.41 mag vs. .44spl ----- Need your help!

mod34 · #1 07-31-2009, 09:47 PM

I am completely torn between a 3" M657 and a 3" M24. Help me out. .41 mag or .44 Spl.? No appreciable price difference and no, I cannot buy both.

Lets go!! Lets get that input flowing!!

max · #2 07-31-2009, 10:09 PM

Since I already reload for the 41, that would be my choice. I bought a nickel 44 sp a couple of years ago and traded it for another 41. It is one caliber that I don't load for and didn't want to try and accumulate brass and start. The 41 can be loaded much hotter than the 44 in that particular gun. You can also load the 41 down to 44 sp levels. In fact, I have found that any load that works in the 44 sp, works in the 41.

papalondog · #3 07-31-2009, 10:12 PM

Buy the .41 and email me with where the 24 is. Or.......buy the 24 and email me where the 627 is. Or...........buy both and don't eat for a couple of weeks. That would get my weight down and make me happy at the same time.......... I really like both calibers and don't plan on helping you out a bit.

mod34 · #4 07-31-2009, 10:15 PM

Hey Pap,
You're all heart! Sure would love to buy YOU a cup of coffee some day!

I'm really torn over this one guys!!

Uncle Larry · #5 07-31-2009, 10:19 PM

Tough call...
I've always wanted, ok, lusted after a 41mag for our short range deer hunting here in Ohio....OTOH, the 44 special has a certain panache' if you will, but it's pretty much a ballistic twin of the 45ACP and I'd be tempted to look for a 25-2 just to say I've owned one...
JMVHO & YMMV

armybass · #6 07-31-2009, 10:22 PM

Two great guns and I would love to have both myself, but that is actually an easy one for me. M657 hand down and then you wanna make it a 3". No question....M657.

mod34 · #7 07-31-2009, 10:25 PM

I've got an NIB 3" M625-7 in .45LC, so the M657 .41 would fit in very nicely.

DeathGrip · #8 07-31-2009, 10:29 PM

How many members have 44 and how many 41 in their log in name?

Just saying. I like both and anything else that goes BANG!

I'ts all good.

Double-O-Dave · #9 07-31-2009, 10:33 PM

I'm with Uncle Larry on this one, very tough call. I never met a .41 Magnum owner that wasn't in love with that caliber. The more knowledgeable ones would tell me how the .41 had better performance with less abuse than the .357 Magnum, without the very stout recoil and blast of the .44 Magnum. I have no use for a .44 Magnum, and it's simply too much gun for me. I recently got into the .44 Special game with a good deal on a non S&W revolver (the brand name rhymes with "bossy"). Again, I agree with Uncle Larry in that it is very close to a .45ACP. If it were me, I'd go with the .41 Magnum.

Best of luck,

Dave

mod34 · #10 07-31-2009, 10:35 PM

Dave, et.al.,

Thanks and keep it coming!!!

Bassamatic · #11 07-31-2009, 11:09 PM

It's absurd to say that you can't have both. One is not better than the other, they both need to be sitting in your safe.

You know, they don't HAVE to be smith's. One of my favorite pistols is a pre-warning Ruger convertible .45acp /.45 Colt. This one has some great Sambar stags on her as well.

mod34 · #12 07-31-2009, 11:44 PM

Rugers are welcome in my safe any time. I have a 5.5" Bisley .45/.45LC conv. that I love and 4 5/8" OM BHs in .357, .41 and .44. Love 'em all, but there is just something about the 3", round butt, N-frames that I really love.

handejector · #13 08-01-2009, 12:02 AM

WHO you callin' "common"?

Bassamatic · #14 08-01-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

WHO you callin' "common"?

Lee, thanks for that. I was going to mention it but I forgot.

rayb · #15 08-01-2009, 12:14 AM

No doubt about it.

Get the 3" 657

rayb

mod34 · #16 08-01-2009, 09:20 AM

Hey Lee and Bass,
Thanks, must have been past my bed time

cmort666 · #17 08-01-2009, 10:01 AM

If it hasn't got the lock, the Model 24.

Ammo AND components will be both easier and cheaper to find.

If I had the money, I'd love to have a 24. A 4" 24 would be the perfect house gun for me, better even than my 4" 29-2.

armkev · #18 08-01-2009, 10:16 AM

If you are a reloader then the 41 mag. If not the 44. I havent priced 44 special ammo lately but feeding my 657 is pretty costly. I will be reloading it soon.

