357, 41 mag, any recommendations?

[Old Scratch]

Thanks guys,

I can try both calibers at a friend's gunshop...it won't have the same precision as owning the gun and fine-tuning the loads, but it might give some ideas.

 

[SwampWolf]

I have a Taurus Model 415, 5-shot revolver with a 2 1/2" ported barrel, chambered in .41 Magnum that I've had good luck with. Mine is all s/s but they made the same revolver in a light-weight, titanium type material. The recoil is very controllable with mine, especially with the factory "ribbed" grips, but I'd be a little leery about recoil from the light-weight variant.

 

[trentcwwilson]

I bet she's a screamer...

 

[Sky Dog]

Great Bang for the Buck

I have a Smith Model 19 and 686. If your looking for a fine revolver to
use .357's sparingly, there is none better than the 19. If you want a shooter, the 686 is hard to beat. I found a stainless steel 4" Austrian police trade in for about $500. I've run over 500 mag loads through it and it keeps on going.

 

[RealGun]

The 357 can be had on a smaller frame than the 41, more in proportion to the short barrel length and any concern about weight.

 

[Steve C]

Since you intend to hand load the cost of ammo will not be prohibitive with either pistol. If your want a large bore magnum the .41 mag is a good choice. I have 3 .41 mag revolvers with barrel lengths from 4" to 6" and enjoy them all. Personally I would have no use for a shorter barrel than 4". The N frame is a big heavy gun regardless of caliber and a short barrel is mostly for concealment.

All my .41's have been very accurate regardless of loading and its probably the easiest cartridge to load accurate ammo for.

 

[22-rimfire]

41 mags loaded to around 1000-1100 fps with normal weight bullets are pretty pleasant to shoot but still have some magnum oomph.

 

[Captain O]

I think that a .41 Magnum Ruger Redhawk would be nice. I have an early S&W Model 58 that's darned near perfect. If you load one up with Winchester-Western Silvertip Hollow Points you should be quite well served. If you handload, a 210 grain LSWCHP, loaded to right about 1000 fps tends to strike a nice balance beween power and controllability.

I hope that this is helpful.

 

[bannockburn]

Had a 4" S&W Model 57 and a Model 58, both of which were great revolvers. I think I would start looking for either one of them if I were in the market for a .41 Magnum.

 

[Jim NE]

the most versatile choice for the OP would be an L frame .357, IMO. I don't know off hand if they made a 3" L frame, but that would be what I'd go with for carry. L frame isn't an easy carry, but it'd be a lot better than an N frame.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

the most versatile choice for the OP would be an L frame .357, IMO. I don't know off hand if they made a 3" L frame, but that would be what I'd go with for carry. L frame isn't an easy carry, but it'd be a lot better than an N frame.

3" L framed 357's have been around for a long time and are not particularly hard to carry if you invest in a decent holster.