Opinions on the 41 magnum, teach me something :) updated w/ new gun

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So I've been doing a fair bit of reading but thought I'd ask for current opinions. I've got an opportunity to pic up a decent looking 6" no lock 41 mag. I'm inclined to jump in, but honestly have no real use for it. I mostly target shoot and I'm not sure why I'm drawn to another caliber. Would you recommend it? Would you buy one personally?
I've got several 357's and a 45LC Colt ruger that can be loaded to 44mag levels. So in terms of use I think I'm covered...still I'm thinking about it. I'll likely pick up a 44mag at some point just because and that's how I feel about this. Are these guns likely to go up in value? Are they likely to fade away as a 'wildcat' since they aren't common? Is there anything they excell at?
Thanks in advance
 
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I would recommend it. I've had several Smith & Wesson .41 magnums. Two model 58's, and a model 57 Mountain Gun. I love the caliber, though it is almost entirely a reloading proposition. I generally load the cartridge to the 900 to 1000 FPS range. It is an excellent and accurate cartridge.
 
No, I would not buy ONE. It's an odd ball caliber and you almost have to reload it to fully enjoy it. Do not buy ONE because it can be rough on your wallet. They tend to multiply. Ask me how I know. Five and counting.
 
I have had a love affair going with the .41 since the late 70s. At one time I had a safe full of them, but cancer caused me to move some. I still have about half a dozen, however, and I will say this: to me, there is nothing you can do with a 44 you cannot do with a .41, and do it with less powder, less recoil, and a flatter trajectory.

I WILL hasten to add, however, that I am also a caster and handloader, and with moulds for projectiles that go all the way to ~290 grains, I come a lot closer to the .44 with my hard cast stuff than you will ever do buying over the counter loads. But the Federal 250s are awfully hard to beat.

If you can get a copy of the second Accurate Arms loading manual, look at their load data for the 290 FN L. I think you will be surprised... I sent AA the projectiles and cases for that load development, for whatever it is worth.
 
41 mag is a true .410...44 mag is really .429 or 43 magnum..41 can do ANYTHING a 44 can do...Good news is 41s are making a bit of a comeback. Ruger and Taurus have both introduced new 41 magnum models...Smith & Wesson has chosen to abandon the cartridge...They didn't even bother to acknowledge the 41 Magnums' 50th Anniversary in 2014...
Pity,lts a fine cartridge
 
I have a .357 and a .44 mag, I would love to find a nice pre-lock .41 mag, I say buy it before they get too expensive. I also would love to get my hands on a nice revolver chambered in .45 auto. I say if you don't have to sell one of your own kidneys, than buy it.
 
As noted above a fine caliber, flat shooting round, plenty of energy for just about anything you will ask of it. Yes the factory ammo selection is limited and expensive, but hand loading solves most of that. Just like others have noted they can get to be addictive after you have owned one.
 
People have been predicting the death of the .41 Magnum for 20 years. It's stayed here while such luminaries as the .32 Federal Magnum and the .45 GAP have come and mostly gone.
 
The 41 mag is a fine round. It is almost a 44 mag. But it isn't. Anything you can do with a 41 you can do a bit better with the 44. Plus a 44 mag can shoot 44 specials. But, the 41 has a lot of followers and supporters. It all boils down to you and your taste and what your into.

I myself don't have a 41 mag. I do have a couple 44 mags, but I am a guy who loves 45 colts, which really don't make a lot of sense either. I can tout its bigger bullet, its ability to be loaded above facttory ammo levels, etc etc. But really it won't do anything a 44 mag won't and I know it. So what, I am still a proud 45 guy.

Mostlly it boils down to the same statement you made about getting a 44 mag at some point. "Just because". Thats a fine reason to own any S&W revolver. It is the main reason I have way more than I really need.
 
I do not quite understand the statement that the .41 Magnum is expensive to shoot and ammo limited and hard to find. And then in the same sentence recommend a .44 Magnum or .45 Colt. I have done some comparison shopping and all three rounds cost the same amount of money for comparable loadings from the same manufacturer.

