bigfreakinrevolver
Member
I was thinking of getting a S&W 657 snubby performance center type. How are they accuracy wise and controllability wise etc? Thank you
41 magnum
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As with any revolver, controllability is dependent on the revolver weight, load, projectile weight, etc. I will state this: I have shot my own cast NEI 290-grain SSK bullet out of my 6" 57 with 18 grains of H110 behind it, and it was robust to say the least. The same with max loaded 220s out of my 4"... I suspect the Federal 250-grain CastCores would also clear the early morning cobwebs...
And to me, accuracy is a function of load, shooter skill, and probably last but certainly not least, sighting plane. The shorter sight plane of a snubby will, at least to me, factor in some inaccuracy simply because it is not as long as say a six or eight inch barrel. Those longer barrels were provided for a reason: the same reason most silhouette model revolvers have ten inch barrels...
And to me, accuracy is a function of load, shooter skill, and probably last but certainly not least, sighting plane. The shorter sight plane of a snubby will, at least to me, factor in some inaccuracy simply because it is not as long as say a six or eight inch barrel. Those longer barrels were provided for a reason: the same reason most silhouette model revolvers have ten inch barrels...
In part you'll be able to answer your own question atleast for controllability i.e how do you handle recoil from longer barrel magnum revolvers?
If its an issue the shortter barrel won't be doing you any favors. The extra barrel length will help the muzzle rise issue. Downsizing the loads thru handloading will help as well.
As far as accuracy - the shorter sight length is a negative unless your talking fairly short distances.
If its an issue the shortter barrel won't be doing you any favors. The extra barrel length will help the muzzle rise issue. Downsizing the loads thru handloading will help as well.
As far as accuracy - the shorter sight length is a negative unless your talking fairly short distances.
I have a 3" 657 and load it with 250 grain hard cast from Cast Performance to a velocity of about 900 fps. It is controllable, and accurate, in my firearm. I've not shot it past 50 yards, but inside of that I am more than confident.
It would be a nice shooter with the factory self defense loads. Probably a bit of a thumper with full house magnum loads, but nowheres near a .44 mag snubby (I had one, loved the gun but it was a handful).
Groo01
Member
Groo here
The 41 is about the most power I can combat shoot in a 3in N-frame.
I can shoot it about as fast and well as an l or k frame.
The 44 is just too much.
This is with full up 158's in the 357-210"s in the 41 and 240's in the 44.
If you get or make the "police load" the gun shoots like a big 38spec.
You will like it.
The 41 is about the most power I can combat shoot in a 3in N-frame.
I can shoot it about as fast and well as an l or k frame.
The 44 is just too much.
This is with full up 158's in the 357-210"s in the 41 and 240's in the 44.
If you get or make the "police load" the gun shoots like a big 38spec.
You will like it.
at_liberty
Member
Have you shot a 41 Magnum before? It can either be pretty sobering or make you smile after an expletive or two. This is not a gun to have a short barrel, if you want to shoot very many rounds through it. My 4" 657 seems well balanced. My other magnums are either 4" or 5", except for a single action, 6" .357. My 3", 5-shot guns in .357 require tamed reloads. You just have to have enough gun mass there to support the caliber, or at best you will have a love/hate relationship with the gun.
If you really want a 3" barrel, cut down .41 Mag brass and load ".41 Special" charges.
That's what I would do anyway.
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bigfreakinrevolver
Member
I just like my model 58 in a 4 inch so much and want to see if anyone else had good experience with a shorter barrel.
The 3" .41 magnum is a fun gun to shoot when you aren't using full-power ammo. However, I find that even with full-power stuff, it is not that terribly difficult to shoot. Takes more concentration, but is manageable. Stocks that fit your hand make ALL the difference in the world.
I enjoy shooting the 3" .41 magnum...it is one of my favorites. But it is best to hand-load for it. As I said, a 250 grain slug at ~900 fps is like shooting a .45 ACP...very manageable. I'll go through 100+ rounds in a range session easily.
