bulltaco
Member
I would appreciate any insight that might be offered on the S & W Models 57 and 657. What about barrel length? Mountain Gun?
41 Magnum Opinions?
- Thread starter bulltaco
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Nightcrawler
Member
I had a beautiful 6" model 57 that I ended up selling to a friend that collects vintage S&Ws. Mine wasn't that old, 1980s or so, but it was nice.
Why did I sell? Ammo was expensive as hell, and I was a broke college student. Other than that, I *love* the .41 Magnum. More ammo choices out there than ever before, but fewer guns. Kind of like 10mm, if you think about it.
Plus, older .41 Magnum N-Frames, even if fired with nothing but full power loads, didn't have the reputation for coming loose that the early .44s did. The N-Frame was designed for .44 caliber, so with a .41 caliber you've got a lot of steel between the chambers.
Why did I sell? Ammo was expensive as hell, and I was a broke college student. Other than that, I *love* the .41 Magnum. More ammo choices out there than ever before, but fewer guns. Kind of like 10mm, if you think about it.
Plus, older .41 Magnum N-Frames, even if fired with nothing but full power loads, didn't have the reputation for coming loose that the early .44s did. The N-Frame was designed for .44 caliber, so with a .41 caliber you've got a lot of steel between the chambers.
Confederate
Member
I used to think there wasn't much use for the .41. Anything it did the .44 mag would do better, plus it would shoot .44 spc. But then I read somewhere that the .41 S&Ws were a lot more robust in shooting full throttle loads than the .44 mags. Sounded reasonable to me.
For personal defense, I believe a warm .41 would be great for use in the house and outdoor full power loads could be used for hunting or camping. My preference would be for stainless steel and a tapered 6-inch barrel. A number of years ago, Smith made its 29 in a 6.5-inch barrel; however, after doing some customer preference tests, they found 6-inches was the hands down favorite. I'm inclined to agree.
For personal defense, I believe a warm .41 would be great for use in the house and outdoor full power loads could be used for hunting or camping. My preference would be for stainless steel and a tapered 6-inch barrel. A number of years ago, Smith made its 29 in a 6.5-inch barrel; however, after doing some customer preference tests, they found 6-inches was the hands down favorite. I'm inclined to agree.
Pumpkinheaver
Member
While I don't have a smith .41 magnum I do have a couple of others. It is a great cartridge but as stated above if your gonna shoot very much you better have deep pockets or roll your own ammo.
The .41 Magnum is my favorite big bore caliber, as you might surmise from my username. The .41 mag is easier than .44 magnum on the shooter and the gun, has better sectional density and thus better penetration than the .44 mag, and I guarantee no critter can tell the difference between a .410 bullet and a .429 bullet when hit with 'em. Plus, the road less travelled has a strong appeal to me. I never liked to be one of the herd. And lastly, .41 mag shooters tend to be more intelligent, wittier, and better looking. Really! 
657 3"
57 6" Nickel
657 4" Mountain Gun
Ruger Old Model Blackhawk .41 Magnum
657 3"
57 6" Nickel
657 4" Mountain Gun
Ruger Old Model Blackhawk .41 Magnum
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
Thanks for those photographs. .41Dave!
bulltaco
Member
What Barrel Length?
Should I look for a 4" or 6" barrel for my first 41 Mag? Great pics by the way! I hope to see more. I do believe I'm coming down with "41 fever"!
Should I look for a 4" or 6" barrel for my first 41 Mag? Great pics by the way! I hope to see more. I do believe I'm coming down with "41 fever"!
critter
Member
I just got an older M57 P&R for a 'steal' of a price from an estate sale. Mine has an 8" barrel. I'm just learning about the .41 but so far it is a keeper to say the least. It shoots like a laser with that long tube and is much easier on the shooter than the bigger cannons.
I'm just gonna have to take her deer hunting next fall. (Used my .44 mag this past year.)
I'm just gonna have to take her deer hunting next fall. (Used my .44 mag this past year.)
svtruth
Member
How different are
the .41 and .44? Actual bullet diameters are very close. I've never shot a .41.
the .41 and .44? Actual bullet diameters are very close. I've never shot a .41.
