41 Mag or 44 Mag

[TXCOONDOG]

I’ve shoot a 44 mag SRH 7.5” barrel with light loads. However, I don’t own either caliber.

Would be used as a woods gun, hunting and range. The only reason I haven’t bought one of either as I’m not sure about the felt recoil which is very subjective.

The 44 seems a little more versatile as I can run 44 Special loads and tailor the 44 Mag loads to a manageable recoil level.

Most important features to me are:

1. Stainless
2. Balance
3. Double action

Thoughts or lessons learned ?

[Huntsman52]

I have had both and decided on the 44. 44 as you stated was more versatile. Powder was easily had and so was brass. Recoil to me was not much different until I went to heavy 44 mag loads. Either one will serve you well.

[TXCOONDOG]

Trying to decide between SWC or WFN. What boolit weight and design (mold) do most of you cast ?

Game will be White Tail and Hogs.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Either should do the job, but I prefer SWC.

[Larry Gibson]

I have both. The 41 magnum is excellent but I don't try to turn it into a 44 magnum nor try to fool myself that it is "just as good". Reloading for either, especially with cast bullets, is essentially the same as either can be loaded down to easy shooting or to full power if needed.

Either will do nicely on white tail and hogs.

I also prefer the SWC if "solids" are used but, most often, for hunting I use a GC'd softer cast (16-1 alloy) HP in the 44 and a 210 HP in the 41. Both perform quite well.

[junkbug]

If you want single action in a .41 Mag, you have a few choices. Blackhawks in this cartridge are not hard to find. Double action, Ruger Redhawks .41 Mag is hard to come by. You may be stuck with a S&W. Or look for a vintage (expensive) revolver. Regardless, you have many more choices in .44 Mag.

[Pereira]

I have both in pistols and rifles, I prefer the 41, but it's a personal thing.
I agree that the 44 has more options, and factory ammo will be easier to find and will be cheaper.
Have killed deer with both and both bang flops at 20 to 25 yds.

RP

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[Dan Cash]

I have both, a M29 6 1/2 inch and a M57 6inch. The 57 sees the most use. I load .41s with a 240 grain LBT bullet at a little over 1000fps and find it a pleasant load and effective on the couple deer I have shot with it. The M29 sees mostly .44 spl as I am not into heavy recoiling louden boomers.

[mattw]

I have both in S&W, years ago I settled on 41 mag and never bought another 44. To this day I have 4 or 5 revolvers, 1 Desert Eagle and 1 lever gun in 41 mag. I have small hands and a degenerative bone condition in both hands. To me the recoil with the 41 feels different, maybe slower? I love to shoot full house loads and stiff medium loads, I can shoot quite a few in 41 but not in 44. My favorite bullets is a 265 LSWC that I cast, I also show quite a few 235's.

[Wheelguns 1961]

Early on, I bought into the 45colts. With this, I never saw a reason to have 44’s and 45’s. I don’t have anything bad to say about the 44 magnum. Components and factory ammo are readily available as are a good selection of fine firearms, but I just went in a different direction. The only time I regretted my decision, was with the ruger bisley flattop. Available in 44spl, but not available as a bisley in 45colt.

Now the 41mag is a great round. It has a lot of the same characteristics as the 41mag, just a little smaller bullet. It can be down loaded to a mild level, or loaded hot.

You will need to realistically decide what you want your new caliber to do, and how much felt recoil you want, and make up your own mind. There are no wrong answers. If you are anything like me, you will eventually end up with both.

The double action part just sank in. You will have more options with the 44mag. A model 29 with a shorter barrel will probably make you very happy.

[Thumbcocker]

I am a hard core. 44 fan. However, I have shot a .41 Blackhawk. If I were in a situation where all I had or could get was a .41 I would not feel all that bad. It is a fine cartridge and would do what I need a big bore revolver to do.

[lightman]

I have both and either one will do what you want. And either one can be loaded from mild to wild. The 44 is more popular and fired brass will be easier to find. I load a Keith type SWC in both of mine, cast from wheel weight alloy.

