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

[BlkHawk73]

Any point of getting .44 magnum just because Harry used it?

I ain't likely to buy any gun, any model, just because some person used it on TV. Unless I had the need to try to boost some ego/machismo. Besides would I then need to buy a gun like all the other models that he used in his other movies?

I've got a .41 and a .44. Like 'em both. What one I use for a particular purpose depends on which I decide to reach for that day. Either will do what the other will. I just enjoy having a choice and not being limited to only one option. Besides that mighty .44 is ctually only a .429!

 

[AirPower]

I just couldn't stop thinking about experiencing .44mag, and couldn't stop with the .41mag so,,,,,,,, I ended up getting the .44magnum earlier this year!!!

So now I have both. the magnum stuff is addictive! I wonder if I should add a .357mag.

 

[41 Mag]

So now the fun starts...

WEll now your going to be having some real fun. You won't regret your decision. Even if one or the other gets more range time you will still have a great pair of arms for years to come. Just hang on to the 41, you will still come to use it.

I got my first 41 the day I turned 21 out of a pawn shop. It was a 3 screw flat top blackhawk. Not what I wanted, but definately a 41 Mag, which I did. Years later I traded it for a Redhawk, and never looked back. To be honest I had already bought a 44 in Redhawk to trade but ended up likeing it too. LOL

As far as bullets for the 41 go, if you reload you can now get some g/c cast heavy weights for it from Midway going up to 265 gr's. Which is about as big as is practical for top end loads. If you don't then there are still a couple of companies that sell some heavy weight hunting loads for the 41 now.

I have shot many rounds through mine and used to like the Remington 170 gr till they quit makeing it. Then I switched to the 200 gr JHP and that is now my primiary load. I shoot enough that the bulk Rem's are practical, and do what needs to be done. I have every weight in bullets up to some cast 250's.

For the 44 I shot mostly 180gr, up until about three years back when I switched over to some 240grs. I like it a lot but sa a rule the 41 heads to the woods with me. Nothing specifically notable from one over the other just the 44 has a scope mounted and the 41 is open target sights. Out to 100 yds, either will do all I need from them. For anything else I use a rifle.

Later,

 

[PaleRyder]

I can't even find .41 magnum in Indianapolis anywhere. .44 is pretty common though.

 

[happy old sailor]

do i need both? yes. my personal favorite is my 6" 657. what a wonderful gun and the very last one i would let go. i need my .44s too. can load up the Rugers and they sound like elephant guns going off. kick like it too. i like magnums. am still working on the load for my .454 SRH. it may put my .44 SRH on the bench when it comes to recoil. both - absolutely.

 

[Chubbo]

Glad to hear that you now have both the .41mag. and the .44 mag. I own both myself, and handload for both. there is somthing that I have not read in this thread, but in my experience, have found, that the .41 mag. will shoot to the same point of aim with different loads, and brands of ammo better than the.44 mag. I have been shooting the .41 mag. since the year that they came out, and have four .41 mags., and one .44 mag., so, that tells you which one I prefer. I think the .41 mag. will grow on you, if you are honest with yourself, after some range time with both calibers, and discounting the "Dirty Harry" syndrome.
Chubbo

 

[ForneyRider]

This is a great thread.

G&A magazine had an article on "obsolete" ammo, the Remington .41 Magnum was on the list as well as .45 GAP and .32-20, etc.

Marlin makes the 1894S(old) and 1894FG(current) come in .41 Magnum.
Smith still makes several .41 Magnums.
Ruger still makes Blackhawk .41 Magnums.

I shoot and reload .41 Magnum for my Blackhawk.
I think the Ballistics are more liveable than .44 for general shooting and hunting needs. Of course, some people want the 400gr and 500gr mammoths on the market.
I like the Ruger trigger better than the S&W 629.
I like the grips of the 629 better than the Blackhawk. Hogue can probably solve that.

.41 Magnum ammo has been hard to find for me in North Texas. Winchester makes the 175gr Silver tips and 240gr Platinum tips. Remington sells the 210gr JSP. I bought the Winchester 175gr for $20/20 at a gun show and Remington JSP's for $38/50 at Bass Pro.

The 175gr loads are mild recoil. The 210gr Remington's are pretty stout. If I could find some of the 240gr, I'd snatch it up. Or better yet, just the bullets.

Reloading the .41 is easy and cheap. I have Nosler 210gr JHP(there are several manufs of 210gr JHP in .410 cal), Federal Magnum pistol primers, Winchester and Remington brass (used ), and H110 powder.

Saeco, RCBS, Lyman, and Lee makes 410 caliber moulds.

But I'm a newbie reloader and having fun with my JHP's.

Buffalo Bore makes .41mag rounds:
http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#41mag

 

[Bear41mag]

The first thing I taught my sons aobout owning handguns is that NEED has nothing to do about it.

Having a fondness for the 41 mag and in the process of picking up another Smith 58. I own several .44 also. Glad I don't have to make a choice.

 

[kount_zer0]

AirPower: Good choice! These are tough problems to have!

+1 45 Colt

Since you're going up in size you need to keep going and get a 45Colt!

Although I think you will need to reload to feed these critters adequately.

I'm going to have to slow down...I bought my last pistol before the previous one was even broken in! So when I go shooting I take both - it's a terrible problem to have

Enjoy your new companion. May both serve your "needs" well.

 

[brownie0486]

I've been looking for a 41 mag thats "portable" [ meaning 3-4", preferrable 3" ] for when I'm in the Superstitions on searches.

