S&W 657 41 mag?

[mstake]

I would like to no what you guys think of this pistol. I have two ruger BH now.I have never shot a S&W. I am looking for a nice 41 mag. How does it handle heavy loads say 210 and up? I have shot a ruger Bh in 41 using 210 and the muzzle flip was harsh. hard to keep it from rotating in your hands.

[southern utah]

I like my Smiths over the ruger blackhawks i have had. they feel better in my hand and easier to reload. Have had 6.5" BHs and 3" & 6" Smiths. I believe the rugers may be a little stronger but i don't reload hot.

[Bullseye]

I really like mine.  It will shoot nice 6 shot groups, there does not seem to be a cylinder that gives a flyer.  Trigger was creep free and smooth from the factory and I put a Wolf rebound spring in it and the pull is right around 3lbs.  Recoil does not seem bad at all to me shooting 210's with IMR4227 powder (which gives less recoil and velocity than loads with Win 296 powder).

I used to have a Ruger Bisley 41 and in my experience the S&W is more accurate and the grip is much better.  But then again having owned many Single and Double actions I have determined that Double Actions are for me.

[Mikey]

mstake:  find one to shoot before you decide.  There are differences.  My preference is for the S&W and I have owned a number of Rugers.  If there isn't a  S&W 41 mag around in the configuration that you are looking for, try a budd's 357 or 44 mag configuration.  It will probably be close enough.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Wyatte]

I just got another 41 mag, a model 657-3.  This is the 3rd one that I've had over the years.  I think the 41 mag caliber matches up very well with the size of the N frame Smith and Wesson revolver.  This revolver will handle all factory 41 mag loads extremely well, and  there are some very good factory loads available for it.  Mine is the 6" version, and I like it very much.  I have not, however, tried the Blackhawk in the 41.  I just know you can't go wrong with the Smith.    wyatte

[RJM]

I have both S&Ws and Rugers and love both of them. The rotation of the gun in ones hands with the Ruger is normal, unavoidable and really takes a lot of sting out of shooting heavy calibers. I have had 3 of the .41 Bisley models and just never like the way the gun came back right into the center of my hand...very very accurate guns but just not for me.

Of the S&Ws my favorite at this point is the M657 Mountain Gun with the 4" tapered barrel. One just sold yesterday on Gunbroker for $500 and that was a steal. They kick a little more than the standard or longer barreled guns do but they balance beautifully and shoot very well. With a load of 8.0 grains of Unique and any jacketed or cast bullet from 200 to 230 grains it is very accurate and kicks hardly at all...about the same as shooting a warm .44 Special in a .44 Magnum. Velocity runs 950 fps depending on the bullet and barrel length.

This was 6 shots DA at 50' offhand...210 grain Berry's plated bullets.



Bob