.41 Mag Fans?

[Combat Diver]

Any .41 Remington Magnum fans here and has anyone handled the new Smith & Wesson Classic M57/58s?

I cut my my teeth reloading for my uncles Smith m57, 8 3/8" and then I bought my own M57 6" blued.  This was followed by a M657 6" worked over by Jim Clark, a 6.5" M657 Classic Hunter, M58 4" blue, M57 4" blue.  Then came a Marlin 1894S 20" and a 14" TC Contender barrel.  Currently have the TC, Marlin and M58 still.  I've hunted the the .41 but deer just don't come within range at the time.  But, have gotten a few grey squirrels with the Marlin.





I've handled the Smith M357 PD a few months ago and it would be a great trail gun along with a M357 Night Guardian (would prefer a 3" over the 2.5" for full extraction).  I also cast my own bullets and have a Lee 195 gr LSWC and a 215 gr LWSC molds.  One of these days I'll get a heavier 250-265gr mould.

CD

[Walkeraviator]

My dream wheel gun is a registered .41 magnum.  Smith registered magsare just so damn expensive and then to convert it would be just wrong.  So... no dice

[Hazcat]

Walker,  What ya mean by 'registered'?  I know ya don't mean 'with the state'

[tombogan03884]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_27

The Smith & Wesson (S&W) Model 27 is the original .357 Magnum revolver and was first produced in 1935; production ceased in the 1990s. The Model 27 was built on Smith and Wesson's carbon steel, large N-frame, was available at various times with 3 1/2", 4", 5", 6" or 8 3/8" barrel lengths and had adjustable sights.

When first introduced by Smith and Wesson in 1935 it was known as the .357 magnum Registered Magnum. The model was essentially a custom order revolver. Barrel lengths could be had in quarter inch increments from 3.5" to 8.75" in length. In addition to the different length of barrels available there were different grips, front sites, triggers, hammers and finishes available. Each Registered Magnum came with a certificate of authenticity.

Even though it was introduced in the middle of the Great Depression, and was extremely expensive, Smith and Wesson found itself backlogged with orders for the four years that it produced the Registered Magnum. The Kansas City Police Department issued the Registered Magnum to its officers and many other law enforcement officers across the United States carried the Registered Magnum. In 1939 S&W stopped producing the Registered Magnum. It was replaced with the .357 Magnum. The .357 magnum was available with barrels lengths of 3.5", 5", 6.5" and 8.75". It has been reported that these were the most popular barrel lengths for the Registered Magnum. Essentially the .357 magnum (the ancestor of the Model 27) was still the Registered Magnum, but standardized for ease of production and economy.

It was noted for its durability and reliability. The 3 1/2" barrel length was extremely popular with FBI agents in the 1940s through the 1960s. Skeeter Skelton considered the Model 27 with a 5" barrel as the best all around handgun. General George Patton carried an ivory handled Model 27 with a 3 1/2 inch barrel (along with his ivory handled Colt Peacemaker); Patton called the Model 27 his "killing gun."[1]

Smith Wesson also built a series of medium K- and L-frame .357s; notably the Smith & Wesson Model 19, Smith & Wesson Model 66 and the Smith & Wesson Model 686. During the 1990s, S&W developed some J-frame .357s such as the Smith & Wesson Model 640.

The Model 27 was replaced in the late 1990s by the eight-shot, stainless steel Smith & Wesson Model 627.

[edit] References

[Hazcat]

Thanks, Tom.

[Sponsor]

[m25operator]

I do like my 4" 57, it is my hunting back up pistol, pinned barrel and recessed cyliinders, with the excellent blue S&W used to provide. Just got some 265 gr gas check lead bullets to load up but have not yet. Mine likes lead bullets, almost any lead bullet makes it shoot like a match pistol, jacketed no so much, acceptable, but not great.

[tommy tornado]

I eventually want to buy a Blackhawk Hunter in .41 mag.  They are pretty sweet.

[Kid Shelleen]

Walker,  What ya mean by 'registered'?  I know ya don't mean 'with the state'

Haz,
Your question about the Registered Magnum reminded me about a 2 part show on the American Rifleman where they listed their Top Ten handguns of all time (#10 Registered Magnum). I am posting the list in Handguns under the heading American Rifleman's Top Ten Handguns.