Gander Mountain find: S&W M57

W

Webleymkv

New member
So I got my tax refund a couple days ago and thought that what better way to thumb my nose at certain politicians than to use it to buy a gun. I looked around the gun shops I normally frequent and didn't find anything that struck my fancy. After picking up a friend of mine, we decided on a whim to drive up to the local Gander Mountain for kicks and giggles (Gander's prices are usually ridiculously high).

Upon arriving, I headed straight for the used case since that usually where anything I might be interested in might be (and also where I found my cherished 5" S&W M27-2). Lo and behold, what do I find but a very clean blue S&W M57 no-dash with an 8 3/8" barrel. The gun appeared to have been fired very little (barely a turn line on the cylinder) and the only real issue I could find was a chip out of the rear bottom portion of the factory target stocks. While such long barrels aren't normally my taste, I've never owned a .41 Magnum before and the gun was priced attractively at $699. Needless to say, I'm now the proud owner of the gun.

So, what does TFL think? Did I make a good, mediocre, or bad deal? Also, the gun's serial number is N6068xx if anyone with a copy of "the book" would care to give me an approximate date of manufacture (I really do need to get a copy of "the book" myself).
 
There are some folks that love .41mag. Those that do will be here shortly to fill you in.

As far as the long barrel goes I like them. If your goal is targets or hunting they are imho the best choice.
It will help with the recoil with that screaming fast round and even add a few fps that you probably won't need.

The price you paid is pretty darn good for a gun in the condition you describe.
 
This is an excellent deal and a great find. I'm currently on my third S&W 41 magnum revolver you did real good

Gary
 
The book says quite solidly that it's a 1980 born-on date. I'm using the 2nd Edition of the book (where 3rd Edition is current) and I got this one for cheap dough at a used book store. If/whenever a 4th Edition comes out, I simply owe it to Supica & Nahas to go pay full retail to get it.

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. What a resource. I can get lost in this thing... and have-- so many times. :o

Neat gun, great price. Not only do you get to thumb your nose at some politicians, you get to thumb your nose at the idjits that make Gander Mountain all that it (typically) is, by coming out of there with a decent deal. Or, in your case, another decent deal! :)
 
Originally posted by Sevens
Neat gun, great price. Not only do you get to thumb your nose at some politicians, you get to thumb your nose at the idjits that make Gander Mountain all that it (typically) is, by coming out of there with a decent deal. Or, in your case, another decent deal!
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Yeah, I never feel bad about paying substantially less than a gun is worth at Gander due to their typically outrageous prices (whoever does the pricing at the one near me must know nothing about vintage S&W's). That being said, I do feel sorry for the poor sap that sold the gun to them, he/she must have been paid next to nothing.
 
Congrats on the new shooting iron, I think I would of jumped on it for that price and condition but to really enjoy this thread I think a picture is in order so we can see your new addition.:)
 
That's a good deal for a great gun. A lot of shooters don't realize it, but the 41 mag is ballistically almost identical to the 44 mag. The 44 slug is .429 inch in diameter whereas the 41 is .410. Not much difference.

I remember reading once where a bear got shot with a 41 mag. Before he expired he was heard to say he could have sworn it was a 44.
 
very nice. i love the 41 mag. I had one but it was a small ruger blackhawk, I have been looking for one of the S&W models.

I have about 500 rounds loaded of 41 mag.

Good deal and great find! gratz
 
Originally posted by smee78
Congrats on the new shooting iron, I think I would of jumped on it for that price and condition but to really enjoy this thread I think a picture is in order so we can see your new addition.
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I will post pictures as soon as I can lay my hands on a decent digital camera (cell phone pics wouldn't do it justice I'm afraid).

Originally posted by jglsprings
Is this your first 8 3/8"? Everyone needs one "long tom"!
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Indeed it is, prior to this my longest barrel revolver was my 6" H&R 999 Sportsman .22 and my longest centerfire was my aforementioned 5" M27. Long barrels aren't generally my taste but I figured it was time for a change of pace.

Originally posted by FoghornLeghorn
That's a good deal for a great gun. A lot of shooters don't realize it, but the 41 mag is ballistically almost identical to the 44 mag. The 44 slug is .429 inch in diameter whereas the 41 is .410. Not much difference.
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Yeah, I've always thought that outside of slinging really heavy bullets (300gr+), which I have no need or desire for, that there was probably very little a .44 Magnum could do that a .41 Magnum couldn't. What always stopped me from getting a .41 before was the price and availability of ammunition. However, I'm more into reloading than I used to be and I'm finally at a place in life financially that I can afford to indulge my oddball curiosities.

Originally posted by Old 454
very nice. i love the 41 mag. I had one but it was a small ruger blackhawk, I have been looking for one of the S&W models.
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While this is the first .41 I've owned, it's not my first experience with the cartridge. Both my younger brother and a very good friend of mine own 6 1/2" barrel .41 Magnum Ruger Blackhawks that I've shot before.
 
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