While I'm a .41 fan (I have 10 of them) the first thing you need to consider is how much you plan to shoot and your budget. They are not cheap to feed and someplaces don't have a lot of ammo for one (depends on your locality). Reloading is the way to go with this cartridge. So while looking at the guns be sure to keep the ammo in mind. Many people have sold their .41s because of the expense to feed them on a regular basis.
bulltaco,
Either one will be sufficient. I have had several guns in the 41 magnum caliber and they have all served me well.
.41DAVE,
Those are some gorgeous 41's you have there. I personally have always wanted one of the model 57's, but was never able to find one. Your photography skills are top notch as well!!
I started my love of the 41 magnun back in the 80's when I bought this Ruger Redhawk, with a 7.5" barrel and integral scope rings for hunting whitetail here in Texas. It's an excellent caliber and gun for that purpose and I hunted open sights with it for many years. But then 20 years ago my wife and son's gave me a Leupold 2X EER Handgun Scope for it and I have reexperienced that love of handgun hunting...but out to 100 yards with the scope. Here is my deerslayer!!!
I always wanted one of the 5.5 stainless versions of the same gun and looked for one for over 20 years....I was about to literally give up when I came across one about two years ago. I then saw that a guy over at the Ruger forum had shortened a 5.5" Redhawk, a 44mag down to a 4" barrel and I decided to do the same. I started looking for another 5.5" and found another 41 mag with a 5.5" barrel to be my project gun. So I cut & recrowned the barrel, dehorned the whole gun, especially that grab your thumb and tear it off hammer spur. I did a trigger job by simply polishing all trigger parts except the sear surfaces. I rounded the corners of the grip frame and workd the original grips to match. I took it to a machine shot to have a slot cut into the rib for the new front sight. I then drilled and tapped the rib and ins.talled the new Weignd combat front sight. I chamfered the front of the cylinder to match a single action cylinder and I then took a purple Scotch Brite pad and brush finished the whole gun. It turned out pretty good and shoots like a target grade gun. Here it is.
bigmike45
Either one will be sufficient. I have had several guns in the 41 magnum caliber and they have all served me well.
.41DAVE,
Those are some gorgeous 41's you have there. I personally have always wanted one of the model 57's, but was never able to find one. Your photography skills are top notch as well!!
I started my love of the 41 magnun back in the 80's when I bought this Ruger Redhawk, with a 7.5" barrel and integral scope rings for hunting whitetail here in Texas. It's an excellent caliber and gun for that purpose and I hunted open sights with it for many years. But then 20 years ago my wife and son's gave me a Leupold 2X EER Handgun Scope for it and I have reexperienced that love of handgun hunting...but out to 100 yards with the scope. Here is my deerslayer!!!
I always wanted one of the 5.5 stainless versions of the same gun and looked for one for over 20 years....I was about to literally give up when I came across one about two years ago. I then saw that a guy over at the Ruger forum had shortened a 5.5" Redhawk, a 44mag down to a 4" barrel and I decided to do the same. I started looking for another 5.5" and found another 41 mag with a 5.5" barrel to be my project gun. So I cut & recrowned the barrel, dehorned the whole gun, especially that grab your thumb and tear it off hammer spur. I did a trigger job by simply polishing all trigger parts except the sear surfaces. I rounded the corners of the grip frame and workd the original grips to match. I took it to a machine shot to have a slot cut into the rib for the new front sight. I then drilled and tapped the rib and ins.talled the new Weignd combat front sight. I chamfered the front of the cylinder to match a single action cylinder and I then took a purple Scotch Brite pad and brush finished the whole gun. It turned out pretty good and shoots like a target grade gun. Here it is.
bigmike45
bigmike45, that 4" Redhawk is beautiful! I want one I want one I want one!!!
svtruth, the difference between the .41 and .44 magnums really depends a lot on the perceptions of the shooter, particularly the recoil impulse. Some shooters think they feel about the same, while others find the .41 magnum less brutal. .44 mag has the edge in raw power, while the .41 has better penetration (due to higher sectional density) and seems to be more accurate. I get good accuracy from my .41 mags even using ammo of indifferent quality. Not something I've seen in the .44 mag. Given comparable loads, no creature shot with either will be able to tell a difference.
svtruth, the difference between the .41 and .44 magnums really depends a lot on the perceptions of the shooter, particularly the recoil impulse. Some shooters think they feel about the same, while others find the .41 magnum less brutal. .44 mag has the edge in raw power, while the .41 has better penetration (due to higher sectional density) and seems to be more accurate. I get good accuracy from my .41 mags even using ammo of indifferent quality. Not something I've seen in the .44 mag. Given comparable loads, no creature shot with either will be able to tell a difference.
