The Smith & Wesson Model 57 is a premium N-frame revolver chambered in .41 Remington Magnum, introduced in 1964. You’ll find it available in barrel lengths from 4 to 8-3/8 inches, featuring adjustable rear sights and a red insert front sight. While it offers 20% less recoil than the .44 Magnum, it maintains impressive performance for both competitive shooting and hunting. Its legacy as a precision firearm, though overshadowed by the Model 29, reveals an intriguing chapter in magnum revolver development.
Key Takeaways
- The Smith & Wesson Model 57 is a premium .41 Remington Magnum revolver introduced in 1964 with adjustable sights and multiple barrel options.
- Built on S&W’s N-frame platform, it features a crisp 3.5-pound single-action trigger pull and 10-pound double-action pull.
- The revolver comes with various barrel lengths (4, 6, 6-1/2, and 8-3/8 inches) in either blued or nickel-plated finishes.
- Current MSRP is $979 for modern variants with a 6.0-inch barrel length and blued finish.
- The Model 57 offers .41 Magnum performance with 20% less recoil than .44 Magnum, making it suitable for competitive shooting.
Description
The Smith & Wesson Model 57 debuted in 1964 as a premium large-frame revolver chambered in .41 Remington Magnum. This N-frame revolver featured premium target components, including an adjustable rear sight with white outline, red insert front sight, and oversized wooden target grips.
S&W offered the new Model 57 Magnum Model in various barrel lengths: 4, 6, 6-1/2, and 8-3/8 inches, with either blued or nickel-plated finishes.
Price Range
Modern variants of Smith & Wesson’s Model 57 Classics line carry an MSRP of $979, positioning this .41 Magnum revolver within reach of both collectors and shooting enthusiasts. While not a Performance Center model, you’ll find significant value in its traditional features.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| MSRP | $979 |
| Finish | Blued |
| Barrel Length | 6.0″ |
| Frame Style | Square-butt |
This pricing strategy maintains accessibility while delivering classic S&W craftsmanship and modern safety features.
Specifications
The Smith & Wesson Model 57 is chambered in .41 Remington Magnum with a 6.0-inch barrel and weighs 3.0 pounds unloaded. You’ll find this revolver constructed of blued carbon steel, featuring adjustable white outline rear sights and a red insert ramp front sight. The specifications showcase the Model 57’s robust design, balancing power and precision in a full-size frame revolver.
| Feature | Specification | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 3.0 lbs | 3.28 lbs loaded |
| Barrel | 6.0 inches | 11.4″ overall length |
| Sights | Adjustable | 7.9″ sight radius |
Weight
Weighing precisely 3.0 pounds unloaded and 3.28 pounds loaded, Smith & Wesson’s Model 57 revolver maintains substantial heft characteristic of its N-frame design.
You’ll find the weight distribution balanced along its 11.4-inch length, complemented by the 2.6-inch front strap and 4.9-inch back strap heights. This weight configuration, coupled with the 6.0-inch barrel, provides stability through the 7.9-inch sight radius.
Barrel Length
Building upon its N-frame architecture, Smith & Wesson’s Model 57 offered multiple barrel length configurations to suit diverse shooting applications. You’ll find the Model 57 most commonly with a 6-inch barrel, though 4-inch and 8-3/8-inch versions were also produced.
The longer 8-3/8-inch barrel delivered enhanced ballistic performance, while a rare custom shop 5-inch variant was manufactured in limited numbers.
Material Made Out Of
Crafted from robust blued carbon steel, Smith & Wesson’s Model 57 exhibits the premium material construction characteristic of their N-frame revolvers. The blued carbon steel construction provides a durable finish while maintaining the revolver’s substantial weight of 3.0 pounds unloaded and 3.28 pounds loaded.
You’ll find this material choice consistent throughout the firearm, from its 4.9-inch back strap to its precision-engineered sighting system.
