I gifted some .41 mag ammo to my father-in-law for his Ruger Redhawk. It got me thinking...

Has anyone (S&W or otherwise) made a 7 shot .41 magnum? S&W seems the obvious choice, I haven't done the engineering math but perhaps an N frame has the room in the cylinder to fit?

I know the .41 is a niche round --- more than the average Joe "needs" for defense and not in the same class as the .44 and .454 for handgun hunting. But it's extremely versatile and I believe an excellent cartridge for two and four legged predators!

Part of what got me thinking too is the real possibility of new restrictions on handguns, looks like we may be going back to carrying around harder-hitting guns with less capacity.

Since there is not enough space for this in the N frame, I suppose you want to put this on an X frame?

I was kind of hoping a) someone had already done it and b) wouldn't require an X frame. Heck I think you could make an 8 shot .41 Mag on one of those, but the carry gun/woods gun factor is long gone unless you're 6'6" and 300lbs!

Sir.
I see two choices here.
Carry two .41 Magnum revolvers.
Become very efficient with speed loaders.
Or both.
Bill@Yuma

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William D. EKBERG
SWCA #2092

The 41mag has a similair stopping power when compared to the 44mag. The 41mag also has more penetration as some have said here. From the guys who hunt with both the 44mag and the 41mag they say they seem to have the same stopping power, dead is dead. Since the 357mag, the 41mag and the 44mag i feel that the stopping power is ok in anyone of them. I really like the 41mag and think that 6 shots is enough for now.

Short answer- No. Nobody has made a 7 shot 41 mag.

I think S&W could do it on the X frame if there was enough interest, but I doubt that interest exists.

Yea.. I could see them even trying to fit more rounds of 357 on an X Frame before even doing it for a 41 mag. Definitely more of a niche caliber, shame as I always hear its a more versatile round than the 44.

Well, S&W makes a 7-shot 686-Plus in 357 Mag on the L frame so it should be possible to make a 7-shot 41 Mag on the N frame. As much as I like the 41 Mag it is not nearly popular enough for them to make a 7-shot version. Of course, you could have someone do a custom job for you.

Smith does make an 8 shot .357 on an N frame. I think it is a 627. It takes moon clips as well.

I would feel much better armed with an 8 shot, moon clip fed .357 than a 1911 in .45 ACP. A 7 shot .41 would be nice but there simply is not enough interest in the .41 for S&W to do it.

I think they'll make one on an X-frame right after the limited run 18-shot .25 ACP revolver that I'm badgering them to build. Similar markets, don't you know?

__________________
A lawyer, but not YOUR lawyer.

If you can't hit it with 6 get a shot gun...all the deer I have shot with a .44 mag only took 1 shot, and a .41 will deliver the same effect.

Yup have one and my fave gun.

Like all the gun manufacturers now, Ruger can’t fill their present back orders so there’s zero chance at the moment, but a 7 shot Red Hawk or Super Red Hawk is an interesting thought. RHs and SRHs in .44 magnum use the same cylinder. Utilizing stronger cylinder steel SRH .480 Rugers hold 6 cartridges loaded to the same pressure as .44 magnum. I wonder if they could squeeze in seven .41 magnum chambers?

It’s hard to think of a nitch where it would be better than existing revolvers, but if Ruger made it, I just might “need” one. Of course I “really, really need” that 18 shot .25 ACP revolver.

To hkcavalier:

A "N" frame will NOT accept any caliber larger then 357 Mag. in a 7 shot version.
I have CAD drawing of a 7 Shot Cylinder that accepts 41 mag.
PM me and I'll send it to you.
baldeagle8888

How about a 5 shot 3" L Frame?

Take a good long look at how thin the forcing cone of a .44 special 5 shot L frame is. I doubt making it 0.0095” thicker would be adequate to more than double the pressure.

I see this thread has run off on to some tangents.

I didn't really think of it as a hunting gun. If you can't bring down a game animal with 6, the 7th isn't going to be your lucky number. This coming from the dude who, one year, hunted with an HK91 clone w/ a 20rnd mag. More of a carry gun in the city and the woods for any danger that comes along. Yes I am aware I am aiming at a very small niche, not too many people CC'ing N frames or the like outside of the diehards. And yes, S&W already makes uber lightweight, large caliber guns for this niche.

I am not saying "gosh someone just NEEDS to do this," it was, "hey has anyone tried already?" No one was screaming for a Taurus Judge but it seems most of my gun nut buds have one or a Governor (I own neither as of yet).

I've got a Bowen 6 shot .41Special S&W 3" 686 that's one of my never sell guns. Load it with properly headstamped .41Special Starline brass.

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JOE MACK aka .41FAN

Joe,Is this a custom gunsmith conversion or was it a special order gun. How about a pic of that piece. Very curious.

Researched and found the web site for BCA Corp. Boy they have some nice stuff. Your .41 Spl. must be sweet. Might have to get something special made up.

The 686 is a conversion by Bowen. I sent the 686 to him along with +/- $700 and got back a primo .41Special DA. No pics as I can't upload anything from work and no computer at home. I would like a full 5-shot .41Magnum Scorpion by Reeder after I see how the government BFs us per the "fiscal cliff." We'll see if I can afford a couple more customs after the politicians get done.

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JOE MACK aka .41FAN

The difference between .45 cal and .41 cal is .042 in. Times this by 6 gives .252 in. This would not be enough to fit a 7th chamber in. Also, the .45 cal is a low pressure number. Using .44 cal gives a difference of only .019 in. Times 6 gives only .114 in, clearly not enough to fit another .41 magnum in.

Best,
Rick

Well now that we've established an N frame won't do it, has anyone had one made custom on a different frame?

Buy an X-frame and call Hamilton Bowen. I've got a call in to him about doing that 18-shot .25 on an X-frame.

__________________
A lawyer, but not YOUR lawyer.

How about a 3 shot 12g?

Won't fit. 3-shot 20-ga., tho . . .

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A lawyer, but not YOUR lawyer.