41 Magnum

[SLG]

Who uses 'em? Why? In what guns? Any favorite handloads?

[ACP230]

I went on a years-long .41 jag a while back.
Smith M57s, 657s and one M58 arrived. Also Ruger Redhawks, a Blackhawk,
and a Marlin 1894FG. Put a ghost ring peep sight on the Marlin and it shoots great.
Bought right, more or less, as all guns listed are less available and more expensive now.

I like the .41 because it is an oddball, not a .44 caliber which everybody has. I like the .357 but appreciate the
.41 more. It got my attention from the first gun mag articles on it back in the 1960s.

Used to shoot bowling pins at Second Chance with my first M57. Pins left the tables
in a shower of splinters. Much more impressive than the .45 ACP I was using before.
Also shot some steel plates with .41s. Clangs 'em real well, eh?

I've used 210, 215, 225 and 230 grain LSWCs in my various .41s.
Unique powder sufficient to reach 1,000 fps, give or take, works for what I do.
Got some Remington jacketed 210 grain hunting loads with one of the Rugers.
My guns liked them too. Also various Cor-Bon jacketed loads.

Made a few jacketed reloads too but not enough to have a favorite load.

[45dotACP]

I was given a set of 41 dies...so I got a Blackhawk in 41 😎

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[SLG]

Do you find that the 41 does anything "better" than an equivalently loaded 44? Is there a place for the 44 and the 41, other than just because?

[JHC]

It's a fantastic caliber and I wish it and the .44 magnum were reversed in their place of popularity. It delivers plenty of big revolver performance for a considerably less amount of recoil. In the early '80's when I was deep into .41 (6" Model 57 and an 8 3/8 for a short time; then two Model 58s) I reloaded a 215 hard cast SWC over . . . IIRC 18.5 grains of 2400 quite a bit. Good power, not bad recoil.

I don't have any .41 now sadly. I tried a Taurus .41 snub once I picked up cheap and it was very accurate but it would spin it's cyclinder in DA fire and that I was to understand was pretty much unfixable. It's just how they are.

[SLG]

How does it have less recoil? Same weight bullet at the same velocity, in the same gun should be pretty much the same, no?

[JHC]

How does it have less recoil? Same weight bullet at the same velocity, in the same gun should be pretty much the same, no?

215 grains at 1200 fps say, a good bit less than 250 gr cast at the same speed. I think there are charts about on that. Keith was good for 20 gr of 2400 and 18.5 is stuck in my head as my load but that seems higher than what charts for Alliant 2400 set. I didn't realize it wasn't Hercules powder any more.

I don't recall 250 gr plus slugs for the .41 way back then.

[SLG]

Gotcha, I was thinking an apples to apples comparison.

[Dagga Boy]

I was a long time .41 magnum geek. My first revolver was a full house 4" Magna port model 57. Shot my first police match with Roy Huntington when he was at San Diego PD and I was in college with that gun. There was no .41 special, so I shot with full loads against guys shooting anemic .38 gamer loads. Being I don't hunt,the .41 magnum appealed to me as a pure people hunting round. Later I got a great 4" model 58 former Sna Fransisco pD gun that was hard chromed and customized by a DEA agent who used it as a car gun. They are great guns and I love the cartridge as a police round.

The issue I had is that I have acquired a crap load of both .44 magnum guns and ammunition. Snubs, service size guns, single actions, .44 special snubs, etc. it simply got to be illogical to keep doing both, so I had a couple trade opportunities to dump my .41's for .44's and consolidated. If I was not an obsessed revolver whore and was looking at simple practicality, my first Magna Port 41 Magnum gun would still be a near perfect do everything general purpose revolver.

[SLG]

I'm pretty happy with the versatility of the 44, but I figure I should have a 41 in the collection. Definitely gets to be a pain to maintain a bunch of calibers.

[BN]

Back in the 1980's I was foolish enough to trade away a S&W Model 18 for a Nickle 58. I guess I thought I was Tackleberry. :) I carried the 58 for a while and shot it at Second Chance. I ended up trading it for something else.

[Malamute]

How does it have less recoil? Same weight bullet at the same velocity, in the same gun should be pretty much the same, no?