Brass Fetcher
Member
Stay tuned for a gelatin test of the .41Magnum early next week.
As I am borrowing the gun from someone else, I don't (right now) know what ammunition or model of gun will be used - but in any case, I should have room on the block for 5 rounds.
JE
As I am borrowing the gun from someone else, I don't (right now) know what ammunition or model of gun will be used - but in any case, I should have room on the block for 5 rounds.
JE
warriorsociologist
Member
Great thread...love that .41
I just sealed the deal on another .41....this time on an elusive 98% cond. 657 Classic Hunter II... Can't wait to work up some loads for it!
Now I "need" a 657 Mountain Gun and a AccuSport Bisley .41 BH.
.41Dave, that's a fine looking OM Blackhawk you have there!
I just sealed the deal on another .41....this time on an elusive 98% cond. 657 Classic Hunter II... Can't wait to work up some loads for it!
Now I "need" a 657 Mountain Gun and a AccuSport Bisley .41 BH.
.41Dave, that's a fine looking OM Blackhawk you have there!
BullTaco, as stated above, it kinda depends on for what use you intend, as to barrel length.
If it's just for a "packin'"gun, or perhaps a self defense gun, then a 4" barrel is desirable. If you intend to hunt, in addition to the other uses, I'd advise a 6" barrel.
Reloading opens up a whole new, wonderful field for the .41 Magnum. Nevertheless, there is some very good factory ammo out there.
I have a S&W 57 6" nickel revolver (just like .41Dave's, and a Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8 bbl., .41 Mag. Years ago, I had Deacon Deeson make a custom pair of grips for my Model 57 on Skeeter Skelton's Bear Hug style. Handles very, very nicely.
I also have a Marlin 1894S lever action in .41 Mag., and that combo is really nice out in the field. I've killed both deer and Black bear with the .41 Mag. (Plus coyotes and ground squirrels.)
.41Dave, those are some very nice pieces. I am at the moment, looking for a 57 .41 Mag Mountain Gun just like the one in your picture. (Wish me luck!)
L.W.
If it's just for a "packin'"gun, or perhaps a self defense gun, then a 4" barrel is desirable. If you intend to hunt, in addition to the other uses, I'd advise a 6" barrel.
Reloading opens up a whole new, wonderful field for the .41 Magnum. Nevertheless, there is some very good factory ammo out there.
I have a S&W 57 6" nickel revolver (just like .41Dave's, and a Ruger Blackhawk 4 5/8 bbl., .41 Mag. Years ago, I had Deacon Deeson make a custom pair of grips for my Model 57 on Skeeter Skelton's Bear Hug style. Handles very, very nicely.
I also have a Marlin 1894S lever action in .41 Mag., and that combo is really nice out in the field. I've killed both deer and Black bear with the .41 Mag. (Plus coyotes and ground squirrels.)
.41Dave, those are some very nice pieces. I am at the moment, looking for a 57 .41 Mag Mountain Gun just like the one in your picture. (Wish me luck!)
L.W.
Moondoggie
Member
My Mod 57, 8 & 3/8 bbl was my first NIB handgun bought in 1984.
I will never part with it.
I also enjoy the road less travelled like 41Dave.
I think I may have bought 1 box of factory ammo once upon a time, other than that I've always loaded my own.
It's a fabulous handgun. Incredibly accurate. Perfect trigger right out of the box. I used it to win a $100 bet. A guy was sure that I couldn't hit a paper plate with it at 100 yds. I didn't miss once. Believe it or not.
Now that I can get a CCW in Nebraska, I'm looking at one of the Taurus model 415's at my local friendly gun store.
