.357, .41, .44 Magnums: Got them all together now!

pythagorean · June 15, 2010, 06:45 AM

Over years since the 70's I've had one or two of the "Big Three" but never all at once.
Ideally they'd all be each in the SW N Frame but in my case I ended up with these as of yesterday:
1. 27-2 6" Blue
2. New Model Blackhawk .41 6.5"
3. 29-2 6" Nickel

Each in original box/presentation case, paperwork, tools, and unfired upon my purchase.

I've had the 29-2 for a couple of years now and yes it has been fired. The other two are to be picked up today after ATF waiting period.

I had committed to a Colt Talo Royal Stainless Gold Cup National Match, where the 27-2 was also on consignment, along with an interesting 3 screw Super Blackhawk with a lot of holster wear.

Yesterday I switched the Talo out for the consignment 27-2, which I had looked over for 15 minutes before seeing the Talo.

I had taken off the grip to see the date stamped on the 27-2: March 1980--the same date on the grip of my 29-2.

Usually I try to talk myself out of buying used but when the "used" gun appears brand new and unfired the stakes go really high for me!

What was nice is after I shelled out the cash there was no tax, and I found out the owner was a widow who had said she wanted the 27-2 to go to "someone who would appreciate it."

The .41 was or is going to be shipped by Cabelas across the state line so whether I get that today with the 27-2 is iffy.

My first handgun was the Super Blackhawk 7.5" (New Model in Red and White Box) in college days (the 70s). You'd think a youngster would be better off starting with a .22 or .357 but that wasn't the way it worked out for me.

I had shot as my first handgun someone's 29-2 in 6.5" at a huge boulder 100 yards distant while a Sophomore in high school. At that time the blast of that handgun was deafening, shocking; along with the recoil (yes I had hearing protection on), but it shot like a HIGH POWERED RIFLE at that granite boulder!

Now we have the .454 and all the others bigger than the "most powerful handgun in the world" but when it is a handgun I believe the .44 Magnum is still a Classic King capable of 99% of what any other handgun (or hand rifle) can be used for.

In the .357 I've had more than the .44, especially the .41, and that is because it is versatile, easily manageable, accurate, powerful enough, popular, historic, and all other we can think of or remember.

Reloading the .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk was my first handgun cartridge reloading experience. That Super Blackhawk had an action job, red ramp front insert and rear white outline sight installed by a gunsmith/shop owner in Carson City, Nevada. My usual reloads were two; the Sierra 180 gr JHP and the 250 grain Keith style lead semi wadcutter over 2400 powder. Both loads would do within 2.5" at 25 yards using a pillow to rest the double hand hold on the Super. I ruined a pillow case cover doing that with flame burns!

In the .357s I especially liked the Remington 125 semi jacketed hollow points from the factory. I compared them with the vaunted 158 grainers from the same factory and found the 125s to be significantly louder, more penetrative in wood, and more accurate. I could never understand why the majority felt the heaviest load at around 1200 something f.p.s. was better than the 125s going over 1500 f.p.s., but I suppose someone will continue to argue that to this day saying it "penetrates deeper" due to sectional density. Not in my tests.

In the .41 I had two--an embarrassing low number considering the number of .357s and .44s I've owned over the years. The first was a 6" Blue SW57 and the second the SW 4" 58. As an "in between" it never seemed to excite me as much as either the .357 or .44.

But times have changed. Nostalgia has really bitten me and the memories of my first handgun and reloading for it make me excited about the Blackhawk in .41; NIB in the Red and White Box from the 70's.

Looking for .41 ammo is an interesting assignment. All I found so far are two boxes of 20 in Federal Fusion 210gr. I looked up the stuff and found out it is supposed to be some sort of hyper modern deer killing ammunition. I justified the expense by thinking I'll just reload the cases.

So, here we are in 2010 and I finally have a full line up of the Big Three, .357, .41, and .44--and nothing coming along since they've been introduced matters to me a whit in a magnum revolver!

2damnold4this · June 15, 2010, 07:35 AM

Congrats : )

Don P · June 15, 2010, 07:48 AM

Don't mean squat without pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets see em!!!!!!!!

pythagorean · June 15, 2010, 07:55 AM

I'll picture all three together when they are all here. I am waiting the arrival of the .41 from another border state.
In the meanwhile here is the 29-2:

I like to show off the old style spurred hammer for effect....

