I have several Smiths in both calibers and have found that the .41 is easier on the shooter and the firearm and I can just plain shoot the .41 better. My Andy Cannon tuned 8-3/8 57 is probably my favorite gun.
.41 vs. .44 mags
- Thread starter kscardsfan
- Start date
bmcgilvray
Member
I've wanted a .41 Magnum since I was a kid and first saw them in the Smith & Wesson catalog section in the back of the 1970 Guns & Ammo Annual. Ten years later, when the money was available and burning a hole in my pocket, I went down the .44 Magnum road because no .41s were in stock at the time.
I have enjoyed the Model 29 now for 30 years. It held up just fine to heavy use in silhouette competition and has served well for hunting use.
I still want a .41 Magnum Model 57 though. Maybe I'll get one before deer season this year. It'll be a snap to provide for ammo to shoot it with handloading.
I have enjoyed the Model 29 now for 30 years. It held up just fine to heavy use in silhouette competition and has served well for hunting use.
I still want a .41 Magnum Model 57 though. Maybe I'll get one before deer season this year. It'll be a snap to provide for ammo to shoot it with handloading.
OP
kscardsfan
Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2008
- Messages
- 829
- Reaction score
- 44
It's looking like it's about 50% .44 mag, 50% .41 mag lol. I don't think I'm any closer to a decision than I was when I started lol. This is a tough gun buying decision here 
I hear ya.....I've got an imbalance at the moment, too. Only way to straighten it out is to add another .41. After doing so, peace and harmony will reign supreme in my gun lockers.
I really think that best answer to this debate is to simply own both and see what you like.
I added my first .41, M57-5 4" MG a couple of months ago. I found recoil to be very, very mild with the 180gr Barnes loads from DoubleTap. The gun handles wonderfully. I did add a Hogue grip that made tons of difference.
N-frames are my favorites!!! Any caliber will do...I'm easy.
I'm not set up currently for reloading but will be doing so after hunting season. That will make it much easier to level the playing field. Currently, most any of the local stores have .44 Rem Mag on hand. For this reason, I'll give the nod to the .44.
Last edited:
OP
kscardsfan
Member
- Joined
- Aug 26, 2008
- Messages
- 829
- Reaction score
- 44
Well I found a deal at Cabelas (!) of all places on a clean used model 57. So next up will be a used 29 to make my safe a harmonious place again.
bennettfam
Member
.41 vs .429, not much difference there. Having a .41 and not being a reloader I don't shoot it much. If I were choosing today and $ was an issue I would go .44 I guess.
I did find some .41mag JHP at Cheaper Than Dirt going for $27 for box of 50 and just ordered a couple boxes.
I did find some .41mag JHP at Cheaper Than Dirt going for $27 for box of 50 and just ordered a couple boxes.
DGNY
Member
.41 vs .44 mags
For years I have figured the .41 is about 7/8 of the .44. Look at the bullet weights and powder charges. The math doesn't lie. [Overloads in the .41 are just that.] And the .41 revolvers are a trace heavier because of the smaller bore. So less recoil both ways - the load and the gun.
I love the .41, but the .44 got there first.
Enjoy them both!
Dyson
For years I have figured the .41 is about 7/8 of the .44. Look at the bullet weights and powder charges. The math doesn't lie. [Overloads in the .41 are just that.] And the .41 revolvers are a trace heavier because of the smaller bore. So less recoil both ways - the load and the gun.
I love the .41, but the .44 got there first.
Enjoy them both!
Dyson
I have two 41s and one 44. I shoot the 41 a lot more then the 44. I also reload for the 41 and not the 44. They are both good rounds, likes others have said.
One thing I do like about the 44 is that it will also shoot 44 Special, as mention here already and that is an outstanding round. The 41 of course will only shoot 41.
One thing I do like about the 44 is that it will also shoot 44 Special, as mention here already and that is an outstanding round. The 41 of course will only shoot 41.