I will never part with it.
I also enjoy the road less travelled like 41Dave.
I think I may have bought 1 box of factory ammo once upon a time, other than that I've always loaded my own.
It's a fabulous handgun. Incredibly accurate. Perfect trigger right out of the box. I used it to win a $100 bet. A guy was sure that I couldn't hit a paper plate with it at 100 yds. I didn't miss once. Believe it or not.
Now that I can get a CCW in Nebraska, I'm looking at one of the Taurus model 415's at my local friendly gun store.
bulltaco
Member
41 Mag Mountain Gun
Besides the MG logo on the barrel, what are the special features on a mountain gun compared to a regular 4' barreled S&W?
Besides the MG logo on the barrel, what are the special features on a mountain gun compared to a regular 4' barreled S&W?
I have two Rugers in 41 mag one is a plain Blackhawk with a 7 1/2" barrel and the othe is a Bisley Blackhawk. I have been shooting them since the mid 70's when I was a teenager. Always wanted a Magnum Research Desert Eagle chambered in 41 just could'nt afford one.
DRJ
DRJ
Here is my 0.2 cents, if you want anything with shorter barrel, I would opt for other two calibres; for CCW as a personal protection in urban areas 38/357 in small or medium frame, for outdoor one of 45 LC revolvers. As for 41 Magnum I wouldn’t go less than 6” (I have 7.5” Bisley). The beauty of 41 Magnum round is that it could be hot loaded but would not beat you like 44 Magnum, is flat shooting, still powerful and ideal for a longer ranges. For that purpose, longer barrel has definite advantage. That is why knowledgeable silhouette shooters love that calibre, and that is the exact reason why Freedom Arms is making it on their large frame Model 83.
Note: if you didn’t shoot 41 before, make no mistake, recoil is still there, most of the shooters agree that, in average, it is about 75% of the recoil of 44 Magnum in the same revolver. The point is that that level of the recoil is still OK for almost all shooters, even during prolonged shooting, especially in revolvers like Ruger Bisley and Freedom Arms M83. A number of shooters found that fully loaded 44 Magnum is bit more that they want, and switched to 41. Some folks who were long time in firearms trading could confirm that they had seen a number 44 Magnum revolvers for sale, basically NIB with no more that box of ammo fired. I had purchased S&W 29-5 that looked as unfired; we could not see any typical brass markings on recoil shield or around firing pin hole. However, 41 Magnum second hand revolvers are different story; a good number of them are used but they are usually in excellent mechanical shape. They are built on the frames designed for 44 Magnum and folks who shoot them knew what they have and were taking care of their firearms.
Yes, 44 Magnum could be loaded down in order to reduce recoil, but in that case it’s loosing advantage on longer ranges.
diesel_furry
Member
I just orderd a S&W Airlite 41 mag last week , i cant wait to pick it up and try it out
drj3828, I also had a Bisley 41 mag, and one of the first Desert Eagles in 41 in the country. The Bisley was great, my son has it, the DE had a lousy trigger, it went down the road. I picked up a 41 Taurus tracker yesterday, and am loading shells at this time. Nothing wrong with this caliber, especially if you handload. jim
bulltaco
Member
I Cured My 41 Mag Fever!
Well it happened. I called around to all of the surrounding gun shops and Four Seasons in Goldsboro had a previously owned S&W 57 with a 4" barrel and a custom rosewood grips (looks like Hogue's). I drove down Highway 70E to the shop and checked it out. Hardly used, no box, bluing 99% in my estimate, and pinned and recessed. They wanted $539 + 7% sales tax. I bought it and am very pleased. I am going out back to shoot it and see how it does. You guys are right about ammo prices! I'll give an action report later!
Well it happened. I called around to all of the surrounding gun shops and Four Seasons in Goldsboro had a previously owned S&W 57 with a 4" barrel and a custom rosewood grips (looks like Hogue's). I drove down Highway 70E to the shop and checked it out. Hardly used, no box, bluing 99% in my estimate, and pinned and recessed. They wanted $539 + 7% sales tax. I bought it and am very pleased. I am going out back to shoot it and see how it does. You guys are right about ammo prices! I'll give an action report later!
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