[Shuz]

Take a hard look at the Smith Mdl 69 in 4-1/4" bbl length. Ever since I got mine, my other Smith 629 4 inchers have more or less been "safe queens".

[rintinglen]

Not a 41 fan, back in the 70’s during the “Dirty Harry” magnum craze, I couldn’t find a M-29 for less than double MSRP, so I bought a M- 57 instead. I couldn’t find ammo and this was back in the bad old days of GC 68, where you couldn’t order through the mail (the internet was still a gleam in Al Gore’s eye back then). I ended up selling the gun after about 6 months due to the difficulty buying ammo. Nowadays you can order ammo on line, if you live in America and not Commifornia, or some other similar lost states. But you still have the issue of ammo availability. If a business sells handgun ammo at all, they’ll have .44. .41 not so much.

[edp2k]

Starline sells 41 special brass.
Yes, thats 41 special, not 44 special.
A 41 mag case shortened to the length of 38 and 44 special.

Myself, I would go 44 mag, much more common, and you can find brass and molds anywhere.

[sixshot]

If you do much hand gunning you really need to reload so either caliber will get you what you want. If you are a part time shooter go with the 44 as mentioned. A 250 gr bullet loaded in each is pretty much a toss up, at least I've never been able to see the difference in he field, from deer, elk or bears. In the N frame S&W the 41 magnum is a better model 29! If you're shooting a single action try to go with a bisley grip frame and at least a 5.5" barrel & you can kill anything out there. No need to shoot crazy hot loads in either, a good, heavy SWC or LBT style bullet will do a lot of killing at 1000-1100 fps & be very easy to handle.

Dick

[Petrol & Powder]

I'm happy to see positive comments and no caliber war rants.

In terms of factory ammo and new brass, the 44 has the lead but since this is a casting/reloading forum, that's probably not a huge issue.

The 44 certainly has a longer history and is also a bit more versatile overall. The 41 mag is no slouch and as Pereira stated back in post #7, both the 41 & 44 mags are capable cartridges.

If you build the 41 magnum on S&W's N-frame, it will result in a slightly heavier gun than a 44 due to the smaller bore diameters of the barrel and chambers, if all other factors are equal. That can be a good thing (less perceived recoil) or a bad thing (slightly heavier gun overall).

Good bullets and molds are available for both but the 44 has a greater selection.

I'm a big fan of the "Skeeter" load (44 Special casing, 240-250 gr LSWC, 7.5 grains of Unique) and this load can be duplicated in a 44 Magnum casing with about 8.2 grains of Unique to compensate for the large case volume. That load will handle about 90% of what a 44 is called upon to do and the 44 magnum will handle the remaining 10%. That ability alone would sway me to the 44 over the 41.

Like the OP, I'm a DA shooter more than a SA. That requirement limits the 41 magnum a bit due to availability of DA guns in 41 mag. There are a few but the 44's are easier to find.

Obtaining a good supply of 41 Mag brass could be challenging or at least expensive.

[Beagle333]

I like my .41, but I'm going to recommend .44, just for the ease of getting brass and the great selection of molds out there.

[Shawlerbrook]

The 44 for all the reasons above.

[TXCOONDOG]

I appreciate the feedback and I’ll go with 44.

I see Taurus revolvers are close to half the price of Ruger and S&W. Don’t know much about Taurus so thoughts on the three manufactures mentioned ?

[Texas by God]

I chose the .41 as a teen because Ruger didnt offer the regular 4-5/8" Blackhawk in .44 mag. I never liked( still dont) the SBH and couldn't afford S&W.
THEN I fell for the .41 and still dont need a .44 mag where I live. I do like my 44-40 though.....

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[Winger Ed.]

If ya don't reload, I'd go with the .44 since ammo will always be easier to find, and more different kinds of it.

If you do reload, I'd go with the .44 since more molds, more j-words, and cheaper brass is available for it.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I use to love the 44, now I love the 41.

