Smith & Wesson 41 magnum

B

BigBill

Absent Comrade
Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
13,869
Reaction score
13,353
Location
Planet earth
Do you think the s&w 41 magnum is more popular from its interdiction into the market and still growing in popularity today?
I wonder what the production numbers are on the m58/m57 till today?
 
Register to hide this ad
The 41 magnum has its fans but unless it means getting an extra round into the cylinder most people are going to buy a 44 instead.

Nothing wrong with the 41 but the 44 provides a bit heavier bullet, a bit more power and both ammo and reloading components are easier to find.
 
I'm looking forward to getting my 6" M57 & M58.

I want them just to have them. I'll run a box of ammo threw each and then I have no idea when of if I'll shoot them again unless a friend wants to try them out.

I wanted these two because to me they are "unique".
 
I used to own a 6" Model 57. I can't recall the dash number but I bought it new in the mid-to-late 1990s. It was accurate enough but the gun's barrel looked like a vo-tech body shop student's project - had move ripples and waves over its length than a poorly straightened fender.

But the cartridge is possibly the best-kept secret in the gun business. Remember, the .44 Magnum does not have a 44-caliber bore while the .41 Magnum is a 41-caliber gun. Its .410" bullet diameter is only .019" smaller than the 44's so you really do not lose very much in bullet size.

I think robertwalsh is right on with his assessment of the cartridge. I don't think any deer will be able to tell the difference but the .41 Magnum just lacks the luster and appeal of the .44.

Ed
 
Groo here
As shooters get older the 41mag starts looking better.
More than 357 , not as much as a 44mag , very accurate,
and hits hard.
Also shootable in a smaller gun, and makes a goood carbine round[thanks Henry].
But like a 44 , an experenced shooters gun, unlike a 357...
 
  • Like
Reactions: GB
If I ever found a new or almost new with box M58 at a very low price or if S&W makes a M69 that would be the only way I would buy a 41Mag. Since neither will ever happen,I will stay with 44 Spl./Mag.I do think it is an under rated cartridge for self defense. There just is no ammo demand to make affordable factory ammo.
 
I really like the 41 Mag, took me about a year to find a grail gun for myself, a 357PD, much more pleasant than it's big brother the 44 Mag 329PD. I wonder how many of these were made before they were discontinued.
 
In 1971 I bought a 41 magnum and my best friend bought a 44 magnum. He could never quite get the accuracy he wanted. The 44 wasn't as accurate as the 41 and after a few heavy loads he got the shakes so bad his groups opened up to patterns and he would stop shooting . The 41 magnum just seemed more accurate from the get go....small groups were the norm. I have found few loads that didn't group well . Another thing is all loads, light lead and heavy hunting , seem to group very close to the sights ...Elmer Keith even noticed this and remarked on this pleasant phenomena .

My buddy soon sold the 44 mag. But I still have my 41 magnum , it's my avatar and it's the one that will never be sold...ever !
The 41 magnum and the S&W model 58 are a match made in
heaven .
Gary
 
I LOVE my 41 Magnums. I've got blue and nickel 58's and blue and nickel 4" and 6" 57 no dash guns (not big into the longer tubes). It's a far sweeter shooter to me than a 4" .44 Mag but I have to admit it's not an apples to apples comparison. Most of my .44 Mag rounds are full power and my .41 Mags 800-1000fps so it would be more like comparing to a .44 Special. Thus I can see the .41 Magnum had a hurdle to jump that it quite never did - but I still love em!

Earl
 
I keep hoping SAW comes out with a M69 4.25 in 41 mag with 6 holes in the cylinder; I think they would fit. That would be my new favorite woods gun.
 
When Dad was getting too frail to carry the ole' Parker afield for deer hunting, he went to the LGS to buy a Model 29. The clerk suggested it was too powerful for him, so he sold him a Model 57. Dad carried that fine gun for the next 7 years, until he had trouble getting up the hill to his stand.

I got both guns when Dad passed, and they both get shot regularly. If I ever have to sell something, they will be the last 2 to go.
 
The 10mm has had a large resurgence lately and I believe the 41M will also be increasing in popularity. As in the previous post,I'd like to see a 'M69' in 41M and only 5 cylinder chambers would be OK.
I have a M57 6" nickeled.
 
I have a 57 no dash 6". It is beautiful and shoots every bit as well as my 29-2. I load both just under max. The 41 mag is faster and I think that makes up for the lighter bullet. 210 gr vs. 240 gr. Not much difference. When shooting at ranges, 44 shooters try my 41 and always say the same thing. "I going to look for one of those." I would never feel under gunned when in the field with a 41 magnum.
 
IF a 41 mag is ever produced again by Smith...the 2.75 inch M69 would likely be the venue. I would also expect it to be a 5 round not 6. But then......who knows. {I'm not sure 6 would even fit} For hand loaders, the M69 has already answered the need for a big bore smaller carry option. A 41 Mag has absolutely no advantage since a hand loader can tailor the ammo for their needs. Costs less to just buy the 44 dies{and quite depending on a factory ammo to do what you want} than wishing for something that may never materialize. {extremely happy with my M 69 2.75}
 
nothing done with a 41 , can't be done with a 44 {43 actual} the bullets are available and that is the real key.{if you don't have a properly designed bullet, the round is defeated} I load 200 grain bullets in my 44, but aren't limited to just 200 if I choose. Re-loading is the real key. If you just wish to be different , wear some argyle socks or a kilt {or some paisley}...the 44 does it all. Sorry , I waited and waited for them to finally make a L frame in a short barrel 44 and never thought it would happen...and finally...Maybe I will be wrong and a 41 will materialize....according to my wife, I'm not perfect.and am wrong on most things.YMMV.
 
I'm a big .41 fan but to really enjoy a .41 you have to be a serious DIY kind of guy. I have 9 different .41 bullet moulds. I cast my own and load my own. If I had to rely on a sporting goods department shelf, the .41 would be nothing more than a nice paperweight.

I can load a double ended wadcutter in .41 special brass to a serious 215 gr gas checked bullet and everything in between.

Model 58 is my favorite, 657 next and a Ruger Bisley thrown in just for fun.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
WTS Smith & Wesson K frame and N frame barrels
Replies
2
Views
730
flundertaker
flundertaker
S
L- Frame 41 Magnum?
2
Replies
20
Views
1K
ko41
ko41
M
How do you actually enjoy a Magnum caliber revolver?
6 7 8
Replies
148
Views
5K
.38SuperMan
.38SuperMan
W
Re-acquainting with the .41 Magnum
2
Replies
31
Views
1K
Michaelp57
M
R
41 magnum popularity
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
3K
BoulderTroll
BoulderTroll

Latest posts

Back
Top