Is S&W Mod 58 properly a M&P?

Rusty S · October 13, 1999, 10:37 PM

I believe S&W referred to the fixed sight Mod 58 as the .41 Magnum Military and Police, and the card in the factory box so said.

A friend believes that only fixed sight K frames are properly called M&P's.

My reference literature is unavailable, I can't find the factory box, and the question is beginning to bug me. Anyone have an old Gun Digest or Shooter's Bible or other info?

Daniel Watters · October 14, 1999, 12:47 AM

Roy Jinks' History of Smith & Wesson uses the designation 'Model 58 .41 Magnum Military & Police'. Given that Jinks is the company historian, I'd say that is pretty definitive.

Rusty S · October 14, 1999, 11:50 AM

Thanks a LOT. Was pretty sure, but there was that niggling little doubt. Rusty

James K · October 14, 1999, 02:07 PM

Since S&W coined the term M&P, I guess it applies to whatever they say it does. But I see your friend's point; for years the M&P meant a .38 caliber, fixed sight medium frame revolver. It's hard to break old habits.

Jim

Rusty S · October 14, 1999, 03:12 PM

I agree, wasn't Military and Police the name of the 1899 frame ( now K frame ) w/ fixed sights thru a bunch of variations until S&W began numbering instead of naming?

But, I still remember ( I think ) the white instructions that came in the box reading "Military & Police".

JA · October 17, 1999, 08:56 PM

"Model-.41 Mag cal., M&P,fixed sights,4 in. barrel, blue of nickel finish.Disc" from the Blue Book of Gun Values by S.P.Fjestad

October 13, 1999, 10:37 PM	#1
Rusty S Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 1999 Location: Walker Lake, NV: Flyway of the Loons Posts: 611	I believe S&W referred to the fixed sight Mod 58 as the .41 Magnum Military and Police, and the card in the factory box so said. A friend believes that only fixed sight K frames are properly called M&P's. My reference literature is unavailable, I can't find the factory box, and the question is beginning to bug me. Anyone have an old Gun Digest or Shooter's Bible or other info?

October 14, 1999, 12:47 AM	#2
Daniel Watters Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 1999 Location: USA Posts: 644	Roy Jinks' History of Smith & Wesson uses the designation 'Model 58 .41 Magnum Military & Police'. Given that Jinks is the company historian, I'd say that is pretty definitive.

October 14, 1999, 11:50 AM	#3
Rusty S Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 1999 Location: Walker Lake, NV: Flyway of the Loons Posts: 611	Thanks a LOT. Was pretty sure, but there was that niggling little doubt. Rusty

October 14, 1999, 02:07 PM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Since S&W coined the term M&P, I guess it applies to whatever they say it does. But I see your friend's point; for years the M&P meant a .38 caliber, fixed sight medium frame revolver. It's hard to break old habits. Jim

October 14, 1999, 03:12 PM	#5
Rusty S Senior Member Join Date: March 8, 1999 Location: Walker Lake, NV: Flyway of the Loons Posts: 611	I agree, wasn't Military and Police the name of the 1899 frame ( now K frame ) w/ fixed sights thru a bunch of variations until S&W began numbering instead of naming? But, I still remember ( I think ) the white instructions that came in the box reading "Military & Police".

October 17, 1999, 08:56 PM	#6
JA Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: JACKSONVILLE,AR,USA Posts: 68	"Model-.41 Mag cal., M&P,fixed sights,4 in. barrel, blue of nickel finish.Disc" from the Blue Book of Gun Values by S.P.Fjestad