.41 magnum vs .44 magnum? do you need both calibers?

[YodaVader]

And that is the availability of more diverse ammo for the .44 mag
over that of the .41 mag. But, handloading is a viable option that
makes both about equal.

Even with reloading the 44 is far more versatile in the bullet selection weights. I have used 180 , 200 , 220 , 225 , 240 , 265 and 300 grain bullets in my various 44 mags. There are even 300+ grains available. Don't recall the 41 having such a range of bullet selection. The major bullet producers like Hornady and Sierra have 210 gr listed for the 41 and Sierra has a 170 also. Looking in my Midsouth catalog I don't see a lot of bullets available for the 41.

In my experience the 41 mag has been more accurate than comparable 44 mags.Also if you handload the 41 will do anything that the 44 will with less recoil and better accuracy.

Comparing 210 grain 41 top loads with 240 grain 44 top loads in the same weight guns I agree that there would be a difference in recoil. But using bullets of similar weight - like a 200 gr 44 and a 210 gr 41 I can't see how there is going to be a significant difference in felt recoil in guns of similar weight.

As far as accuracy , in my experience a good 44 is capable of producing accuracy as good as , or better than , any other centerfire revolver cartridge. These are 6 shot 25 meter groups from a rest - good enough for my purposes.

 

[halvey]

I don't know about less recoil on the .41...

FWIW, a gunstore I frequent has a guy who shoots and owns a LOT of revolvers. He told me he doesn't like the .41 because its noisy and doesn't like the muzzle flip. He kind of compared the .41 snap to the .44 push like the .40 to .45 ACP.

I've only shot the .41 out of the Redhawk and .44 out of the Blackhawk extensively and I didn't notice a whole lot of difference. The Remington 210 gr factory vs .44 240 factory may have been a factor and he's a big single action Ruger guy, so that may have been the factor too.

Looking at the data, I don't think the .41 can outperform the .44, but it can come close with some bullet weights.

 

[J.M.]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the prop master wasn't able to get a m29 prior to filming............I thought that he used a .41 mag in the movie.

Am I wrong? - JM.

 

[Majic]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the prop master wasn't able to get a m29 prior to filming............I thought that he used a .41 mag in the movie.

If you are talking of the revolver the Dirty Harry used I had heard it was a M25. Anyone know for a fact which model was used in the original filming?

 

[russlate]

It was a 57. The model 29 did not arrive 'til most of the filming was done.

For me the 29 4" was impossible to shoot double action. The 57 or 58 4" I could eventually shoot DA well enough to qualify with as Expert.

The 44's recoil with full power loads was enough to rattle me briefly and stop me from triggering a second shot for a second or two. The same full power 41 loads I could ( barely ) handle, but could continue shooting.

But while I shot Expert with the 41, with a 2 & 1/2" model 19 357 loaded with magnum 125 gr. ammo I could shoot Distinguished Master.

For my money, the 10" Super Blackhawk 44 was the only 44 or 41 I could enjoy shooting. Today the only 41 or 44 I own is a 44 mag Winchester 94 Trapper carbine.

 

[BluesBear]

The mivie Dirty Harry (1974) was NOT filmed using a model 57! Get the DVD and freeze frame it. You can easily tell it's a 44 and not a 41. The cylinder is an obvious giveaway. There is also a little bit of difference in porportion betwen the 57 and 29 since the 29 had a 6 and 1/2 inch barrel while the 57 only had a 6.

It would also be impossible to have been a model 25 since the 25-2 was the only 45 in production at that time and it had a much shorter cylinder and only came with a patridge front sight. The long cylindered 45 Colt 25-5 didn't come along until 1978.







(dictated by BluesBear, typed by Lady45)

 

[caz223]

Personally, I have several of each, and I'm not selling any of them....
I also think there's more difference in the guns than there is in the caliber of the ammo.
For instance, I also think that there's more difference between a vaquero-bisley and a vaquero than there is between two similar blackhawks chambered in .41 mag and .44 mag.
therefore to understand the differences, you have no choice but to collect the set.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

Pistol Commonly Resold

In my contact with thousands of customers and gun shops I was told that the 44 mag pistol was the pistol that was the most bought, and shot the least before being resold.