THANKS everyone...now I want a 41 mag!! What about for a trail gun in BLACK bear country (no browns or Grizzlies)? I was considering the following guns (all loaded with hard cast bullets):
A). Model 696-1 with 3" barrel (L-frame, 5 shot 44 special):
Double Tap Ammo
DoubleTap Ammunition
Buffalo Bore Ammo
Heavy .44 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
B). Model 29 snubbie 2.5" barrel:
Double Tap Ammo
DoubleTap Ammunition
Buffalo Bore Ammo
Lower Recoil .44 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
OR
Heavy .44 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
C). Model 57 with 4" barrel:
Double Tap Ammo
DoubleTap Ammunition
Buffalo Bore Ammo
Heavy .41 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
No doubt the 696 would be easiest to carry and conceal, but thought I'd toss it out there. Never really considered the 41 mag until now!
A). Model 696-1 with 3" barrel (L-frame, 5 shot 44 special):
Double Tap Ammo
DoubleTap Ammunition
Buffalo Bore Ammo
Heavy .44 Special Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
B). Model 29 snubbie 2.5" barrel:
Double Tap Ammo
DoubleTap Ammunition
Buffalo Bore Ammo
Lower Recoil .44 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
OR
Heavy .44 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
C). Model 57 with 4" barrel:
Double Tap Ammo
DoubleTap Ammunition
Buffalo Bore Ammo
Heavy .41 Magnum Pistol & Handgun Ammunition
No doubt the 696 would be easiest to carry and conceal, but thought I'd toss it out there. Never really considered the 41 mag until now!
True, but although many disagree, the 8mm Peabody Spoonbill Improved is a distinct . . . well, improvement. Won't see many of them, either.
So what do you guys think of the guns and load selections for a carry woods gun in black bear country? Which of the three would you choose?
ArgMauser
Member
Light-Weight Bear Gun?
If I thought I needed a light-weight bear gun, then I'm pretty sure I would think I needed a S&W Mountain Gun in EITHER .41 MAG or .44 MAG.
If I didn't feel I needed light-weight, I'd select a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt (300 gr or 328 gr handload) or .44 Magnum (300 gr handload). .44 Specials need not apply.
A .357 Magnum with a heavily loaded 180-gr. bullet would probably be quite adequate, for a blackie, but if you have a large caliber gun why carry a little one?
If I thought I needed a light-weight bear gun, then I'm pretty sure I would think I needed a S&W Mountain Gun in EITHER .41 MAG or .44 MAG.
If I didn't feel I needed light-weight, I'd select a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt (300 gr or 328 gr handload) or .44 Magnum (300 gr handload). .44 Specials need not apply.
A .357 Magnum with a heavily loaded 180-gr. bullet would probably be quite adequate, for a blackie, but if you have a large caliber gun why carry a little one?
Last edited:
I had a .41 Blackhawk with the 6" barrel and absolutely loved it. It was my constant companion in AK. A buddy had the .44 BH and my bullets would punch thru the same 6-8" Birch trees as his with a lot less recoil. I used Blue Dot powder, back before that was a no-no, and it worked fine. Like you, I like shooting the les common rounds. ANYbody can pick up a .44, but .41s are one the rarer side. I wouldn't hesitate a bit to own a .41 again.
mkk41
US Veteran
Found elsewhere.
"As for cartridges, you can use anything from .41 Magnum up to the .500 S&W. One of the most experienced hunters I've met says that any big-bore cartridge that throws a solid bullet weighing 200 grains or more at 1,000 fps or more is a thorough ticket-puncher for any black bear. By that standard, a heavy .44 Special or .45 Colt handload in the right gun would serve admirably.
Wayne Bosowicz carried a .357 Magnum Colt Python for years. Then he encountered a situation in which a charged-up bear came down from a tree and tore into his hounds and soaked up an entire cylinder full of 158-grain bullets in its chest without slowing down. Bosowicz immediately changed over to a Ruger Blackhawk in .41 Magnum, which has never failed to stop a bear."
