.41 mag vs. .44spl ----- Need your help!

[feralmerril]

Do you want a sweet gun or a club?

 

[chellesdad]

I would go with the 41 mag, but I load for it so the ammo cost wouldn't be a concern. That said, if you don't reload, the 44 spc is a sweet shooter and would be a nice addition. Might also depend on your intended usage, as was pointed out earlier the 41 has more potential if hand loaded. Of course, I don't know that I would want to "use" all of that potential in a three inch barrel......
C's dad

 

[oldRoger]

I will take the opposite view; I load for the .44 spl and have for years but not for the .41. It is no great accomplishment to get a 240gr LSWC moving at 1000-1100 fps from a .44 without any pressure most would think excessive for a model 24.
Now that would be pushing from my .45acps. So I don't really think the .44spl & .45acp have a whole lot in common.
Further there are a lot of bullets available for the .44 that are heavier, say 280gr FPGC which also can zip right along.
If I were to buy a .41mag I think I would find one with a longer barrel.

 

[mod34]

I cannot think of a single advantage the .45 has over the .41, so that would be my choice. However a magnum .41 load out of a 3" barrel might be an interesting experience!

You mean .44?

 

[H Richard]

Since I already have the 3" Mod 24, I 'd go for the .41 mag. Just love a new caliber to work up loads for. Now if I could just find a supply of primers..........

 

[S/W - Lifer]

The .44 Special is a better choice, in my opinion.

Once you get over the novelty of shooting expensive factory .41 Magnum ammunition out of a 3 inch barrel, you'll likely be looking for reduced loads to make the gun more user friendly. Brass and ammunition can be difficult to find. S&W's 4 inch Model 58 .41 Magnum shined with Remington's reduced police loads but was a major handful with magnum loads. This 3 inch .41 could be too much of a good thing.

The .44 Special can be loaded up easily to increase performance and a good variety of bullets are available. .44 Special brass can be made by trimming .44 Magnum brass, should things ever come to that. High performance loadings are available.

Gun lust aside, this seems an easy choice to me.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I'd go for the .44 special. Easier to find ammo now, useable power with less recoil. If you already have a .44 magnum (who doesn't now), the .41 offers nothing more, really, that the big .44 can't do. I think the .44 special is about ideal for efficiency. With factory loads, that .41 out of a 3" barrel is going to be a (rhymes with witch). Here's my 3" .44 special, and I love it:

 

[RABULL]

Pick the .44 Special

I would pick the .44 special also. The .44 special is one of my favorite calibers and I also have a Model 624 3" (and many others). As others have stated it is a great handgun and caliber. What's not to like about it???

 

[armkev]

I'd go for the .44 special. Easier to find ammo now, useable power with less recoil. If you already have a .44 magnum (who doesn't now), the .41 offers nothing more, really, that the big .44 can't do. I think the .44 special is about ideal for efficiency. With factory loads, that .41 out of a 3" barrel is going to be a (rhymes with witch). Here's my 3" .44 special, and I love it:

I love my 41 mag a whole lot but after seeing your 44 Spec, its gonna have to scoot over and make room for one of those. I like that!

 

[gizamo]

Don't be silly...if it is a early 3" .41 Mag it's worth a lot more money then the same barrel length in .44 Special. Some of the 3" .41 Mags are downright uncommon.

giz

 

[mod34]

Hey Feralmerril,
Which is which

 

[feralmerril]

The 24-3 is the sweetheart! I must like em. Here is 6 of mine.

 

[gunsmith11]

.41 mag all the way

 

[kennyb]

hands down ...the3" 657...great gun

 

[westkybanded]

Don't be silly...if it is a early 3" .41 Mag it's worth a lot more money then the same barrel length in .44 Special. Some of the 3" .41 Mags are downright uncommon.

giz

That's it right there! I've only seen a handfull of 3" .41s in my time.

 

[m657]

...uhhhhh......*kaff*kaff*....

....what really IS the question?????

 

[hoser]

Camping gun?

If taken as a camping gun for small black bear or mountain lion protection (no grizzlies or anything large), wouldn't the 41 mag wins hands down?

 

[m657]

.....so has the decision long awaited been settled finally?

and where is the photo?

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Man this is a tough one, I would have to toss a coin! I really like my .41's but I love my .44 specials. Good luck and remember to post pic's of the winner.

 

[mod34]

Hey Model657,
Yes a decision was made.............a 3" M29!

Now to start savin' for that 3" 657