Is the 41 Magnum dead?

T

thequickad

New member
Have seen a few bargains on factory close-outs of guns chambering 41 Magnum catridges. For example, Desert Eagle has a package with both 6" & 10" bbls for around $700. Is the 41 at the end of its life?
 
Problem with the DE in 41 Magnum is the lack of jacketed ammunitions (bullets). Most of the good 41 Magnum ammo is lead. Lead is the kiss of death for a Desert Eagle.

Robert
 
No sir, the .41 Magnum isn't dead; far from it!!! :D In my previous post here entitled
Chapter II, .41 Magnum vs. .44 Magnum you
will see that most of the group actually
prefer the .41 Magnum, in a variety of
handgun/rifle combination's. And as I stated
in another post earlier; I too prefer the
.41 Magnum, even though I just obtained a
5" S&W Model 629 Classic .44 Magnum. My
friend, and PPA competitor Robert the .41
Magnum fan; swears by his favorite handgun
cartridge, the .41 Magnum. He has taken
large and extremely dangerous game with
this round. It's really bad for us all, that
the S&W Model 57 didn't achieve the same
reputation as the S&W Model 29. Since it's
introduction, other manufacturer's have
stepped up to the fore front and produced
some quality arms for this cartridge, in
their own right. :) Personally, I think the
S&W Model 57 and (58) were late arrivals.
Everybody, including the highly respected
Elmer Keith had jumped on the .44 Magnum
bandwagon. :( Then, Clint Eastwood didn't
help matter's either; but I understand
that he actually used a model 57 in the
"Dirty Harry" movie, because the producer's
couldn't find a model 29!!! :) Go figure.

Regards,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

Make mine Smith & Wesson revolver's; and
Sig-Sauer semi-auto's. :D
 
It damned well had better not be dead!

I just bought one!

But, it's certainly not the most lively cartridge there is.

------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
 
The first handgun I bought as a teenager was a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Magnum. I also have a couple of .357's. I never really had much interest in the .41 because it seemed like if you wanted maximum power for hunting or defense against dangerous animals (dare I say "bears"?), the .44 was superior, and if you wanted a lighter, more versatile revolver, the .357 was a better choice.

Then Taurus came out with their 5-shot Titaniam Tracker in .41 mag. If it were available in .44, I'd be looking at that (but it would be brutal to shoot). For a backpacking/outdoor defense pistol, this one must establish some sort of high mark in combining power, light weight, and rust resistance. And it is a very nice LOOKING handgun. So, now I'm thinking about a .41. I think this handgun (and its variations) may do a lot to keep the .41 alive.

Doug
 
Forty-one is far from dead, there are too many die hard fans of the cartridge. And as a marketing tool, it will most always come back in one form or another as the less recoil cartridge for those that dislike the 44 Magnum. The lack of recoil is perceived though, both guns at full throttle are a hand full. The 41 Magnum feels like less recoil due to the increased weight from the slightly smaller bore size. That smaller bore size also gives more strength to the gun. Stronger guns allow for higher pressures, 43000 PSI from a S&W wheel gun. A 265 grain LBT bullet can travel at over 1450 FPS at that pressure, a TKO of 22.5. A 240 grain bullet at 1650 FPS, a TKO of over 23 and 100 FPS faster than the hottest 44 Magnum 240 grain lead load. Those loads will stop any game in North America. Awesome power for all 41 Magnums in good working order. No need to use a Ruger or Freedom Arms, any gun will do.

Robert
 
I've got one too, a Ruger. The only thing it will shoot is the Sierra 170gr jhp. But it shoots it very well. Five whitetails to this load.
 
I've had .41s and preferred them to .44s. I now have the DE V11 and it is very accurate with the 10" barrel. The 6" is excellent too but it won't eject so back to the factory it goes. They're very well engineered gun and made guns. The new models are all based on the 50 frame and are a handful. Some guns are fun to shoot and play with and this is one.

------------------
"Keep shootin till they quit floppin"
The Wife 2/2000
 
Crazy time:

I know the world doesn't need another handgun cartridge,(yet alone two more) but I can't help but think the lack of a companion cartidge like the "41 Special" kept the 41 Mag from being the overwhelming success it should have been.

A family of 41 Spec and 41 Mag handguns, along with a carbine that shot 41 Mag and 41 Maximuns would make the .41 the only handgun caliber I load for.

Tom
 
The .41 Magnum is not dead with me. I've still got my Models 57 and 58 and am not tempted to give them up. For that matter, I understand that S&W made a .41 Magnum Mountain Gun a while back. I missed getting one at the time, but it's on my wish list.
 
Nukem - what kind of powder charge do you use with the Sierras? I plan on taking a deer with my model 57 this fall, still working on a load. I've taken feral hog with 210 XTP's over H110 but always willing to try someting different.
 
The answer to your question is no the .41 Magnum is not dead. But it is in a coma and I doubt very seriously that it ever will recover. It deserves better.
 
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