41 Special

[TurnipEaterDown]

Anyone here have experience with the 41 Special round in a small/midsize revolver?
I know single actions can be done on Ruger Single Six, and SA / DA on mid size frames such as those for 38 Spl / 357.

Looking for conversation on what you have, who may have done the work, loads, velocities, quirks your dislike(s), and ... etc.

Years ago I had thought about this cartridge and small frame gun, never did one, and wondering if I should look at the whole thing again.
Looking at retirement in the not too far away future, and maybe a fun gift for myself.

Single Six, birds head grip, maybe in spalted maple or black & while ebony, 5 inch barrel, 190 gr-ish bullet, 1000 fps, seems kind of nice to me...

[shooting on a shoestring]

Crickets….
Yep 41 Magnum has a small following and 41 Special is a tiny fraction of that.

But…what you’re talking here is not about something that is popular with others, it’s something “Special” to you. I think you’d better do it. Get it while you can and enjoy it while you can.

It’ll cost money but, after you’ve paid it, you’ll get over it and you’ll still have a super cool revolver to enjoy the rest of your shooting career. If you’d have bought it earlier it would have been a better bargain bc you’d have enjoyed it longer.

When retirement hits you may not be able to afford it, or just as bad, feel like you can’t. If it’s on your bucket list kick it off soon as you can!

[Uncle Grinch]

I’m a big fan of the 41 Mag and have always expressed an interest in its “baby brother”, the 41 Special. I think it makes sense, just like the 38 Spl/357 Mag and the 44 Spl/44 Mag combination.

It’s been a few years but I actually handled a 41 Special that was built on a 5 shot Ruger Service Six. Only bad part of it was the price… it was way out of my budget.

[Pereira]

No kind of special gun, but I do have a fair amount of brass though.
I was shootin out of my Blackhawk.

RP

[gwpercle]

I have also been a big 41 Magnum fan . I do mostly paper target and tin can shooting with what is now 41 "Special" loads in 41 magnum cases .
I find 200-220 gr. boolits at 750 to 900 fps Quite effective and pleasant to shoot .
I only have a S&W model 58 , 41 Magnum (my avatar) but a 5 shot revolver in 41 Special would be an interesting concept .
At one time Taurus made a 5 shot 41 Magnum ... the model 415 ... I didn't buy one because I had a model 455 , 5 shot 45 acp and I couldnt fathom shooting a 41 magnum out of that ported 2" barrel ...the magnum is a handful even in a N-Frame S&W w/ 4" bbl. but a 41 Special ...that's a horse of a different color .
Taurus no longer makes the 415 or 455 dang it !
The 415 , 5 shot revolver might be a good candidate for the project ... I love my 455 , 5-shot 45 acp , it's a neat compact revolver .
Gary

[rintinglen]

I'm no 41 fan, but an acquaintance of mine in Arizona had a Taurus 415. IIRC, it was a 2+" bbl 5 shot, about the size of an sp101 Ruger. My aged wrists shudder to think of firing such a thing now, but back about 15 years ago I was intrigued by the concept and looked for one, but there were none to be had in California. Perhaps just as well, the 44 Charter Arms is more than I care to shoot, these days.

[TurnipEaterDown]

Thanks for the responses so far (particularly from Glen, Gary, Grinch, Shoestring), eager to hear from any others as well who might have, or have had, a 41 Special.

I have a collectable car to sell, and thinking that some of the return could be siphoned off... :)
Finding parts for 52 year old Oldsmobiles (that are modified) is worse than finding large rifle primers, and it isn't temporary... So, a custom gun would be much better for me!

[rkrcpa]

I had a mid frame Flat top Blackhawk converted 41, 41 specials loaded with a 220gr 410459 are a perfect fit.

If I were to do another one I would want a GP100 or L frame S&W. I don't think a K frame would hold the pressure.

Several gunsmiths do the mods, I used Andy Horvath for my Blackhawk.

[Good Cheer]

Hey there TurnipEater. I just load magnum cases at lower power levels and enjoy the Charter Arms .41.

[TurnipEaterDown]

I had a mid frame Flat top Blackhawk converted 41, 41 specials loaded with a 220gr 410459 are a perfect fit.

