.41 mag question

[jeffrefrig]

1st off, I don't reload. The .41 magnum revolver seems to me to be an interesting gun/caliber. I have calibers all around it, but whatever; I don't have a .41 mag. revolver. I see a very nice one for sale and I ask is there any other cartridge that will fire from one? Like .38/.357, .44mag/.44special, etc.? I'm not interested in having a beautiful gun's cylinder cut for moon clips for a 10mm or whatever. Gun in question is a M57 I believe. I keep looking at this gun and I think it wants me to want it. If only .41, then so be it. Thanks...Jeff

 

[elgatodeacero]

No, .41 Magnum is the only cartridge available. There is a wildcat called the .41 Special but it serves no purpose in an N frame 57 and is not available commercially in loaded ammo or in mid-size guns.

If you do not reload then you will find .41 Magnum ammunition hard to find and quite expensive. Loading two boxes of 50 cartridges on a Lee hand press or Lee challenger press (with dies and a scale) will pay for your reloading equipment.

.41 mag is a substantial step up from .357, but not as heavy recoiling as .44 magnum. It is the best magnum cartridge, imo.

Hornady 210 grain .410 bullets, Starline brass, Win LP primers, and Win296/H110 powder is all you need to duplicate factory loads.

 

[CH4]

Yep, great round but very difficult to find these days. Good luck with your decision.

 

[colt_saa]

I am a big fan of the 41 Magnum cartridge and the firearms that chamber it. Here is a decade old group photo. More have been added over the years

I accidentally got a 6" nickel Model 57 back in 1980 and fell in love

I was already a handloader so it never bothered me

Today's market has several times more commercial ammunition offerings then back then but you won't find much in your favorite gun shop.

Barnes has a Great self defense load using their Total Copper Hollow Point. Federal has a Great hunting offering with their 250 grain core cast projectile plus their are others

This is a 180 Grain XPB projectile loaded into brass cases.

If you are comfortable purchasing on-line, ammunition is availble but it is a bit more expensive than most Magnum revolver cartridges

My most recent 41 Magnum addition is a Factory engraved 4"

 

[jake1945]

I won 3rd place in a steel sillouette match using a Ruger SA Blackhawk back in 1980 or so. Nice caliber, but I prefer 44 mag now.

 

[robertrwalsh]

The .41 mag is a GREAT cartridge, but if you want to shoot it you better have deep pockets or reload. Plus if you reload you can get exactly what you want. I have one, a Model 58, that is my backwoods carry dangerous critter gun.

 

[Skyhunter]

As previously noted there is a .41 Special, but it's purely a handloaded proposition as far as I know.
I've been a .41 mag. lover since 1971. I'm a reloader and bullet caster as well. I've always kept a good stock of components to keep my revolver fed.
I haven't seen any .41 mag. factory ammo on any local store's shelves for at least 5 years. I know it's available online, but have never bought any.
An S&W Model 57 is never a bad choice IMO - but I'll admit to being "a bit biased" on that point! LOL!
Good luck on your quest!

WYT-P
Skyhunter

 

[stansdds]

I do not have a 41 Magnum. When I was jonesing for a magnum caliber larger than 357, I searched gun shops and gun shows, looking and looking for a six inch barreled Model 57. Could not find one and ended up settling for Model 29-3, then a Super Redhawk. I can say that the 41 Magnum is a reloader's cartridge these days. Checking my local, friendly, sporting goods/gun shop/pawn shop I see they have in stock...

6 different 44 Magnum loads, average is $17 for 20 rounds, plus the CCI shot shell load.
2 different 44 Special loads, average is $30 for 20 rounds, plus the CCI shot shell load.
1 41 Magnum load, the Underwood 150 gr Xtreme Hunter round, only $65 for a box of 20.

 

[lrrifleman]

I bought a 6" Model 57 back in the late 1990s, knowing that I'd be reloading for it. I developed my own "Special" load for it using 231 and my cast 210gr SWCs. Whenever I see 41 Magnum brass, I grab what I can afford.

 

[gwpercle]

I became a Huge Fan in the 1970's when I got a model 58 ...
It is my Favorite , that's the model 58 in my avatar ... But ...
To realy take advantage of what the 41 magnum can do and how versatile it can be ... you just about have to reload your own ! That opens up so many doors and you can load light Target ammo with wadcutter bullets ...
all the way up to Big Game (Deer & Hogs) .
I use 41 Special brass to load Target loads simply because the brass is available .
A Lee Hand Press Kit ($57.00) and a set of Lee Carbide reloading dies ($41.00)... off amazon will get you reloading for about $100.00 and you can do it at your computer desk , kitchen table ...or near about anywhere you want ...
My advice ... buy the model 57 and think hard about reloading ... it's easy and a fun part of the shooting hobby !
I reload all my handgun and 30-30 rifle with a Lee Hand Press now ...
Neat little tool !
Gary

 

[gunbarrel]

I no longer reload, either. And I never owned a .41 Magnum revolver until recently; but, a few months ago, I even-traded for a LNIB S&W .41 Magnum Model 58 revolver with box & papers. What a "gun"!! Since then, it has become my favorite revolver. When I want to treat myself, I use sparingly mild factory cowboy loads for target practice, and for serious work, I have a small stash of hard-to-find Winchester Silvertips. Steinel ammo is also very good.