Gotcha, I was thinking an apples to apples comparison.


I'm pretty happy with the versatility of the 44, but I figure I should have a 41 in the collection. Definitely gets to be a pain to maintain a bunch of calibers.

I've been on this line of thinking recently. I think of 41's now and then, but can do pretty much the same thing with a 44 and similar weight bullets. I want to go to 200-210 gr general purpose loads when not hanging around with the bears. It will be similar loads for 44 mag and 44 spl. I already shoot 9 grs Unique w/200 gr flat point bullet for general plinking. Going to try the 200-ish gr SWC bullets and some 200 gr jacketed hollow points run around 1100-1200 fps or so.

The 9 gr Unique loads make very pleasant carbine loads in a Browning 92 as should the ones I have in mind.

[HCM]

Definitely gets to be a pain to maintain a bunch of calibers.

This is EXACTLY why I just passed on a nice 4" M57. It's also why I'm converting a 38 Super a Combat a Commander to 9mm.

And the .455 triple lock which just popped up at my LGS.......

[Dagga Boy]

This is EXACTLY why I just passed on a nice 4" M57. It's also why I'm converting a 38 Super a Combat a Commander to 9mm.

And the .455 triple lock which just popped up at my LGS.......

Meanwhile, I have been looking for a .38 Super Combat Commander.........:cool:

[1986s4]

I've had an opportunity to buy a .41 a few times. I guess I liked the idea better than the reality. I already reload for my .38 super, I just don't need another unusual / out of the mainstream caliber. But I'm not a collector, I'm a shooter so I have to have a use for it or out it goes.

[ACP230]

I considered restricting the number of calibers I owned/loaded for once.
At the end of it I had two more, a .380 ACP and a .30-30.

I no longer worry about caliber accumulation. And it turnes out that the .41 Magnum
is one of the easiest rounds to make good loads for.

[JHC]

I considered restricting the number of calibers I owned/loaded for once.
At the end of it I had two more, a .380 ACP and a .30-30.

I no longer worry about caliber accumulation. And it turnes out that the .41 Magnum
is one of the easiest rounds to make good loads for.

I contracted when I was training up two sons, now Soldiers (9mm & 556) but I'm creeping back up now. Love that .357 Sig and .41 is doable.

[Jeep]

Besides, it is a proven fact (lots of data from a huge university research study) that people who like .41s and .38 Supers are just cooler than anyone else.

[1986s4]

Besides, it is a proven fact (lots of data from a huge university research study) that people who like .41s and .38 Supers are just cooler than anyone else.

Who says University studies never do any good..... or study anything worthwhile?

[LHS]

The .41 Mag always seemed like the revolver equivalent of the 9.3x62mm: one of the best-kept secrets of the gun world.

[TiroFijo]

I never understood the attraction of the 41 vs the 44 mag... or the maaany other "X caliber vs Y" that do pretty much the same.

[Hambo]

Do you find that the 41 does anything "better" than an equivalently loaded 44?

Not that you'd notice. Look at loading data using H110 in .41 Mag, .44 Mag, and .45 Colt. There's a little bullet weight, velocity, or trajectory difference but they all get it done.

[SLG]

Picked up a 41 mag. old model Ruger blackhawk as well as a box of HSM bear loads. 230g at 1230 or so. Brisk recoil, but not painful in any way. May have to get a 57 or 657 and go head to head with my favorite .44

[Jeep]

Picked up a 41 mag. old model Ruger blackhawk as well as a box of HSM bear loads. 230g at 1230 or so. Brisk recoil, but not painful in any way. May have to get a 57 or 657 and go head to head with my favorite .44

Good luck! Decent ones are very hard to find.

[Gadfly]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/07/993473019f08adb89faf4f0419a0614b.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/07/71fe0ebff2b232ebb705118de17f2237.jpg


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[SLG]

That's cool. I've been playing with a 41 for a week or so now, and I can attest, it has exactly 2.5X the stopping power of a .38 :-)

[Dagga Boy]

I ve said before that if "Dirty Harry" had been armed with a 6" Model 57 as a long barreled and adjustable sight version of what the patrol guys at SFPD were carrying in the 4" model 58's, the world would have been a better place. It would have given us a ton more police trade in 58's and 57's, as well as more ammunition availability and development. I can't help but think that something along the lines of a 200-220 gr. HST type bullet at 1000 fps would be a wicked police round.