Honestly, in regards to shooting either caliber in a handgun, they are so close to the same, I can't understand how anyone could call them different, especially in regards to recoil.

The Big thing that swung my opinion to the 41, is the Rifles in that caliber.

SAAMI has different specs for 44mag Pistol and 44mag Rifle...different sized barrels, different twist rates.
Add to that, some manufacturers don't follow those specs...Back when Rossi made pistols and rifles in 44mag, they choose to use the Rifle specs on all their guns. Ruger had to go and do the opposite, they make some (or all) of their 44mag rifles to Pistol specs. I just don't like the confusion of all that.

SAAMI specs for 41mag are all the same for pistol and Rifle.

[sixshot]

The Taurus isn't a bad gun. Get a Ruger or S&W, you won't be sorry.

Dick

[CLAYPOOL]

I have a .41 tracker. It's slightly smaller and "Handier"....I have all the way to a Taraus .454"s (2) .(SP) Various and sundries Calibers and Brands also..

[Good Cheer]

The Blackhawk is just the cats meow.
In going from .357 to .41 Ruger removed metal to make it a nice handling revolver.
Not as good as a short barrel 1873 Colt chambered for 38-40 but pretty darn good.

[derek45]

GET BOTH

https://i.imgur.com/25UhqzC.jpg

[mart]

If you do much hand gunning you really need to reload so either caliber will get you what you want. If you are a part time shooter go with the 44 as mentioned. A 250 gr bullet loaded in each is pretty much a toss up, at least I've never been able to see the difference in he field, from deer, elk or bears. In the N frame S&W the 41 magnum is a better model 29! If you're shooting a single action try to go with a bisley grip frame and at least a 5.5" barrel & you can kill anything out there. No need to shoot crazy hot loads in either, a good, heavy SWC or LBT style bullet will do a lot of killing at 1000-1100 fps & be very easy to handle.

Dick

Sage advice.

The 41 Magnum doesn't give up much to the 43 Magnum and the 41 doesn't have to lie about its girth.

[megasupermagnum]

I keep it pretty simple. If a S&W N-frame, the 41 magnum is the superior cartridge. In the Ruger Redhawk/super redhawk, the 44 magnum is the better cartridge. I think the 41 magnum has a huge potential in medium size guns, although it seems we may never see them come to life. I'm still waiting for a 41 magnum GP100. The 41 magnum is a better rifle cartridge, because everything is standardized, and with a proper twist rate.

[GLynn41]

Hard not to repeat ...for normal stuff.. deer, boar, ram, targets etc.. they are two peas in a pod...as to recoil a friend had a 7.5"
Rhawk in .41 and 44. After shooting them both side by side at the same time with 22gr of H110 and 210 XTP and 24 gr H110 with 240 gr XTP. He took the 44 back and was good. So it is subjective. Shoot what you like. Currently there is more and different ammo for the .41 than ever, but it will likely never beat a .44 in that area. As to reloading here is no lack. And a 16.5" Henry .41 is the neatest little, almost tiny gun. Pair that with a 4 5/8 Blackhawk or the 6.5" it is a good combo for my swamp hunting deer. While I have a lot of different cal handguns, currently all I have are .41s by choice As I am content.

[frumplepigskin]

41 for me 657 smith, but ain't nothing wrong with 44s keep lots of them.

[TXCOONDOG]

I have narrowed my choices to a Smith 629 with 6.5” barrel and Ruger Redhawk with a 5.5” barrel.

Thoughts and comments welcome.

[Wheelguns 1961]

Check the trigger on the redhawk before you buy it. Redhawks have one spring lockwork and are very hard to make decent. I would take the smith all day long unless you intend to shoot alot of full power loads.

[TXCOONDOG]

Load would be a 240 gr SWC or WFN @ 1200-1300 fps

[onelight]

Sage advice.

