.41 Long Colt

[Dominus_Lex]

I am the "lucky" owner of a 1st Gen. Colt SAA that is lovely to look at but worthless to collectors. It appears someone had the gun "restored" in the 50's or 60's, and in the process ruined it.

While I'm happy to have a shooter vs. a safe queen, my big issue is the darn thing is in .41 long colt (again part of the restoration). I have mortgaged the house to purchase 50 Winchester loads from the 70's, so I have some brass. I can get die's from any of the major supply shop's, but cannot find a .386 bullet to save my life.

Anyone out there load this strange beast, and have any wisdom to share?

 

[Alk8944]

For simplicity try to find a Lyman 386178 mould as it is much easier to load than the heel base bullets.

Watch E-Bay, and join the "Cast Boolits" (Hate that!) forum and ask there. I believe HarryO is a member on Cast Boolits, and he has done a lot with the .41 Colt and can be helpful. He has several articles posted on Leverguns.com,, one or two on the .41 LC.

 

[kingranch]

Buffalo arms makes nice 200gr'ers in 41 Colt. $28 per 100ct...I think.

 

[guesser]

Google "gadcustomcartridge". He has the old molds and makes the old bullets. His products are good quality and prices right. I got my supply of a 95 gr. heel bullet to use in 32 Long Colt from him. Give him a call.

 

[Jellybean]

I think Midway sells both types of bullets for the .41 Colt, they might even have brass for it.

 

[mkk41]

Lyman and Saeco once offered the hollow-base .41 Colt bullet mold ya need. I believe Hoch will make one.

Ya can also find an extra 38-40 WCF cylinder. 38-40 ammo is a lot easier to find. Colt used the same barrel for both.
Here's one for $60. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=220209335

 

[Dominus_Lex]

Thanks for the input, did not know I about the 38-40, that may be the best move. As for Midway, they where on backorder for both bullets and brass, but I will keep an eye out.

 

[Beans]

Lyman and Saeco once offered the hollow-base .41 Colt bullet mold ya need. I believe Hoch will make one.

Ya can also find an extra 38-40 WCF cylinder. 38-40 ammo is a lot easier to find. Colt used the same barrel for both.
Here's one for $60. COLT SAA Antique Black Powder 38-40 CYLINDER : Antiques / pre-1899 at GunBroker.com

I agree with that. 38/40 stuff is much easier to find then .41 Colt.

Since you stated it has no collector value a change in cylinders won't hurt it at all.

A side note .40 S&W also uses 38/40 sized bullets. .401

 

[Old 44 Guy]

There is a .41 Colt D.A. in the local shop, 400 hundred bucks with a box of shells. It's sat there for 5 years that I know of. My advice?? Go with the 38-40. Much better caliber.

 

[Jellybean]

I believe the Army Special I bought sat in the store for way more than 5 years. They had gotten it and a matching .38 spl. on consignment from the heirs of the owner. The .38 went real fast, the .41 didn't and it made me real sad to see it sitting there year after year with no one to care for it.

But when I found a Lyman mould for the .41 Colt at a real bargain price, and no gun to go along with it, I knew exactly where to look.

 

[wogentry]

Cowboy Gun Lead Cast Bullets .386" 200 Grn. HBRN 20-1 Alloy for .41 Colt SPG Lubed

 

[bmcgilvray]

I've long been intrigued by the .41 Long Colt even though it has no reason for being in this day and age. I've acquired a couple in the past year or so.

If you want to do .41 Long Colt you gotta buy a Colt.

Here's a Colt New Navy from 1901.

Here's an Army Special from 1925

Single action effort at 10 yards

Rapid-fire double action effort at 7 yards

I'm going to handload as soon as I get the dies. I've gathered up several hundred cases and some proper cast hollow base bullets so we'll see what develops. I'm going to experiment with use of .38-40 bullets in my Army Special and then maybe some cast bullets intended for the .40 S&W. Don't really see why the old round must be used with only hollow base or heal type bullets. I already handload for a .38-40 Colt Single Action Army.


Here are the results of chronograph tests in the Army Special.

Remington 195 Grain Lead Round nose

662 fps: Muzzle Velocity
195 ft./lbs: Muzzle Energy
26 fps: Extreme Spread
9 fps: Standard Deviation


Winchester Western "White Box" 200 Grain Lubaloy Round Nose

671 fps: Muzzle Velocity
200 ft./lbs.: Muzzle Energy
50 fps: Extreme Spread
22 fps: Standard Deviation



Western "Yellow Box" 200 Grain Lubaloy Round Nose

679 fps: Muzzle Velocity
204 ft./lbs.: Muzzle Energy
27 fps: Extreme Spread
9 fps: Standard Deviation




Here's the data obtained last summer when firing this same ammunition from the .41 Colt New Navy.

Remington 195 Grain Lead Round Nose

692 fps: muzzle velocity
207 ft./lbs.: muzzle energy
48 fps: extreme spread
18 fps: standard deviation


Winchester Western "white box" 200 Grain Lubaloy Round Nose

709 fps: muzzle velocity
223 ft./lbs.: muzzle energy
107 fps: extreme spread
46 fps: standard deviation


Western "Yellow Box" 200 Grain Lubaloy Round Nose

720 fps: muzzle velocity:
230 ft./lbs.: muzzle energy
16 fps: extreme spread
6 fps: standard deviation

The loads were a little slower in the Army Special than they were in the New Navy. Could have been any number of things working in concert with each other. The New Navy has a 4 1/2-inch barrel while the Army Special has a 4-inch barrel. Dimensional differences were noted between the two, and the temperature was in the mid-50s rather than the high 90s.

I'm enthused about the old round even if it is obsolete. It's something different to play with and would still make quite a reasonable short range self defense cartridge.