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BillCA · April 16, 2008, 12:47 AM

20nickles,

You answered your own question. I asked this of S&W about a year ago. According to them, even the L-Frame doesn't have the structural strength for a 36,000 PSI .41 caliber round. There is simply just not enough "meat" around the barrel opening. The forcing cone would be too thin for the high pressure round too.

Before someone reminds us of the .44 caliber 696, that cartridge operates at about half the .41 Mag's pressure.

I asked about a .41 special load, but the issue S&W has is that there is no clearly defined pressure standard. Is it the same as the 14,000 PSI .45 Colt? 17,000 psi .38 Special? Or the 20,000 psi .38 special +P Before they could commit to making a prototype, they need to understand the working pressures. So, for now, the .41 Mag will be an N-Frame gun from S&W and if you want a smaller frame, you'll have to visit Taurus.

April 16, 2008, 12:47 AM	#22
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	20nickles, You answered your own question. I asked this of S&W about a year ago. According to them, even the L-Frame doesn't have the structural strength for a 36,000 PSI .41 caliber round. There is simply just not enough "meat" around the barrel opening. The forcing cone would be too thin for the high pressure round too. Before someone reminds us of the .44 caliber 696, that cartridge operates at about half the .41 Mag's pressure. I asked about a .41 special load, but the issue S&W has is that there is no clearly defined pressure standard. Is it the same as the 14,000 PSI .45 Colt? 17,000 psi .38 Special? Or the 20,000 psi .38 special +P Before they could commit to making a prototype, they need to understand the working pressures. So, for now, the .41 Mag will be an N-Frame gun from S&W and if you want a smaller frame, you'll have to visit Taurus. __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)