .41 Remington Magnum fan. Tried the .429 (actual bore size of the 44) but I wasn’t impressed. Too much for too little gain when compared to the .41 Magnum. Model 58 for bipedal and brown/grizzly bears depending on the load. Ruger Super Blackhawk with scope for deer sized game out to 100 Yards. Model 57 Nickel 6” for Sunday BBQ. San Francisco and San Antonio issued the 58 but Remington came out with two 210 grain loads. One for police and one for hunting. Sadly many of the cops put the hunting load in their gun and saw their qualification scores plummet. That and the introduction of the bottom feeder pistols as standard for law enforcement became its death song. If they had stuck with the original police load or something like the Winchester 175 grain Silver Tip I think it would have gained better traction in the law enforcement community. With the capability of the .41 I see no need for a 44 Magnum. The 44 does, like the 357, also have easier shooting Special loads. Too bad they didn’t make a .41 Special and then introduce the Magnum. I doubt we’d have the .44 Magnum if the .41 Magnum had been introduced first.

[@kurtphillips7038]

You can now reload .41 specials.

[@mateoocampo3165]

The .41mag was designed by Elmer Kieth as a dual purpose cartridge for law enforcement/hunting. For hunting it did most everything the 44mag would do but with a little less recoil. For law enforcement, there was the "police load". 210gr lead bullet at about 950fps from a 4 incher. The police load always gave poor accuracy and excessive leading of the bore due to the bullet being under sized for the cylinder mouth/barrel diameters. Also, the large revolver was found unsuitable for officers with smaller hands. San Francisco PD and San Antonio PD were the most notable users of the .41mag. The 41mag never became popular for law enforcement/hunting. The .38special revolver loaded with +P ammunition became the most feasible choice....

[@mateoocampo3165]

......for law enforcement.

[@IAF7]

That's are a working gun like model 10 , 13, 58 same basic principle fixed sigth. I never see a 44 Mag S&W fixed sigth for me would be perfect. Thanks great video.

[@Alfalfa61]

@IAF7, I agree with everything you said! The accuracy on these old fixed barrel guns has been great! No need for adjustable sights. There are some model 29’s floating around w fixed sights but they are rare.

[@IAF7]

@@Alfalfa61 I will someday find one thanks.

[@dougeverett7909]

Buford Pusser carried one against the Dixie Mafia

[@MyRanger12]

The 58 was created for police work, but the 357 took its place.

[@Alfalfa61]

@Danny O'Conner, thanks for your comment! I think they are pretty amazing. I feel foolish for being so oblivious to them over the decades.

[@MyRanger12]

The first Dirty Harry movie was a 41 Mag. Enjoy the hobby.

[@josephesquivel4066]

Yeah the Model 58 was marketed to Law Enforcement.

[@michaelhatfield3430]

Yes it was marketed to police. The police loads were 210gr at 900fps if I remember correctly.

[@Alfalfa61]

Joseph Esquivel it sure seems like the 41 was a great solution, especially considering the model 27 was also popular in its day with the same large frame.

[@XCELERATIONRULES]

41 magnum is a bad ASS cartridge..once you shoot one.Guaranteed ownership to follow.

[@Alfalfa61]

@Xceleration Rules, I agree with you 100%!

[@malgremor85]

An antique? Then I am an antique, too. Really. I was born the year these came out.

[@magsasaka2421]

Model 58 . 41 magnum the best.

[@ericwethington]

Your not likely to find better grips than those. Maybe prettier but not better. And the beauty of the .41 mag is it was designed with two loads one was for police personal defense and was mild heavy bullet at moderate velocity. And the hotter loads same bullet weights with higher velocity.

[@anonymousf454]

It looks like it kicks life a mother fluffa. Is this all that much better than a 357 magnum? Wider meplat, heavier ammo, but looking at buffalo bore charts for 180 grain 357 and 210 grain 41, it seems your not getting all that much increase in foot pounds, and the 357 all but catches up real quick at practical hunting distances.

[@markgarrigus6444]

MAYBE YOU SHOULD START OUT WITH A HERITAGE ROUGH RIDER FOR YOUR FIRST REVOLVER. AT LEAST DO SOME WHAT OF A BACKGROUND OF THE GUN B-4 MAKING A VIDEO !

[@dennisjwest.7016]

Yea it's not made of plastic. A real revolver

[@Cucurú-c9v]

Poor guy just doesn't seem to know how to use a revolver.

[@charger98d]

Model 58 is a K frame

[@baconidontneedalastname544]

No it isn’t. It’s an N frame.

[@josephdesmond6207]

BUFORD PUSSER MCNARYCOUNTY ,TN CARRIED THE MODEL 58.