22-rimfire · June 15, 2010, 12:51 PM

Sounds good. I pretty much have dropped my interest in 44 mags in favor of the 41 mag. It could have just as easily been the other way around. You do probably need to find an N-frame Smith to complete the set.

Webleymkv · June 15, 2010, 01:14 PM

If you want a S&W .41, Bud's Gun Shop has new M57 Mountain Guns in stock right now for $610.

Doodlebugger45 · June 15, 2010, 01:25 PM

Good job. But I fear your collection will continue to grow. I have all the aforementioned calibers in both SA and DA variants. But as my lust for the sheer power intensified, I found that the 44 mag did not satisfy my desires. Just wait until you experience the feel of a 454 or better yet a 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh in your hand. I have not yet succumbed to the allure of the 460 or 500 mags, but I have no doubt that I'll have to have those as well. So will you. Alas, you have the addiction.

srsmith · June 15, 2010, 06:18 PM

Now all you need is a Model 25 in 45 Colt !

Be safe and have fun !
-steve

pythagorean · June 16, 2010, 08:49 PM

Fired the 27-2 today. UMC 125 gr JSPs and an interesting but expensive load made by Wincheser: .38 Special 150 gr Lead Semi Wadcutters (X38WCPSV).
Both grouped very well staying inside a 2 inch circle at 15 yards offhand (double hand hold). When I got the 27-2 I noticed the rear sights were dialed all the way down and knew ahead of time the gun would most certainly shoot low. So last night I screwed UP the rear sight to a level that matched the top of the front sight above the bore axis. I did a good job as I did not need to adjust the sights at all on the range for elevation or windage!
The trigger on this 27-2 is crisper and lighter than any other N Frame I've owned with the exception of a couple of .44 Magnums. However, this trigger equals the fine trigger on my 29-2. That goes a LONG way to making precise shots.

I started with the 125 gr .357s. Wow. I had forgotten how powerful this load is and you see me posting here and there about my belief the 125 gr load is more powerful than the 158 gr load. The UMCs are HOT! They group a bit lower than the .38s did as I found out later.

The Winchester 150 gr SWC lead load is also a HOT .38 load. Very accurate. I was almost expecting noise akin to the target wadcutters but no way. They were also loud and they did impart some kick to the N Frame as well!

The action in Double and Single of the 27-2 had a tight spot on one cylinder before firing. After firing 50 or so rounds that went away into smoothness.

I found the 27-2 to be equal to the outstanding accuracy of another 27-2 I had for many years back in the 80s. It had an 8 & 3/8" barrel, blue, and made in the same year or a year earlier (79 or 80).

Cleaning was a breeze. No fouling, no leading. Just some Hoppe's #9 followed by Hoppe's lubricant.

I am still awaiting the arrival of the Blackhawk in .41, but now that I have my sighting and testing done with the 27-2 I feel kinda lucky to have come across it so accidentally.

pythagorean · June 19, 2010, 05:48 PM

In the case of the .41 Magnum I picked it up today. Serial number review shows it was shipped out of the factory in 1979. Grease was still in the barrel and chambers. Some minor superficial rust that wiped off easily in some of the action areas. All together essentially a brand new 1979 handgun. Cylinder to barrel gap is the smallest--so close daylight on white paper barely passes through the gap. Cylinder face does not turn and scuff against barrel. Trigger is about 5 pounds without any mush--a surprise because most times the Blackhawk series has a bit of mush in the trigger pull.
Now all that remains is to shoot it. Probably on Monday or Tuesday I'll do that.
Sights still click up or down but the side screw for windage requires me to dig out a jeweler's screwdriver. In the meantime I'll let a little oil soak in there.
The firing pin was slightly stuck and some oil there put it back into operation. Now the pin comes through the frame visibly to hit the primer.