Bullet selection is probably more important than anything, in fact. A black bear is tough-muscled with thick fur, hide and fat layers. You need a bullet that will penetrate through all that, and most hollowpoints used for .41-, .44- and .45-caliber commercial cartridges and handloads aren't good choices. Bosowicz uses commercial Remington 210-grain JSP softnose loads in his .41 Magnum, and recommends any similarly structured loads. In .44 Magnum a 240-grain JSP, or a 220-grain (or heavier) silhouette-style bullet like Federal loads commercially, or Sierra and other bullet-makers offer as components, would be a good choice.
"As for cartridges, you can use anything from .41 Magnum up to the .500 S&W. One of the most experienced hunters I've met says that any big-bore cartridge that throws a solid bullet weighing 200 grains or more at 1,000 fps or more is a thorough ticket-puncher for any black bear. By that standard, a heavy .44 Special or .45 Colt handload in the right gun would serve admirably.
Wayne Bosowicz carried a .357 Magnum Colt Python for years. Then he encountered a situation in which a charged-up bear came down from a tree and tore into his hounds and soaked up an entire cylinder full of 158-grain bullets in its chest without slowing down. Bosowicz immediately changed over to a Ruger Blackhawk in .41 Magnum, which has never failed to stop a bear."
Bullet selection is probably more important than anything, in fact. A black bear is tough-muscled with thick fur, hide and fat layers. You need a bullet that will penetrate through all that, and most hollowpoints used for .41-, .44- and .45-caliber commercial cartridges and handloads aren't good choices. Bosowicz uses commercial Remington 210-grain JSP softnose loads in his .41 Magnum, and recommends any similarly structured loads. In .44 Magnum a 240-grain JSP, or a 220-grain (or heavier) silhouette-style bullet like Federal loads commercially, or Sierra and other bullet-makers offer as components, would be a good choice.
I have N-frames in both .41 & .44 Rem Mags. I really like them both. Ammo is way, way easier to get for the .44 Rem Mag so consider that if you aren't reloading.
The shortest tube I have on these is 4" on this 57. I shoots really well and even more so when I changed the grips. It's a nicely balanced gun and handles really well. I've got a 1,000 swc bullets ready to be loaded...gotta get busy. So far I've only shot the Double Tap ammo load below. It's a peach to shoot and will take care of any problems I need it to. Simply Rugged leather really came through nicely for me, also.
Good luck....I like your choices...really can't go wrong with any.
I have both, a .41 Magnum Ruger Blackhawk, 6.5" barrel, and a .44 Magnum Ruger Super Blackhawk, 7.5" barrel. I bought the .41 brand new in early '77, it was produced in '76. When my dad passed away in '81, I inherited his '78 model Super Blackhawk. I prefer the .41, which I hand load with 265 grain Cast Performance LWFNGC (I think I got all the letters in there!) and 21.2 grains of 'Lil Gun. According to Hodgdon's website, this is good for about 1500 fps, although they don't give a barrel length. I plan to chrono the rounds during Thanksgiving break. The .41 is much lighter and smaller and with these loads it is capable of stopping anything I could likely encounter while hiking.
This is true - I shot loose a M29 in the late 70s w/ heavy loads and the Lyman 429421 hard cast. It was superbly accurate, however. Got rid of it w/ about 20,000 heavy loads through it, after accuracy began to fall off.
The .41 is perfect for the N frame. I have three, all blued P&R, in all bbl lengths. All are marvelously accurate. They all like a heavy load of 2400 and jacketed or hard cast 210 or 215 grain bullets. I feel no need for a .44 S&W revolver.
Do you have this backwards? A Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt weighs 36 ounces per the Ruger catalog (mine weighs 40 ounces loaded with 255 gr. loads). My M29 4" weighs 47.5 oz loaded with 245 gr SWCs.
Are the Mountain Guns that much lighter than a regular N frame?
mkk41
US Veteran
If anything can tell the diff between getting shot with a .41 vs .44 mag , ya shoulda used a rifle!
Similar threads
