Is the .41 magnum an "obsolete" cartridge?

[PALADIN85020]

I have numerous .357s - both revolvers and rifles.

I have beau cups .44s - revolvers and rifles. Specials and mags.

I have a number of .45s (Colt and ACP) in semiautos, revolvers and rifles.

I do not have a single .41 Magnum.

And no, I am not prejudiced. "Prejudiced" means acting or not acting with no reason.

I have three very valid reasons...

1. The 44 mag will do anything a .41 mag will do and do it better - and it has a lighter load in the .44 special.

2. No problem finding ammo for .44s. Ask for .41 magnum ammo and you will get either a blank stare or a snarky giggle.

3. Model for model, the .41 firearms weigh more than the .44s.

I know this is not to the liking of .41 aficionados. I have to say it - but - I think they are prejudiced....

John

 

[SAFireman]

I posted in this thread eleven years ago, and to date, nobody has sent me ANY 41 Mag stuff that they believed was obsolete

 

[GSP Fan]

I fear I may have lost my M57. The police called me this morning and it seems this particular gun was stolen 30 years ago . My gut tells me I'm out the money and the gun.

 

[10mm_Shooter]

its funny several of you guys are like me I love my 3x 41's and 10mm's, I do reload and cast so ammo availability is meaningless to me. But I have equal love for my .357's and .44's too.

 

[surfgun]

The .41 occupies a very narrow gap between hot .357’s and milder .429 (44) Magnum rounds. So for those that own both, the third option makes very little sense. If one wants something else a .45 revolver may make better sense as something different than a .41?

 

[rockquarry]

With all due respect to the .41 Mag lovers, there was no need for this caliber when it was developed. All situations were covered by the calibers that existed already--ie--.38 Spl, .357 Mag, .44Spl, .44Mag, and .45Colt. Handloaders could tailor anything that they needed from one of these. There was NO void that needed filling---IMHO, of course.

From a pure practical perspective, that's about as true a statement as one could make. No need for the .41 Magnum; no void that needed filling.

But....as gun enthusiasts, shooters, handloaders, etc., filling voids is hardly part of the process. Many, many handgun and rifle cartridges really fill no voids. Some of these are very popular while others are obsolete, but if you enjoy something, regardless of what others say, enjoy it.

I've never had a .41 Magnum. My firing of a Model 58 fifty years ago was minimal. Recoil was so close to that of a .44 Magnum, I chose the larger round to work with, but in the field, I doubt there is any real difference between the two cartridges with comparable heavy loads.

Few, including law enforcement (I know about the San Antonio PD and other agencies, but comparatively the numbers were small) had much use for the cartridge, not because anything was wrong with it, but law enforcement believed they were already using guns and cartridges that were plenty adequate.

Additionally, law enforcement personnel that used the .41 Magnum likely used only heavy loadings, not the milder cast bullet loading that was developed for law enforcement use. You'll find few cops that will use a lesser-powered load when a high-performance version is available, even if they can't shoot the latter well.

57s and 58s languished in gun shops until they went out of production. Like other such happenings, these guns finally became desirable. When they were still in production, I took a friend's fine Model 57 with a number of extras to a large gun show and put it on my table. I don't recall anyone seriously looking at it or inquiring about it over an entire weekend.

Still, nothing wrong with the cartridge if you like it. I only use cast bullets in handguns. I think it would be as good a cast bullet cartridge as any other. Enjoy your .41 Magnums.

 

[D Brown]

I currently have two Model 57's.

Model 57-1, 4" Nickel

Model 57, 6" Blue

If you load your own ammunition, there are no drawbacks to the .41 that I can think of. I load .41 Magnums and .41 Specials (STARLINE BRASS) for both of mine, and they're always with me on any trip to the shooting range.

I'm always on the lookout for more Model 57's. These are among the top ten of my favorite Smith & Wessons.

 

[M29since14]

"Until the really big blasters came along, the world champion meanest, nastiest revolver I had ever fired was a Model 58 (with the small stocks) firing Remington 210 gr. JSPs. I ran the risk of flinching one into the chronograph. 1410 FPS average of five at fifteen feet."

...have chronographed almost every factory made 210 grain load from a 4" barrel and not a one ever made 1300 fps... The Remington 210 JSP only runs 1250+- from a 4" barrel.

...if you get it done in that range, get a bigger gun...

Bob

Bob, that’s interesting. I don’t doubt your report for a minute, but neither do I doubt my chronograph. I no longer have that particular Model 58. I believe I sold it a few years ago to a member here. Maybe it was a particularly fast gun, or a particularly fast box of ammo - or both? Can’t say as I have neither any more for a re-test, so I guess it will be a mystery, to me.

I agree 100% with your last comment, if I understand it correctly. If a good load from a .41 Magnum revolver won’t do the trick, it’s time to get out a rifle, or a 12-gauge with slugs.

Thanks for your observations.

 

[biku324]

Just bought a Henry Big Boy in 41 - even though currently manufactured, they don't last on shelves.

 

[Skeet 028]

I learned many moons ago that I didn't need to push loads to (real) max to get them to perform very well. My load at just under 1100 FPS in the 41 with an approx 250 gr bullet would shoot through an Alaskan moose front to back. But I did find the 41 to shoot well in almost all loadings...about like a 44 does. But for me the 41 has a fair amount less recoil and a fair amount less "pressure wave" associated with it. As far as the uses of a 41 being unnecessary...for 99% of shooting the 44 mag is unnecessay. Oh heck the old max loads of the 357 were for the most part unnecessary and the old original lead bullet loads required way too much lead removal...lol. But the fact is the firearm and ammunition field is not static..it is an evolving thing. The same people who say the 6.5 Creedmore is a ground breaking invention are truly deluding themselves. It does nothing better other than maybe being a little more accurate because of case dimensions better bullets and maybe a bit better rifle builds. CNC et al. I am, I admit, a 41 fan if you want to call it that....but there is always someone who believes in "magic". I do not like the max loads of anything. I am also a fan of the 327 Federal Mag...It is often compared to the 357. Is it nigh on to the 357?? Not really but it is a fun round to shoot and fairly easy to load to any level...not so... to HOT! The 41 is pretty much the same and for one I'm glad to have it. There are the naysayers who say it is an unnecesary round but for the most part...it is just unnecesary for them

 

[jdh]

Additionally, law enforcement personnel that used the .41 Magnum likely used only heavy loadings, not the milder cast bullet loading that was developed for law enforcement use. You'll find few cops that will use a lesser-powered load when a high-performance version is available, even if they can't shoot the latter well.

I used then what it is still loaded with on those occasions I break it out for carry now, 175 grain Silvertips. One of the few commercially available mid range loads available.

 

[glenwolde]

By definition, no. They are still manufacturing guns and ammo.

As far as the ".44 vs .41" theory, yeah I guess. If that's what matters to you. Of course then you shouldn't have any N frame .357's either. I'd also say that the increased weight is an advantage.

I reload so the ammo "problem" isn't one. It doesn't cost anymore to tool up for .41 than .44. If you don't reload, O.K. then I get it, but for those that reload this is not a factor. For non-reloading casual shooters and the independently wealthy the .41 does have a factory ammo availability disadvantage.

To me the .41 and .44 are equal. With maybe a slight advantage to the .41 in that they often go for a bit less than the .44. Everything else is a tie.

I shoot one because I ran into one at an attractive price. Mine came with 200 rounds of once fired brass, 300 rounds of loaded ammo, and a set of dies, at less than what a .44 would have cost me. It's more accurate than any of the .44's I've had but I'll concede that may not always be the case.