{{Short description|American revolver cartridge}} {{distinguish|.416 Remington Magnum}} {{Infobox firearm cartridge | name= .41 Remington Magnum | image= 41 Remington Magnum - SP - 2.jpg | image_size = 300px | caption= .41 Remington Magnum cartridge, scale in [[Centimetre|cm]] | origin= United States | type= Revolver <!-- Service history --> | service= | used_by= | wars= <!-- Production history --> | designer= [[Elmer Keith]]<br>[[Bill Jordan (American lawman)|Bill Jordan]]<br>[[Skeeter Skelton]] | design_date=1963 | manufacturer=[[Remington Arms Company|Remington Arms]] | production_date=1964 | number= | variants= <!-- Specifications --> | parent =None | case_type=Rimmed, straight | bullet=.410 | neck=.434 | shoulder= | base=.434 | rim_dia=.492 | rim_thick=.060 | case_length=1.290 | length=1.590 | case_capacity=34 | rifling=1-18{{frac|1|2}} in | primer=Large pistol |max_pressure=44000 |pressure_method=CIP |max_pressure2=36000 |pressure_method2=SAAMI |max_cup=40,000 <!-- Ballistic performance --> |is_SI_units= |bw1=170 |btype1=JHP Cor-Bon |vel1=1275 |en1=614 |bw2=210 |btype2=JHP |vel2=1560 |en2=1135 |bw3=240 |btype3=FMJ+P Winchester |vel3=1250 |en3=833 |bw4=265 |btype4=HP-GC Buffalo Bore Heavy |vel4=1350 |en4=1072 |test_barrel_length={{convert|6.5|in|mm}} |balsrc=Ballistics by the inch<ref>[http://ballisticsbytheinch.com/41mag.html Ballistics by the Inch Web Site]. Accessed July 22, 2011. 6.5 inch barrel.</ref><ref name="CIP TDCC">{{cite web |title=CIP TDCC sheet41 Rem. Mag .|url=https://bobp.cip-bobp.org/uploads/tdcc/tab-iv/tabivcal-en-page69.pdf|publisher=C.I.P.}}</ref> }} The '''.41 Remington Magnum''', also known as '''.41 Magnum''' or '''10.4×33mmR''' (as it is known in unofficial metric designation), is a [[center fire]] [[firearm]]s [[Cartridge (firearms)|cartridge]] primarily developed for use in large-frame [[revolvers]], introduced in 1964 by the [[Remington Arms Company]], intended for [[hunting]] and [[Police|law enforcement]] purposes.
== Development ==
In 1963, [[Elmer Keith]] and [[Bill Jordan (Marine)|Bill Jordan]], with some help from [[Skeeter Skelton]], petitioned [[Smith & Wesson]], Remington, and [[Norma Precision|Norma]] to produce a [[pistol]] and [[ammunition]] in .41 caliber which would fall between the extant [[.357 Magnum]] and [[.44 Magnum]] cartridges in [[External ballistics|ballistic performance]], and at the same time address perceived shortcomings with those loads.{{Cn|date=March 2025}} While as early as 1955 Keith had suggested a new, medium-powered "[[.41 Special]]" cartridge, this idea was passed over in favor of the higher-powered "Magnum" option, and the Special survives only as a custom [[wildcat cartridge]], bearing roughly the same relation to the .41 Magnum as the [[.38 Special]] does to the .357 Magnum and as the [[.44 Special]] does to the .44 Magnum.<ref name="Ready"> {{cite journal | last = Pearce | first = Lane | journal = [[Shooting Times]] | date = April 7, 2011 | title = Ready For The .41 Special? | url = http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammo/ammunition_ready_for_the_41_special_040711/ }} </ref>
The .357 Magnum suffered from restricted [[Terminal ballistics|terminal ballistic]] effectiveness in the early 1960s, as [[Hollow point bullet|jacketed hollow point]] bullets were not yet commonly available, and the [[Manufacturing|manufacturers']] standard loadings consisted of simple [[Bullet#Materials|lead]] [[bullet]]s. The powerful .44 Magnum, primarily a heavy hunting round, was considered overkill for [[police]] use, generating too much [[recoil]] for control under rapid fire. In addition, the revolvers chambered for the .44 Magnum were considered too large, bulky, and heavy for police to carry.<ref name="doover">Smith, Clint. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_4_51/ai_n11840297 "The .41 Mag: If only we could do it over"], ''Guns'' magazine April 2005. BNET Web site. Accessed August 6, 2008.</ref>
Keith's original vision called for dual power levels in the .41, a heavy magnum load pushing a {{convert|210|gr|g|sing=on}} [[Jacketed hollow point|JHP]] at a [[muzzle velocity]] of {{convert|1,300|–|1,400|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}, and a milder police loading which was to send a {{convert|200|gr|g|sing=on}} [[semiwadcutter]] downrange at around {{convert|900|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}.<ref name="doover" />
These plans went awry due to an ongoing fascination in the firearms community with high-powered cartridges; Remington was swayed by this community's influence and instead of following Keith's [[blueprint]], chose to emphasize the performance of the new cartridge. As a result, the .41 "Magnum" load was released at an advertised {{convert|1,500|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}, and even the "light" police loading was introduced with a {{convert|210|gr|g|abbr=on}} lead semiwadcutter "warmed up" to about {{convert|1,150|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}}. However, the police load as delivered was regarded as overpowered by most [[Law enforcement agency|law enforcement agencies]], many of which were still using .38 Special revolvers.<ref name="doover" />