My personal experience and with my customers of Reloading tools and bullet molds is that the .41 Magnum is a keeper whether for a deer gun in Virginia or Bear and Moose gun in Alaska. I was surprised when a Alaska retired Major bought a Saeco .41 mag 220 gr. bullet mold from me and advised me he shot Bear and Moose for his winter meat with his .41 which he always had on his belt even when stepping out doors to get some more firewood. His address is North Pole Alaska.


I have carried Smith Model 58 .41 as an Officer.

I also reload and cast my own 220 gr bullets for it.

 

[YodaVader]

the .41 Magnum is a keeper whether for a deer gun or bear and moose gun in Alaska.

And the 44 is a throw away piece? I would think the 44 is a far superior choice for an Alaskan moose/bear handgun. The fact remains the 44 is immensely more popular than the 41 ever was , and will continue to be so.

 

[tech]

I have both a .41 and .44 I like them both. If I had to pick one it would be the .44, just more ammo options in my area. I also think you can get a better deal on a .44 mag because they are more prevalent.

Mike

 

[theCZ]

I am a handloader, and if I ever got a magnum revolver, it would be a 41. I just like having something different than most people.

 

[JOE MACK]

If you have a .41Magnum, I wouldn't think you'd need a .44 unless you wanted one anyway. I'd say the .41Magnum will do 98 % of what the .44 can do. I've had both and now all I have are .41Magnums and a .475Linebaugh for really big stuff. I've taken elk and elk-sized game African game with the .41Magnum. I also had the displeasure to shoot a big, old, mean range cow to keep her hooks out of me.

As far as versatility, I've shot everything from 130gr collar-cuttons to 300+gr LFNGC bullets. The one I get the most use from is a NEI mould 250gr.WFNGC that I cast and water quench to harden. I've had it go end to end on 300+ pound hogs. I also like the .41Magnum 'cause everybody and their grandma' has a .44magnum!

 

[BluesBear]

And the 44 is a throw away piece? ... The fact remains the 44 is immensely more popular than the 41 ever was , and will continue to be so.

I believe what the illustrious Mr Fitz meat was that many many people buy a .44 Magnum because of the "image" it has. many people buy a .44 just to be able to say they have one.
While people who buy .41 magnum revolvers are more likely to be serious shooters.

In my years of working behind a gun counter I have seen many trade in .44 magnums that have been shot very little. They also usually have no holster or handling wear. The few .41 trade ins have encountered been fired and carried extensively.

I see the same thing with the .50 Desert Eagle. People buy them because of their exposure in Hollyweird movies. Not many people really shoot them.

Another analogy is guitars. The Fender Stratocaster is the most popular guitar in America. There are hundreds bought AND SOLD every day.
Now look at the Gibson L-5. Very few change hands. People who want an L-5 keep them for a long time. Popularity has very little to do with practicality of use.

The bottom line is to buy what suits you and don't belittle someone else for buying what suits them.

You carry your popular .44 and I'll carry my underdog .41.
I am confident that I can address anything that crosses my path.

 

[FullClip]

Have had a couple of each for several years and can't really decide which I like better! Guess I'll have to keep on shooting them until I figure it out.

Straight answer from my point of view...no, you don't NEED one of each, but it's wicked fun.

 

[YodaVader]

many people buy a .44 Magnum because of the "image" it has. many people buy a .44 just to be able to say they have one.

I agree that was true - 25 or 30 years ago. The Dirty Harry mystique does not hold much merit anymore since the advent of far more powerful revolver cartridges than the 44. Most of my shooting friends who own 44 Mag revolvers are hunters and they do not own them just to say "I have a 44".

While people who buy .41 magnum revolvers are more likely to be serious shooters.


I just like having something different than most people.

A more likely reason for buying the 41 and good enough reason to be sure.

 

[Paul "Fitz" Jones]

.41 VS .44

As the distributor for the founding Saeco company Lead melting pots and bullet molds I learned that the .41 was a "Keeper" because in my bullet mold sales I have sold hundreds of .41 molds to only a handful .44 molds..

What I know about weapons is my experience as a Police Weapons Instructor, Competitor and what my Gun Shop, Saeco and Star Reloader Customers tell me.

I like what Blues Bear says about working behind a gun shop counter in a post above about the difference in wear and use of the weapons of this post.

In my old survival stash I have several .41 molds left for a good home.

Paul

 

[YodaVader]

As the distributor for the founding Saeco company Lead melting pots and bullet molds I learned that the .41 was a "Keeper" because in my bullet mold sales I have sold hundreds of .41 molds to only a handful .44 molds..