June 15, 2010, 06:45 AM	#1
pythagorean Junior member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 970	.357, .41, .44 Magnums: Got them all together now! Over years since the 70's I've had one or two of the "Big Three" but never all at once. Ideally they'd all be each in the SW N Frame but in my case I ended up with these as of yesterday: 1. 27-2 6" Blue 2. New Model Blackhawk .41 6.5" 3. 29-2 6" Nickel Each in original box/presentation case, paperwork, tools, and unfired upon my purchase. I've had the 29-2 for a couple of years now and yes it has been fired. The other two are to be picked up today after ATF waiting period. I had committed to a Colt Talo Royal Stainless Gold Cup National Match, where the 27-2 was also on consignment, along with an interesting 3 screw Super Blackhawk with a lot of holster wear. Yesterday I switched the Talo out for the consignment 27-2, which I had looked over for 15 minutes before seeing the Talo. I had taken off the grip to see the date stamped on the 27-2: March 1980--the same date on the grip of my 29-2. Usually I try to talk myself out of buying used but when the "used" gun appears brand new and unfired the stakes go really high for me! What was nice is after I shelled out the cash there was no tax, and I found out the owner was a widow who had said she wanted the 27-2 to go to "someone who would appreciate it." The .41 was or is going to be shipped by Cabelas across the state line so whether I get that today with the 27-2 is iffy. My first handgun was the Super Blackhawk 7.5" (New Model in Red and White Box) in college days (the 70s). You'd think a youngster would be better off starting with a .22 or .357 but that wasn't the way it worked out for me. I had shot as my first handgun someone's 29-2 in 6.5" at a huge boulder 100 yards distant while a Sophomore in high school. At that time the blast of that handgun was deafening, shocking; along with the recoil (yes I had hearing protection on), but it shot like a HIGH POWERED RIFLE at that granite boulder! Now we have the .454 and all the others bigger than the "most powerful handgun in the world" but when it is a handgun I believe the .44 Magnum is still a Classic King capable of 99% of what any other handgun (or hand rifle) can be used for. In the .357 I've had more than the .44, especially the .41, and that is because it is versatile, easily manageable, accurate, powerful enough, popular, historic, and all other we can think of or remember. Reloading the .44 Magnum Super Blackhawk was my first handgun cartridge reloading experience. That Super Blackhawk had an action job, red ramp front insert and rear white outline sight installed by a gunsmith/shop owner in Carson City, Nevada. My usual reloads were two; the Sierra 180 gr JHP and the 250 grain Keith style lead semi wadcutter over 2400 powder. Both loads would do within 2.5" at 25 yards using a pillow to rest the double hand hold on the Super. I ruined a pillow case cover doing that with flame burns! In the .357s I especially liked the Remington 125 semi jacketed hollow points from the factory. I compared them with the vaunted 158 grainers from the same factory and found the 125s to be significantly louder, more penetrative in wood, and more accurate. I could never understand why the majority felt the heaviest load at around 1200 something f.p.s. was better than the 125s going over 1500 f.p.s., but I suppose someone will continue to argue that to this day saying it "penetrates deeper" due to sectional density. Not in my tests. In the .41 I had two--an embarrassing low number considering the number of .357s and .44s I've owned over the years. The first was a 6" Blue SW57 and the second the SW 4" 58. As an "in between" it never seemed to excite me as much as either the .357 or .44. But times have changed. Nostalgia has really bitten me and the memories of my first handgun and reloading for it make me excited about the Blackhawk in .41; NIB in the Red and White Box from the 70's. Looking for .41 ammo is an interesting assignment. All I found so far are two boxes of 20 in Federal Fusion 210gr. I looked up the stuff and found out it is supposed to be some sort of hyper modern deer killing ammunition. I justified the expense by thinking I'll just reload the cases. So, here we are in 2010 and I finally have a full line up of the Big Three, .357, .41, and .44--and nothing coming along since they've been introduced matters to me a whit in a magnum revolver! Last edited by pythagorean; June 15, 2010 at 06:51 AM.

