41 CAL. Magnum

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PistolPackin'Papa

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This is my first post as a new member, so please bear with me. I have read a lot of stats on 41 & 44 mags, There doesn't seem to be a nickel's worth of difference except that with the 44 mag I get a lot of pain in my wrist, real quick. I can shoot my Mod. 92 Beretta all day long with no problem. I want a large cal. pistol just to have as a "take along just in case," type of weapon while hunting. Who knows, as I get older I just might want to use it as my main hunting weapon. There are not very many bears in California over 500 LBS. so I am thinking that a 41 mag would do the trick. Am I being stupid?? I would appreciate your comments.
 
Welcome aboard.

The .41 is about 15% less than the .44 Magnum in performance and recoil. Some call it splitting the difference between the 357 and the 44 but it's really leaning closer to the 44 end. I would try to shoot one before deciding it's a big improvement over the recoil of the 44. You may find it much less objectionable, and you may not.
 
41 mag

Thanks for the advise. I think there is a shooting range in Fresno that lets you try out different guns before you buy them. 15 % less of everything is something I think I can deal with. I know that when I scaled back from my 357, to the 9mm my scores went up dramatically. Better to hit them with a 22 than miss with a canon.
 
The 41 still has a fair amount of recoil. But, I shoot it a lot better than the 44 in general. The recoil is managable. But, I wouldn't want to shoot a couple 100 rounds through one in a shooting session.

If you go 41 mag, I would suggest a Smith unless you liike single actions. But, I would still suggest the Smith. I shoot the 8 3/8" the best, but have a 4" too. (Model 57). I hunt with mine. I also have a 480 that has considerably more recoil. I'm only good for about 20 rounds in the 480 before I start flinching so bad with it that further shooting is a waste of time.

The 41 mag should be plenty for your needs. A 500 lb black bear is a pretty good sized black bear.
 
i have several of both and say that my M657 in 6" is an absolute joy to shoot, and plenty for deer critters. as for bear, i consider no handgun a bear gun. if i could find a bear unaware and was slipping along, gun in hand, i think the 41 would suffice, but, as protection against a POd bear that is aware, no way. use enough gun. to quick draw a large handgun from a holster and get off a couple of aimed shots is fantasy and with that adreniline pumping in my veins, i would be bear droppings tomorrow. if you are out where 500 pound bears roam, i assume you will be hunting, and probably with a rifle. a comparison of cartridges in a ballistic table will show any handgun cartridge to be puny compared to rifle rounds. i am not saying bear cannot be killed with a handgun, i am saying that it is really iffy and i am not risking my life to prove otherwise. i recommend getting the 41 for some fun days with a handgun and, if you turn into a recoil junky, there are several rounds that will jar your bones. then, after buying several boxes of factory rounds, you will feel the need to reload those hulls to afford your fun. i think reloading is half the fun and something positive to do on days when it is miserable outside. enjoy your choice
 
While I'm a big fan of the .41 if you already have a .44mag then getting rid of it to get a .41mag could amount to losing good money. There are lighter recoiling loads for the .44mag and a change in stocks/grips can make a world of difference when shooting the revolver.
Now if you have neither and you are looking to get a large bore magnum then by all means find yourself a .41mag and join the ranks of the lovers of the redheaded stepchild of the magnum world.
Recoil will be less than a .44mag loaded with standard ammo, but not by much as stated above. Most .41s I have run across have been quite accurate and with most any quality load (factory or handload). If you don't reload then plan on a rather large ammo expense feeding your .41mag. While there are many pluses to a .41mag it's biggest minus is ammo (as in availability, variety, and cost). The internet has to some degree solved the availability problem, but reloading is the only solution to variety and cost. Popularity is slowly rising for the guns and cartridge again and hopefully the ammo factories will add a few more choices, but I'm not holding my breath.
 
If you don't reload then plan on a rather large ammo expense feeding your .41mag.
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Yep. If you load your own, you can go all the way from very light target loads that will feel like hot .38 specials to ker-whompers that will rival the .44 magnum in stopping power.
 
41 Mag

the 41 sounds like a fun load for a whole lot of things. Question, can you buy or reload, a snake/rat load for a 41 magnum??
 
What kind to buy (41 mag.)

just went into the S&W site and couldn't find any 6 inch 41 mags. A 4 inch that they must think is plated with gold, and a 7 1/2 inch which might be to long to ware in a holster. Is the Ruger 41 just as good??? I'm so confused :banghead: :banghead:
 
First i must say this: Recoil in any caliber is relative to each firearm. My buddy's .44mag S&W 629 w/6" just rocks my world with recoil, while my Ruger Super Redhawk .44mag w9-1/2" barrel hardly kicks at all. My kids will shoot my .44mag all day if i let em. If you go with Ruger (i love my Ruger) it will have to be the New Model Super Blackhawk as it is the only model that comes in .41mag. It only comes in a single action and has a 7-1/2 in. barrel. In my opinion, get a .44mag. Way more loadings by way more ammo companies for it, and WAY cheaper ammo. Much bigger choice of guns in .44mag as well. and.... it's a well known fact (ha ha) Bears respect a .44mag more than .41mag. It's all about respect.
 
I put the Pachmayr Decelerator grips on my 44 Redhawk, and they make a big difference in felt recoil. I would go with the 44 because you can buy 44 Special to practice with. The 15% difference in performance between the 41 and 44 is with factory 210 and 240s, respectively. Where the 44 leaves the smaller round in its dust is the heavy weight bullets, the 300 to 320 grain. The Federal Castcore would be a good bullet for a factory load,
 
You can custom make shot loads if you reload. Simple procedure with a little imagination. I don't think there ever was a factory shot load for the caliber.
As to a new 6" revolver the only route is probably the Freedom Arms which is big $$$$. You can find Smiths, Rugers , and possibly Dan Wessons on the used market.
There are heavy weight cast bullets and molds for the .41mag that will keep it close in the running with the .44mag.
 
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