S&W 58 in 44 Magnum ?

Hammer1 · December 8, 2007, 02:51 PM

Did Smith & Wesson ever offer a Model 58, i.e., a fixed-sight 4-inch barrel M&P-style N-frame, in 44 Magnum ?

Even a limited special run for a distributor ?

Archie · December 8, 2007, 06:46 PM

A model 58 is a .41 Magnum, by definition. If S&W had put together such a revolver (and I like the idea, by the way) it would be listed as something other than a model 58.

I have seen a .45 ACP revolver built on a model 58 frame. Some enterprizing 'smith came up with a M25 cylinder and a .45 barrel and made a (equivilent to) 1950 M&P in .45 ACP. (Neat gun, by the way.) The frame was still marked m58, of course. The same thing could be done in .44 Magnum, of course.

Have you seen one, or just heard of one?

Hammer1 · December 8, 2007, 07:12 PM

Have not seen one that I can recall at the moment. There might be something like it in Hamilton Bowen's book though.

Have had a Model 58 and enjoyed it.

Shoot a fair amount of 44 and think it would be good to have such a gun.

S&W has made a similar gun in 44 Special (tapered barrel instead of bull barrel) called the Thunder Ranch Special.

7th Fleet · December 8, 2007, 08:04 PM

No S&W did not make a fixed sight .44 mag N frame...

7th

CraigC · December 8, 2007, 08:08 PM

Never heard of a factory fixed sight .44Mag but the M58 does get converted to other such useful calibers. If it were me I'd rather convert the .38-44 Heavy Duty because I like the slim barrel profile that much better. They make dandy .44Specials!

pistolet1 · December 9, 2007, 05:03 PM

Hammer 1

I think some years back I remember seeeing one converted to .44 Special; but never in .44 Magnum.

JoeHatley · December 9, 2007, 05:42 PM

Quote:

No S&W did not make a fixed sight .44 mag N frame...

629-3 Carry Comp and Carry Comp II are just two of the fixed sight N frames in .44 magnum that S&W has made over the years.

Joe

Cowart · December 10, 2007, 01:18 AM

Quote:

No S&W did not make a fixed sight .44 mag N frame...

Yes they did - seehttp://www.lewhorton.com/PCGUNS.html

BillCA · December 10, 2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Did Smith & Wesson ever offer a Model 58, i.e., a fixed-sight 4-inch barrel M&P-style N-frame, in 44 Magnum ?

Even a limited special run for a distributor ?

Short answer: No.

Any gun marked Model 58 started out life chambered for the .41 Remington Magnum cartridge.

I knew a local California gunshop owner who converted a Model 58 to a .44 Magnum by swapping out the barrel and cylinder with a .44 Mag barrel & cylinder. He refinished the front sight with the same low ramp style on the .41 Mag. but pinned in place.

This was his daily carry gun inside the store, loaded with 4 rounds of .44 Special and 2 of Magnum.

glockopop · December 30, 2007, 08:54 PM

Actually, I just saw one for sale on GunBroker from this guy: http://www.noconeetrader.com/
In his description, he said that the NYPD ordered some of these and then backed out. Less than 100 were made and they were sold on the civilian market. I don't recall the model #, but it was definitely exactly like a Model 58 but in .44 Magnum. This guy knows his Smiths and this one had a factory letter with this explanation.

Chesster · December 30, 2007, 11:17 PM

David Clements customized this M58 for me, still a .41 mag. He has also converted a M28 .357 to a .44 Special. I am sure it could be done but I think that would be pushing it a bit. Just because you can does not mean you should. I see little to be gained from converting a perfectly good 4" 41 to a 44 Mag.

20nickels · January 2, 2008, 09:53 PM

I agree with Chesster. I have a magazine featuring a 58 converted to .44 by H. Bowen. Although fine machining and craftsmanship it was a waste of a perfectly good .41 and little was gained in ballistics.

CraigC · January 3, 2008, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Although fine machining and craftsmanship it was a waste of a perfectly good .41 and little was gained in ballistics.

That depends entirely on whether or not you're on the receiving end of that fine craftsmanship. It WAS worth it to somebody.

20nickels · January 3, 2008, 10:27 AM

I'm one of these crazy people that thinks the .41 mag is better than the 44. I like the .44 too, just not as much as the 41. It has nothing to do with taking the road less traveled.

CraigC · January 3, 2008, 11:15 AM

Well I'm one of those nuts that almost utterly refuses to jump on the .45Colt (in Rugers) bandwagon. I have a few but for the most part stick to my .44's. We all have our preferences.

**Mike Irwin** · January 3, 2008, 11:17 AM

Yes, I've heard rumors of a few .44 Mag. Model 58s that were factory produced on special order.

They're like the 9mm Model 19s, the .38 Special Model 586s, etc.

Chesster · January 3, 2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

I'm one of these crazy people that thinks the .41 mag is better than the 44. I like the .44 too, just not as much as the 41. It has nothing to do with taking the road less traveled.

