.41 Magnum vs .44 Magnum

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The .41 Mag is a fine round. At one time, in a gun store, I held a used blued S&W Model 57 with a 4" barrel in that caliber. Very nice looking gun.

The only reason I passed on it was due to the need I had for a revolver; defense in western forests against big animals.

A Ruger Redhawk in .44 Mag allows me to load heavier rounds.
 
I like the 41 round, but couldn't figure out what it really did that I couldn't match fairly well with some load in a 44, and still have some room above the 41's power range when desired.


RealGun said:
I am able to shoot 41 Mag in a Ruger Flat Top, which I can't do in 44 Mag in a model that indexes on the loading gate.
Click to expand...

What is the difference in how they index?

eldon519 said:
I don't really consider indexing on the loading gate to be much to get excited about. I suppose it is convenient, but it would not factor into my choice of either gun or caliber.
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RealGun said:
What other design flaws get a pass? This loading gate issue became critical with the Ruger Single Seven with such a small loading gate developed for 22 LR serving for 32 caliber. The Flat Tops and Vaqueros index properly but not the rest. Imagine a SAA gun that didn't index properly. I think Ruger knows it is an issue of controversy.
Click to expand...

The indexing used to bother me. I guess I got used to it because it doesn't bother me any more and doesn't slow me down at all. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, I turn the chamber around and hit the ejector rod hard as it comes into line, the empty ends up several feet away to my left rear, out under the left arm. It takes maybe 2 or 3 seconds to kick them all out. Maybe it was shooting 22s, they are a bugger to hit just right, I ended up just putting pressure on the rod and let it run against the face of the cylinder at the last little bit of turning, it goes into the chamber when it rolls into line. The centerfires are easier to hit without dragging the rod on the cylinder, but I just hold the chamber in line with the left hand, loading or unloading with the right, not relying on the gun to hold it in place to work on it.


RealGun said:
Is that a New Model like mine?
Click to expand...

The new models have 2 pins/screws on the side of the frame, the old models have 3.
 
The indexing drives me nuts, which is one reason why I prefer a traditional half cock action. Most of my New Models have been free-wheeled and another was converted to a half cock action. Already bought the kit to convert my Bisley .44Spl too.
 
Ive seen guns modified to freewheel, I thought about it, but realized it didn't bother me, so didn't get mine done.

I agree the regular Colt action is nice in that regard, but its been a long time since Ive had a Colt, I'm just used to the Rugers I guess.


ETA: I recall you may use a different method of loading/unloading. I hold the gun in my left hand and all it does is hold the gun and rotate the cylinder and hold it in line. I think the actual indexing isn't as much of an issue with that method.
 
That is also how I do it Malamute. I index with my fingers rather than against a mechanical stop.
 
I run my guns fast 99% of the time. Even if I'm not shooting fast, I'm reloading fast. The half cock action allows you to load them much more quickly and by feel, even without looking down.
 
Ive not ever timed it. Do you have a reload time, or estimate Craig? it would be interesting to try different methods and see how they work out.
 
I've only timed firing five shots, reloading and firing five more. Seems like it was either 15 or 17secs.
 
Folks, the answer to that was made in 1873. I'll let the kids figure that one out.
 
I have a 629 and SBH in 44 Mag but really would like a Smith 41 Mag. Not willing to pay the price. To me there is a about that round I like just can not figure out what.
 
I keep getting tempted to pick up a .41 Mag. You can sometimes find a deal on them because they seem less popular.

And then I remember that it would be another caliber to get set up to reload.

Now if I could just find an affordable revolver chambered in 10mm...
 
Once I had a 41 mag which I got for deer hunting, I never was very interested in the 44 mag. Bought and later sold a couple 44's. I don't really care if you can load heavier bullets in the 44 mag as I have larger handgun calibers. I shoot a 41 mag better than any other big bore I own and better than a couple 357's I own.
 
I came into the 41 Mag fold a little reluctantly. Was looking for a used FA 97 locally, and of the calibers available ,41 Mag was my last choice. Turns out one came up for sale about 40 miles away (FA's are rare as hens teeth here in these parts) ... of course it was in 41 Mag, BUT it came with a set of dies and 400 220gr Keith bullets so I caved in to my caliber disinclination and snagged it . Didn't take long to become a convert, as I can't seem to find a load this gun doesn't like. Very easy caliber to load hot or mild. I'm not a hunter, so the heavier bullets that the 44 can sling doesn't really matter to me. (I have a couple of n 44 Mags in the safe that I'm fond of as well) In the past year this has become my favorite shooter and caliber. This combo just seems to work for me. Also, it's probably about as much horsepower as you can squeeze into what is roughly the size of a Ruger Single Six. I'm now a fan.

