Now isn't this something? M41 Special returns!

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Natchez is running a special sale on Federal .38Spl 130gr. FMJ; IOW, M41 Ball. Instead of the typical $5/box of 50, it's $30/50 - on sale! - regulal price is $40/box. Spec's are the same of M41 Special, though: .38 Spl, 130 gr, FMJ, 890 fps. I really have to wonder if Federal and a few others aren't repacking and selling off unsold military contract ammo.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Natchez is running a special sale on Federal .38Spl 130gr. FMJ; IOW, M41 Ball. Instead of the typical $5/box of 50, it's $30/50 - on sale! - regulal price is $40/box. Spec's are the same of M41 Special, though: .38 Spl, 130 gr, FMJ, 890 fps. I really have to wonder if Federal and a few others aren't repacking and selling off unsold military contract ammo.

No! That item has been a popular bulk sales item for a number of years. It shoots clean and has a light recoil.
Only problem with it is it shoots low from fixed sighted guns and as is well known little suited for self defense,

 

[mdi]

Looks OK. I'll leave it for someone else and keep shooting my reloads...

 

[reddog81]

Where do I find the "typical" $5 box of 50?

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

Where do I find the "typical" $5 box of 50?

Okay, wayback machine strikes again. Sorry. I keep thinking it was closer to a couple of months ago.

Where can you find M41 Special Ball now? Auction Arms, GoneBroker, and NW Firearms are about it and $10-15/box seems to be the going rate. Our locals and some of the online surplus sellers had the white-box surplus stuff for $5 until "recently" - so maybe late 2020. I stopped buying it in around 1995 when it hit $99/case (50 boxes of 50 in 20mm cans) from Sportsman's Guide, w/ free shipping. The M41 Ball - even the Special Ball, which is the "heavy" load - are below powder puff. The USAF wanted them for air crews because they wouldn't blow up aluminum-cylinders on Colt Aircrewman and S&W Mdl 12 revolvers. And they were much maligned in and out of service during their entire run. Which is why I'm a little shocked Federal is selling them for $30/box even in this market. They're okay for putting holes "somewhere" in paper - thin paper - and to get good cases for reloading, but that's about it.

With a 4" Mdl 10, aim for the top of the 5-ring to hit close to the X from the 25ft. line. With a 2" Colt Cobra (the old one) aim for the top of the target holder.

 

[.455_Hunter]

You guys do realize that a 130 gr bullet at 890 fps is just under the rating for standard 125-130 gr .38 special +P ballistics, right?

I like the Federal AE loading- it's one of my favorite factory rounds. My 15-3 is dialed in for it.

The Rem and Win equivalents have less performance.

 

[74man]

You know that living in California, like I do, it is more benificial to buy once fired empties and reload them with whatever bullets and powder I want, than to buy bullets complete online. I don't like to have to go to the LGS and do the deed when I can do the deed in my garage and do all the reloading I want and nobody has my information. I even pay less than $30.00 a box of 50. Brass is becoming available at a reasonable price.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

You know that living in California, like I do, it is more benificial to buy once fired empties and reload them with whatever bullets and powder I want, than to buy bullets complete online. I don't like to have to go to the LGS and do the deed when I can do the deed in my garage and do all the reloading I want and nobody has my information. I even pay less than $30.00 a box of 50. Brass is becoming available at a reasonable price.

For some reason I thought you were in Pennsylvania. ???
I find more surplus ammo these days talking to gunsmiths then at a gun store. Gun stores just want to sell new box ammo.

 

[74man]

My family settled in Penn in 1750. As a little kid I asked my mom what nationality we were and she said Pennsylvania Dutch, I didn't know what that was then but do now, Strassburg, Lancaster county. Made muskets for the Revolution. I have a friend, fellow veteran, who lives in Penn and their firearm laws are about as bad as California. Too old to move or I would move out of this state in a heart beat especially with our current Govenor!!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

I’m spoiled living in a relatively free state. I walk into a store, buy a box of ammo, a bag of feed, and a few boxes of laundry soap, pay and walk out. No checks, no signatures and the only question I’m asked is, “Paper or plastic?”

Yeah, I know it won’t last but maybe it’ll last until I take that long dirt nap.

I worked aerospace for ten years then went into computers so I’m not near as knowledgeable as some of these folks who did it for a career but for my money you’re way better off with one set of calipers that are accurate for you than three sets you can’t trust.

 

[Megawatt maker]

My family settled in Penn in 1750. As a little kid I asked my mom what nationality we were and she said Pennsylvania Dutch, I didn't know what that was then but do now, Strassburg, Lancaster county. Made muskets for the Revolution. I have a friend, fellow veteran, who lives in Penn and their firearm laws are about as bad as California. Too old to move or I would move out of this state in a heart beat especially with our current Govenor!!

PA gun laws are not even close to Commiefornias.

While I agree, our Gov and AG are the lowest form of cow pattie pond scum runoff, our gun laws here are actually not all that bad...could be much better...but still, on the same plain as the left coast? not really.

The PA state police maintains a partial register of handguns, and while I dont like it, don't think its legal, they keep the info very secure. They are perhaps the most professional police force in the nation, they don't play politics, and use the info only to solve crimes..
Again, its not a complete registry. If you move in from out of state, you are not required to register your handguns. If you inherit handguns...not required to update the registration either. Same for gifting within certain family members.

No registration of any kind for long guns.
No monthly limit number you can buy.
"shall issue" state. No training or excessive fees BS. Takes all of 10 minutes to get a permit...even less to renew.

That said...our douchy AG just illegally banned 80% kits...and now he wants to be the next Gov. He is HORRIBLE..(lots of issues with him about the 2020 election, but this isn't the forum to air those) anigun...so if he wins, things can change....

But, for now, PA gun laws are not bad...not great either...but not Cali level insane either.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

The M41 Ball - even the Special Ball, which is the "heavy" load - are below powder puff.

Are you referring to the XM142 ball or the PGU-12B?

Neither the XM142 158 gr. ball at 950 fps or the PGU 130 gr. ball at 1125 fps
qualify as a powder puff IMO.




JT

 

[Carl N. Brown]

"... good for putting holes somewhere in paper -- thin paper ..."

Darn. I make many of my .38 targets from cardboard pizza boxes using a stencil and spray paint. I guess I'll pass on .38 M41 ball. Don't want them coming back at me.

 

[jobu07]

My family settled in Penn in 1750. As a little kid I asked my mom what nationality we were and she said Pennsylvania Dutch, I didn't know what that was then but do now, Strassburg, Lancaster county. Made muskets for the Revolution. I have a friend, fellow veteran, who lives in Penn and their firearm laws are about as bad as California. Too old to move or I would move out of this state in a heart beat especially with our current Govenor!!

Thankfully your friend is mistaken.