About 10 years ago, I went to a gun range with a group of guys from work. One of the guys had real nice S&W 657 that he had originally purchased in the 1990's. The cylinder was not fluted. I really enjoyed shooting that pistol. I really like the 41 Rem Magnum.

So, I recently started looking to buy a 657, but I don't know the differences between the various models. I've seen 657's with "no dash", 657-1, 657-2, 657-3, 657-4 and 657-5.

Is there much difference in the various models? Are the earlier models better than the newer models?? Should I focus on certain models?? or avoid certain models??

Thanks for the advice!!

Each dash number represents some type of change.

On would have to research each model number to find what that change is/was.

There is various opinions on each and every change.

I do when I am looking at a dashed S@W. I just google search the model and see what pops up.

Some good info here. read down a bit.

https://smith-wessonforum.com/...57-history-info.html

.41 is a great choice!

there was a bangor era that the 57 had excessive cylinder gap and would spit fragments out the side i think it was dash 2 they were recalled but not all were circa dirty harry time

The 41 magnum was + is a great cartridge that never really got all the acclaim that it deserved. I think that one of the reasons that it kinda suffered from the start is that when Bill Jordan (who was instrumental in its design) originally had the idea that it would be a perfect patrolman's piece if it was made in a K frame; that proved to be an impossibility, however.