Question for the .41 Mag fans

[Barbaroja]

I shot the cow in my avitar photo with my 41mag blackhawk. 210gn cast swc pushed by 8gn of universal. It fully penetrated it lengthwise and was not recovered, broke the pelvis on the way out. That’s a mild load. Very capable cartridge.
I loved that cow and I wanted to make sure she went quick and in style.
RIP Melissa aka Moolissa.

 

[Charlie98]

Is it worth putting a 0.002 shim in it?

To keep from beating it to death? Absolutely.

 

[gspn]

This stuff is all about "want" rather than "need".

There are so many rifle and pistol calibers in the world that at this point most exist so people have something to argue about. I have a 41 mag in my lineup because I think it's cool, I like reloading for it, and I like shooting it. Pretty much the same reasons I own the other 13 or so calibers in my lineup.

Buy what you like, and expect it to only add joy, fun, or entertainment to your life...and cost...it will add cost, especially if you don't reload.

 

[nofendertom]

black mamba --- You are comparing an apple (210gr .41mag bullet) to an orange (240gr .44mag bullet). And as far as accuracy, I don't think the deer would
know the difference if the .44mag bullet heart shot was 1/2in to the right or left of the .41mag hit.

 

[Seedy Character]

This stuff is all about "want" rather than "need".

There are so many rifle and pistol calibers in the world that at this point most exist so people have something to argue about. I have a 41 mag in my lineup because I think it's cool, I like reloading for it, and I like shooting it. Pretty much the same reasons I own the other 13 or so calibers in my lineup.

Buy what you like, and expect it to only add joy, fun, or entertainment to your life...and cost...it will add cost, especially if you don't reload.

Why I don't get excited about a "new" cartridge. Everything is covered, many times over. The ONLY reason for a "new" cartridge is to sell guns. IF you want one, get you one or 3 or 10.

 

[EIB0879]

I was looking for a .44 Mag in 1993 and came across a .41 Mag Ruger Redhawk w 7 1/2" bbl. I found a scratch on the bottom of the barrel and got them to drop the price by $75 so I bought it. I was able to touch blue the scratch after I bought it.

I never bought a 44 Magnum because the 41 Magnum does what I need and is a pleasure to shoot with target loads. It is also my wife's favorite handgun to shoot.

 

[EIB0879]

black mamba --- You are comparing an apple (210gr .41mag bullet) to an orange (240gr .44mag bullet). And as far as accuracy, I don't think the deer would
know the difference if the .44mag bullet heart shot was 1/2in to the right or left of the .41mag hit.

My hunting load for my 41 Mag is a Corbon 250 grain HC (discontinued). At least on.paper it compare favorably to the regular factory 44 Mag 240 gr loads.

 

[blackd24]

I’ve fired a total of 60 rounds through my 41 magnum but I think I like it better than 38/357. I can handload at a cost of about $.25 if you don’t count brass and use commercial coated lead. When I was shooting pretty top end 2400 loads, the recoil was much more manageable than my 357. Granted, k frame 4 inch vs N frame 6 inch isn’t a one for one comparison. But the 41 is versatile and very comfortable to shoot.

Hickok did a video of the model 57 and basically said he never got into 41 because he already had 44 which makes sense. If you’re looking for something a little unique, handload, and want 90% of the power or 44, I think the 41 makes a lot of sense.

I also have another 657 on the way… if that tells you anything.

 

[bangswitch]

Lately I’ve been a bit more interested in revolvers and the .41 Mag seems interesting, but what am I really gaining if I already have a 5” S&W 629 and an handful of 10MM’s?

On its best day, 10mm is equivalent to a hot .357 Magnum, but will never equal .41 Magnum. I like .41M because I can shoot it about twice as long as I can .44M before my hands go numb. I have both, and prefer the .41M.

 

[mushu]

s & w model 58, I've had 3 of them in my life and they all have slipped away. I wish I could find another one some day soon

 

[black mamba]

You are comparing an apple (210gr .41mag bullet) to an orange (240gr .44mag bullet).

No, I am comparing an apple to a slightly larger apple. As both bullets have nearly identical sectional density the penetration is also the same (or favors the .41), so the only difference is the .429" entrance hole compared to the .410" entrance hole, hence the 95% performance.

 

[SDGlock23]

The 41 is a great cartridge and if you want to add one, add it. That said, it doesn't do anything the 44 can't do better but it is better than 10mm Auto. Are you gaining anything? No. But it's pretty cool and if you handload and can find time to play with it, it's overall a very good and effective cartridge, I've had my share of them over the years.

 

[Onty]

I shot the cow in my avitar photo with my 41mag blackhawk. 210gn cast swc pushed by 8gn of universal. It fully penetrated it lengthwise and was not recovered, broke the pelvis on the way out. That’s a mild load. Very capable cartridge...

Those why never owned 41 magnum revolver, will newer know what that cartridge could do in a right revolver, something like 6-7.5" S&W, DW, Redhawk, NM Blackhawk or Bisley. If 210 grains could do that, can you imagine what this one can do when lunched "full throttle":

 

[Charlie98]

If 210 grains could do that, can you imagine what this one can do when lunched "full throttle":

Why... yes I can!



Those are 250grn Cast Performance WFN's... the shorter ogive feeds better in the Marlin, vs a true Keith bullet...