I don't want a 44 magnum, I want a 41 magnum.

Now if one of you kind folks who've posted you have "several" 41's would just outfit me with one thats not pristine, as it will carried in the rough country anyway against potentials of big cats and bears over on overnight stays in the mountains, I'd really appreicate it, I really would.

A 58 would be perfect for the field use it will get with me. Please keep this in mind if anyone ever wants to part with a 57 or 58 in 3-3.5-4 inch version. No need to be clean, just good timing and lockup.

I can be reached at [email protected] This has been one of the most interesting threads in some time for me personally, as I've been looking for a "shooter" 57/58 for some time.

Brownie

 

[Crazy4nitro]

Keep the .41Mag and Hand Load for it. I like having the "OddBall" Caliber. I considered buying a .44 buy really couldnt come up with a good enough reason.

Read my Signature

'Nitro

 

[mbkmkk]

"Unfortunately, my gun guy knows I'm a weak, simple minded fool when it comes to a good S&W revolver."

AMEN

 

[Shawnee]

Hi AirPower...


To have both would mostly be self-indulgence, but then, what's wrong with that ?

I like 'em both, a LOT, but don't actually own a .41, mainly because my .44 Magnum (a Ruger Super Blackhawk) is fine for deer hunting and also allows me to shoot .44 Special ammo which is really, really sweet.

I also have an 1875 Remington in .357/38 Special and it is an absolute hoot to use with the 38 Specials - so I just haven't been able to expand my self-indulgence to include a .41 Mag. (yet).

 

[22-rimfire]

I dumped my 44's long ago and only have 41 mags and 357's now. If I want something more powerful, I have a 480 Ruger for that. I would really like to have one of the Marlin 1894's in 41 mag. I could see blasting away a lot with that thing and it would be fun in the woods.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

I'm sure I'd have to twist your arm to make you consider buying both.

I like the .41 a bit better just because it is different. but I like .44 mag's too

 

[DogBonz]

The .41 was the "the dirty harry gun"

Well according to wikipedia:

"The gun used by Clint Eastwood in the filming of the movie was reportedly not a .44 Magnum. According to a story related by a member of the studio's prop department, Smith & Wesson did not have a Model 29 in stock at the time one was requested for filming. Instead, they used a Smith & Wesson Model 57 in .41 Magnum.[citation needed] The Model 29 and Model 57 are identical except for minute differences in bore size, chamber dimensions, and exterior markings, none of which are visible in the film"

HUMMMM....

 

[Walkalong]

I have both, shoot both, and will keep both. Redhawks in both and a Smith in .41.

Keep the .41 and buy a .44. Then decide if you are willing to get rid of one or the other.

 

[warriorsociologist]

My take is...if you already own a .44, keep it & don't worry about us who prefer the .41. I started with a .41 and then skipped the .44 altogether and picked up a .45 Colt (Ruger) when I wanted to get something "a little bigger." IMHO, the ".43 mag" didn't seem to offer enough of a difference from the .41. Personally, I find the .41 Mag and the .44 (.43) mag pretty much interchangable on game.

 

[boomstik45]

Started with the .357 magnum and never got my hands on a .41 of my own. I have a buddy who did let me shoot HIS, but then he sold it later. I wanted it. Oh well, got a .44 after that. I like that I can shoot .44 special loads out of it. I don't handload. So, the .44 makes more sense for me. As for the bigger calibers: I can't find a use for .500 mag (too expensive anyway), .480, or the .454, although it would be cool to have because of the availability of the .45 colt load as well. Maybe I'll get one after all. Maybe not. I WILL get another .357 though...

 

[usp_fan]

Holy thread resurrection batman! I too like the .41 and hope to have one in a customized blackhawk one day, but to bring back a thread from '04? That is true love!

 

[shotgunne]

41

I fired a model 57 4" nickel that belonged to a friend of mine and thought it was the sweetest revolver I had ever shot. That was 25 years ago. After that I always had an eye out for a 57 in blue.
In '93 I was thought I was going to "escape" a local gun show without spending a dime, when on the last table (last gun) was a 4" 57, blue, that looked unfired. I bought it, 275.00 if memory serves, and have enjoyed it ever since.
I have had 357's, and had fired 44's but the 41 was it. The 357 was for me, a bit light, the 44, while it packed the punch, and was great, wasn't what I was loking for.
The 41 appeared to be the perfect round. Shoots flat, has plenty of energy, and is not what my neighbor is shooting. I have had some impressive results (accuracy wise) with this gun. This is with factory ammo as I am not a handloader.
While I do not like the prices I am seeing (25 / 40 % more than 44 mag) for
factory ammo, I do enjoy having an amazingly accurate (trust me) pistol, in a caliber that is not considered common. The 4" length seems to be very handy,
(while the uninitiated think longer is better) and extremely accurate.
Bottom line, great cartridge, great ballistics, great performance !!! Sure, my 45 / 70 derringer puts out a tad more ft. lbs., but I'll gaurantee my 57 will
be more enjoyable to use.

 

[20nickels]

45 / 70 derringer? ^^^^ Any pics?

 

[19-3Ben]

Boomstick45 said:
I WILL get another .357 though...

.357's are like the crack-cocaine of the handgun world. once you have one it's really hard to stop. I already have 2 and have a third coming soon with another one on the list after it.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I have both!

Why?

Because I like BOTH and CAN!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

And that, boys and girls, is why I prefer a .45.