.44 Mag vs. .41 Mag

takdriver · #1 07-28-2009, 10:58 PM

I've heard that the .41 has some advantages. What do you guys think?

tomob1 · #2 07-29-2009, 02:07 PM

there's some folks that swear by the 41, but they've never given me a "valid" reason why they prefer it.
i like the 44mag because i can shoot the cheaper specials thru the same gun.

guesser · #3 07-30-2009, 04:51 PM

I have had both and very simply; I find the 41 easier to shoot and every bit as accurate in my hands. I have a TC Contender and 10" Bull barrels for both calibers, the barrels are identical except for weight, very minor difference, felt but not weighed. Using the same frame, grips, etc, only switching barrels; the 41 is easier. I load heavy and light and everywhere in between. the 44 is obviously more capable with 320 gr. bullets than the 41 with 255 gr. bullets but I do not shoot the 44 as well.
I sold my 7 1/2" Super Blackhawk because the 41 Blackhawk and the 44 Contender were easier to shoot. I still have my T/C barrels and NMBH in 357, 41, and NMBH in 45 Colt and T/C in 44.

kyle663 · #4 08-10-2009, 03:36 PM

If I didn't reload, the 44 mag would be my choice but, since i do, i like the 41 over the 44. not for any real scientific reason, I just shoot it better.

TAJones · #5 10-12-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle663

If I didn't reload, the 44 mag would be my choice but, since i do, i like the 41 over the 44. not for any real scientific reason, I just shoot it better.

That is a hard choice, but I stll prefer the 44 over the 41, having had both in both S & Ws and also TCs I like both the 180 grain and 300 grain bullets in my 44. I have the long barrel Smith with a 4 power Redfield scope and out to 150 yards it is dead on and makes a great firearm for tree stands and back packing.

I got started on scoped revovers with a scoped 22 jet made by S & W way back in the 60s and never stopped loving scoped pistols.

takdriver · #6 10-12-2009, 10:29 AM

I have a buddy on the local police dept here who is a firearms instructor. In the past few years he's taken 2 1st place national title in IPSC shooting and had a couple of appearances on "Shooting USA" and other gun shows. This guy eats breathes and sleeps pistols. He also uses a couple of .44's for deer hunting here in WI. He has 2 Colt Anacondas, one scoped and the other with irons. He said that he barely even uses the scope, but that's him. I've seen him rapid fire cloverleaf all the shots out of a .40 cal Glock mag at the farthest target at the local police pistol range. The guy is so fast and accurate its insane!!! I still prefer a scope. I shoot an S&W w/ a 8" ported barrrel and a 2x Leupold.

22-Rimfire · #7 10-17-2009, 07:28 AM

I have owned and shot both 44's and 41's. I shoot the 41 mag better and more consistantly with factory loads. I got rid of the couple of 44's that I had a few years back as they became "just guns" and never shot. I have five 41 mag revolvers, but I primarily shoot the 4" M57 Mountain Gun. Shoot the 8 3/8" M57 the best. I hunt whitetails with a Ruger SRH in 480 Ruger with 2x Leupold scope. I have used the 8 3/8" a couple of times but never got an shot. I really like to carry a big handgun deer hunting. The rifle stays home for the most part unless I'm hunting a field and that is rare.

MarE5 · #8 02-02-2010, 06:55 PM

I own both and like both, but the 41 is less common: hence I like it better.

pro-gun · #9 02-03-2010, 11:07 AM

I kind of agree with kyle663 in that unless you reload .44 ammo is more readily available.
I think the .41 had its day but you just don't see a bunch of .41 mag revolvers being produced anymore. Which means ammunition producers have less reason to pump it out.
Other than that I loved shooting my cousins .41 mag. But I still prefer shooting the .44 mag. It's a "blast".

BlkHawk73 · #10 02-07-2010, 07:13 AM

I have multiples of each but prefer the .41. It's seems to shoot a bit better for me, flatter I guess with slightly less felt recoil. Mostly, I just never got bit by the .44 mag bug. Too many people have and I just like the different stuff. Not one that shoots just to have a big booming blast. Either will suffice for most needs so long as shot placement is taken care of. Besides, that "big" .44 magnum is really a .429 magnum.

Such a huge difference from the lowly .41 magnum.