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Posted: 3/12/2024 1:07:01 AM EDT
[Last Edit: prebans]
Just considering doing something “weird” and getting a .41 mag. The few people I’ve met with one seem to love the caliber. If you’ve got one, used to have one, or have shot one, what are your thoughts? Or skip it and do a more common .357 or .44?
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Posted: 3/12/2024 1:52:55 AM EDT
[#1]
@The_Dog
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ND, USA
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Posted: 3/12/2024 2:56:46 AM EDT
[#2]
My Smith 57 would be the last heavy revolver to go. I hand load all ammo and use a 250 grain flat nose bulllet at a little over 1000 fps. The gun/load is accurate, easy to shoot and kills like the hammer of Thor. I have 2 .44 mags and several .357s that see little use.
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IA, USA
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Posted: 3/12/2024 4:53:04 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Urimaginaryfrnd]
[#3]
Never had one but for a while it was SAPD issue and I remember one of the older officers saying “It was the best rat killing cartridge we ever had!”
I’ve always loved 44 mag and I suspect 41 mag would be awesome . FO 👍 https://www.starlinebrass.com/41-mag-brass |
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Posted: 3/12/2024 7:23:41 AM EDT
[#4]
I have a black hawk in it. It’s ok.
I mainly shoot cheap swc hard cast at lite to medium velocities. Guess I’ve had it now for 10yrs and been reloading the same 200-300pcs of brass with no issues. Some of the brass is on its 3-4 reload. |
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Posted: 3/12/2024 7:54:46 AM EDT
[#5]
@Combat_Diver
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Posted: 3/12/2024 7:55:53 AM EDT
[#6]
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Posted: 3/12/2024 8:28:52 AM EDT
[#7]
I like it
remember 44 magnum is really .429” magnum either is best handloaded, forget expensive weak factory ammo |
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Posted: 3/12/2024 8:29:14 AM EDT
[#8]
I got a Ruger Bisley Blackhawk in .41 Mag in 1986 as a HS graduation present. I broke 3 transfer bars shooting and dry firing that thing. I loaded many thousands of rounds on a Lee handpress, dipping the powder charges.
Being an idiot, I was only interested in the hottest loads...Ross Seyfried and Elmer Keith and Linebaugh were influences. It is a fine round, but there is nothing magical about it. If it has adequate power for your needs, and you find one you like, go for it. |
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Posted: 3/12/2024 8:36:40 AM EDT
[#9]
I've owned a Ruger Redhawk in .41 Mag since 1982 and it is one of 3 guns I will never sell.
I have .357 and .44 Mags but hardly shoot them. I load a 210 JHPSWC and have used it a bunch on FL hogs. |
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Posted: 3/12/2024 8:57:48 AM EDT
[Last Edit: Combat_Diver]
[#10]
My uncle taught me to shoot his M57 8.375" and also how to reload for it back in 84'. Been a .41 fan since, year later got myself a 57 6" and then several others.
Gave my only .44 Mag 29-2 to my son so my .41s are my favorite magnum cartridge. Still shoot .357 however in Smith K frames (miss my Coonan Model Bs, another ISPC gun)  Attached FileHave 4-5 molds I cast with, 195 gr SWC to 270 gr WFN. Carried the 270 gr load several times in Alaska with my 58. Self defense load has always been Winchester 175 gr STHP in the 58. And using a Safriland Hi Ride I carry it concealed. No longer have a Blackhawk or 6.5" Classic Hunter. Hunt with the TC and Marlin. Also did bowling pin comp in Germany 88-90 with the 58. Later used several N frames (58, 657 6" and 657 CH) in ISPC revolver class back in the 90s but around 1000 fps.  Attached FileRanch Dog 270 gr WFN and Lee 195 gr SWC  Attached FileHave several boxes of 50 pcs of brass that's been reloaded over 20 times. First 5 loadings are full power, next 5 mid-range and after that a 195-220gr at 950-1000 fps Special loads. Thats 1000 rds on one box of brass. That heavy bullet was designed specifically for the Marlins chamber. 270gr at 1600 fps hammers them.  Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 3/12/2024 2:25:24 PM EDT
[#11]
I got this S&W 57 in lieu of $350 repayment, I love it.