[Hambo]

"It's your job to stop him cold." LE admin would faint if they heard that now.

Nyeti, just imagine if .41 had caught on. There would be 3" M58s waiting for stag grips. :cool:

[Jeep]

I can't help but think that something along the lines of a 200-220 gr. HST type bullet at 1000 fps would be a wicked police round.

You probably could back off the velocity to 900 fps and it would still work. To my mind the .41 and the .44 Special are two extremely underrated cartridges that with proper modern loads would perform excellently (the same is true for your old love, the .45 Colt).

[Dagga Boy]

You probably could back off the velocity to 900 fps and it would still work. To my mind the .41 and the .44 Special are two extremely underrated cartridges that with proper modern loads would perform excellently (the same is true for your old love, the .45 Colt).

Keeping in mind that we were dropping crooks like lightning hit them with the .45 Colt 225 gr. Silvertip, I can only imagine some solid modern bullet development around current standards for these calibers would be like.

[PNWTO]

Keeping in mind that we were dropping crooks like lightning hit them with the .45 Colt 225 gr. Silvertip, I can only imagine some solid modern bullet development around current standards for these calibers would be like.

Ever seen Wile E. Coyote with a cookie-cutter hole through him after misuse of an ACME product? I would hope it would be like that...

[xray 99]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/07/993473019f08adb89faf4f0419a0614b.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/07/71fe0ebff2b232ebb705118de17f2237.jpg


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Awesome - thank you for posting these. My perfect service revolver would have been a .41 Highway Patrolman, as opposed to the fancy M57.

[JHC]

Awesome - thank you for posting these. My perfect service revolver would have been a .41 Highway Patrolman, as opposed to the fancy M57.

Whoa, that too, right there may have made a big difference for the caliber. That never occurred to me before.

[45dotACP]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/07/71fe0ebff2b232ebb705118de17f2237.jpg


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"When Fonzie is shooting at you, it's your job to stop him cold."

[SLG]

I ve said before that if "Dirty Harry" had been armed with a 6" Model 57 as a long barreled and adjustable sight version of what the patrol guys at SFPD were carrying in the 4" model 58's, the world would have been a better place. It would have given us a ton more police trade in 58's and 57's, as well as more ammunition availability and development. I can't help but think that something along the lines of a 200-220 gr. HST type bullet at 1000 fps would be a wicked police round.

I heard he did use a .41...;-)

[DocGKR]

I had an old SFPD M58--nice revolver, but I traded it, as .41 mag does nothing better than .44 Sp/.44 Mag

[Dagga Boy]

I heard he did use a .41...;-)

You're not funny.......two demerits.:mad:

[SLG]

You're not funny.......two demerits.:mad:

Ahh, but wait till you see what I found today. I think I'll remove those demerits with it. Just waiting to hear back from Roy before I show you:-)

[Trajan]

Honest question but: If 41 Mag was designed to fill the gap between 357 and 44 magnum for law enforcement, what was law enforcement doing that required such a powerful cartridge? Wasn't the .38/44 designed for shooting through big 1920s cars? What more did they need?

[HCM]

Honest question but: If 41 Mag was designed to fill the gap between 357 and 44 magnum for law enforcement, what was law enforcement doing that required such a powerful cartridge? Wasn't the .38/44 designed for shooting through big 1920s cars? What more did they need?

The 38/44 was basically a 38 Special loaded to +P+ before the .357 magnum came out. The idea of the .41 magnum was to be a versatile cartridge, basically two rounds in one. There were supposed to be true magnum loadings giving the performance of the .44 magnum for hunting or rural LE work and ".41 special" loadings which were intended to be the normal LE duty load. The ".41 Special"
loads were supposed to be a .41 caliber bullet at 900-1000 fps - basically the same ballistics as the old 38WCF (38-40) or today's 40 S&W.

