Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W Model 57-1 now with 1st range report

Finally found a revolver to add as a side kick to the recent Marlin purchase in the same caliber. Its a Model 57-1 in .41 mag with a 4 inch barrel. I am not sure whether to leave the wood target grips on it or change to hogue tamer grips. I like the look of the wood but the tamer grips are a little thinner on it and give great purchase when handling. I really like the wide target hammer and the action is very smooth.

I am going to shoot it tomorrow with a bunch of different factory loads. I have all the components to reload and looking for any suggestions for favorites. I also have .41 special dies and brass, so any one have a favorite of that I would like to try also. I have quick load and other resources but figured I would ask the wealth of knowledge here since this is my first .41 mag.

Congrats on your 57-1.

Its a cartridge that is all but obsolete, except for the few that appreciate tight tolerances and being a half step above a 357 and a quarter step below a 44.

The 57 is about the best N frame ever created or on par with the 24.

HawkI is spot on. Perfect size for the N frame.

As to loads, it depends what you are needing, as the revolver is very flexible.

A grizzly protection load that I like is a stout charge of 296, magnum primer, with a 265 gr Cast Performance WFNGC. It clocks just over 1100 fps from my 4” M57 no dash, is very accurate. Never shot a grizzly, but was close a few years ago on a DIY caribou hunt in ANWR.

For 240-250 grain hard cast bullets, I like 17.5 gr/2400, standard primer. Jacketed bullets get 18 gr. I consider this my standard and most used load.

I will also add that I use and like very much a 4” 29-2, but admit that my love affair is with the Model 57s.

The 41 Magnum was originally conceived as the ultimate law enforcement round, with little interest from sportsman, and not much more interest by law enforcement. What got it kicked off among sportsman, however, was, believe it or not, the huge popularity of the movie Dirty Harry. S&W had trouble selling even the Model 29 till that movie came along, then suddenly, stores couldn't keep them in stock. If you wanted one, you had to get on a long waiting list, and expect to pay full MSRP for it, if not more.

But anyone who wanted one could get their hands on a Model 57, which was the same gun, in nearly as potent a chambering. So folks who didn't want to wait a year or more for a Model 29 picked themselves up a Model 57. They soon discovered that it actually had merit as a sporting round, and it's popularity improved, even if it never became stellar like the .44 Magnum Model 29.

Beautiful gun. I wouldn't change a thing.

Those factory grips are great for absorbing recoil, because they have a wide backstrap, that spreads out the impulse over your whole palm rather than concentrating it along a thin line like thinner grips do.

Love those 4” model 57’s!

Took it to the range today, Shot a variety of old and new factory ammo only, 2 handed unsupported at 25 yds, double action only as fast as I could require the sight picture.

Nothing to write home about but I am still pleased. The only shots that hit high on the torso were from the Federal 250gr load. The one shot low on the head was me trying to reset the trigger faster to feel its sear break release point, The Remington 170gr load wins the largest fireball contest. The underwood ammo is stout! Bullet weights from 170gr to 250gr so far.

Closer look at the ammo used, added pic.

Nice revolver. I've always thought that the .41 magnum is a more appropriate chambering for an N frame than the .44 magnum.

As for replacing the grips,..I like to keep an eye on eBay for grips. These look like they would fit a hand better than the originals,...for $40.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266119034513?

I saw a very nice Model 57 no dash for $1299 a few days ago, went back today and it was gone......

That rear sight looks like someone has a trigger jerk.

I adjusted the rear sight once I got it. So maybe the previous owner was a trigger jerker. Now it looks like this.

That was a decent price, they are averaging around 1300-1400 + tax and shipping and GB fees online.

What’s wrong with factory target stocks? Those $40 Asian stocks will detract from the N frame rather than add anything.

I need to shoot it with the factory stocks, I tried the hogue and I didn't like them, which is a first, because I have them on some of my other revolvers and like them.

They're flared too large at the bottom.

I love the M-57 the 41 mag with 220 flat point hards cast is excellent for Deer, Antelope and hogs.

Some Eagle Heritage grips for the win.

Nice 57. I've really like the 4" .41. You asked about grips. For me, I would 100% go Hogue rubber finger groove grips. About the worst for handling recoil in my hands are the Roper and Skelton style grips. The factory checkered grips are OK, too. But all this varies with the individual.