Any 41 magnum fans?

[rick_reno]

How does this round compare with the 44 magnum? My neighbor is considering buying a 2 inch Taurus in 41 mag as a bear protection handgun.

[BareBack Jack]

I'm a big fan of the 41mag,it can do anything the 44 can.
Here is how the 41 stacks up using Federal listing
41 mag @ 25 yds 250 gr Cast-core
MV 1200 fps
ME 799 ft/lb

44 Mag @ 25 yds 240gr JHP
MV 1127 fps
ME 677 ft/lbs

The only thing the 41 gives to the 44 is larger bullet a 300 cast core out of a 44 mag hits @ 959 ft/lbs at 25 yds.
In the 2 in Tarus he will lose some velocity and power,I would opt for the 4 inch barrel version.I had one at one time and it was plesant to shoot and was accurate.I also used to harvest 2 deer with it.
As for bear protection I would use it as the only means of defence,IF I were to buy a hand gun for bears it would be a 454 or the 480 ruger.
I think my next pistol will be Smiths new 460 xcr,now thats a screamer.[:-]
BBJ

[James B]

I like it. I have a Dan Wesson pistol Pack in that caliber. It won't quite match the 44 Mag but its close.

[rick_reno]

Thanks. I'll pass this on.

[Maine Shooter]

Like said previously, it's pretty darn close to the .44. I like the cartridge. You don't have the ammo selection of the .44 but it's still a great performing cartridge. I do think I'd opt for something in .45Colt however. You get a wide selection of ammo choices that range from "yawn" to "holy cow". The taurus however won't handle the later. Have also heard spotty tales of Taurus QC. T'wer me, I'd have a Ruger SA in .45Colt. Few as stong.

[vangunsmith]

Always like the 41 mag,it never really caught on. It was above the 357 and below the 44Mag. Some people wanted something bigger than the 357,but didn,t want the punding that the 44Mag was kknow for.Its a good acartridge. vangunsmith

[CanWoodsman]

A good comparison would be the Federal Vital Shok - Handgun Hunting Bullets. Only one listing per caliber, 41 mag - 250 g. , 44 mag - 300 g.
Both keep about equal velocity across the board.
The 44 mag. has about 20%more energy at 25 yards. 959 foot/pounds compared to 799 foot/pounds.
Which would you what as a last defence?

[Ruger-Redhawk]

The 41 mag is a great round that never caught on.Not quite up to the power of the 44 mag but close.I had a Redhawk in 41 mag which was a good shooter.Stuipdly I traded it off.What I would give to have it back.. The 41 mag would do fine for what your neighbor wants it for. I agree the 2"bbl wouldn't be my first choice or the Taurus for that matter.I would look for something with a 4"bbl.The new Alaskan would fit the ticket well. 454 Casull for serious business and 45 Colt for practice even though they only have a 2 1/2"bbl..

Ruger Redhawk

[Virginia7]

ORIGINAL: rick_reno
How does this round compare with the 44 magnum? My neighbor is considering buying a 2 inch Taurus in 41 mag as a bear protection handgun.

The 41Rem.Mag. is a very fine handgun cartridge, and only slightly less powerful than the 44mag. The 44 is actually more like a 43 as the bullet dia. is .429". The 41mag., IMO, deserves to be a lot more popular than it is, and for most people would be a better balanced/more useful cartridge than the 44.
Ammo choices for the 41 are more limited, but those that are available are good, and several could be used for bear protection including Federal's cast leadSWCloading.
Forget the Taurus, and 2" barrel is too short - it will handicap the ballistics of the cartridge, and I'm sure, prove to be a bit much to control.
S&W has several good double action revolvers available in 41mag., including a model 57 Mountain gun. It would be my pick for the purpose you noted.
Ruger also makes a good single action in 41mag., the Ruger Blackhawk.

Link to S&W 41mags:
http://www.firearms.smith-wesson.com/store/index.php3?cat=293606&sw_activeTab=1

[NVMIKE]

my older brother had an old style ruger blackhawk. it was a sweet shooter. The caliber is the perfect compromise between the 357mag and the 44mag.