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Posted: 3/12/2024 2:28:45 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Combat_Diver: My uncle taught me to shoot his M57 8.375" and also how to reload for it back in 84'. Been a .41 fan since, year later got myself a 57 6" and then several others. Gave my only .44 Mag 29-2 to my son so my .41s are my favorite magnum cartridge. Still shoot .357 however in Smith K frames (miss my Coonan Model Bs, another ISPC gun) https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32677/DSCF1172_JPG-3156943.JPG Have 4-5 molds I cast with, 195 gr SWC to 270 gr WFN. Carried the 270 gr load several times in Alaska with my 58. Self defense load has always been Winchester 175 gr STHP in the 58. And using a Safriland Hi Ride I carry it concealed. No longer have a Blackhawk or 6.5" Classic Hunter. Hunt with the TC and Marlin. Also did bowling pin comp in Germany 88-90 with the 58. Later used several N frames (58, 657 6" and 657 CH) in ISPC revolver class back in the 90s but around 1000 fps. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32677/Blackhawk_and_bear_loads_jpg-3156944.JPG Ranch Dog 270 gr WFN and Lee 195 gr SWC https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32677/41_bullets_jpg-3156945.JPG Have several boxes of 50 pcs of brass that's been reloaded over 20 times. First 5 loadings are full power, next 5 mid-range and after that a 195-220gr at 950-1000 fps Special loads. Thats 1000 rds on one box of brass. That heavy bullet was designed specifically for the Marlins chamber. 270gr at 1600 fps hammers them. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32677/DSCF0954_JPG-3156947.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32677/58_with_knife_jpeg-3156949.JPG The Marlin is my grail gun |
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Posted: 3/12/2024 2:36:02 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Curmudgeon762: The Marlin is my grail gun Got it new on a trade back in 89'. Cost me a new CZ75 pre B that I had $250ish in. |
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Posted: 3/13/2024 7:19:39 PM EDT
[#14]
Thank you! I want to try before I buy, but these replies have me intrigued. Thank you!
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Posted: 3/14/2024 11:50:05 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By backbencher: @The_Dog Yeah... I've been a fanboy since the late 80's. I've three wheel guns (2 Smiths and a Taurus). I've also got a Marlin 1894 lever. And the holy grail Desert Eagle in .41. Ammo is out there, but you have to reload. Projectiles are still available. I bought a couple thousand from Berry's 5 years ago. I can also cast SWCs. And I still have a fair bit of factory ammo. If you put a 100 rounds of this stuff through a wheel gun in a day you'll definitely feel it the next day. It kicks a little less than a 44, but seems to be a lot louder. I definitely clear people from the lanes on either side of me when I let the Eagle out. It's a fun caliber. A definite oddball. I'm ok with that. I'm an oddball too. |
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KY, USA
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Posted: 3/15/2024 1:54:49 AM EDT
[#16]
I have gone through three .41 magnums in my shooting career. Started out with a Ruger Blackhawk. Then I bought a Model 57 at a Wal-Mart back in the day. Swapped the Blackhawk off, bought a Model 58, and then swapped off the Blackhawk. All I have now is the 58, shot it enough that the firing pin broke and it was out of time. A new hand and a new hammer and it was good to go. 19 grains of 2400 will push a 220 grain SWC at 1300 FPS, while 8 grains of Unique will make 970 FPS.