If I were to do another one I would want a GP100 or L frame S&W. I don't think a K frame would hold the pressure.

Several gunsmiths do the mods, I used Andy Horvath for my Blackhawk.

Thanks rkrcpa for the lead on Andy Horvath. Think I do remember his name from some Taffin articles. Found some photos, and they sure do look nice.
I get my vehicle peddled, I may well give him a call. I see he has no website. The nice thing is that northern Ohio is right next door.

I do have the thought that a 41 Spl 5 shot built on a single six would be nice. (CF, it seems that the RF to CF conversion is not supported by Bowen. I see they were offered on 32 H&R through Liseys w/ Bisley grip.)

I suppose many might cringe at the thought of getting something like a Lipsey gun and using it just as a basis, but I remember hunting up a Ruger SRM 25 years ago that was little fired to send off to Linebaugh. Few original parts came back in the gun - many were in a box. The finished product folded a Bison quite nicely, is a good memory, and both kids asked multiple times over the years about '...the one with the white grip...".
I'd like to have something as special, which can be shot much more often.

[35 Rem]

Funny this would come up as I was just noticing recently that Taylor & Company offers 41 Colt cylinders and barrels as spare parts for their midsize Colt single action clones. I have one with the 5.5 inch barrel in 38 Special and was thinking how fun it would be to have one like it in 41 Colt. The 41 Special case is about .020 longer than 41 Colt though so the cylinders would have to be reamed - assuming the cylinder is long enough - to make it a Special. I'd think it would be just as fun as a 41 Colt once you get a lifetime stash of brass on hand that is.

https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/uberti-stallion-revolver-parts.html

[Tall]

I used to have a S&W 41 Magnum. Got rid of it because the 44 Magnum did everything it could and more.

[missionary5155]

We sort of did the opposite with our 44 mag... sold it as we went gradually with the 41 mag and 45 Colt.
The Dan Wesson 41 Mag sure got our attention with that Caliber. Still the most accurate revolver we have owned made by a factory. 40 years and still shooting accurately any load we desire to stuff into those well aligned chambers.

[missionary5155]

Oh yea... this is about the 41 Special.
You can load most any .411+ projectile in the regular mag brass. RB up to 325 (or so) can be accurately powered down range from 600 fps to whatever feels good. And a 300 grain (range scrap) FN chugging along at 650 fps will go through alot of critter ribs and fresh. Wack them in the shoulders and the snap, crackle & pop puts them DRT.
So we have a couple .41 5 shot and all sorts of 6 shots that get fed light weight and heavies moved along at moderate velocities.
The Ruger gp100 is one we bought. Far to heavy for 41 carry but makes a good one for hauling in a kayak and encouraging large dogs that me in the low floater are not their new toy. May yet see an inquisitive large cat that leaves pug marks on the sand bars that the green suiters deny exist.
The Taurus Titanium Tracker makes a nice 41 Mag to shoot Special velocity propelled rounds from mag brass. Have no regrets for buying every one of those 5 shot Titaniums we found being sold used in whatever caliber. Owners fired store bought Heavy Mag loads at ear splitting velocities and promptly moved on.

[dverna]

It is a shame the .41 cals. never really took off. I toyed with going to them a few years ago. It did not make sense in the end. Thousands of .38/.357 brass, 10's of thousands of SPP's, and ten's of thousands of bullets along with a few molds. Plus 7 weapons at the time in .38/.357. I do not hunt big game with a revolver or carry a revolver for SD so my "needs" killed my "wants". Plus I had .44 Mags at the time...but they are all gone now.

It does not have to "make sense" if you want something badly enough and can afford it. Shooting on a Shoe String makes a good point. Buy it while you can enjoy it.

IMO, I doubt there will be any challenges in finding a good load.

Have fun with it!!!

[shooting on a shoestring]

Love thread drift. It’s fun.

But, re-focusing here, the OP is looking to have a custom revolver built to commemorate getting to retirement.
As a Caster and Self-Loader, he’s not limited to standard calibers.
The only thing I see as a negative to 41 Special is that it’s not a commercially available caliber. Not his problem.