20, you probably are, but there are more of us in the same boat. The only advantage for most tasks in the .44 is the variety of ammo and the shorty loads in the form of 44 Special and Russian. Sticking to handloads, I would never miss my .44 Mag Revolver.

20nickels · January 3, 2008, 03:53 PM

I knew I was opening a can of worms when I said that.

Flame away!

glockopop · January 3, 2008, 11:37 PM

Quote:

They're like the 9mm Model 19s, the .38 Special Model 586s, etc.

Same guy had a .38spl marked Model 19. It was actually a .357, but the barrel was mismarked.

December 8, 2007, 02:51 PM	#1
Hammer1 Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2004 Posts: 214	S&W 58 in 44 Magnum ? Did Smith & Wesson ever offer a Model 58, i.e., a fixed-sight 4-inch barrel M&P-style N-frame, in 44 Magnum ? Even a limited special run for a distributor ?

December 8, 2007, 06:46 PM	#2
Archie Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2000 Location: Hastings, Nebrasksa - the Hear Posts: 2,209	Not as such. A model 58 is a .41 Magnum, by definition. If S&W had put together such a revolver (and I like the idea, by the way) it would be listed as something other than a model 58. I have seen a .45 ACP revolver built on a model 58 frame. Some enterprizing 'smith came up with a M25 cylinder and a .45 barrel and made a (equivilent to) 1950 M&P in .45 ACP. (Neat gun, by the way.) The frame was still marked m58, of course. The same thing could be done in .44 Magnum, of course. Have you seen one, or just heard of one? __________________ There ain't no free lunch, except Jesus. Archie Check out updated journal at http://oldmanmontgomery.wordpress.com/

December 8, 2007, 08:04 PM	#4
7th Fleet Senior Member Join Date: January 28, 2000 Posts: 1,469	No S&W did not make a fixed sight .44 mag N frame... 7th __________________ SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE, KEEP THEM INDEPENDENT.

December 9, 2007, 05:03 PM	#6
pistolet1 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Posts: 396	Hammer 1 I think some years back I remember seeeing one converted to .44 Special; but never in .44 Magnum. __________________ " An elegant weapon for a more civilized day " Obi Wan Kenobi

December 30, 2007, 08:54 PM	#10
glockopop Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 922	Actually, I just saw one for sale on GunBroker from this guy: http://www.noconeetrader.com/ In his description, he said that the NYPD ordered some of these and then backed out. Less than 100 were made and they were sold on the civilian market. I don't recall the model #, but it was definitely exactly like a Model 58 but in .44 Magnum. This guy knows his Smiths and this one had a factory letter with this explanation. __________________ I've only got two hands, but I've been known to carry three Glocks. RZA

December 8, 2007, 07:12 PM	#3
Hammer1 Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2004 Posts: 214	Have not seen one that I can recall at the moment. There might be something like it in Hamilton Bowen's book though. Have had a Model 58 and enjoyed it. Shoot a fair amount of 44 and think it would be good to have such a gun. S&W has made a similar gun in 44 Special (tapered barrel instead of bull barrel) called the Thunder Ranch Special.

December 8, 2007, 08:08 PM	#5
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	Never heard of a factory fixed sight .44Mag but the M58 does get converted to other such useful calibers. If it were me I'd rather convert the .38-44 Heavy Duty because I like the slim barrel profile that much better. They make dandy .44Specials!

December 30, 2007, 11:17 PM	#11
Chesster Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Location: Dixie Posts: 2,538	David Clements customized this M58 for me, still a .41 mag. He has also converted a M28 .357 to a .44 Special. I am sure it could be done but I think that would be pushing it a bit. Just because you can does not mean you should. I see little to be gained from converting a perfectly good 4" 41 to a 44 Mag. __________________ Chesster Proud NDN "The American Idle" Vote 'Pro-Choice' on 2nd Amendment issues!!!

January 2, 2008, 09:53 PM	#12
20nickels Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2007 Posts: 274	I agree with Chesster. I have a magazine featuring a 58 converted to .44 by H. Bowen. Although fine machining and craftsmanship it was a waste of a perfectly good .41 and little was gained in ballistics.

January 3, 2008, 10:27 AM	#14
20nickels Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2007 Posts: 274	I'm one of these crazy people that thinks the .41 mag is better than the 44. I like the .44 too, just not as much as the 41. It has nothing to do with taking the road less traveled.

January 3, 2008, 11:15 AM	#15
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	Well I'm one of those nuts that almost utterly refuses to jump on the .45Colt (in Rugers) bandwagon. I have a few but for the most part stick to my .44's. We all have our preferences.

January 3, 2008, 11:17 AM	#16
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,382	Yes, I've heard rumors of a few .44 Mag. Model 58s that were factory produced on special order. They're like the 9mm Model 19s, the .38 Special Model 586s, etc. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 3, 2008, 03:53 PM	#18
20nickels Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2007 Posts: 274	I knew I was opening a can of worms when I said that. Flame away!