Why as M41 ball ammo 130 grain?
 

Does anyone know why the military chose 130 grain 38 special ammo for its M41 load as opposed to 158 grain stuff? I supposed they chose the FMJ as opposed to LRN due to international law considerations.

Reduced recoil for the aluminum frame revolvers needed to save weight in the 400,000# take-off weight B-36's of SAC.

Good shooting.

Thanks. So was the 130 GR Ball load widely used before this time period, like during WWII?

Check this out...:)
https://smith-wessonforum.com/ammo/75401-quick-what-spec-wwii-38-special.html

I've got about 200 rounds of this M41 stuff.

Because that is what Army Ordnance specced it at during WWII.

If you can get the librarian at the USAOC&S library at Aberdeen Proving Grounds to research this you might be able to discover the rational. The Ordnance Center has fairly recently been moved to Fort Lee VA, possibly the library went too.

I'm curious about your WWII comment. I have FM23-35, Pistols and Revolvers, dated Feb. 1953, that doesn't show the M41 round. Any reference would be appreciated.

Good shooting.

I believe the M-41 is an Air Force designation, but it is basically identical to the WWII period Army Air Force issued ammunition.

I always thought that the U.S. used exclusively 158 grain ball during WWII...

This Air Force issued stuff is headstamped WCC 60.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...1/P8140001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...1/P8140002.jpg

In the latest issue of the Colt Collector's Magazine, "The Rampant Colt" there is an article entitled: Colt Two-Inch Revolvers in U.S. Military Service by Kevin Williams. In that excellent article Williams mentions that, "A special low pressure cartridge was developed (Cartridge, Ball, Caliber .38 Special M41)...." for use in the aluminum frame and cylinder Colt and S&W Aircrewman revolvers. This took place in the early 1950's, so that would seem to be the origin of the M41 load.