I shoot revolvers chambered in calibers of performance level similar to 41 Special. My revolvers are in 38-40, 10mm/40 S&W and 44 Special. That’s a very useful and fun performance level. But it’s not commercially viable because MOST people buy magnums instead of specials. The OP is not most people.

The point of having a custom gun built is to satisfy only ONE guy. The guy paying the money. He has his heart set on small frame 41 Special and I seriously hope he gets it. It would be super cool!

I’ll bet he already knows there’s only 0.019” diameter difference in 41 and 44 Special. And he could, maybe even has, down loaded the magnums to Special levels. No doubt that’s the cheapest way to get there. A S&W Model 69 down loaded comes close to what he’s wanting…except for being custom, having a glorious finish, having pretty grips, having sights to his liking and the 69 has the Hilary hole and MIM parts.

And if this custom project can help him get out from under an Oldsmobile, I hope he does it!
Now please excuse me while I go get in my Ford and go to work.

[Good Cheer]

Passing thought, to make .41 Specials you just need a boolit design that seats deeper into the .41 Magnum cases. That's easy. But it won't make a revolver like a six shot .357 converted into a five shot .41.

I'd love to have one. Instead I have a .41 caliber percussion revolver, a 1858 Remington reworked by John Taylor to use my .41 caliber molds and that's pretty darn special to me.

[Anchorite]

I suppose one could just shoot Special loads in magnum brass as Special brass is …… ?

This is one of those rounds…… a solution in search of a problem.

[Pereira]

I suppose one could just shoot Special loads in magnum brass as Special brass is …… ?

This is one of those rounds…… a solution in search of a problem.

I have some they came from Starline years ago.
Think I ordered 250, I've given some away.
Still have some, none of which was ever shot over twice.
I just played a min.and was done. They've been just sittin on the shelf for some years now.
I'm more into a heavy cast 41's now, shootin 280's and such.

RP

[rkrcpa]

The advantage of the 41 special lies in the fact it will fit in a smaller revolvers than currently produced 41 magnums with little reduction of the velocities attainable. If you are looking to launch big bullets at higher velocities the medium frame is not your friend,.But, if you stick to bullets of 220gr or less and velocities of 1000fps or less the 1 special may just be the ticket.

[Ed K]

I do my own revolver work so I have never farmed any of that out. I do have a friend that was making barrels for TC’s. He made me an Encore barrel based on 307 Winchester brass. I liked that it had a rim so we went on to blow it out to improved style and then put a radiused shoulder/neck on. It doesn’t do a whole lot that a regular 308 wouldn’t do already but the wildcat has my name on it and there is nostalgia in memories of working it out together.

Good luck on your project. I think it’s nice to do things like this for yourself. It does not have to be justified as practical.

[RJM52]

The two best off the shelf .41 Specials are the Freedom Arms 97 and the no longer produced Taurus Tracker series... Even though both are chambered for .41 Magnum, their cylinders are significantly shorter than all other .41s and makes using Special brass better for overall length with long bullets and since these guns are smaller, reducing the recoil over full Magnum loads makes them much easier to shoot well...

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/120929.jpg

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/126251.jpg

.41 Special with Accurate 41-215V
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/126252.jpg


Another way to go is with a Colt SAA size gun...

Uberti Cattleman converted by Jack Huntington...

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/gallery/80/full/85603.jpg

Using Unique in .41 Special brass just drop down 1.0 grains for whatever the Magnum loading is for +- the same velocity

Bob

[cherokeetracker]