I wish there was a 190-200 grain JHP made to open up at about 900 FPS. That would be the perfect .41 Magnum SD load. All of the JHPs available are meant for the higher end velocities. they can be accurate, very accurate, but they don't expand at the slower velocities. |
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Posted: 3/15/2024 9:50:44 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By grendelbane: I have gone through three .41 magnums in my shooting career. Started out with a Ruger Blackhawk. Then I bought a Model 57 at a Wal-Mart back in the day. Swapped the Blackhawk off, bought a Model 58, and then swapped off the Blackhawk. All I have now is the 58, shot it enough that the firing pin broke and it was out of time. A new hand and a new hammer and it was good to go. 19 grains of 2400 will push a 220 grain SWC at 1300 FPS, while 8 grains of Unique will make 970 FPS. I wish there was a 190-200 grain JHP made to open up at about 900 FPS. That would be the perfect .41 Magnum SD load. All of the JHPs available are meant for the higher end velocities. they can be accurate, very accurate, but they don't expand at the slower velocities. Wasn't there a police service load that was slower than the full house Magnum? Almost a +P Special? |
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OK, USA
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Posted: 3/15/2024 10:06:24 AM EDT
[#18]
It's not bad, bought my Blackhawk in late 80s and 1 box of remington,
Thats the only factory ammo ever fired in it, every round since have been my reloads. |
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Posted: 3/15/2024 11:45:29 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By backbencher: Wasn't there a police service load that was slower than the full house Magnum? Almost a +P Special? There were two loadings 210 gr JSP/JHP at 1250 fps 210 gr LSWC at 900 fps |
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Posted: 3/15/2024 12:20:11 PM EDT
[#20]
@adkrebel this is your thread.
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Posted: 3/15/2024 1:45:39 PM EDT
[#21]
The only .41 mag I ever sold was the Desert Eagle. I like my S&W wheel guns way more. I’ve taken a pile of deer with them, but not in a while. I think it’s time to “bloody” a .41 magnum again this fall.
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Posted: 3/15/2024 2:55:16 PM EDT
[#22]
Not a .41 magnum shooter but I do have experience with the Herter's .401 Powermag.
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Posted: 3/15/2024 3:02:53 PM EDT
[#23]
I shot one. I hit what I was shooting at. My hand didn't fall off. The gong rang soundly at 100 yards.
Interesting combination of design philosophies between Keith, Skeeter, and Jordan. All three of them had philosophies based around LSWC or JSP bullets. Skeeter and Jordan were LE backgrounds. For a time S&W marketed the Model 58 heavily to law enforcement. It never really had caught on. I can't help to wonder if the .41 mag would sold better if reliable JHP bullets hadn't hit the market in the the same time period. .357 becomes a lot more attractive as a police gun when paired with a light, fast, deep expanding hollow point. Semi autos were barely considered for LE use until JHPs became widespread. Keith's theories of a flat shooting long distance handgun hunting caliber were certainly valid. .41 Magnum does shoot flatter than a 44 Magnum. It makes virtually the same size holes. With the right loading it retains enough energy to get the job done. Let's be real though. Not enough people hunt medium to large game with a handgun at distance to support that market. The big bore handgun hunters I know are shooting at bow hunting ranges. If you are target shooting at known distances, how flat a caliber shoots is less a factor. |
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NV, USA
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Posted: 3/15/2024 3:14:02 PM EDT
[#24]
It's one of my favorites. I used a 14" Contender with a 4X Burris scope for Silhouette shooting and the occasional pig hunt for years. I sold it to a buddy who had to have it with the Caveat if he got tired of it; sell it back. Unfortunately he died and his sister went "What guns?"