If you have the notion of shooting anything that starts with a "4" out of a snubnose, and which also has MAGNUM in the same breath, you will be buying a gun that gets shot very little unless you seriously down-load the ammo.
I've shot those things a few times with genuine MAGNUM ammo, and after each shot I had to check to make sure my hand was still all there.
I've shot those things a few times with genuine MAGNUM ammo, and after each shot I had to check to make sure my hand was still all there.
It is definitely not for everyone. Full power magnums can be brutal! I shot some 265 grain LSWC's over a full charge of Lil' Gun, and it is an EYE OPENING experience. My 6½" 657 Classic Hunter handles them fine, but the 3" is a beast. However, 210 grain magnums were much better to shoot and did not cause me any harm. I'd rather shoot my 3" .41 mag will full power loads than my 4" .44 mag with full power loads. To each his own.
at_liberty
Member
It is definitely not for everyone. Full power magnums can be brutal! I shot some 265 grain LSWC's over a full charge of Lil' Gun, and it is an EYE OPENING experience. My 6½" 657 Classic Hunter handles them fine, but the 3" is a beast. However, 210 grain magnums were much better to shoot and did not cause me any harm. I'd rather shoot my 3" .41 mag will full power loads than my 4" .44 mag with full power loads. To each his own.
210 or 215 gr is all I have reloaded so far, but I use a pretty stout load of 20.0 gr Power-Pro 300-MP, a genuine Magnum load. I could only guess at the velocity, but it has to be up there pretty far. I have used it in both 4" and 8 3/8" 657 barrels plus a 4 5/8" Blackhawk.
I certainly agree that grips that are a good fit help quite a bit.
klausinak
US Veteran
I have the 357NG, so even lighter than what you're looking at. I have no issues controlling it, and no issues with accuracy. However, it does spank the palm of my hand something fierce. The best example of this was my best friend. I had just picked up the revolver from my LGS and we went out to shoot. I fired about three cylinders worth, then loaded it up & handed it to him to try. He shot six & handed it back with the remark, "I guess you won't have to worry about shooting that one loose..."
-Klaus
-Klaus
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I have a snubby .41 mag,, well I don't shoot hot loads. I just love to shoot it and it is sooooo much fun to shoot and work up a good load. I will confess I am a snubby fan, please don't judge me too hard. I am thinking about going to therapy for some treatment,, well as soon as I run out of ammo that is. No, I mean it this time sorta I will maybe as soon as I get some extra time. The .41 mag is just a fun round to shoot.
I love the 41 and I love snubbies. So I have several. From various manufacturers.
They are all accurate enough.
If you are recoil shy, stay away from the Taurus Total Tianium or the S&W Scandium.
They are all accurate enough.
If you are recoil shy, stay away from the Taurus Total Tianium or the S&W Scandium.
357NG
I have one too & I prefer the lighter (170gr) bullets in these guns.
The felt recoil is noticeably reduced with them.
It shoots as good as you can hold it.
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I have one too & I prefer the lighter (170gr) bullets in these guns.
The felt recoil is noticeably reduced with them.
It shoots as good as you can hold it.
.
.
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at_liberty
Member
I guess the 3" 41 Mags can make a shooting experience similar to 44 Special, given the right load.
This statement confuses me
The 41 Magnum is a fantastic cartridge. Why would you want to stifle it so that it can simulate the 44 Special experience?
Personally I have never owned a 44 Special and never will, but if that is what you like, fine. I have shot many, just see no need for it. If I want to shoot a .429 bore revolver, I grab a 44 Magnum
The reason to buy a snub nose 41 Magnum is to have a snub nose 41 Magnum.
EXACTLY! They are fun to shoot, from mild to wild.
Kid44
Member
My thoughts also. If you don't like, or can't handle recoil buy a .22
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