These are some 220grn Keith bullets, the longer ogive was right at max COL... and gave my Marlin some problems feeding.

 

[41 Mag]

Well with all of the calibers you could choose from you asked about a 41 Magnum. I have had one since 85. I picked up a hardly used 3 screw Flat Top. I wrung it out thoroughly with every weight available, and listed powders.

After a time I came across a gently used 7.5" Redhawk and swapped the BH for it. One of the best deal I ever made. I had a couple of great shooting loads for the BK but as accurate as they were, they were only the tip of the iceberg.

Honestly I have had so much fun, and enjoyment from this caliber. I have hunted with it since I acquired it. My most used load wasn't even top end. It used 296 and the Remi gton 200gr SJHP. It has plenty of punch to take feral hogs and whitetail deer out to 100yds.

On the broader field of view, I also have other calibers both smaller and larger that I also use on a regular basis, but the 41 is my sweetheart. If I had to cull all but one it would be the one I would keep.

Should you get one, well absolutely. It is totally a handloaders caliber IF you want to wring out the best of it. If you want to get the best out of it figure on velocity and weight. Yes you can round up cast bullets upwards of 285grs, but for flatter shooting go with the lighter 200 - 220grs. While there are many attributes to heavier weights, the lighter hold their own really well. If you cast, then NOE and MP are awesome. The MP 412-640, the 413-640, and the 41 Hammer will keep you plenty busy and very happy. I was lucky enough to stock up on the Remington bulk bullets before they dried up. There are others like the XTP which is an excellent bullet, as are a few others like the Sierra. For me however with the molds and the jacketed I have plenty to keep a smile on my face for a long time.

I say go for it, worst case you sell it to someone else who either really wants one or really wants to try one.

 

[Bush Pilot]

s & w model 58, I've had 3 of them in my life and they all have slipped away. I wish I could find another one some day soon

Hang on to the next one, they don't come along everyday.

 

[aaaaa]

Hang on to the next one, they don't come along everyday.

That's why I grabbed that Model 28-2 with the .41 Magnum barrel and cylinder! Been hearing about them here for a while and never saw one in real life so could not let it pass.

 

[Walkalong]

Years ago I passed on a raggedy 58 at a gun show, within five years I walked into a shop and found this sitting there, traded a M-29 and a couple hundred for it. Not a whole lot more than they were asking for the 58.

57 No Dash
Yes, it's a sweet shooter.
No, my Redhawk isn't jealous.

 

[WisBorn]

Years ago I passed on a raggedy 58 at a gun show, within five years I walked into a shop and found this sitting there, traded a M-29 and a couple hundred for it. Not a whole lot more than they were asking for the 58.

57 No Dash
Yes, it's a sweet shooter.
No, my Redhawk isn't jealous.
View attachment 1133274

If I was your Redhawk I would be jealous!
Very nice 57

 

[Charlie98]

I walked into a shop and found this sitting there,

That's the same basic story I have for my 4" 57...

I had a 6" 57 that I didn't care for, and really wanted a 4". I went into a gun shop, and down on the end where the orphans were they had my 4" .41, tagged as NIB... but it wasn't really. It looked like new, but had the wrong (speedloader) grips on it. It was in a S&W presentation box... with no tools or anything. Guy said 'make me an offer...' so I pulled $400 out of my wallet and laid it down... he said 'sold!' That was mid '90's, IIRC... so that was a fair price, back when they couldn't give .41's away. P&R, action as smooth as a prom queen's thighs, only not quite so risky. '78-'80 build window, N prefix.

 

[Walkalong]

Sweet!

 

[aaaaa]

I walked into a shop and found this sitting there.

I don't even get that far anymore. After buying 3 guns in January, now when I walk in the sales people are asking what gun they can sell me today!

 

[TxUplander]

Look at it this way. The 41 is closer to a 44 than a 44 is to a properly loaded 45 colt! You could make a case that the 41 should displace the 357 AND 44 with the next logical step up being the 45. Of course, thats boring, and we “need” all of them!

 

[jag1954]

One of my favorite revolvers.

 

[sanpitch]

I carried a S&W model 58 as a LE sidearm for 13 years. We got into some serious social encounters and it got me home.
View attachment 1132406
One time I fired a round at a fleeing Chevy blazer. The bullet went through the tailgate, the back of the front seat, and stopped in the dashboard radio. Another Patrolman caught the stolen Chevy.
View attachment 1132407
After I got out of the ER, I dug the bullet out of the radio and made a tie tack that I still wear 50 years later.

I also dropped a bull elk with it when one came too close for me to bring my rifle up to a firing position.
The .41 magnum is one heck of a round. I retired that old gun, but it will be one I never part with. My son will get it when I go toes up.

I shot a twin to your M58 last week, it belonged to a friend. He had just bought it and thought it was a police trade in, but no dept markings. It had the same stocks as yours, I told him I thought they were after market. Maybe I was wrong. It showed holster wear and the right stock was beat up, hadn't been shot much. It didn't have the target trigger and hammer, like yours. He saved me a bunch of money, glad he found it first. LEO, I carried Smiths 28 and 27s about 16 years untill my dept went to 9mm HK's. I did alot of business with Wyo folks in Echo canyon. What was your county? Looks like you were shooting the top end mag loads and not the lead police load. I wish I could do it all again.