.41 Magnum vs. .45 Colt

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jag1954 said:
Once again I appreciate the wealth of knowledge here and so without further adieu, I went ahead and purchased the Model 57 today. The Model 25 should follow it shortly thereafter. View attachment 1057308
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Congratulations! :cool:
I haven’t seen a model 57 in quite a while.
I am sure you’ll love it. This thread has me considering a .41 Magnum, but I still want a decent .357 so that will come first.
 
DR505 said:
What are you wondering? The 57 has a Baughman ramp and the 25 has a Patridge front sight. What is your question?
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I don't get why you would address my post in that way. Asking about the difference is pretty straightforward.
 
RealGun said:
I don't get why you would address my post in that way. Asking about the difference is pretty straightforward.
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Didn’t mean any disrespect. You made a statement and didn’t ask a question. I just wanted to know what it is that had you pondering. It is too easy on these boards to read-in an insult or unintended inflection.
 
Charlie98 said:
Why the different front sights?

I'm also wondering what that screw is for above the side plate, as shown on the 57...?
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The Patridge sight is usually used for target shooting whereas a Baughman ramp is designed to be snag free when drawing from a holster in a hurry.

The side plate screw looks like a throwback to earlier 4 screw models. I don’t see a screw at the front of the trigger guard, so not a 5 screw. Hard to see the photos on a smartphone though, especially with my eyes.
 
Never had a .41 but I love the 45 Colt, have had several but I've settled on a Smith Mountain Gun. Generally shoot SWC's in the 800fps. range but since is my gun for woods carry I handload a 265gr Cast Performance WFN gas check on top of 8.5 gr. of Universal, gives me just under 900fps, perfect for my neck of the woods. Don't shoot a lot of these think I loaded up 50 about 10 years ago and I still got 25 or so left. ;)
 
jag1954 said:
I now have the Model 25 to join the Model 57.View attachment 1058492
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I love a happy ending!

Next time the question comes up, you'll be the expert with the answers, anyway. In particular, I look forward to reading about bore and throat dimensions - if you decide to measure them - and also whether you have any trouble with the Colt rims ending up under the extractor star during ejection.
 
jag1954 said:
I'll prefix this by saying that both of these calibers from S&W are on my 2022 radar. I'm going to end up most likely with both a Model 25 and a Model 57. So, what's the difference between the two.? Recoil is not an issue, I'd just like to have some feedback as to peoples' perceptions of both wheel guns.
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The 41 is one of my favorites. SUPER powerful (well into the 44 mag territory) and can be loaded down to normal 357 maximumish power levels. It's been said that the 41 is a reloaders caliber and I have to agree. To that end I think you can do a lot more with the 41 Mag.
 
gunlaw said:
Both are reloaders cartridges right now. I unfortunately have zero experience with the .41 mag but I have found the 45 Colt to be very versatile cartridge.
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I, on the other hand, have zero exp with the Mod 25.

I have a 58 (same as 57, but iron sights).
It makes a great woods/hunting hand gun.
Personally, I hunt paper targets, tin cans, laundry soap bottles, etc, etc
 
NeroM said:
Agree completely....... if i had to be limited to one - would choose the 41.
However, if one does not handload - the 45 would be a better choice,
due to the range of loads offered and availability of those loads.
Can purchase "cowboy" loads for plinking and small game,
and full pressure loads from Buffalo Bore, Underwood with a 255 gr bullet at 1000 fps
and Grizzly with a 265 WFN at 950 fps; covering our most common hunting needs.
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Well yes, but what single gun shoots all those? I used to have a 5.5" Redhawk that could, but Ruger no longer makes it. That and other big guns specialize in the heavy stuff and would be way overkill with cowboy loads.
 