I recently scored a new bbl and either I've radically improved as a shooter or its much more accurate than I remember. Then picked up a 3" 657 Lew Horton gun.  Then an 8-3/8" Engraved 57.  Lastly a 5.5" Blackhawk and a 9" Redhawk. I've considered a Dan Wesson and a Desert Eagle or at least a 41 Mag bbl to load up on my 44 frame; just to complete the addiction. Maybe a lever gun. |
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Posted: 3/15/2024 4:01:16 PM EDT
[#25]
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Posted: 3/15/2024 4:03:13 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MikeSearson: Then an 8-3/8" Engraved 57. https://www.recoilweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/SW_Model_57.jpg Gorgeous |
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NV, USA
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Posted: 3/15/2024 4:28:23 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Combat_Diver: Deer don't always show up during hunting season so you take camp meat still. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/32677/Dec_18_08_JCGL_NC___41_mag_210_JHP_entry-3159715.JPG Puma? |
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Posted: 3/15/2024 5:15:58 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MikeSearson: Puma? Marlin 1894S .41 dated 87' IIRC. |
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Posted: 3/15/2024 5:27:52 PM EDT
[#29]
Used a pair of Blackhawk Bisley's in 41 Magnum with a Marlin 1894 CCL to compete in Cowboy Shooting, it's my favorite caliber and I have more S&W's and Redhawks as well, but missed getting a Desert Eagle. A modern caliber, so it is well spec'ed as far as case size, chamber size and bullet diameter; unlike the original black powder calibers from pre-SAAMI days which have extra clearances spec'ed so today's ammo can fit in the old guns from different makers and mismatches between bullet diameters and barrel dimensions.
If Remington had produced only what Jordan and Keith requested, the 900 fps "police load", I think it would have been much more popular for law enforcement as too many agencies tried to use the full power magnum loading, with the attendant recoil and control problems as well as the perception problem of a "Magnum" load in the 1960's being too powerful for use on criminals. Same perception problem that led to most police agencies using Model 13's & 19's only allowing 38 Special ammo to be used in them. |
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USA
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Posted: 3/15/2024 8:49:01 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Nick_Adams]
[#30]
I’ve had a M58 M&P for over a 15-yrs now. Great ‘combat’ revolver.
Much like the 10mm, you can load the .41 Mag up or down - from what are essentially .41 “special” velocities (210grn “police loads”) all the way up to snot-slamming, bear-busting velocities topped with bullet-weights in the 250grn and 265grn range. Very accurate cartridge too. |
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USA
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Posted: 3/17/2024 2:14:08 PM EDT
[#31]
I have a 4 5/8” stainless Bisley Blackhawk in .41 and absolutely love it. I use mine for deer hunting and it works pretty well. I have had .44’s and with full house loads they are just over the threshold of “fun” due to recoil. However, full house .41’s are still fun for me. However, I primarily shoot a cast bullet at moderate velocity. However, it really is a caliber best enjoyed by someone who handloads.
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USA
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Posted: 3/17/2024 8:17:36 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Nick_Adams]
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Combat_Diver: There were two loadings 210 gr JSP/JHP at 1250 fps 210 gr LSWC at 900 fps Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Combat_Diver: Originally Posted By backbencher: Wasn't there a police service load that was slower than the full house Magnum? Almost a +P Special? There were two loadings 210 gr JSP/JHP at 1250 fps 210 gr LSWC at 900 fps THIS. That first one Combat_Diver cites, topped with a JSP bullet, was the somewhat hotter “rural”/Highway Patrol load for L.E. use in non-urban areas - where the need for intermediate-barrier penetration might present itself during a violent felony car stop (auto glass and metal) or a county sheriff’s deputy might need to dispatch a cantankerous farm animal like a steer or horse. The second load, a very leady SWC at a very tame muzzle velocity, was called the “city police” load. It was intended for duty use in densely populated urban centers. In my M58, my version of the “city police” load is a 215grn coated HC slug running just under 1000fps. It’s dead nutz on with the factory sights and the coating inhibits fouling up the barrel with lead residue. |
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Posted: 3/17/2024 8:33:15 PM EDT
[#33]
One of the very few wholly 20th Century revolver rounds:
https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/-ARCHIVED-THREAD-Other-than-the-41-Magnum-which-revolver-cartridges-don-t-have-black-powder-origins-/5-2569464/ |
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