Additionally, Smith & Wesson had simply adapted their large N-frame revolvers for the new cartridge, which did not address size and weight concerns.<ref>Taffin, John. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_166_27/ai_109264984 "The .41 Magnum Turns 40 - The Sixgunner"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327225455/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_166_27/ai_109264984/ |date=2010-03-27 }} ''American Handgunner'' magazine, Nov-Dec 2003. BNET Web site. Accessed August 6, 2008.</ref> The [[Smith & Wesson Model 57#Smith .26 Wesson Model 58|Model 58]], targeted for the law enforcement [[Market (economics)|market]], was introduced on July 10, 1964. Weighing {{convert|41|oz|g|abbr=on}}, the Model 58 compared unfavorably with other revolvers available at the time, such as Smith's own {{convert|34|oz|g|abbr=on}} [[Smith & Wesson Model 10|Model 10]] in .38 Special.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}
These combined factors mostly eliminated the .41 Magnum from consideration for its intended market as a law enforcement firearm, although it continued to be touted as such and was adopted by a few law enforcement agencies.<ref name="doover" />
For a handgun cartridge, the [[bolt thrust]] is considerable at [[C.I.P.]] conform maximum loads and an important factor in weapons design. The greater the bolt thrust, the stronger the locking mechanism has to be to withstand it. Smith & Wesson produced a high-end, premium revolver in .41 Magnum, the [[Smith & Wesson Model 57|Model 57]], identical to the .44 Magnum-chambered [[Smith & Wesson Model 29|Model 29]].{{Cn|date=March 2025}} [[Magnum Research]]'s [[Desert Eagle]] division produced a .41 Magnum in their semi-automatic Mark VII. Sturm Ruger also produced their [[Ruger Blackhawk|Blackhawk]] single-action revolver in .41 Magnum.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}
A couple of manufacturers have produced lever-action rifles chambered in .41 Magnum. [[Marlin Firearms|Marlin]] produced four variants of its [[Marlin Model 1894|Model 1894]], but no longer offers any model chambered for it. [[Henry Repeating Arms]] introduced a .41 Magnum variant of their Big Boy Steel model in 2016.<ref name="Henry">{{cite journal | last = Alberts | first = Kristin | journal = Guns | date = July 27, 2016 | title = Gun Review: Henry adds .41 Magnum to Big Boy Steel Lineup | url = https://www.guns.com/news/review/gun-review-henry-adds-41-magnum-to-big-boy-steel-lineup-video}}</ref>
== Market reception == The .41 Magnum never enjoyed the popularity and success of either the .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum cartridges, but is still prized by [[Handgun hunting|handgun hunters]] as some feel it generates somewhat lighter recoil and slightly flatter bullet [[trajectory]] at long range than the .44 Magnum.<ref>[http://www.notpurfect.com/main/m57.htm "S&W Model 57"], Notpurfect Web site. Accessed August 5, 2008.</ref> Nevertheless, the .44 Magnum still catalogs a greater variety of heavier bullet weight offerings which are more effective on larger game, and boast a slight edge in power when using the heaviest [[factory]] loads, or if pushed to the edge by handloading (heavier bullets or bullets of different types).<ref>[http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/FIREARMS/vihtavouri.pdf VihtaVuori Reloading Guide, 2002]</ref> Marshall and Sanow called the .41 Magnum "one of our most unappreciated calibers".<ref>{{cite book|title=Street Stoppers|first= Evan|last= Marshall |author2=E. Sanow|publisher= Paladin Press|year=1996|page= 176|location =Boulder, Colorado}}</ref>
== See also == * [[.41 Special]] * [[.41 Long Colt]] * [[.41 Action Express]] * [[10 mm caliber]] * [[List of handgun cartridges]] * [[Table of handgun and rifle cartridges]]
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/41mag.html Ballistics By The Inch .41mag results] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20111022154011/http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_775661_-1_775655_757896_image Smith & Wesson Model 657] * [http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/41mag.html Ballistics By The Inch .41 Magnum results]
{{Remington firearms}} {{Smith & Wesson}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:41 Remington Magnum}} [[Category:Pistol and rifle cartridges]] [[Category:Remington Arms cartridges]] [[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1964]] [[Category:Magnum pistol cartridges]] [[Category:Rimmed cartridges]]