Ruger Redhawk .41 mag or GP100 .357

[Lar1911]

When you run across 41 fans you see they sold their 44 magnums after getting the 41. Its a cukt round and a great round. I need to add one to my collection.

As far as 41 vs 44, the 41 has less felt recoil, but what you shoot will not notice the difference.

 

[22-rimfire]

The 5.5" Redhawk (41 mag) is an excellent choice as a whitetail handgun. Your range is limited primarily by the your ability to hit a 6" paper plate with consistancy. For me, maximum range is about 100 yds. I would hesitate to take a shot at that distance, but it is one of those decisions you make in the field.

 

[GP100man]

Redhawk woods bummin in a chest holster to distribute the weight , but a true hunter it is !!!!
In my opinion the 41 mag must be handloaded to use it`s full potental ,the factory loadings leave a little to be desired as far as bullet choices !

With that said ,if I ran across a Redhawk in 41 & had the $$ it`d come home .650 is on the hi side though, but Ruger ain`t makin em anymore !!!

For "G"eneral "P"urpose the choice is obvious !!!!!

 

[Fishslayer]

I like the .41 Magnum, but N-frames and Redhawks are just a bit too big for my hands to shoot them well in DA mode.

ummm... you do know that there are about a kajillonty different types & size of stocks available for N frame S&W, right? Even the standard Magnas are downright dainty...

 

[Lar1911]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=189602597

This is an old three screw Ruger 41 mag. They stopped making these in 1973. Its pre transfer bar so you have to carry 5 rounds (6 at the range)

These are becoming collectors items.

 

[Lar1911]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=188807373

Another at 750

 

[JoelSteinbach]

I would love a Red Hawk 41, I have a Black Hawk ans Smith Mountain Gun, its a great shooting roudg. ]f you have a real want and determination you could reload in a very small space.

 

[Confederate]

If you're going to be hunting, I'd definitely go with the .41 or, better, the .44 mag. If you want it for use against humans, you can't beat the .357 (which is my favorite caliber). I've never seen much use for a .41, but it can do almost as much as a .44 mag can. You just run into problems if you ever need to buy your ammo.

If you reload, and can find a load that is accurate in .41, go ahead and get it. It should be nearly as good as a .44 mag (if not indistinguishable). A .357 can bag deer at a closer range and it's a much better defensive weapon than a .41. The .357 also takes a wide range of ammo from .38 Spc all the way through the .357 gamut. All in all, the .357 is a wonderful caliber that meets a lot of needs. I have a friend who bags deer with a 4-inch Ruger, though he doesn't shoot at 100+ yards.

 

[Rexster]

Fishslayer, I appreciate the recommendation, but no stocks/grips can reduce the reach from backstrap to trigger face. Thin stocks help, but then recoil is an issue. My duty Model 58 had its trigger face dressed down to reduce the reach, and that, with Magna stocks, made fast DA shooting feasible, barehanded. In cold weather, wearing gloves, forget it, as the thickness of the glove material is added to the length of pull.

I stepped down to K/L-frames and GP100s for DA shooting.

 

[sernv99]

I looked at that Redhawk .41 mag 5.5" that was on consignment today at my local shop....I was mistaken about the price.....it was $550!! and still tight...hardly any wear.....with original box, manual, packing material.....so it took me 1.5 seconds to choose between this and a GP100....I am not much of a used handgun/rifle buying person, but I am happy with this purchase. Deal of the year!!!

 

[Walkalong]

You did really well. Those grips are gorgeous. I am one who prefers the wood grips for shooting.

 

[sernv99]

I plan to put Pachmyr grips on it......

 

[22-rimfire]

You did good. I like $550 a lot better than $650. Have fun shooting. Do check out GA Arms web site and give them a call. They offer a very good and reliable product. I have purchased 41 mag ammo from Outdoor Marksman in the past when they have it available in bulk. Let us know how you feel about shooting it. I like those initial reactions.

I also use pachmayrs on my 41 mag revolvers.

 

[Rexster]

At $550, yes, you got a good deal! Congratulations!

 

[sernv99]

thanks...I plan to order some stuff from Georgia Arms and use that to break my .41 mag cherry on....then I'll buy a few boxes of hunting loads to keep around for this season and see how I do. The biggest calibers I have shot in a handgun has been 10mm (using Georgia Arms 180 gr FMJ) in a Glock G20 and a .45 using Wally World loads, in a 1911 and HK USP Full size.

if you have any good websites to visit for .41 mag ammo, I would appreciate some info...I always hit up the usual suspects: Ammoman, Sportsman's Guide, GA, and Ammunitiontogo.

Outdoor Marksman's website seems to be down...are they still around?

Edit: have to ask, is there a speedloader available for this gun? I prefer to have a couple of speedloaders in my pocket rather than fumbling with a box....

 

[22-rimfire]

Here is a possible for 41 mag ammo; 210 and 200 gr JHP's: http://www.wisconsincartridge.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=13&idproduct=203

I haven't bought anything from them personally.

I didn't know BVAC ammo was being loaded in 41 mag: http://www.ammoengine.com/find/store_frame/3311558?url=http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM491-1.html

May have to give them a try.

 

[Mr. T]

I'd get the Ruger GP-100 in .357 Mag. I've got one with a 6" barrel and it is probably my favorite handgun out of them all. I have never shot a .41 Mag and that's probably because they make a .44 Mag. Anyway I don't know much about the .41, but I would have to say that the ammo availability of the .357 Mag and it's relative affordability make it the go to caliber...plus it's a Ruger GP-100...you simply can't go wrong with the .357 Mag.