Of course some LE agencies adopted the full power magnum loads and had all the problems you would expect. The owner of one of our local shooting ranges is a retired San Antonio police officer who served during the time San Antonio issued the model 58. He told me the 41 special loading used very soft lead bullets which caused fouling and leading resulting in reliability problems.

[ACP230]

I got some of the old Remington "Police Load" lead .41 Mag ammo with a gun I bought.
Shot most of it up in a few months. Saw no leading to speak of.

I had more leading in a .45 pistol I shot at Second Chance Bowling Pin Shoot with LRN reloads
that ran at about the same velocity, 910 fps, as the .41 "police load."

I wonder if the weight of the M58, or M57 .41s was more of a factor than the loads used.

[LOBO]

Here is one of my .41 magnums. It's a 1965 4" model 58 that I picked up on an online auction from a gun store up in Alaska. It came the way you see it, and it is one of those guns that are "just right".


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a266/LOBO2/CCWs%20Smith%20amp%20Wesson%20model%2058%204%20inc h%20.41%20magnum%20-%20Jan%2022%202012%20-%20001_zpscsjojqym.jpg

[JHC]

Ahh, but wait till you see what I found today. I think I'll remove those demerits with it. Just waiting to hear back from Roy before I show you:-)

I think I've seen somewhere that for some photo shoots or scenes the did sub in a M57 because 29s were few and far between.

[Hambo]

Honest question but: If 41 Mag was designed to fill the gap between 357 and 44 magnum for law enforcement, what was law enforcement doing that required such a powerful cartridge? Wasn't the .38/44 designed for shooting through big 1920s cars? What more did they need?

LE wasn't clamoring for a cartridge to bridge the gap between .357 and .44 magnum. The .41 was developed by a few people in and out of LE who thought it was a great idea. Obviously LE in general didn't think so or we could have skipped the whole 10mm/.40S&W deal. LE stuck with .38 Special because legions of non-shooter cops could handle it and I'm sure because of cost. A lot of departments loaded their own .38 ammo for pennies.

[Dagga Boy]

I think I've seen somewhere that for some photo shoots or scenes the did sub in a M57 because 29s were few and far between.

Are you guys trying to raise my blood pressure. Full stop. Any reference to Dirty Harry and .41 Mag is pretty much b.s. Until I see some proof.....of which there is none at this point (which could change as I have laid the same challenge to others). John Milius has said all .44 Mag. S&W has documented all .44 mag. No other prop house has produced a single receipt for .41's going to the set or photo shoot (and they are heavily documented). Folks have gone so far with newer technology to blow up stills from the movie...all .44's.

[JHC]

Are you guys trying to raise my blood pressure. Full stop. Any reference to Dirty Harry and .41 Mag is pretty much b.s. Until I see some proof.....of which there is none at this point (which could change as I have laid the same challenge to others). John Milius has said all .44 Mag. S&W has documented all .44 mag. No other prop house has produced a single receipt for .41's going to the set or photo shoot (and they are heavily documented). Folks have gone so far with newer technology to blow up stills from the movie...all .44's.

Good enough for me! Milius outta know!

[Jeep]

Here is one of my .41 magnums. It's a 1965 4" model 58 that I picked up on an online auction from a gun store up in Alaska. It came the way you see it, and it is one of those guns that are "just right".

Very nice. It is a serious-looking combat revolver--which is exactly what a Model 58 ought to look like.

[Trajan]

The 38/44 was basically a 38 Special loaded to +P+ before the .357 magnum came out. The idea of the .41 magnum was to be a versatile cartridge, basically two rounds in one. There were supposed to be true magnum loadings giving the performance of the .44 magnum for hunting or rural LE work and ".41 special" loadings which were intended to be the normal LE duty load. The ".41 Special"
loads were supposed to be a .41 caliber bullet at 900-1000 fps - basically the same ballistics as the old 38WCF (38-40) or today's 40 S&W.

Of course some LE agencies adopted the full power magnum loads and had all the problems you would expect. The owner of one of our local shooting ranges is a retired San Antonio police officer who served during the time San Antonio issued the model 58. He told me the 41 special loading used very soft lead bullets which caused fouling and leading resulting in reliability problems.
Thanks!
Only magnum I ever paid attention to was 357. Didn't even know about the 41 until a few months ago.

