41 Magnum & 44 Special

[David LaPell]

I would have to look up my data for my .41 Specials, but I remember when I had my Model 57 the data was something like 900 fps for a 210 grain bullet. Recoil was about that of a .38 Special in that gun and six rounds at 25 yards had a 1-inch group. It was a sweetheart of a load and you could crank them out pretty quickly. The problem the police departments had with the .41 Magnum if I recall was that when they got the guns, they apparently also got the full power ammo, instead of a lighter load that was made for them. Officers in the cities that were used to .38 Special K frames were not at all prepared for those guns and the loads and they could hardly qualify. I had one Model 57 (wish I still had it and if the buyer of mine is reading this and still has it please PM me) that used to belong to a Vermont Constable until he retired, it was a nice gun that I wish bills had not forced me to sell.

 

[336A]

Here's your answer. It has been done.

41 Special - Reed's Ammunition & Research, LLC

Scott

I know that Reed's does, but I 'd like to see one of the big three companies produce it. That and a production revolver to chamber it.

 

[SuperMan]

I have a long history with both rounds and guns carried for self-defense. Back in the 1980s when I was with Dallas PD we could carry either round as well as handloaded ammo. I was also a commercial loader/reloader and made up ammo for LEOs in the Dallas area that mirrors what CorBon now produces.

In the early to mid-1980s when S&W brought out their 24s and 624s I had a full set of each...4", 6.5" and the Combat Special 3". I carried the 3" 24 on duty in a specially made holster from G. William Davis. Also got them for several dozen of the guys I worked with. On duty I carried a handload with a 180 grain HydraShok (this was the original HS Corp. before they sold out to Federal) bullet with enough SR4756 to run it 1320 fps from a 6.5" barrel...or about 1200 from a 3". This bullet would turn inside-out when it hit water filled 1 quart paper oil cans. It also penetrated well as when the HP petals broke off the HS point just kept going. I still have some of these bullets and one of my friends has the 3" 624...all the rest were sold off when I went to .41 Magnum in the early 1990s.

Also carried both a Model 58 fixed sight and 57 adjustable sight 4" guns in .41 Magnum. The load was a 220 grain Keith bullet made of linotype that was as hard as steel... 8.0 grains of Unique ran the bullet at 950 fps from a 4". It duplicated the original 210 lead police load but with a harder bullet. The factory police loads would totally lead up the rifling in about two cylinders full.

The big problem with the .44 Special is that most factory loads do not expand in human bodies. A friend bought one of the Model 21 TR Specials and ran every round he could find into gallon jugs of water. None expanded to any degree including the SilverTip and the Gold Dot HP. If it won't expand in water it won't expand in a human. He went over to a 3" 629 PC and I gave him some Speer .44 Magnum 200 grain Gold Dot HP Short Barrel rounds and that are only doing 1080 from a 4" barrel and they expanded and petals broke off every time. He also liked the Remington 240 SJ HP...an old standby.

A problem with the .41 Magnum as a SD round is the lack of really good expanding bullets made for people...lots of them for hunting but most don't expand well on skinny humans... The best going right now are the Speer Gold Dot HP, Winchester 175 Silvertip and any round that is being loaded with the Barnes 185 solid copper HP (Barnes, Federal and CorBon). These rounds run in the 1300s and expand rapidly on contact.

Was talking to Peter Pi of CorBon at the SHOT Show two weeks ago and he is also a .41 person having carried a 58 on duty when he was an officer. His round of choice now is the CorBon DPX that uses the Barnes bullet....

Both are great rounds...just get a bullet that will run at least 1100 fps and will expand....

Bob

 

[Old TexMex]

I've just bought my first .41 magnum, a model 57 8 3/8 bbl. and the previous owner( member here) was kind enough to provide a varied selection of rounds for me to sample. I'm now shopping for reloading press(got the dies and bullet molds) and pretty excited at the prospect.
It's a great shootin iron.

 

[captainjohnsofd]

HYPOTENSIVE (low blood pressure)- HYPERTENSIVE (high Blood pressure)

 

[BigBill]

From the handgun hunters who hunt with the 41mag and the 44mag say the stopping power and killing power seems to be equal. The 41mag has a tad more penetration over the 44mag. I would think the 44 special would be lesser in power over the magnum rounds thus way more controllable. Doesn't the specs show the 41mag and the 44mag to be upwards of 1400fps? I do have all three calibers in N Frame models(m57, m24,m29) but i haven't shot them yet. I've only shot my M58 so far its my new CCW gun.

I been pondering getting the misses a 44special 5 shot revolver and let her shoot the 44 russians out of it if the 44 special rounds is too much for her. She is new to shooting guns & handguns and she is getting her CCW permit.

 

[gunfan]

From the handgun hunters who hunt with the 41mag and the 44mag say the stopping power and killing power seems to be equal. The 41mag has a tad more penetration over the 44mag. I would think the 44 special would be lesser in power over the magnum rounds thus way more controllable. Doesn't the specs show the 41mag and the 44mag to be upwards of 1400fps? I do have all three calibers in N Frame models(m57, m24,m29) but i haven't shot them yet. I've only shot my M58 so far its my new CCW gun.

I been pondering getting the misses a 44 Special 5 shot revolver and let her shoot the 44 Russians out of it if the 44 special rounds is too much for her. She is new to shooting guns & handguns and she is getting her CCW permit.

If you can find one of the earlier Charter Arms Bulldogs (of the 3" barreled variety) you would be amazed at how nice these older Charters shoot. The stopping power with the LSWCHP is on a par with the .45 ACP, and 5 shots from this little short-barreled revolver will generally "break off the attack." Eventually, the miscreant will fall down and "meet his Maker."

Scott