well you have had a lot of good suggestions and advice. I might as well throw my 2 cents in. I shoot a 41 special. I took a mid frame 357 and had a new heavy barrel put on and the cylinder reamed. The special is just that. It can kill deer and hogs and anything smaller all day. The problem you will run into is the bullet selection. If,,,, You choose to go with a smaller pistol. That was my whole point in going with the special bore length with the cylinder. I could have gone all the way to the magnum length, but did not want to. You already know that you have a nice selection on the smaller pistols. Depending upon what you want to spend. But if I go to the 41 mag then I am going all the way. By that I mean I will buy a Freedom Arms in model 83 with a 10" barrel. I can then shoot 250gr cast or whatever else I might want. I would not hesitate to take it to Africa. I am fine with shooting the smaller lighter bullets out of my special. Lets talk velocity here just for a moment. This has been hit on before on this forum. Good powders to choose from and a higher priced one is the Vihtavouri N105 it will get you plenty good velocity without excessive pressure. Bullets can be powered by less expensive powders too. Last year only had time for 1 hunt. Shot the deer with my 500 JRH. The year before 2 deer with the 41 sp using Barnes bullet and Enforcer powered them exceptionally well. (accuracy wise as well as terminal) Shot a third deer with my cast bullets that I either bought or someone sold or gave them to me since I don't have room to cast. I plan to shoot another deer with my 41 sp and cast this coming season. Might even try the 170gr Sierra too. Gary Reeder told me that it was one of his faves, and gave me the load data. The 41 Sp is not lacking in any way shape or form. I takes no back seat to its big brother the 41 mag. under 100yds. I really enjoy carrying my lighter smaller pistol when hunting. Even with a smaller pistol, there is still little recoil. If you get Jack Huntington or one of the top smiths to build you a gun then make it like YOU want.

[cherokeetracker]

Oh and remember,,, My Ruger 357 converted to 41 Sp will handle the same pressure as the 41 magnum.

[cherokeetracker]

RJM52 Those 2 FA 97s are some nice packing pistols. WOW

[TurnipEaterDown]

Thanks for the additional comments RJM52 & Cherokeetracker. Much appreciated.

[ddixie884]

My post in this thread disappeared. I didn't say much except that my .41spl was a S&W 686 and I forgot to say it is a 6 shot on a .41 frame. It is in my avatar.318220318221318222318223318224

David Clements did mine but he is now retired. I also have a coupla more on 357 three screw Ruger single actions and a Colt New Frontier. Allan Harton did the New Frontier on a .357 donor. He is in Houston and is also getting on in years. I think he would be a good pistolsmith to talk to about a single six conversion.

Tap twice on the pics to make them larger.

[RJM52]

If anyone here is Mr. .41 Special it is dixie... He put the money up for the first run of .41 Special brass that Starline made many years before they standardized it and paid for the headstamp...

[lar45]

I need to have one built. Just need to decide on a platform.

[Wayne Smith]

Funny this would come up as I was just noticing recently that Taylor & Company offers 41 Colt cylinders and barrels as spare parts for their midsize Colt single action clones. I have one with the 5.5 inch barrel in 38 Special and was thinking how fun it would be to have one like it in 41 Colt. The 41 Special case is about .020 longer than 41 Special though so the cylinders would have to be reamed - assuming the cylinder is long enough - to make it a Special. I'd think it would be just as fun as a 41 Colt once you get a lifetime stash of brass on hand that is.

https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/uberti-stallion-revolver-parts.html

I have the Uberti 41 Colt and the cylinder is bored though. I load a 200gr heeled boolit that has the same outside diameter as the case.

[ddixie884]

Be aware if you decide to have one done on a Single Six that it must be done on an old model with the three screw four click lock work. The transfer bar cut out means you can’t enlarge the loading gate cut out enough for the 41 in the new model. That means you have to have a rim fire to centerfire conversion Done and this gun will probably cost at least $3500.00. They do make a nice conversion but a man would be better off with an M 97 like BOB. This is all JMHO-YMMV..................

[TurnipEaterDown]

Be aware if you decide to have one done on a Single Six that it must be done on an old model with the three screw four click lock work. The transfer bar cut out means you can’t enlarge the loading gate cut out enough for the 41 in the new model. That means you have to have a rim fire to centerfire conversion Don and this gun will probably cost at least $3500.00. They do make a nice conversion but a man would be better off with an M 97 like BOB.

Thanks for the detail on that Gary (ddixie884). I did see the Bowen website states that they will not do the RF to CF conversion, and with your comments, that explains a lot.

Different in character - but I do see that S&W made an Airlight in 41 magnum also. Know this only because I saw one on auction. Would still be light, and could use as a Special.
Would be likely difficult to find when I have the funds in hand -- seems this is a bad time to sell modified collectable vehicles...
Last year my other unmodified vehicle was snapped up, and had questions on '...the other one in the garage...' but not this year.