4c5bbff5-842d-4f55-be82-0a7fcf21ac55.jpg
 
Had both a Model 57 and a Model 58. Had to let them go during hard financial times. Still think about picking up a Blackhawk someday to fill that void in my collection.
 
They do make the FA97 in a .45 Colt, and it can take the Ruger handloads....it is just a handful. The question is more whether the shooter can handle it. I have made several loads in mine that surpassed my "fun" threshhold :-/ I had the micarta grips reshaped by Scott Kolar and that went a long ways towards making it more controllable for me though.
 
I have a Redhawk 44 mag & a S&W Model 58-1 in 41 mag.

For me the 41 mag is a bit smaller & works better for my smallish hands.
But other than that, I don't see a big difference.
I can reload both in Mag & Spl.
 
They do make the FA97 in a .45 Colt, and it can take the Ruger handloads....it is just a handful. The question is more whether the shooter can handle it. I have made several loads in mine that surpassed my "fun" threshhold :-/ I had the micarta grips reshaped by Scott Kolar and that went a long ways towards making it more controllable for me though.
Click to expand...

I've also heard a few people have had the 44 Special FA97 reamed out to 44 mag (I'm NOT recommending this) and that the gun handles it just fine, but the factory won't chamber it in 44 mag. I'm sure you can go pretty hot with the 44 specials as well.

I can tell you that full power 41 Mag loads will get your attention in the 97 :)
I usually go with a more midrange type load. Enough to let you know it's a Magnum, but not so hot it's punishing.
 
Had both a Model 57 and a Model 58. Had to let them go during hard financial times. Still think about picking up a Blackhawk someday to fill that void in my collection.
 
I guess I'm like a lot of the other guys on this thread. I owned a nice S&W .41 Magnum and shot it
a lot. I also had a couple of .44 Magnums and just settled on the .44s and sold the .41.

Zeke
 
375supermag said:
I own and shoot both regularly. I also handled almost every round I shoot so availability of ammunition isn't an issue.
I prefer the .41Magnum and recent acquired a second Blackhawk in that caliber. I also have a S&W Model 57 in .41Magnum.
As well as several .44Magnum revolvers.
I like them all but I prefer the .41s.
Click to expand...
 
When I was a teenager (19) I shot a 6" S&W 44 Mag and a 4-1/2" Ruger BlackHawk in 41 Mag
a sxs comparison; I currently own a 4" S&W # 57 and a 4-1/2" Ruger BlackHawk both in 41.
I reload 225 grn keith bullets @1050 fps and 210 JHP's @ 1250 fps, they do everything I need them to.

I always wanted a Marlin 1894 in 41, I'll have to look into that Henry Big Boy
 
I have both.
However, in Black Bear country (My Backyard) I carry the 41 Magnum.
Why?
My 6" 629 and 7 1/2" Super Blackhawks are larger and heavier than my 4" barrel 41 Magnum Blackhawk.

CurlewBear01A.jpg
Back Yard Black Bear.

EagleStrip-BearinCamp001.jpg
Alaska Grizzly

Both are excellent cartridges.

Steve
 
Steve Cover said:
I have both.
However, in Black Bear country (My Backyard) I carry the 41 Magnum.
Why?
My 6" 629 and 7 1/2" Super Blackhawks are larger and heavier than my 4" barrel 41 Magnum Blackhawk.

CurlewBear01A.jpg
Back Yard Black Bear.

EagleStrip-BearinCamp001.jpg
Alaska Grizzly

Both are excellent cartridges.

Steve
Click to expand...
Cool picture of the black bear family in your yard. Is that an out house? I've seen your Alaska Grizz picture before.
 
I switched from .44 Magnum to .41 Magnum for police duty in 1985. Commercially-available .44 was either too powerful or too weak; no happy medium. I was able to train more effectively with .41 Magnum. After a while, I reckoned that .45 ACP and .357 Magnum were good duty/defensive cartridges, and semi-retired my S&W Model 58, which had become a bit loose, in 1989 or 1990.

I really should have a talented 'smith tighten-up my old duty Model 58. I might, also, acquire a single-action .41 Mag some day. I still have affection for the cartridge.
 
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