[Tamara]

Here is one of my .41 magnums. It's a 1965 4" model 58 that I picked up on an online auction from a gun store up in Alaska. It came the way you see it, and it is one of those guns that are "just right".

Oof.

Do want.

[ACP230]

Mine is nickled with Pachmayr grips.

[SLG]

Got a 57 today. Looking forward to a head to head with the .44s

[JHC]

Got a 57 today. Looking forward to a head to head with the .44s

What barrel length did you get?

[SLG]

What barrel length did you get?

6.5

6? Hard to say. I thought 6.5, but now I'm not sure. It's a no dash P&R gun, and I thought they were all 6.5, but then I saw some sources that say they did 6" at the same time. Measuring it was inconclusive to me. I know that sounds retarded...

[SamAdams]

I got a Taurus Titanium Tracker in 41 Mag years back. I wanted a lightweight, compact gun to use up in the mountains when fly fishing for trout. The trigger was a bit gritty at first, but overall the gun has served me well. Afterwards, I had always meant to get a S&W in 41 Mag. But, I'm outta my 'collector' phase right now. I really can't justify getting the Smith since I own many other guns that can do the same job. The dollars would likely be better spent on other things - including training, premium optics, and handloading supplies. A part of me wishes I bought a M57 years back. I tend to keep what I have, though I'm not adding 'collectors' now.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/handguns/handgun_reviews_st_myfavmag_201008/

[JHC]

6.5

6? Hard to say. I thought 6.5, but now I'm not sure. It's a no dash P&R gun, and I thought they were all 6.5, but then I saw some sources that say they did 6" at the same time. Measuring it was inconclusive to me. I know that sounds retarded...

I was only aware of a 6". That's what I had in the early '80's and since that was the only centerfire other than a K-38 I owned; I carried it concealed IWB for some time until I got a M58 and then a Colt Combat Cdr. It was a pant load.

[SLG]

Shot the 57 today. No handloads yet, just some factory bear loads. Very flat shooting, noticeably so compared to my .44's, which are moving slower. Not really a fair comparison though. Shot a similar group to the .44, but no pics this time. Also noticeably less recoil, but again, not an apples to apples comparison. Anyway, seems like a nice setup, may have to leave it at 6".

Also, as much as I like P&R guns, the non recessed guns definitely reload better/faster.

[41magfan]

Also, as much as I like P&R guns, the non recessed guns definitely reload better/faster.

Ditto .... and those cylinder recesses are just something else that need attention with regards to maintenance.

[JHC]

Shot the 57 today. No handloads yet, just some factory bear loads. Very flat shooting, noticeably so compared to my .44's, which are moving slower. Not really a fair comparison though. Shot a similar group to the .44, but no pics this time. Also noticeably less recoil, but again, not an apples to apples comparison. Anyway, seems like a nice setup, may have to leave it at 6".

Also, as much as I like P&R guns, the non recessed guns definitely reload better/faster.

The rep for lower recoil from back in the day did not to my recollection match bullet weights and velocity. The argument was lower recoil from a similiar or better sectional density slug, albeit lighter, moving at comparable velocity that could accomplish the same task with less recoil. Fun stuff.

[SLG]

The rep for lower recoil from back in the day did not to my recollection match bullet weights and velocity. The argument was lower recoil from a similiar or better sectional density slug, albeit lighter, moving at comparable velocity that could accomplish the same task with less recoil. Fun stuff.

No doubt, I was just pointing out that I wasn't shooting similar weight bullets at similar velocities. I certainly agree with your statement, though it always seemed to me that saying a 9mm has less recoil than a .40 was kind of unnecessary. I guess when you're trying to sell big bore revolvers to mostly incapable shooters, you have to point out the obvious:-)

[GJM]

If someone didn't mind the trouble of another caliber, I think you could make an argument that a Smith .41 revolver is a better bear "defensive" handgun than a .44. Penetrates the skull as well, and due to a lighter bullet, less recoil for a similar velocity load, making it easier to shoot.

