41 Magnum

At some point in its production, the Model 29 frame was redesigned and strengthened because of issues with full power loads.

I seem to recall that happening sometime in the 1970s.
 
I always wanted a Smith in 41mag, but they were far and few between. A few of my friends had just received their new Ruger Redhawks in 44mag, but none were left......probably a good thing. I fell in love with the Redhawk after shooting my buddies. About a month later I got a call from my local gun store who had just received another Redhawk and my name came up. I arrived only to be surprised that it was in 41mag and it came with integral barrel scope rings. I bought 5 boxes of shells in different bullet configurations. I was hooked, and next came the reloading equipment. It has become a passion of mine to say the least.
I still have that 7.5" stainless scoped model, I also have a 5.5" stainless model, but I bet I am the only one that has a 4" stainless in 41mag. Yes i took another 5.5" and cut the barrel to 4", recrowned the barrel, installed a new front sight, dehorned the whole gun for carry, and gave it a smooth trigger job. Lastly I brushed the surface rather than bead blasted it. Again I wanted something special. The 4" is incredibly accurate and a hoot to shoot, especially with my downloaded handloads. Here are my three Kings.
ThreeKings1.jpg

4inchRight.jpg

4inchLeft.jpg
 
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tex45acp,

They all look really nice!! Have you any problem cleaning the powder burns in front of the cylinder? I do with my RB 44! I've heard of using "Kroil" but it's not available locally. What do you use with yours? Thanks!
 
My Smith M-57 was the first of my big bore Smiths. I bought it out of a GS in Connecticut along about 1978. At the time, I lusted after a M-29, but the Dirty Harry craze was in full swing and I couldn't find one. That M-57 showed up and the dealer called me to see if I was interested. I had the cash on hand and bought it straight away...it came with Smith's really long barrel, the 8-3/8" one and was superbly accurate. I've still got that first target shot at 25 yds with a strong handload...all 6 shots touching! That was back when I had the eyes for it.

Later, six months or so, I found that it had a small machining mark right at the muzzle and I took it up to Springfield to see if their repair shop could do any thing about it. They could and did, exchanging the long tube for the 6" one I really wanted...too bad too, that 6"er was never quite as accurate as the longer one, but was infinitely easier to tote around. I carried it back then in a skeletonized shoulder rig of my own design, using it to hunt and for woods loafing chores.

I've still got it, now with some snow in its hair, like it's owner, but as accurate and well timed as ever. Handloads do very well, and I doubt that I've ever shot a factory round through it. Powders? Try Unique or Herco all the way up to max, or Win 231 for milder work, and even SR4759 works well if pushed a little. I've done 296 as well, finding that it needed close to max to produce good results. For bullets, I've had excellent results with Remington's old 210 gr JHP, or Hornady's 210 gr XTP more recently, for the stouter loads, and Lyman's #410459 Gc cast from WW will do nicely for the milder stuff. Accuracy has always been great and load development a short, sweet process...groups run well below 2" at 25 yds with most any sensible load, with some of the special ones halving that size.

It's a heavy, but well turned gun...and the smiths at Smith did a fine action job when they replaced the barrel...probably the best of my revolvers, and that's saying sompin'. If you're looking for a good to great hand gun hunting caliber and the gun to support it...the S&W M-57 is a great choice....and no disrespect to Ruger's fine Blackhawk either, as I've a brace of them as well.

Best Regards, Rodfac (30 Cal's Dad)
 
I've owned both a .41 magnum and a .44 magnum (as well as a couple of .44 specials) and frankly, I couldn't tell the difference in recoil between the two. That is, using factory ammo, both with 4" barrels. The .41 was a Model 58 and I rather preferred fixed sights on revolvers. I no longer own any revolvers but I'd just as soon have the .44 as a .41.

Someone says you could load your brass until you were ready for the nursing home. I shot .38 specials and reloaded more of them than anything. But they certainly weren't going to last that long. They would eventually split. I never heard of annealing straight walled pistol ammo but that might have helped, although I had a lot of cases. I also don't know if one brand lasted longer than others.

If factory .41 ammo is hard to find, wouldn't bullets be scarce, too?
 
Hand loading and bullet casting have always been a "no brainier", when it comes to shooting handguns. Couldn't afford ammo in 1963, been casting and hand loading ever since. I have never given any consideration the price or scarcity of any ammo since. The .41 included. Have owned three of them.
 
Have owned a "few" Ruger .41 blackhawks in my day. Gave my oldest boy a 4 5/8 blackhawk many years ago. I've handloaded for it and have for many years. A very underrated caliber! Coogs.
 
I have a Ruger Black hawk, its fun but I always wanted a Model 58 Smith. I think that would be the cat's meow.

Someday.
 
i have a blackhawk that's .41 mag. what a great round to shoot. i can find it fairly easy at gun shows. but it's pretty rare. now someone help me find bulk .38 w.c.f. and i will be quite happy. my Bisley takes that
 
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