I’m interested in getting a blued S&W N frame revolver, 4” or 6” barrel without under lug. I’m already invested in .41 Magnum ammunition, dies, and components so I’m strongly considering an M57. I think the most recent version is the -5. Is there a preferred period of manufacture for the M57? If I were to describe preferred characteristics, I would say post Endurance Package and pre-MIM parts. That said, given the additional thickness of the M57 cylinder, is the Endurance Package as important to the longevity of the M57 as it is the M29? Thanks in advance.

Expat

Pinned and recessed no dash M57 is the cream of the crop.

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ in a moment of stupidity, I sold mine. Regretted every single days since.

MM

I regret getting rid of mine. Consolidating calibers is never a good idea. ...or maybe it's always a good idea, that never works.

Pinned & recessed is always the first answer. And I understand.

But, the last dash before the lock are ones I like quite a bit for the reason that they've had the most updates as far the endurance mods. Depends on intended round count & power levels too I guess.

You guys just made me drag mine out of the safe. M57 N877xxx made sometime between 80 & 82. 6" blue bought it new got it in the original shipping box with the wood pres case never even pulled the heat shrink plastic off the wood case. Never shot it much the rear blade is to short. What is really interesting is that.mine doesn't have the pinned barrel but does have the countersunk chambers. I figure it's worth atleast 3 times what I paid for it. Smith's have allways been the best using passbook savings accounts I have ever had. Mb

M57 doesn't need any so called "endurance mods"

The M57 no dash are without a doubt the best 57's and they are not in need of anything whatsoever

Thank you, JWP. Your first sentence is the informed judgment call I’ve been waiting for.

Absolutely correct. I have verified this by shooting my guns for 35 years.

With what “-#” did the MIM parts and lock start?

I’m trying to set parameters given this purchase will be subject to market availability. I’ve established the no dash P&R guns are great. What is the most recent “-#” manufacture you can get without the undesirable MIM parts and key lock?

Mine will be here Tuesday. 4 inch nickel with the presentation case. IIRC no dash pinned and recessed. The seller threw in some ammo so I can go out and shoot it. I found dies but bullets and additional brass are elusive. Someday things will ease up and I can stock up.

Earlier the better. The S prefix is preferred to the N prefix.

Enlightening here for me to learn the 57 doesn't need the endurance package. Noted. Yet confusing as S&W chose to add it anyway. Did they or their engineers know something we didn't? But whatever the case, is it a bad thing to have if you wind up with a gun that has it?

Now that I've been enlightened, help with the P&R thing. Does that represent a time when Smiths were really good, maybe the best? If that's all it means, then I understand. Otherwise, does a 1/16th of a inch pin or a recessed cylinder mean anything else? I'm lost to the meaning of these 2 things.

Thank you.

MIM started, I think, in 1997. The internal lock in 1998. If you want a pinned barrel and recessed chambers, go for a pre-1982, but I'd definitely get at least a pre-1997.

Pinned and recessed was a time of top quality craftsmanship at S&W

i have a 876 serial num six inch. stainless. i don't think it's ever been fired. pinned and recessed

If it's stainless it's not a 57.

im always confusing the two, must be nickel, it is marked a 57,

I have 2 657's.

a 4" no dash



and a 6" -2

Those are beauties.

Thanks. Both bought from a cop in Jax.

Another thing is the bluing was much better on the no dash versions.

Its hard to appreciate the hand fitting and finishing that went into pre-Model Number Smiths. I was given a pair of Model 10's made in 1949 both new in the gold box that had been locked in a factory office in a filing cabinet for over 40 years. The wood to metal fit was literally perfect. The factory blue was not a high polish, but perfectly uniform over the entire gun. Metal to metal seams were virtually invisible. I traded them off to a collector before I could be tempted to open the cylinders. Not see guns like that made again except for the truly big bucks.