June 15, 2010, 07:48 AM	#3
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: East Central Florida Posts: 4,414	Don't mean squat without pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets see em!!!!!!!! __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Range Safety Officer, IDPA Safety Officer* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

June 15, 2010, 01:14 PM	#6
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,498	If you want a S&W .41, Bud's Gun Shop has new M57 Mountain Guns in stock right now for $610. __________________ Smith, and Wesson, and Me. -H. Callahan Well waddaya know, one buwwet weft! -E. Fudd All bad precedents begin as justifiable measures. -J. Caesar

June 15, 2010, 07:35 AM	#2
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 1,038	Congrats : )

June 15, 2010, 07:55 AM	#4
pythagorean Junior member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 970	I'll picture all three together when they are all here. I am waiting the arrival of the .41 from another border state. In the meanwhile here is the 29-2: I like to show off the old style spurred hammer for effect....

June 15, 2010, 12:51 PM	#5
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 4,386	Sounds good. I pretty much have dropped my interest in 44 mags in favor of the 41 mag. It could have just as easily been the other way around. You do probably need to find an N-frame Smith to complete the set.

June 15, 2010, 01:25 PM	#7
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	Good job. But I fear your collection will continue to grow. I have all the aforementioned calibers in both SA and DA variants. But as my lust for the sheer power intensified, I found that the 44 mag did not satisfy my desires. Just wait until you experience the feel of a 454 or better yet a 480 Ruger or 475 Linebaugh in your hand. I have not yet succumbed to the allure of the 460 or 500 mags, but I have no doubt that I'll have to have those as well. So will you. Alas, you have the addiction.

June 15, 2010, 06:18 PM	#8
srsmith Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 36	Now all you need is a Model 25 in 45 Colt ! Be safe and have fun ! -steve

June 16, 2010, 08:49 PM	#9
pythagorean Junior member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 970	Fired the 27-2 today. UMC 125 gr JSPs and an interesting but expensive load made by Wincheser: .38 Special 150 gr Lead Semi Wadcutters (X38WCPSV). Both grouped very well staying inside a 2 inch circle at 15 yards offhand (double hand hold). When I got the 27-2 I noticed the rear sights were dialed all the way down and knew ahead of time the gun would most certainly shoot low. So last night I screwed UP the rear sight to a level that matched the top of the front sight above the bore axis. I did a good job as I did not need to adjust the sights at all on the range for elevation or windage! The trigger on this 27-2 is crisper and lighter than any other N Frame I've owned with the exception of a couple of .44 Magnums. However, this trigger equals the fine trigger on my 29-2. That goes a LONG way to making precise shots. I started with the 125 gr .357s. Wow. I had forgotten how powerful this load is and you see me posting here and there about my belief the 125 gr load is more powerful than the 158 gr load. The UMCs are HOT! They group a bit lower than the .38s did as I found out later. The Winchester 150 gr SWC lead load is also a HOT .38 load. Very accurate. I was almost expecting noise akin to the target wadcutters but no way. They were also loud and they did impart some kick to the N Frame as well! The action in Double and Single of the 27-2 had a tight spot on one cylinder before firing. After firing 50 or so rounds that went away into smoothness. I found the 27-2 to be equal to the outstanding accuracy of another 27-2 I had for many years back in the 80s. It had an 8 & 3/8" barrel, blue, and made in the same year or a year earlier (79 or 80). Cleaning was a breeze. No fouling, no leading. Just some Hoppe's #9 followed by Hoppe's lubricant. I am still awaiting the arrival of the Blackhawk in .41, but now that I have my sighting and testing done with the 27-2 I feel kinda lucky to have come across it so accidentally.

June 19, 2010, 05:48 PM	#10
pythagorean Junior member Join Date: January 27, 2008 Posts: 970	In the case of the .41 Magnum I picked it up today. Serial number review shows it was shipped out of the factory in 1979. Grease was still in the barrel and chambers. Some minor superficial rust that wiped off easily in some of the action areas. All together essentially a brand new 1979 handgun. Cylinder to barrel gap is the smallest--so close daylight on white paper barely passes through the gap. Cylinder face does not turn and scuff against barrel. Trigger is about 5 pounds without any mush--a surprise because most times the Blackhawk series has a bit of mush in the trigger pull. Now all that remains is to shoot it. Probably on Monday or Tuesday I'll do that. Sights still click up or down but the side screw for windage requires me to dig out a jeweler's screwdriver. In the meantime I'll let a little oil soak in there. The firing pin was slightly stuck and some oil there put it back into operation. Now the pin comes through the frame visibly to hit the primer.