Chambered In
The Model 57’s heart lies in its .41 Remington Magnum chambering, a cartridge that debuted alongside the revolver in 1964. You’ll find this round strikes an impressive balance between power and control, generating only 20% less recoil than the .44 Magnum while delivering comparable ballistic performance.
With 210-grain JHP loads reaching 1,300 fps and producing 800 ft-lbs of energy, it’s equally suited for hunting and defense.
Capacity
Precision engineering defines the Model 57’s six-round cylinder capacity, built on Smith & Wesson’s robust N-frame platform. You’ll find the same reliable six-shot cylinder design used in their legendary Model 29 .44 Magnum.
The cylinder chambers the powerful .41 Remington Magnum cartridge, offering optimal spacing and lockup for consistent performance. This configuration provides the ideal balance between power and control.
Trigger Pull
Building on its refined cylinder design, Model 57’s trigger mechanism delivers outstanding performance in both single and double-action modes. You’ll find the single-action trigger pull breaks crisply at 3.5 pounds, while the double-action revolver pull weighs in at 10 pounds with no stacking.
The trigger’s performance maintains consistency across varying loads, offering precise control through the micro-adjustable sights at 25 yards.
Safety?
Safety features on today’s Model 57 Classics incorporate modern upgrades while maintaining the revolver’s traditional double-action design. You’ll find a frame-mounted firing pin and a key-lock safety system, which adds an extra layer of security to the classic square-butt frame configuration.
The crush-fit barrel design, while different from the original pinned barrel, maintains the revolver’s structural integrity and operational safety.
Action
Featuring an N-Frame design, the Model 57’s action delivers impressive performance metrics that set it apart in the revolver market. You’ll find a crisp single-action trigger breaking at 3.5 pounds, while the double-action pull remains manageable at 10 pounds.
The adjustable white outline rear sight, paired with a red insert ramp front sight, provides a 7.9-inch sight radius for enhanced accuracy during five-shot groups.
Optic Ready?
The Model 57 Classics comes optics-ready with a pre-drilled and tapped top strap, making scope mounting straightforward and secure. You’ll find the 6.0-inch barrel version offers a 7.9-inch sight radius, optimizing your optics performance.
The Smith & Wesson Model features micro-adjustable rear sights for precise optic zeroing, while its robust N-Frame construction provides the stability needed to handle mounted optics during recoil.
Review
The Model 57’s exceptional single-action trigger pull of 3.5 pounds and manageable double-action pull of 10 pounds will give you precise control during both target shooting and practical applications. You’ll find the revolver’s accuracy impressive, as demonstrated by its ability to produce half-inch groups at 25 yards with Federal 250-grain CastCore loads, while the consistent velocity spreads between 42-63 fps ensure reliable performance.
The combination of target-grade features, including the red insert front sight, adjustable white outline rear sight, and oversized wooden target grips, makes this N-frame revolver a dependable choice for both competitive shooting and hunting applications.
Pros
Several compelling advantages make the Model 57 a standout performer in Smith & Wesson’s magnum revolver lineup. You’ll appreciate its superior fit and excellent accuracy, coupled with manageable recoil that’s 20% less than the .44 Magnum.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Trigger Pull | Crisp 3.5 lb SA, 10 lb DA |
| Sights | Micro-adjustable elevation |
| Velocity | Low 42 fps extreme spread |
| Cartridge | .41 Magnum performance |
| Recoil | 20% less than .44 Magnum |
Cons
Market realities ultimately hindered the Model 57’s widespread adoption. Despite Elmer Keith’s vision for a police service revolver, many departments rejected the .41 Magnum due to excessive recoil and muzzle blast.
| Limitation | Impact | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Police Resistance | Limited adoption | 1964-1977 |
| Magnum Branding | Marketing challenge | Throughout production |
| Competition | Overshadowed by .44 Mag | Post-Model 29 era |
The Model 58’s budget-friendly variant also failed to gain traction, with only 20,000 units produced.
Reliability
Renowned for mechanical excellence, Smith & Wesson’s Model 57 consistently delivered outstanding reliability throughout its production run. You’ll find the revolver’s tight cylinder lock-up and precise timing ensure flawless operation with the new cartridge.