[RJM52]

Had both the 357 PD and 357 NG...did not care for either of them even shooting 950 fps loads. Also both of them have a flashgap protector that needs replacing every several hundred rounds...no thanks...

The posted above 4" Taurus Titanium Tracker outshot the 4" PD DA with the same loads. Sold off both Airlites and kept the 4" Tracker as well as a 6" and a stainless 4". Still looking for a 2" Titanium but they are scarce and expensive...

No personal experience with the Single-Six conversion but I have read that one must use loads that are not too warm...

[Jtarm]

Dave Clements used to convert L-frames or GP100s to .41 Special, but I heard he retired.

[ddixie884]

Bob, do you have a picture of a 97 and a Single Six for comparison. I saw such a picture once and as I remember the cylinder was a little larger but it seemed to me that they were very similar in size. Of course I have been wrong before and my memory aint what it once was...........

[35 Rem]

I have the Uberti 41 Colt and the cylinder is bored though. I load a 200gr heeled boolit that has the same outside diameter as the case.

That is an important detail! I did not realize the 41 Colt used a heeled bullet.

[gwpercle]

My post in this thread disappeared. I didn't say much except that my .41spl was a S&W 686 and I forgot to say it is a 6 shot on a .41 frame. It is in my avatar.318220318221318222318223318224

David Clements did mine but he is now retired. I also have a coupla more on 357 three screw Ruger single actions and a Colt New Frontier. Allan Harton did the New Frontier on a .357 donor. He is in Houston and is also getting on in years. I think he would be a good pistolsmith to talk to about a single six conversion.

Tap twice on the pics to make them larger.

Really Nice Revolvers !
Thanks For Posting ,
Gary

[Paul105]

Bob, do you have a picture of a 97 and a Single Six for comparison. I saw such a picture once and as I remember the cylinder was a little larger but it seemed to me that they were very similar in size. Of course I have been wrong before and my memory aint what it once was...........

Not Bob, but here's a pic of FA M97 & Ruger Single Six. Not a very good pict for comparison purposes.

https://photos.imageevent.com/paul105/hobby/SA%20resized%20thumbnail_IMG_6377.jpg

Here's a pict of both Taurus Ti and Charter Arms
.
https://photos.imageevent.com/paul105/hobby/Taurus%20TI%2041%20Mag%20NO%20SER%20NO%20thumbnail _IMG_4465.jpg
.
https://photos.imageevent.com/paul105/hobby/thumbnail_IMG_4123.jpg

[lar45]

Could a 41 special be built on a SP101?

[RJM52]

Dixie...no I do not and am glad someone posted one. The 97 is about halfway in-between a Single Six and a midframe Flat Top...

Finally found a TiSnubbie for a reasonable price. Should be in next week...

...and no, I don't think a SP101 could be chambered in .41...but maybe it would be possible with enough money...

[Lloyd Smale]

Anyone here have experience with the 41 Special round in a small/midsize revolver?
I know single actions can be done on Ruger Single Six, and SA / DA on mid size frames such as those for 38 Spl / 357.

Looking for conversation on what you have, who may have done the work, loads, velocities, quirks your dislike(s), and ... etc.

Years ago I had thought about this cartridge and small frame gun, never did one, and wondering if I should look at the whole thing again.
Looking at retirement in the not too far away future, and maybe a fun gift for myself.

Single Six, birds head grip, maybe in spalted maple or black & while ebony, 5 inch barrel, 190 gr-ish bullet, 1000 fps, seems kind of nice to me...

i had gallager build me a 5 shot single six on a stainless single six. i think i owned it about a year and had it at the buddys house shooting one day when the Quinn's (gunblast.com) were up visiting for a week. Boge quinn talked me out of it on a trade for something and i dont even remember what. honestly ive never been a big fan of the 41 mag either. make mine a 44 or 45

[GregP42]

I have always been a .41 mag fan, I have 2 Rugers, 2 S&W, an original T/C Contender, and a Taurus 415. The 415 is my daily carry with .41 special loads in it. Starline made a run of .41 special brass a few years back, and I think they still have some.

Greg

[TurnipEaterDown]

Wanted to say "Thank You" for the multiple response on the question I put forth. Appreciated.