Anyone have a .41 magnum, four inch stainless Mountain Gun? Now that I think about it, I believe I have a Scandium .41 tuned by Bowen.

[dbateman]

Man I'm pretty sure reading this thread is going to cost me money.

[JHC]

If someone didn't mind the trouble of another caliber, I think you could make an argument that a Smith .41 revolver is a better bear "defensive" handgun than a .44. Penetrates the skull as well, and due to a lighter bullet, less recoil for a similar velocity load, making it easier to shoot.

Anyone have a .41 magnum, four inch stainless Mountain Gun? Now that I think about it, I believe I have a Scandium .41 tuned by Bowen.

I shot a Model 58 in some of the local IPSC matches held in Puyallup back then with 210 factory softpoints a couple times. Usually with medium scaled reloads. But the softpoints were not the bucking bull of futility that I find rapid fire of .44 mag full house to be.

[Dagga Boy]

If I end up with a .41 mag again after all the emotional turmoil I went through to get rid of them......I blame all of you!

[SLG]

If I end up with a .41 mag again after all the emotional turmoil I went through to get rid of them......I blame all of you!

Revenge is a dish...:-)

[LOBO]

Oof.

Do want.

It's what the M&P .38 special wants to be, lol! :rolleyes:

[TCinVA]

Buddy of mine offered up a stainless 657. I'm tempted. Sorely tempted.

[GJM]

I was taking a picture for JHC this morning, showing how deep to fall we are, when I saw a moose outside the window. Gun safe was near that window, so I stopped and rooted around. Found this Taurus .41, that we keep around as a loaner gun for visitors. It was as I expected, full of Federal 240 grain cast core loads. I remembered it as having a rough trigger. When I dry fired it, I was pleasantly surprised. Guess all that time pressing an HK DA trigger changed my perspective. Trim revolver.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsqn4gnkyj.jpeg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsqn4gnkyj.jpeg.html)

Oh, here is the look out the window.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg251/GJMandes/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsr4wme7ab.jpeg (http://s250.photobucket.com/user/GJMandes/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsr4wme7ab.jpeg.html)

[JHC]

^ I briefly had the 2.5" barrel .41 version of that Taurus. Those grips were extremely comfortable with full loads and it was a 25 yard tack driver. It just could not be rolled double action without the cylinder spinning past rounds.

[serialsolver]

I like the 41 mag. My first real gun was a 41 Blackhawk. I had to ask mom and dad for permission to buy it. It was a joy to shoot, very accurate. Young family, bills same sad story it's gone. Several years ago I found a replacement on a gun show table and brung it home to stay.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee179/serialsolver/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps337a3f27.jpg (http://s233.photobucket.com/user/serialsolver/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps337a3f27.jpg.html)

I like to hunt with it. it's just a bit lighter than my super Blackhawk and I just shoot the 41 better. I don't know why just do.


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[coldcase1984]

Yeah, given my problems with the Aimpoint on the Mountain Gun .44, I may well just pack my old 57-2 4-in. on the Colorado hunt. It's stacking Silvertips in a tidy pattern. I need a load with a bit more oomph for bear.

[SLG]

Ahh, but wait till you see what I found today. I think I'll remove those demerits with it. Just waiting to hear back from Roy before I show you:-)

So, no pics since the gun is at S&W, getting its timing right, so to speak. I traded for a 2nd model Hand Ejector, in .44spl, of course. It was originally a 6.5" barrel, shipped in 1923. At some point, the tube was cut down to 3" or so. Finish is very worn, but it shoots extremely well, and is an ideal carry gun in many ways. Very happy to have acquired it.

[SamAdams]

@GJM & JHC - yeah my 41 Titanium Tracker has an incredibly effective grip that really tames hand smack. Its a nice shooting gun for its size/weight/power. I've only owned two Taurus guns (both revolvers). The little 41 and a 454. But I had to check out a lot of them before finding examples that were reasonably well put together. Got the 41 new and the 454 used but ANIB for a terrific price. That was years ago and I havent bothered with Taurus since.

