Herters 401 caliber revolver

[wiley58nc]

l have a chance to purchase a Herters 401 revolver. l have heard that 4OACP caliber ammo is extremely close to the 401 but being rimless it may not work in the 401. Does anyone know if 40 ACP ammo could be used if a half-moon clip was put around the rim of the bullet?
Since both calibers use 40 caliber bullets, this seem like it would be the easiest solution to finding ammo for the 401. Can anybody help me with this? l haven't had much luck finding anything on the interweb.

 

[AJ]

l have a chance to purchase a Herters 401 revolver. l have heard that 4OACP caliber ammo is extremely close to the 401 but being rimless it may not work in the 401. Does anyone know if 40 ACP ammo could be used if a half-moon clip was put around the rim of the bullet?
Since both calibers use 40 caliber bullets, this seem like it would be the easiest solution to finding ammo for the 401. Can anybody help me with this? l haven't had much luck finding anything on the interweb.

This maybe of help: Herter's .401 PowerMag

 

[desi2358]

Not going to work, guns using any type of moon clip require extra headspace to allow the clip and the original rim of the round to clear so that the cylinder can turn. You would have to alter the cylinder for such a setup to function. I believe some of the custom loaders have offered the 401. A quick search shows Reeds ammo listing it though I do not know if they currently have any. Always best to use the right stuff if at all possible.

 

[glenwolde]

This is how I'd do it...

401 Herter Powermag

Any machine shop could easily make the forming dies for you.

 

[scattershot]

Machining the cylinder to take moon clips would be fairly expensive, just off the top of my head. Could you have the cylinder rechambered to 38/40?

Just a guess on my part, though.

 

[rockquarry]

Based solely on memory, so may not be right... I'd look at the quality of the revolver. I think these were made in Germany, possibly by the same manufacturer that made some very cheap guns that were imported into the US fifty or sixty years ago. I used to buy Herter's stuff many year ago. Some of it was of good quality, some wasn't despite the "world's best" claims.

Anybody remember the facts on the .401 revolvers?

 

[handejector]

As I recall, J.P. Sauer made them. They were "thick and tough".

 

[Alk8944]

rockquarry

Obviously you are still stuck in the "Foreign is junk" mindset The Herters revolvers were made by J.P. Sauer & Sohn and were of very high quality even though somewhat ugly because of features specified by Herters.

Brass can be made from either .41 Rem. Magnum or .30-30 Winchester. A friend has both a .401 Power Mag and a .357. I have made brass for him for the .401 from both parent cases cited. It can be loaded using 10MM or .40 S&W die sets.

Just what sort of "facts" are you asking about? there is quite a bit of discussion on "The High Road" Forum. or "Google" .401 Herter and you will find several links with more information than you would ever need!


AND: wiley58 nc, there is no such cartridge as .40 ACP, it is the .40 S&W

 

[rockquarry]

As I recall, J.P. Sauer made them. They were "thick and tough".

If they were made by Sauer, they're probably good revolvers.

 

[keithhagan]

As others have said, moonclipping a single action is awkward. So, practically, using 40 S&W or 10mm will be difficult since, w/o moonclips, these would have to headspace on the case mouth. Impossible to do since the cylinders have been cut for the longer (and ever-so-slightly wider 401).

You may be able to get 10mm magnum to properly headspace and fire. I know that DoubleTap loads it, there may be one other.

Another great (and cheap) alternative is to fireform 401 using 30-30 brass.

 

[oldman10mm]

401 Powermag ammo (and brass) is indeed rare. It took me a couple years of asking/searching at gun shows. Very few even heard if the stuff. I had a project that needed the brass. Finally acquired a full box of ammo from a 'dealer' at the Akron gun show. The previous show he said he had some but not at the show. The next show he brought it in, he wanted $40 for the box, I gave him $50 because of its' rarity.

 

[rockquarry]

rockquarry

Obviously you are still stuck in the "Foreign is junk" mindset The Herters revolvers were made by J.P. Sauer & Sohn and were of very high quality even though somewhat ugly because of features specified by Herters.

Brass can be made from either .41 Rem. Magnum or .30-30 Winchester. A friend has both a .401 Power Mag and a .357. I have made brass for him for the .401 from both parent cases cited. It can be loaded using 10MM or .40 S&W die sets.

Just what sort of "facts" are you asking about? there is quite a bit of discussion on "The High Road" Forum. or "Google" .401 Herter and you will find several links with more information than you would ever need!


AND: wiley58 nc, there is no such cartridge as .40 ACP, it is the .40 S&W

My comments were "from memory" as I stated in my original post. I'm not "stuck" with any "mindset" and acknowledged this in a subsequent post. Relax.