As to the ability of the .44 Magnum to shoot Specials for target work...has anyone looked at the price of .44 Specials...in some cases it is more expensive than .44 Magnum. And from the beginning there was no need for a .41 Special because unlike the .44 Magnum that only came in Magnum velocity loads, the .41 Magnum had a target velocity from day one...the 210 LSWC that was only a little faster than what .44 Special was running.

Now one may not find .41s at a local Walmart but has anyone ever seen .44 Specail there...I have not. But there are lots available for purchase on line...

I made this list of .41 ammo several years ago...there are several more manufacturers now..and round for round no more expensive than .44 Magnum or .45 Colt of equal type.



Remington
210 JSP

Wincehster
175 Silvertip
240 Platinum Tip

Speer
210 DeepCurl

Federal
250 CastCore
180 Barnes
210 JHP
210 Fusion
210 Swift A-Frame

CorBon
170 JHC
210 JHC
250 WFN Hardcast
180 Barnes DPX

Buffalo Bore
170 JHC
265 Hardcast
180 Barnes
230 Keith

Hornady
210 FlexTip
210 XTP

Georgia Arms
210 XTP
210 LSWC (Target Load)
200 Remington JHP
210 DeepCurl HP


HSM
210 SWC
230 Keith GC
210XTP

Barnes
180 HP

Grizzly
250 Hardcast WFN
210 JSP

Bitterroot Valley
210 JHP
210 Cast

C.O.P.
180 all copper HP

Reed's Ammo
180 Barnes
210 Gold Dot HP
215 LSWC
225 LFP
230 Keith
240 JSP
250 JHP
250 LBT WFN

(.41 Special)
205 LWC
215 LSWC-HP
215 LSWC
170 Sierra JHP
230 Keith


Underwood Ammo
210 JHP
210 XTP-JHP
230 Keith
265 LBT


Double Tap
170 JHP
180 Barnes Copper HP
210 Controlled Expension
250 Hardcast
210&90 JHP and Ball




.41 is about all I shoot revolver wise and one could do the same with the .44 Magnum or .45 Colt. I just find the .41 is more accurate and recoils less with top end loads than the others...

Bob
 
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Got a touch of arthritis in my right hand that makes shooting hot 44 magnum rounds a painful proposition. Not so with the 41. I reload so ammo isn't an issue but I will admit that you won't find 41 cases and bullets as easy as 44 stuff at the gun shows or stores.

John
 
Thanks everyone, I'll be looking at the gun later today and think it will likely follow me home. I'll update this evening.
 
i have been a handloader sense 67 and a caster sense 81 in the early 80s i started out with a ruger black hawk and moved on to a model 57 i hunted with them for years. mostly deer some hog, a 41 is as good as any 44 mag. with less recoil and better than any 357
 
Model 57, no dash. Has a decent turn ring and a bit of wear a the muzzle, but otherwise is relatively clean. I'm not a collector in the truest sense so I'm happy. Timing and lock up good, seems to have a tight cylinder gap too, with no appreciable wear on the forcing cone. I'm betting it'll be a great shooter. I think the stocks are original, but I'm not really sure how to tell. All in all I think I got a decent deal at 725. I'd imagine it'll be around for a long time.
 

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Fine looking revolver. I dont think I could have resisted either.
If you do not reload, I think you would do well to shop around for a press that fits your budget and needs.
If you need to reload to shoot this one it`s still a win/win for you.
Jim
 
Biggest factor hurting 41 magnum is lack of bullet selection..Jktd bullet is limited to virtually one bullet weight...210gr.. Sierra does occasionally make a few 170gr JHP..But that's about IT... 44s- You can buy anything from 180gr to 300gr. --45 cal- 200gr to 350gr.. ln 357 you can go from 90gr all the way to 250gr...
Factory ammo offers a bit more selection. But who of you out there shoots factory 41 or 44 on a regular basis??
 
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