Why 41 Mag?

[Combat_Diver]

Difference between the .41 and .44 is like trying to decide between a .280 Rem and 30-06. Both excellence cartridges using the same bullet launchers ie long action bolt actions or Smith N frames.

I started handloading on the Smith 57. After owning about a dozen Smith 57/58s/657, I'm currently down to one 58, 14" T/C Contender and a Marlin 1894S in .41 Mag. Gave my only .44 Mag (29-2 6.5") to my oldest son last year. My boolit molds range from 195 SWC to 255 WFN.

The .44 Mag was designed from the get go as a handgun hunting round where as the .41 Mag was designed for the law enforcement but came out with two different loadings. The criteria for the law enforcement use is still being used today but applied now in an auto loading format ie, .40 S&W. The 10mm can be looked as the other loading that came out with the .41 mag. Just that when LE got the guns they were not a mid sized frame like the L frame but the N frame. Several gunsmith will chamber the Ruger GP100 in .41 mag and maybe as a 5 shot L frame. I'll still take my .41s thank you.

CD

 

[Brian41]

I've had .357s and .44 mags since the 1970s. I bought my first .41 ten years ago and now own eight but down to three .44 mags.
I can't say exactly why but I enjoy shooting .41s over .44s especially with hotter loads. It may be reduced recoil or just knowing I'm shooting something out of the norm.
Most of the .41s I load are reduced load more like a special. I load up heavier for deer hunting and the fun of shooting some at times too.
I'd love to see .41 specials and an L frame 5 shot snub made in them.

 

[Joe in SC]

In my opinion the question cannot be answered to most people's satisfaction. I believe a person has to have fired a 44 magnum enough to be very familiar with it to fully appreciate and understand the 41.

Even then a shooter cannot fully understand the subtle differences and superiority of the 41 unless he is an experienced/knowledgable reloader and it certainly helps if he has a background in casting bullets. At this level the question then becomes as someone has already mentioned,"why the 44 magnum ?"

 

[Reddog]

S&W 6" 57-3, BFS 6318

Here it is! Dealer says it's only been fired 12 rounds! Even that doesn't show! It's new and pretty but will be a shooter!
Dick

 

[M2MikeGolf]

I think the question really should be "what can a .44 Mag do that a .41 Mag can't". I would own a model 58, .41 Magnum right now if I didn't live in Germany; they are unheard of over here, both in ammuntion and weapons, unfortunately.

 

[Butchbird]

I just love the 41 Mag -- do I need another reason?

 

[Michael Stern]

It seems crazy to get a 41 Magnum if you don't reload. I acquired my first Model 57 in the days after the Dirty Harry craze, when 44s were so scarce that many dealers were charging premiums for them. I do like that extra bit of steel between the charge hole and the cylinder wall! And the .41 does murder bowling pins.

 

[jonbondave]

I heart .41 magnum.

 

[m657]

41 magnum proves there is a benevolent and caring god.....

41 mag is what she had in mind when she invented shot & shell

 

[Engineer1911]

A full-charge 357 matches a lite 41 mag, a lite 44 mag matches a full-charge 41 mag. It's easy to find 357 or 44 mag brass at the range. New 41 mag brass is right pricey, but then what isn't? Now, why would I want a 41 magnum revolver? I don't.

Another over-priced differing opinion.

 

[kennyb]

i love the 41 mag.and enjoy several...i guess another way to look at it would be what does a 38 round do that the 44 cannot?or a 32,41,22,357,etc.diff.calibers for diff.applications...a 41 mag.is easy and a pleasure to shoot....even a 3"

 

[Reddog]

A full-charge 357 matches a lite 41 mag, a lite 44 mag matches a full-charge 41 mag. It's easy to find 357 or 44 mag brass at the range. New 41 mag brass is right pricey, but then what isn't? Now, why would I want a 41 magnum revolver? I don't.

Another over-priced differing opinion.

I have to disagree with the statement that the heavy .41 Mag load matches a light .44 Mag load. Not in my guns!
Dick

 

[BigBill]

I just picked up a few boxes of Cor-Bon 41mag w/210gr JHP hunter ammo and its marked 1350fps / 800ftlbs. Thats not too shabby for a 41mag with a so called "light load" as some call the 41 right. I'd have to pump up my 44mag another 1,000fps to get close to 800ftlbs. There are pro's and con's between the two when me compare them. I've carried the redhawk in 44mag ever since there were offered. I carried the 5 1/2" barrel in the summertime and the 7 1/2" barrel in the winter time on my motorcycle. Since then i went to the 1911's, then to the 9mm's and now i'm packing the S&W M58 w/4" in 41mag in nickel. My point is everytime i look at the ballastics on all the non magnums i go back carrying the magnums again. The 41mag/m58 n frame is a tad heavier than my 357 snubbie but its a 41mag in an n frame. I think its a perfect match, me and my 41. Bill