[Jhp147]

My department was an early adopter of the .41. The gun/round were picked after some .38 Special rounds supposedly bounced off a car that held two runaways that killed an officer during the pursuit. There were a lot of 58s being carried when I hired on, and I sold my 66 to buy a Mdl. 57 so I'd have a "real gun," as my FTO called the bigger gun. I shot WW 210 SWCs that were lower velocity that were pleasant enough, but the 210 JSPs were no fun. Wound up using the 175 grain Silvertips that came out late in the game, they were nice shooters and impressive looking. I had the hard plastic Rogers/Safariland grips, and had the grooved trigger face smoothed and blued. I worked nights, so I had a prehistoric front night sight-had a guy take out the red ramp and replace it with white plastic. Had two different 57s with presentation boxes, both went when I needed to sell them to buy the new fangled "electric pistols."

[Johnny Walker]

Man I'm pretty sure reading this thread is going to cost me money.

Well just to help push you along.... I just picked up this sweet little 657 in order to complete my quest of having an N frame in 357,45 acp, 45 LC, 41 and 44 Mag....

She was born in '86.

4690

4691

[Jeep]

Well just to help push you along.... I just picked up this sweet little 657 in order to complete my quest of having an N frame in 357,45 acp, 45 LC, 41 and 44 Mag....

She was born in '86.



That is an extremely nice looking revolver. It looks like a 3 inch barrel; let us know how the recoil is with that.

[Johnny Walker]

That is an extremely nice looking revolver. It looks like a 3 inch barrel; let us know how the recoil is with that.

Jeep you are correct... 3" barrel. I will keep ya'll posted as to how she performs.

[Rex G]

How does it have less recoil? Same weight bullet at the same velocity, in the same gun should be pretty much the same, no?

.41 Magnum revolvers tend to have external barrel dimensions identical to the same maker's .44 Magnum barrels, so there is a bit more metal remaining in the .41 barrel, therefore more weight/mass placed in exactly the right place to mitigate recoil.

[Rex G]

Who uses 'em? Why? In what guns? Any favorite handloads?

I did, from 1985 into the early Nineties. An S&W Model 58 was my duty revolver from 1985 to 1989 or 1990. It had been an issued gun, belonging to San Antonio PD, before they surplused them in the early Eighties. I added another Model 58, a 4" Model 657, when they were released, and briefly owned a 5.5" Redhawk. I parted with all but the ex-SAPD Model 58 when I went with .45 ACP duty pistols, and .357 Magnum revolvers. I finally admitted to myself that I have K/L-frame-sized hands, not N-frame-size. When I returned to big-bore six-guns, in the late Nineties, it was with single-action revolvers, that fit my hands better, but thus far, I have stayed with the .45 bore size in my SA sixguns.

I may try a Freedom Arms Model 97 in .41, as a retirement gift to myself, within a few years. I very nearly bought a .41 FA 97 that had sat at a dealer for months. I went in, one day, to finally buy it, and found that someone else had just beat me to it.

I used factory 210-grain lead SWC, and 175-grain Winchester Silvertips, in my Model 58. Keep in mind that the Model 58 has less steel in the top strap, less steel on top of the barrel, and no steel around the ejector rod, so is much lighter than a Model 57 or 657. I think I tried other factory loads in the 657 and RH, but am not sure which ones. I have never handloaded, though the price of .45 Colt may prompt me to start handloading.

FWIW, I did buy a 4" Model 629, in early 1984, and actually carried as a duty revolver during my rookie year, until early 1985. Every Magnum load I tried was just a bit too brutal, and factory .44 Special of the time was loaded a bit too weak. The .41 Magnum Silvertips, in comparison, were exhilarating, but controllable.

[Stephanie B]

Man I'm pretty sure reading this thread is going to cost me money.

As they say in some parts: "Fuggin' A, ain't dat da troot!"

[coldcase1984]

Had my 57 Coupe in a tree stand on Tennesse's Highland Rim this afternoon stoked with 175 Silvertips. A young whitetail doe came by about 1515 hours that woulda been easy w my .358 Frontier carbine, but I was going rifle for bucks and wheelgun for does. She didn't get closer than 40 yards w lots of brush and branches so didn't squeeze on her...she or something like her may be a bit closer in morning.


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