 

[Birdhunter6]

I've been shooting a 58 since the 80s, my primary handgun for over a decade. More recently, I acquired a 6" no dash 57. The only factory ammo I shoot are hunting loads in the 57.

They do everything I need a revolver over .357 to do. I shoot the 58 with 180 and 200 grain bullets at .45 ACP velocity.

I would never discourage you from buying a .41, just sayin' unless you decide to reload it will spend most of it's time in the safe. The .41s are a JOY to shoot.

 

[Skeet 028]

I am also a fan of the 41 from my old 57 from 67 to a Marlin 1894 in 41. Had a low 3 digit 1st year Ruger BH so I sold it and bought a new 41 BH and a 45 BH combo and had money left too. Yes I reload but most of the ammo I have in stock is factory. You can buy mild to wild but the best are loads around a 1000 FPS

 

[Dave_n]

I have both an 8" and a 6.5" 0.41 magnum. Starline a few years ago ran 0.41 Special cases so I picked up 200 (0.41 Mag is the only cartridge that was not started as a Special plus 0.2"). There used to be a specialist shop that ran 0.41 Specials every 6 months or so, but I no longer have the name/address. Dave_n

 

[GypsmJim]

I inherited my Dad's Model 57 that he used to hunt deer with. My favorite of all time is the .45 Colt, but now my new favorite is the .41 Mag.

My gun range was recently rebuilt / upgrade and mags are now not allowed. Starline sells wildcat .41 Special brass, so I bought a bunch. Now, I'm range legal.

Personally, I can't imagine owning a handgun and NOT reloading. A Lee press and a couple of parts is only pocket change.

Nevertheless, anyone that is a handgun aficionado and doesn't have a .41 should get one.

 

[glenwolde]

I shoot my 657 on a regular basis, but I'm a reloader. Most revolver fans consider the .41 a reloader's cartridge. You can buy the reduced power HSM Cowboy Loads but even those will cost you a bit more than $1.00 a round with shipping and taxes. Full blown factory ammo from a major manufacturer runs a lot more than that. But it is a great shooting cartridge!

 

[Marine Corps Air]

Jeff,

I came to enjoy shooting my S&W .41 Magnum several years before Covid struck. I had already reached the point in time in which the .44 Magnum was just too much recoil to enjoy. As has been said, the .41 Magnum is a perfect step up from the .38 Special/.357 Magnum. Fun to shoot, always delivers a great experience at the range, and I think excellent "stopping power" whenever you need it.

However, that ammo is very expensive, IF you can find it! I remember years ago paying almost $70.00 for a box of 50 at Bass Pro in Nashville, TN At one time I could buy re-loads, but I don't think so now.

I just checked, just to see, and it appears that Bud's has a box of 50 of Buffalo Bore for about $42.00. I just want FMJ for the range.

If you have an opportunity for an excellent Model 57 I'd go for it!

Cheers!

Bill

 

[Hair Trigger]

Even if you don't shoot it, buy it, because .41 Magnum don't grow on trees. Surely, if you buy the M57, you'll start looking for a M58. I did. But having two of them makes buying ammo more worthwhile. I've never shot a factory load of .41M, though; I reload for all my handguns except the rimfires.

Do you know any details on the one you're looking at? SN if you can, we can date it. preferably it will be a pre 1982, pinned and recessed, even better if it has a "S" serial prefix (makes it pre 1969).

 

[jeffrefrig]

Okay, kids, I sent an I’ll take it. You can see the gun in the Forum’s Classifieds, guns for sale section. It looks to be a nice example of an N prefix serial number maybe born in’73-‘74 era. I think I will have to sell a couple guns now to make Mrs. Refrigeration a little less “unhappy”. Thanks for all the feedback. Check it out, it’s a nice looking gun.
Hair Trigger, your first sentence pushed me over the edge! It’s presented well. I think I was going to pull the trigger on it anyway, but I didn’t want to regret not buying it. When I saw it still offered this morning I figured I’d probably think it over a little harder.
Thanks again guys. I think!

 

[Skeet 028]

Hard to stop at just one. Congrats. Pics when you get it