Maybe the reason is, with the 44 cal you can go to any gun store , gun show or catalog sales like Midsouth and find 44 cal cast bullets that are readily available in a wide variety and at decent prices. Same cannot be said for the 41. So , for greater versatility the 41 shooter probably has to cast thier own bullets. So , in that sense , I will agree - the 41 owner is a more serious shooter.

Really , the 41 seems to me a good revolver cartridge - it just does not have the spread of bullet weight availability of the 44 and that is a fact. But I agree , within the same bullet weight range, using the 41 or 44 , I don't see any great adavantage with either. I just like the idea of being able to use a great variety of bullet weights that I have with the 44.

 

[Majic]

I would say the .44mag is superior to the .41mag, but in no way is that by any great difference. There simply isn't enough bullet or case volume difference for it gain any great power increase. It's just like comparing the .44mag to the .45 Colt. At the upper end of the power levels the biggest one wins out, but not by any great lengths.
I do have to agree with what others have said of the .44mag in it's resale. Many shooters made the decision to move up to the big bore magnum based on what they have only seen. They moved up from the .38sp and were quite shocked when they first pulled the trigger (I ave seen it many times at varius ranges). Many of these people then put the revolver away and it goes back on the market virtually unused. By the .41mag not having the notoriety of the .44mag shooters learn of it while using magnums and are not shocked by it's recoil, but admire it's other qualities.
.44mag revolvers were made in much greater numbers than the .41mag revolvers, but the .41mag don't make it back to the used market as often. People tend to hold on to them.

As there are thousands of .44mag revolvers that have never had a magnum level cartridge in it's chambers, if the ammo makers produce .41sp loads then the .41mag revolver would probably rocket in sales as that it's biggest complaint from the average shooters. Te guns are already in place so it should be rather simple for the ammo industry to tailor a load. I always wondered why they ignore this relatively easy market.

 

[huntsman]

for me it's more about type of gun than caliber.

My first bigbore handgun was a .41mag blackhawk I bought in 82 for Ohio's new deer handgun season.I shot a box of shells and put it away,I didn't like the way it fit my big hands so I sold it.

20 years latter I bought a 44mag super redhawk and I love it. Not because of caliber but because of fit, I enjoy shooting the SRH and if it was a .41mag I'd enjoy it just the same.

We all buy guns for different reasons,if you really feel the need to buy a gun becase of the movies then do it . but don't fell under gunned by your .41mag it should do all you need as long as you enjoy shooting it.

Oh and as I eluded to in an earlier post, in Magum Force when harry meets sweet and the guys at the range he admits he's shooting .44spcls to avoid the recoil and have better control than a 357mag.

 

[Majic]

double post

 

[unspellable]

41 Mag vs 44 Mag

In the early days of the 41 Mag there was a commercial off the shelf mid range "special" load. Remington loaded a plain lead bullet to around 900 fps. I don't know if it's still arounf or not.

My first 44 mag (In 1968) was an other wise near mint S&W 29 with a small ding in the top strap. I asked the dealer for the story. Seems some bright boy let off a round through the car window and during recoil the revolver hit the top of the window frame. He sold it to the dealer with less than a dozen rounds through it. (One wonders what it sounded like going off inside a car! Maybe he sold it to raise moeny hearing aids! Probably not bright enough to have ear protection.)

 

[Majic]

In the early days of the 41 Mag there was a commercial off the shelf mid range "special" load. Remington loaded a plain lead bullet to around 900 fps. I don't know if it's still arounf or not.

Are you talking about the old police load of a 210gr SWC at around 1100fps or was there once a load even slower? The only Remington loads I have ever seen or heard of was the police load and the full power hunting loads.

 

[ChristopherG]

Yeah, it was 1100 or 1150 (not that I've ever shot it or even seen it; only know from reading); I bet that thing leaded like a son of a whatever.

 

[BluesBear]

The Remington lead SWC "Police" load was our issue ammo.
As I recall it did about 960 from our issued Model 58s and did about 1075 in my 6" 57s.

Leading wasn't a problem.
Sadly it's no longer in production.
I try to snatch it up at shows if and when I can find it reasonably priced.
Which is seldom.

 

[Majic]

ChristopherG,
The bullets used were a soft cast not swaged. A pure lead swaged bullet would lead at those velocities unless a scraper is attached to the base, but a cast bullet can be driven up to 2200fps with miminal leading if done right.