The 41 Magnum doesn't give up much to the 43 Magnum and the 41 doesn't have to lie about its girth.
[smilie=l:
that was a cheap shot , we gotta do something the 480 500 guys get so cocky :-P

[Tracy]

I'll turn mart's comment around. I would choose the .44 because it's not much bigger than the .41 but brass, bullet and mold availability and selection is far greater. The same revolver will also be slightly lighter in .44 because it contains a bit less metal.
The .44 will do more than the .41 on the top end, but it's not necessary to always load it that way.

[Wild Bill 7]

I have 4 44mags(2 RBHs,RRH, Marlin lever) and only one RBH in 41 mag. For versatility the 44 is the better choice. Ready avilabe ammo and bullets where the 41 ammo is scarce and real expensive unless you reload. I really like the 41 also.

[mart]

253545

[DougGuy]

I have narrowed my choices to a Smith 629 with 6.5” barrel and Ruger Redhawk with a 5.5” barrel.

Thoughts and comments welcome.

I think the Smith might be a tad lighter, and as mentioned the trigger might be a LOT better even box stock. A 240gr anything at 1300fps will get your attention right quick like in either gun.

For shooting cast either gun would benefit from sizing cylinder throats half thou above your boolit size but that totally depends on the size when you get it. If a .431" won't go through the throats, it would be an improvement to have them honed.

I would also enjoy a smaller revolver in .41 so one of the L frame Smiths would be nifty, and you can load it like you please. After all day in the woods, I would greatly appreciate the lighter weight.

[Alstep]

About a year ago I picked up a used 44 Mag Redhawk with 5.5" barrel and really like it. Nice trigger and locks up like a vault. Never thought I'd want a .44 because, at 78, I don't need any more punishment. But the extra weight & heft of this Ruger makes shooting this thing a lot of fun. But I also load mild; 6.8 gr Unique (dandy rotor #14) Arsenal 429421 255 gr boolet. Havin a blast with it!

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you all got something connected with launching Pb.

[labradigger1]

Something the op mentioned as criteria, hunting. Not sure about your state but check your regs. Here it is a 6” minimum bbl length.
My opinion, Taurus is NOT a s&w nor a Ruger.
41 vs 44, apples to apples but 44 will do more.

[megasupermagnum]

I have narrowed my choices to a Smith 629 with 6.5” barrel and Ruger Redhawk with a 5.5” barrel.

Thoughts and comments welcome.

Realize this is only my opinion, but a S&W is not all that great in 44 magnum. I've got plenty of shooting with the model 57 (41 magnum), both with 6" and 4" barrels. I currently own a 57-1 with 4" barrel. It's a toss up between the 4" and 6". I appreciate the portability, but honestly I might like the 6" better. I do not like the longer barrels. I would think it's more rare, but I do know they made 57's in stainless.

There is nothing wrong with a 41 magnum Redhawk, but that is a gun that is perfectly suited to 44 magnum. I really like the 5.5" barrel, I like it better than the 4.2".

If you do like long barrels, do not discount the 7.5" Super Redhawk in 44 magnum either.

[Eddie Southgate]

Buy Ruger if you want a SA and Smith & Wesson for DA . Taurus may be good quality but the ones I have had my hands on were Just Good not Great . I am not a fan of the .41 or .44 magnum but push come to shove I would take the .44 Mag over the .41 simply because I can shoot my .44 specials in it and I own no .41 Special brass .

What I shoot are Ruger Flat top Blackhawks in .357 Mag, .44 Special and .45 Colt . Owned 1 M29 and couldn't get it traded off fast enough. Too much recoil , too heavy feeling , bulky . Compared to a Blackhawk the M29 is a Sumo wrestler and the Blackhawk is a Welterweight that punches like a Heavyweight .

[Ramjet-SS]

Caliber? I will pass plenty of good feedback there. My brother just purchased a Tracker hunter that gun is a really nice shooting gun very accurate. It has nice balance. Too.

[Three44s]

If it’s one choice and all around, then I would go 44 magnum.

I own two .41’s, two 44’s .....

and a 480 in a pear tree!

..... sorry, could not resist!

