41 special

[Kilibreaux]

A genuine apology isn't "Sorry if you took offense," it's "I'm sorry to have offended you."

VERY different meanings...and we all know it.

OP: Build the .41 special and be happy with the fact that YOU have the skill, and knowledge, and the tools to do it....that's what counts.

I've done a few "scratch" builds myself over the years and have ALWAYS faced the inevitable "what do you want to do that for?" The non-inventor will NEVER understand the mind of the inventor.

 

[jaymoore]

Due to the much lower pressures of a "special" round, would it be possible to cram 6 .41 rounds into an L frame? If so, that would be awesome. I'd buy one too.

EDIT: jaymoore answered my question. Now I really want one.

CP-
I'd love to see where this project goes. Good luck with it.

Refer to Post #12 in the linked thread below for some tasty photos of the 686 conversion and then see where your enthusiasm level spikes.

Range Report - .41 Special

Thanks, Nemo288, for the link!

 

[Jellybean]

The S&W L frame copied the Colt E/I frame dimensions. Therefore, it seems entirely feasible to chamber a S&W L frame in a lower pressured 41 Special with 6 shots.

Sort of, as far as the feasibility goes. Looking at the actual dimensions and pressures involved, I would be very concerned about converting an old Colt .41 to .41 special. Things aren't always as they sound. But, the issue here isn't so much about the dimensions, as it is about the manufacturing processes.

For additional fuel for the discussion:
As I said earlier, I love everything .41, even the .41 Colt that isn't a true .41. But I do have a realistic side that isn't affected by my personal opinions. If you read modern descriptions of the .41 Colt, it is made to sound like an anemic, wimpy "poser" cartridge. However if you read older opinions, you hear a much different story, especially when you consider it is still being compared to cartridges such as the S&W .44 special, and the .38-40 ( which is the ballistic equivalent to the "perfect" police cartridge, the .40 S&W). So why the discrepancy? It is due to our modern gun writers...so when they come up with something "new", I always look at it very closely to make sure it's not just a case of "That's my invention!" or "That was my idea to do that!". In the matter of the .41 Special, well, it's a .41.

 

[Doubless]

A genuine apology isn't "Sorry if you took offense," it's "I'm sorry to have offended you."

VERY different meanings...and we all know it.

OP: Build the .41 special and be happy with the fact that YOU have the skill, and knowledge, and the tools to do it....that's what counts.

I've done a few "scratch" builds myself over the years and have ALWAYS faced the inevitable "what do you want to do that for?" The non-inventor will NEVER understand the mind of the inventor.

Kilibreaux, I don't recollect anyone asking you what I meant, or what my intent was. You are free to butt out. The OP and I worked through our differences, and I see no need for you to stick your nose into something that has already been resolved.

And FWIW, you are not "inventing" anything; you are re-tracing steps already made.

 

[ddixie884]

.41spl, I have one built on a 686 by Clements. I have posted in nearly every .41spl thread on this forum. Search my Posts for more info. I also have a small quantity of real Star-Line .41spl brass. Good luck in your endeavors. I am very happy with my .41spl revolver.

 

[Boxhead]

I have one built on a Ruger Single Six. I bought 500 pieces of properly headstamped Starline brass four or five years ago from a guy that had a run made. Paid about the same as what 41 Mag brass was selling for. I load 220 gr SWC's to 800 fps and enjoy the hell out of the lightweight little piece.

 

[Kilibreaux]

Kilibreaux, I don't recollect anyone asking you what I meant, or what my intent was. You are free to butt out. The OP and I worked through our differences, and I see no need for you to stick your nose into something that has already been resolved.

And FWIW, you are not "inventing" anything; you are re-tracing steps already made.

I'm amazed that things like YOU can make such statements as you have without intervention by moderators.

I personally don't CARE WHAT YOU THINK OR SAY because your initial statement was completely self-serving and self-egrandizing and DISINGENUOUS!
What-EVER you have "worked out with the OP" is meaningless to ME as a third party observer who has SEEN YOUR TYPE for decades...

I'll probably get banned for telling you like it is, while YOU will probably get a gold star for being a person who lacks character, integrity, and honor...but hey, this is JUST A FORUM where people like YOU can speak as you wish without fear of direct redress.

 

[Jellybean]

ddixie884, thanks for stepping in. I seem to recall you are a local authority on the .41 Special, do you remember what the maximum pressure was set at? I know I can probably find it on the net, but I was hoping you could save me some steps.

 

[ddixie884]

I have used John Taffin's load data as my guide. His top loads all give easy one thumb ejection, although some times the cases seem to fall out by their own weight when inverted. There is no SAAMI pressure limit, but it would be from 15.5 to 18K like other "Specials". I think Taffins loads go to about 25K. Boxhead's little single six is special, and about the nicest 686 I've seen had a 4in mountain gun barrel, and belongs to MadBadger.

 

[Jellybean]

Thanks ddixie884,
I wasn't sure if he had kept the pressures in the "specials" range, and if so which one he'd used.

That mountain gun barrel on a 686 sounds like a real good idea. I'd carried a couple 686's on duty and didn't care for them at all. With all that weight I'd rather carry an N frame, especially since a lot of that weight was in the barrel.

Over the last few days, after reading this post, I starting working on a project that I would think would be ideal for a "police frame" sized handgun, and have a better choice of available bullets. I started with a .30-30 Win. case and by the time I got done I had a case that looked pretty much like a .401 Herters powermag. I've never fired, or even seen one, but that is one cartridge that someone should have paid more attention too. Unfortunately I don't have money for projects anymore, because I still have those 686s.