ACP230 · #19 08-01-2009, 10:22 AM

I am a .41 aficianado/junkie/reloader so I'd buy the .41.
I have been tempted by a .44 Special occasionally however.

n4zov · #20 08-01-2009, 10:26 AM

I cannot think of a single advantage the .44 has over the .41, so that would be my choice. However a magnum .41 load out of a 3" barrel might be an interesting experience!

feralmerril · #21 08-01-2009, 10:30 AM

Do you want a sweet gun or a club?

chellesdad · #22 08-01-2009, 11:19 AM

I would go with the 41 mag, but I load for it so the ammo cost wouldn't be a concern. That said, if you don't reload, the 44 spc is a sweet shooter and would be a nice addition. Might also depend on your intended usage, as was pointed out earlier the 41 has more potential if hand loaded. Of course, I don't know that I would want to "use" all of that potential in a three inch barrel......
C's dad

oldRoger · #23 08-01-2009, 11:53 AM

I will take the opposite view; I load for the .44 spl and have for years but not for the .41. It is no great accomplishment to get a 240gr LSWC moving at 1000-1100 fps from a .44 without any pressure most would think excessive for a model 24.
Now that would be pushing from my .45acps. So I don’t really think the .44spl & .45acp have a whole lot in common.
Further there are a lot of bullets available for the .44 that are heavier, say 280gr FPGC which also can zip right along.
If I were to buy a .41mag I think I would find one with a longer barrel.

mod34 · #24 08-01-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n4zov

I cannot think of a single advantage the .45 has over the .41, so that would be my choice. However a magnum .41 load out of a 3" barrel might be an interesting experience!

You mean .44?

H Richard · #25 08-01-2009, 01:46 PM

Since I already have the 3" Mod 24, I 'd go for the .41 mag. Just love a new caliber to work up loads for. Now if I could just find a supply of primers..........

S/W - Lifer · #26 08-01-2009, 01:47 PM

The .44 Special is a better choice, in my opinion.

Once you get over the novelty of shooting expensive factory .41 Magnum ammunition out of a 3 inch barrel, you'll likely be looking for reduced loads to make the gun more user friendly. Brass and ammunition can be difficult to find. S&W's 4 inch Model 58 .41 Magnum shined with Remington's reduced police loads but was a major handful with magnum loads. This 3 inch .41 could be too much of a good thing.

The .44 Special can be loaded up easily to increase performance and a good variety of bullets are available. .44 Special brass can be made by trimming .44 Magnum brass, should things ever come to that. High performance loadings are available.

Gun lust aside, this seems an easy choice to me.

PALADIN85020 · #27 08-01-2009, 02:16 PM

I'd go for the .44 special. Easier to find ammo now, useable power with less recoil. If you already have a .44 magnum (who doesn't now), the .41 offers nothing more, really, that the big .44 can't do. I think the .44 special is about ideal for efficiency. With factory loads, that .41 out of a 3" barrel is going to be a (rhymes with witch). Here's my 3" .44 special, and I love it:

RABULL · #28 08-01-2009, 04:35 PM

I would pick the .44 special also. The .44 special is one of my favorite calibers and I also have a Model 624 3" (and many others). As others have stated it is a great handgun and caliber. What's not to like about it???

armkev · #29 08-01-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PALADIN85020

I'd go for the .44 special. Easier to find ammo now, useable power with less recoil. If you already have a .44 magnum (who doesn't now), the .41 offers nothing more, really, that the big .44 can't do. I think the .44 special is about ideal for efficiency. With factory loads, that .41 out of a 3" barrel is going to be a (rhymes with witch). Here's my 3" .44 special, and I love it:

I love my 41 mag a whole lot but after seeing your 44 Spec, its gonna have to scoot over and make room for one of those. I like that!

gizamo · #30 08-01-2009, 05:32 PM

Don't be silly...if it is a early 3" .41 Mag it's worth a lot more money then the same barrel length in .44 Special. Some of the 3" .41 Mags are downright uncommon.

giz

mod34 · #31 08-01-2009, 06:30 PM

Hey Feralmerril,
Which is which

feralmerril · #32 08-01-2009, 11:31 PM

The 24-3 is the sweetheart! I must like em. Here is 6 of mine.

gunsmith11 · #33 08-01-2009, 11:41 PM

.41 mag all the way

kennyb · #34 08-03-2009, 11:59 AM

hands down ...the3" 657...great gun

westkybanded · #35 08-03-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gizamo

Don't be silly...if it is a early 3" .41 Mag it's worth a lot more money then the same barrel length in .44 Special. Some of the 3" .41 Mags are downright uncommon.

giz

That's it right there! I've only seen a handfull of 3" .41s in my time.

m657 · #36 08-03-2009, 04:32 PM

...uhhhhh......*kaff*kaff*....

....what really IS the question?????

hoser · #37 08-28-2009, 03:23 PM

If taken as a camping gun for small black bear or mountain lion protection (no grizzlies or anything large), wouldn't the 41 mag wins hands down?

m657 · #38 08-28-2009, 03:41 PM

.....so has the decision long awaited been settled finally?

and where is the photo?

Vulcan Bob · #39 08-28-2009, 03:54 PM

Man this is a tough one, I would have to toss a coin! I really like my .41's but I love my .44 specials. Good luck and remember to post pic's of the winner.

mod34 · #40 08-28-2009, 08:27 PM

Hey Model657,
Yes a decision was made.............a 3" M29!

Now to start savin' for that 3" 657

jrm53 · #41 08-28-2009, 10:16 PM

Take the 41 mag, I dont have a 44 special but I have 57's and 29's and if I had to just have one it would be the .41. Jeff

gunsmith11 · #42 08-28-2009, 10:20 PM

I think I will stay with my Model 58 and the 657, plus I do not want to buy another set of dies