RealGun said:
Well yes, but what single gun shoots all those? I used to have a 5.5" Redhawk that could, but Ruger no longer makes it. That and other big guns specialize in the heavy stuff and would be way overkill with cowboy loads.
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How about a Ruger Blackhawk, 41 Mag ?
Have shot everything from 170 "cowboy" loads to 295 gr at 1200 fps. However, mostly 250 gr at 1150 fps - as that is an effective load and a sweet spot for this firearm;
IMG_1761.jpg
 
NeroM said:
How about a Ruger Blackhawk, 41 Mag ?
Have shot everything from 170 "cowboy" loads to 295 gr at 1200 fps. However, mostly 250 gr at 1150 fps - as that is an effective load and a sweet spot for this firearm;
View attachment 1059361
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I was referring to 45 Colt. I think the 41 Magnum comes to us already capable of mild to wild. 45 colt guns don't usually have that range, when cylinder walls get thin.
 
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jag1954 said:
I'll prefix this by saying that both of these calibers from S&W are on my 2022 radar. I'm going to end up most likely with both a Model 25 and a Model 57. So, what's the difference between the two.? Recoil is not an issue, I'd just like to have some feedback as to peoples' perceptions of both wheel guns.
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41 Magnum is about the best cartridge for a handgun that was ever created. 45 Colt doesn't do much for me but its been around forever.
 
Seedy Character said:
Having .41, .44, and .45C Rugers; the .44 is King, no doubt. This .41 is very close, shooting a 210 gr bullet, the .44 at 240 gr outperforms. But them 200 gr .44 evens things out.
The .45C compares with it's 250 gr bullets, but it less velocity. Even with 200 gr bullets, it falls short on velocity.

When loaded with 200 - 210 gr bullets @ 950 fps. All 3 are managsble and virtually identical.

The .45C is an awesome cartridge. It is NOT a magnum in a S&W.
The .41 Magnum is an a week.e cartridge. It is 90% of a .44 Mag.

Any of the N frame S&W will be a great acquitition. Take your pick and enjoys.
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the 41 performs equally to the 44 magnum. check out hodgdons reloading guide for 240 grain bullets.
 
Charlie98 said:
My opinion... much like heavy .357's will loosen up a K-frame, and S&W's answer to this was the L-frame; a steady diet of heavy .41's (and likely .44's, but I don't have direct experience...) in an N-frame will do the same, that has been my experience. I don't think S&W has anywhere to go with the N-frame, unfortunately. Not that the S&W N-frame doesn't make a good pistol, but it has it's limits, and they are below what a Dan Wesson and some models of Ruger can take. Again, just my opinion.

As far as Ruger revolvers... I've had issues with EVERY Ruger revolver I've ever owned, starting with, believe it or not, a Single-Six... through a bevvy of .45 Colt Blackhawks, a beautiful .41 Bisley, and, finally, a .44SPC Flattop... all traced to either poorly machined cylinder throats, and/or torque bulges in the barrel, and in one instance, a poorly machined cylinder that rattled on an oversized Belt Mountain base pin it was so bad. I understand this is just my anecdotal tale, your mileage may vary, need not be present to win.
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Hickok 45 shot over 80,000 rounds through his smith 29 before he had to send it in for repair. thats a TON of shooting.
 
So not that this will be a huge contribution, but my perspective:

I have a 25 and 57. The 25 is unfired in its original box so it stays that way. The 57 when I bought it was fired so I shoot it. I like the .41 mag a ton. It takes just enough of the edge off compared to my 629 that I enjoy shooting several cylinders at a range session. The 629 is usually just one or two.

Also, besides its power, I have found my 57 to be extremely accurate. If I had no other choice I would have no problem keeping it as an only gun so to speak. I am sure the 25 is just as versatile but the 57 is the one for me.
 
Ted100 said:
Hickok 45 shot over 80,000 rounds through his smith 29 before he had to send it in for repair. thats a TON of shooting.
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80k round of what, exactly? Light target loads, sure. Full pressure magnums, no way in hell.


Ted100 said:
the 41 performs equally to the 44 magnum. check out hodgdons reloading guide for 240 grain bullets.
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In general or with 240gr bullets? Note the Hodgdon .41 data is with a 10" barrel.
 
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