Which .41 should I get?

[caz223]

Let me start by saying, I enjoy .41 magnums.
I have 2 currently, A ruger blackhawk blued 4 5/8" barrel, and
a smith and wesson 657 of 2000-2001 construction. Around 7 inches, stainless, unfluted cylinder.
I am in the market for two more, one at a time.
I'm in no hurry.
I've had a taurus tracker 425 (4") and didn't like it.
The recoil was pretty unsettling, only held 5 shots, the gun had a fragile feel to it, and the DA trigger was really a pain. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it, if I was standing on top of it.
I have no idea if it was accurate or not, I only shot a few boxes through it. Hated every second of owning it.
I am thinking of spending say, 500 bucks on one in a month or so, which one first?
Used redhawk. (really looking for a .357 redhawk to convert to .356GNR)
New taurus 416 6" It would need a trigger job before serious use...
M58, 4" preferably nickel, blued ok. (Carry cash, and hope for the best.)
Ruger special edition Super Blackhawk 7 1/2" stainless finish, unfluted cylinder, full vent rib (Ala .44 mag hunter.) Brand new, not even being made yet...

Note that my tastes run to single actions, unfluted cylinders, stainless finish, and big, heavy-duty not-fragile-at-all feel.

Did I really just talk myself into the ruger that quickly?

 

[WESHOOT2]

ANY

I, of course, vote Redhawk.

 

[461]

I'm waiting for the partner to my new .44 to be built. The Stainless 5.5" Bisley Blackhawk. I'm hoping that the .44 and .45 special runs will prove wildly successful and they'll have to come out with a .41. I've never owned a .41 but have been wanting one for about ten years now.

 

[caz223]

I got a 5.5" 44 mag bisquero, and it's ok. SSG finish. Feau ivory.
I like to shoot 300 grainers at 700-900 FPS. Smoky lead, lotsa fun.
I gotta send it to gary reeder one of these days.
Once you have seen his work, you just can't have a stock ruger SA laying around.

 

[Robert inOregon]

Make one...

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Track down an old Ruger 3-screw Blackhawk in .41 Magnum. They are sweet to shoot!

 

[Jim March]

As long as you like "heavy barrel" handguns, the Ruger Hunter model (now available as a small run of 41mag) is something special.

One review:

http://www.gunblast.com/SBHunter.htm

Between the accuracy, feel and factory scope rings, it's hard to find anything not to like in a hunting handgun.

 

[caz223]

I'm kinda leaning towards the SBH hunter.
The new .44 mag SBH hunter has an available bisley grip frame, hammer, and trigger as well.
Maybe I could have that done in the aftermarket, or switch with my bisquero. (Or just leave it alone, and shoot the tar out of it!!)

 

[caz223]

Robert inOregon, do tell exactly what that one is...
A M57 perhaps, in nickel?

 

[Jim March]

The 41Mag Hunter has the "oversize Blackhawk/Vaquero type" grip, which uses the same grip panels as the "Dragoon squareback" SBH except in stainless and with a ROUND triggerguard.

This grip frame is rare, unavailable aftermarket and highly desirable for those folks that like the SBH grip but *hate* the dreaded "Dragoon knuckle wack effect". That Hunter grip frame can therefore be unbolted new and sold for enough money to buy a stainless Bisley grip frame and grips from Brownell's . Or any number of gunsmiths who wrench on Rugers will be eager to trade what you've got for a low-milage Bisley grip setup straight across.

But then again, while the Bisley grip is nice for handling the full-on recoil from the hottest 44Mags, I'm not sure that isn't "overkill" on a 41Mag of the size and heft of the Hunter, as the 41Maggie isn't going to recoil as much as hot 44Mag fodder.

So, if you're dead set on a 41Mag, I'd buy the gun and shoot it as-is, swapping to Bisley only if I thought I needed to.

In 44Mag, the new "Bisley Hunter" configuration is what they should have STARTED WITH in the first place. There are any number of loads that duplicate the recoil and performance level of the 41Mag for a 44 gun; Buffallo Bore has a "heavy 44Spl" load that won't kick like a 44maggie but will hunt medium-size deer just fine at moderate ranges and will be mellow as a kitten in a gun of that heft range; any number of low-cost, relatively mild 44Mag loads will also nail deer just fine and won't rip your arm off.

Combined with the availability of "defensive JHPs" in 44Mag, downloaded to a hair over 45ACP power levels, AND the 44Mag cowboy plinking fodder being common as fleas...unless of course you reload, the 44Maggie has lots of advantages over the 41.

 

[CMcDermott]

Since you want two, get your 41 SBH ordered, then start searching for the second. Either of the Redhawks, or a S&W Model 58, whichever you find first.

 

[Ala Dan]

Um! Good question?

Looks to me like its time for an old 4" barrel Smith
& Wesson model 57; with an "S" serial prefix, if
you can find one.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[JOE MACK]

Find yourself a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley in .41Magnum. I buy them as I find them. Have two NIB put back in the vault. One cylinder is fluted and the other not fluted. Then get a nice S&W in stainless steel. The mountain gun is a nice handling revolver and easy to pack. Just my thoughts on the subject. RKBA!

 

[Robert inOregon]

caz223,

This gun started as a six inch 657 that was chopped to 3 3/4 inches. Weigand combat sights replaced the factory unit, moon clip conversion, narrowed and radius the trigger, bobbed the hammer (both MIM BTW), trigger job and refinished. Topped it all off with walnut grips from Ajax in Texas.

 

[caz223]

Excellent replies!
I'll bet that's a real firebreather, Robert!!
I'll bet it shoots as good as it looks.

 

[Drundel]

a smith and wesson 657 of 2000-2001 construction. Around 7 inches, stainless, unfluted cylinder.

Sounds like a classic hunter, very nice guns.



Still looking for a good used one, but I need (well want) the SBE more.

 

[Tamara]

What Robert inOregon said: "Make one!"



Started out as a shiny blued 6" P&R Model 57, circa 1980, with moderate holster wear.

Replaced the 6" barrel with a 4" quad-Magnaported tube, had the front sight red-ramped and a white outline added to the rear, the hammer was bobbed, the trigger tuned & Wolff springs added, the frame converted from square-butt to round-butt, and the gun was matte blued. Now I'm thinking about replacing the Hogue monogrip with Eagle or Ahrends stocks.

 

[caz223]

Yup, Drundel.
It looks just like that, minus the porting. Box and wax paper and all. Pre-lock, purchased new. Shoots like a million bucks.
I love sub-4" barreled n-frames, but I like the guns I currently have, enough to not modify them.
I have decided, that I will order the .41 mag SBH hunter, and give the dragoon+round trigger guard a try.
I have heard many good things about it.
I want to collect every grip style, at least in the ruger SA line.
I have a birdshead, a blackhawk (Plowshare) , a bisquero, and will soon have a dragoon style!!
I really want a 58, 57, or 657 modified like that, that will be my next .41 (After the SBH hunter.), it looks like a smoother gun than the somewhat less refined redhawk.
Maybe for my favorite cartridge of all time, I might allow myself an extra example in .41 magnum.
I'll bet modifying those classic guns made a lump in your throat for a day or so. But judging by how they turned out, the result was well worth it.

 

[Robert inOregon]

I love sub-4" barreled n-frames................

Me too!!!

 

[caz223]

Wooooooow!!
Me likes.
Is that a performance center 657 snubby?
I need me one of those, then my quest would be over.
Ruger, then 657 PC snubby. Then my .41 collection would be complete to my satisfaction.
That, or an older Lew Horton special .41 mag snubby.

That gun is just so pretty.