Older 3-inch S&W Model 657 (.41 Magnum)?

J

jimmy

New member
I'd be interested in any shooting experiences with the 3-inch S&W Model 657 with goncalo alves combat stocks. A limited run of these revolvers was made around 1985, I believe, possibly as a Lew Horton special.

Specifically, how is the quality? I ask this because my brother used to have a 3-inch 657, whose cylinder was defective from the start--all of the cartridge cases split (factory ammo). S&W replaced the cylinder, but he sold the gun anyway.

I now have a chance to trade for one, and am seriously interested. But I'd like to know if these guns generally came with built-in problems.

TIA.

[This message has been edited by jimmy (edited September 27, 2000).]
 
When I used to manage a gun store in the late '80s, we had some of these. Never had any problems of any sort. S&W N-frames tended to shoot themselves out of time with the bigger (.41 and .44) mags, but I don't think this problem was insolvable - you just had to keep an eye on it and bring it to a 'smith when necessary.

I love the .41 mag. to death, but I personally prefer a longer bbl - at LEAST 4" - on that caliber. (I've got a Ruger Blackhawk with a 4 5/8" bbl and I would purely love a S&W 58 which came with a 4" tube.) My subjective opinion is that those N-frames feel best with a 5" bbl. But, if the 3" is your thing, I don't think you'd regret the revolver you're considering. I think your bro just caught an ugly one.
 
Saw one at a show a couple of weeks ago. I'd be interested if it were not in stainless steel.

It had one problem, though. Someone who thought they knew what they were doing did an "action job" on it.

It would stay cocked single action, but the hammer would drop easily if it were pushed.

Be sure to check ANY used revolver for this condition before you buy it.

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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
Lew Horton commissioned 5000 of the 3" 657's in 1985. I have no experience with the .41 mag. Lew Horton but do own a .44 mag. example of the Lew Horton 629, 3" gun. The workmanship, like all Smith's of that era is excellent. The recoil of the .44 is actually very manageable due to the grip design. In fact the perceived recoil is less than that of my 4" Smith .44's.

Mike, Lew Horton never commissioned a blued 3" .41 but did offer a run of 100 blued model 25's in .45 Long Colt, 5000 blued model 29's in .44 mag. and 5000 blued model 24's in .44 Special. Like you I prefer blued guns and have been looking for a model 29 Lew Horton for years to no avail. :(

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Gunslinger

I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!
 
I HAVE A LEW HORTON .41 MAGNUM:
These guns were made on the "K-FRAME", not the N-FRAME. They were round butt. THEY WILL NOT TAKE FULL CHARGE LOADS for very long. I shot 17.5 grains of 2400 behind a 210 grain bullet for several years. I had to send it back to the factory and have the FRAME replaced with a SQUARE BUTT N-FRAME.

I carry it for CCW with defense loads but shoot light loads for practice.
 
Madison, I hate to be argumentive but.... :confused:
Even though Lew Horton has commissioned some "L" frame guns the .41 mag., .44 Spl., .44 mag. and 45 LC's are all "N" frames. All parts are interchangable with any other "N" frame gun with the exception of the grips, which are a bastardization some where between an N and a K/L. The frame size of a Smith & Wesson is not determined by the shape of the butt.
How do you send a Smith & Wesson back and have them replace a frame? That would mean a whole new gun.

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Gunslinger

I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!

[This message has been edited by Gunslinger (edited September 28, 2000).]
 
I have a Lew Horton 657, and it was worked over by a gunsmith who knew what he was doing. The single action trigger pull is very light, but can't be "pushed" off and the double action pull is just flat wonderful, as smooth and as light as any I've ever felt.
The problem is the way the gun twists in my hand. The backwards force of the recoil isn't too bad, but the speed of the muzzle rise and resulting twisting in my hands is unreal. How do the rest of you shoot this gun and keep it under control?

P.S Gunslinger you forgot to mention the 5000 624 Lew Hortons with 3" barrels in 44 Special. These various Lew Horton Limited runs I think were the first S&W N frames that had round butt grip frames, now everything S&W makes is round butt grip frames.
 
Chris McDermott, I have a Mdl. 57, 6", and love it. (Killed a 400 pound black bear in the Sierra, with it, several years ago.)

I had Deacon Deason make a pair of grips in the Skeeter Skelton style, to exactly fit my hand, and that really helps tame the recoil. Makes it a great revolver to shoot. The grips are smooth birdseye Maple.

Deeson died several years ago, but I think there is someone out there who is making the exact grips, as he did. Perhaps someone here has a name and address for the grips maker????

I use 13 grs of Blue Dot with 215/220 gr hard cast bullets, and they work fine, without beating the gun (or me) to death.

FWIW. J.B.
 
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