I have a 2 3/4" 41 that I carry in my truck. Currently loaded with 225 grn LSWC's at about 900 fps. Is there a good self defense load for this size handgun that will be controllable, any yet do it's job as long as I do mine?

What's wrong with your current load?

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I have to ask the same question , " what's wrong with your current load ?" Remember , it's not all about the most velocity , the deadliest designed bullet etc . It's about " shot placement " . Your current load is about equal to what the 44-40 did so well for so many years out of a revolver . I would just practice and practice . Don't just sit there staring at a target 25yrds away going , " bang----bang----bang " . Get some tactical training learning to move while shooting , proper way to sidestep an obstacle . Learn to fire all 6 rounds in 7 seconds with there being multiple targets to dispatch and see how many are on target and how many are " effective " shots , not just what would be considered a wound . That will tell you so much more about your current load . You might find that dropping all the way down to a 175 gr bullet suits you better , less recoil , more control in a tactical situation. For what it 's worth , this is my advice , if you were to ask .

There's nothing wrong with any .41 mag load. As they said, practice, practice, practice. :-)

Leon

The load you're using is superb. If you're hand loading it and want a factory round, that's reasonable. I'd see if Buffalo Bore offers something similar.

Aloha,

As said before, What's wrong with what you're shooting now?

I personally would use a 4" barrel using your load.

Your load may be blasty in the short barrel.

I would carry a M-58 instead.

What .41magnum do you have in 2 3/4 ?
(Just curious, the .41 mag is an excellent defense., so is a 2 3/4" revolver, in my opinion.)

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Halfway and one more step

I have used Winchester Silver Tips in my 41 mag for city travels and Remington 210gr JSP for out in the country (these are a handful).

A solid hit with pretty much any 41 mag is going to ruin someone's day.

I have several flavors of 41 to choose from - 3", 4"HB, 4" Taper barrel, Marlin 1894FG and they will all do the job if you do yours

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On the Oak Savannah

Sounds a lot like the original .41 Mag police load. I don't see anything wrong with these for self defense.

I will stand in line with all of the above. On the rare occasion I carry mine I use Silvertips if I am worried about bipeds.

LOL... the .41 magnum was originally developed as the ultimate Police round in the Smith Model 58......... kind of the .40 of revolvers...... in the 1960s pre-hollow-point ammo?

Never really caught on but I think in some places like Detroit and San Francisco it was somewhat popular....................

The problem with using the 41 Mag as a carry revolver is very similar, at least in my estimation, to the problem the 10 MM created: pass throughs when used, and innocent bystanders also injured, or at least the potential for that happening.

The 41, even at 900 fps, is going to in all likelihood shoot completely through a single individual unless extreme care is taken to choose a frangible or wide hollow pointed projectile. The idea is to dump every foot-lb. of energy into the intended target so the potential for injury to bystanders is minimal or non-existent.

I think I would buy some of the Remington 200-grain SJHPs and some gelatin, do some testing, and determine where the best combination of velocity, penetration, and projectile retention occurred, then load and carry that and hope I never had to use the round.

In my estimation, the use of the 41 for defense is just not recommended, for the reasons I have given above. I suspect even the Winchester Silvertips will exit (although I readily admit I have never used them on game).

Aloha,

I recall reading an article that the San Antonio PD issued the 41 magnum.

They had 29 gun fights and won every one.

In 2018, I plan to shoot some Texas hogs,

will let you know then about "pass thrus".

Georgia Arms also has a load that is similar to yours.

Don't know what the OP has but here's one that qualifies. (Actually 2-1/2" bbl.; 325NG's were 2-3/4" bbls.)

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357NG


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Waiting for the break of day