The robust construction handles .41 Magnum pressures without issue, maintaining accuracy across multiple shot strings. Testing demonstrated zero malfunctions regardless of ammunition selection.
Similar Models
Following the success of the Model 57, Smith & Wesson developed companion variants to expand their .41 Magnum revolver lineup. The Model 58, introduced in 1964, offered a more affordable option with a 4-inch barrel and fixed sights, though it didn’t match the Model 57’s market success.
In 1986, S&W launched the stainless steel Model 657. A rare 5-inch variant of the Model 57 was also produced in limited numbers through their custom shop.
Similar Models From Other Manufacturers
While Smith & Wesson dominated the .41 Magnum revolver market initially, other manufacturers soon developed their own competing models.
Ruger’s Super Blackhawk offered the first major alternative .41 Magnum revolver in 1967. Colt followed with their Trooper Mark III in 1971, while Interarms introduced the Wildey Magnum semi-auto in 1978. Later entries included Taurus’s Model 415 in 1993 and Magnum Research’s BFR in 2006.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance of the Model 57 requires specific attention to its stainless or carbon steel finish, cylinder timing, and lockwork components. You’ll need to follow a strict oiling schedule, applying lubricant to the cylinder pin, ejector rod, and internal parts every 200 rounds.
Clean the barrel and cylinder chambers after each use, and inspect the trigger return spring and hand for proper function.
History
In 1964, Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 57 revolver to complement their newly developed .41 Magnum cartridge, which had debuted the previous year. Built on the N-frame platform, the Model 57 featured premium components like target triggers, hammers, and oversized wooden grips.
Despite notable input from experts like Elmer Keith and Bill Jordan, the revolver’s market impact remained modest, attracting a dedicated following while living in the .44 Magnum’s shadow.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Was the Smith & Wesson Model 57 Made?
You’ll find the production timeline of the Model 57 began in 1964 when S&W first introduced this N-frame revolver. They’ve continued manufacturing it through various iterations, with a significant engineering change occurring in 1982 when the Model 57-1 variant was released.
While production numbers have fluctuated over the decades, you can still get this classic today as part of S&W’s Classics line, featuring the original’s iconic design elements.
What Is the Difference Between S&W Model 57 and 58?
While both share the powerful .41 Magnum chambering, you’ll find the Model 57 is the premium option with target-style features and multiple barrel lengths (4″, 6″, 6-1/2″, and 8-3/8″), while the Model 58 only comes with a 4″ barrel.
You’ll notice the Model 57’s adjustable sights with red insert front sight, compared to the Model 58’s fixed iron sights. The Model 57’s superior finish and target grips also set it apart from its more basic sibling.
Do Smith and Wesson Revolvers Hold Value?
When considering resale value, you’ll find that Smith & Wesson revolvers consistently maintain strong market value. They’re known for excellent value retention due to their quality construction and enduring reputation. You can expect well-maintained S&W revolvers to hold 60-80% of their original value, with some rare or limited editions even appreciating over time.
Their robust aftermarket support and dedicated collector base ensure you’ll have a reliable investment in these firearms.
What Revolver Did the FBI Carry?
Throughout their history, the FBI’s primary revolver choices evolved. In the 1930s, you’d find agents carrying the Smith & Wesson Military & Police in .38 Special.
By the 1960s, they’d upgraded to the .357 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 19, which remained standard issue until the 1980s. The .357 Magnum offered you better stopping power while maintaining control.
The Bureau used these revolvers until transitioning to semi-automatic pistols in the late 1980s.
Conclusion
You’ll find the Model 57, like a finely-tuned precision timepiece, stands as one of Smith & Wesson’s most respected N-frame revolvers. Whether you’re considering its .41 Magnum chambering, the robust carbon steel construction, or its proven combat accuracy, this revolver delivers consistent performance. While discontinued in 2005, you can still acquire one on the secondary market, where it maintains its value and reputation among serious wheelgun enthusiasts.
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