Three44s

[RJM52]

...since you have decided on .44 Magnum that just leaves more .41s out there for US....

As to guns... #1 consideration is grips... With a S&W there are TONS of options out there from stock to custom made... With a Redhawk there are some options but because of the size of the gripframe many are just too big. The Super Redhawk has a stud type gripframe and there are more grips available in more sizes but the gun while great for a dedicated hunter isn't much fun to lug around while out hiking...

I've owned and shot a lot of .44s from both companies and if I was just going to have one DA stainless .44 it would be a S&W 5.5" Classic. Hard to find but when you do it is worth the money.

Right now I have about 35 .41s and just one .44 left...an OM Ruger Super Blackhawk that came with two barrels...one 7.5" and a 4 5/8"...so you know where my money goes...on .41s...

Bob

[Good Cheer]

Comparing the two cartridges makes me think about Winchesters. Is a 38-40 better than a 44-40? Well, that depends on which one you just made meat with.

For me it originally came down to which revolver best suited me. I really liked the Blackhawk bored out to .41. Then I tried the .41 Redhawk and it was a total turn-off though it cut cloverleafs with the #410610 and 296. Bigger frames that are required for chambering with .44... Nope, no thanks. The recoil from the smaller framed magnum can be injurious with hot loaded heavies but it's manageable and besides, how often do I want a one handed Winchester?

[megasupermagnum]

...since you have decided on .44 Magnum that just leaves more .41s out there for US....

As to guns... #1 consideration is grips... With a S&W there are TONS of options out there from stock to custom made... With a Redhawk there are some options but because of the size of the gripframe many are just too big. The Super Redhawk has a stud type gripframe and there are more grips available in more sizes but the gun while great for a dedicated hunter isn't much fun to lug around while out hiking...

I've owned and shot a lot of .44s from both companies and if I was just going to have one DA stainless .44 it would be a S&W 5.5" Classic. Hard to find but when you do it is worth the money.

Right now I have about 45 .41s and just one .44 left...an OM Ruger Super Blackhawk that came with two barrels...one 7.5" and a 4 5/8"...so you know where my money goes...on .41s...

Bob

I've had no problems finding grips for either the S&W n frame, or Ruger Redhawk. Both have a number of grips available both from normal sources like Hogue, Pachmayer, etc. The S&W does have the distinct advantage of custom grips from Herrett. For whatever reason, Herrett's never tooled up for Ruger, and the resulting fee more than doubles the price. You can get Herrett Jordan tropper's for an N frame for around $140. The same grips for a Redhawk will run around $400, plus you need to ship the gun to them.

Honestly, I don't know if a better grip exists than the Pachmayer presentation grips. I really like my Jordan troopers, but they are no better than the Pachmayer's either. They just look better.

[RJM52]

The reason I made the comment about the Redhawk grips is due to the frame. If you have Magna grips on a S&W when you grip it naturally there is a space between the top of your middle finger and the frame...this is the space that the Tyler T-grip was invented to take up. Grip a Redhawk the same way and the middle finger is sung tight up against the frame.

With most rubber or wood replacement Redhawk grips the extra wood that is now between the middle finger and the grip frame causes the hand to ride up higher. Also if the backstrap is enclosed it makes the grip too big around for most shooters hands. This is especially disconcerting when trying to shoot double action. The stock grips on a Redhawk fit me just fine...until the loads get to the point of irritating recoil.

I have read this comment from many shooters...the favorite replacement grip seems to be the now discontinued Uncle Mike's. I was lucky enough to find a set and they are excellent. The round butt RHs are even worse. Hogue just came out with a set that fits my hand pretty well...

Don't have any of those issues with RB or SB S&Ws as the gripframe is a lot smaller than the Redhawk...

[osteodoc08]

The reality is, the 44 mag is a better choice for most people. There are more available firearms, more available components, more available everything when compared to the 41 Mag. This is coming from a 41 Afficianado.

Anything the 41 can do, the 44 can do and vice versa in the real world.