The .41 Remington Magnum has long been a peculiar one in handgun history. It is neatly positioned between the thump of the .44 Magnum and the less severe recoil of the .357 Magnum, trying to be the “just right” choice.
The concept was simple: a cartridge powerful enough for serious use, but not so brutal that it intimidated shooters. Its story, however, turned out to be one of ambition, missed opportunities, and a loyal following that refuses to let it fade.
The concept of the .41 Magnum evolved during the early 1960s through the efforts of three strong personalities of the shooting scene—Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan, and Skeeter Skelton. They felt that law enforcement officers required a revolver cartridge that was just right in terms of stopping power and control.
With collaboration from Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Colt, and Remington, their dreams came true in 1964 with the introduction of the cartridge along with the Smith & Wesson Model 57 revolver.
As far as performance, the .41 Magnum is just what its developers hoped for. Chambering a .410-inch bullet, factory loads propelled a 210-grain projectile 1,200 to 1,500 feet per second, depending on barrel and load. This provided it with a flat flight and muzzle energy approaching that of the .44 Magnum, albeit with a little less recoil. Even now, shooters enjoy the balance that it provides.
Where it faltered was with the very people it was intended for: police officers. The Model 57, and its more practical Model 58 counterpart, were constructed on S&W’s large N-frame—too heavy for most officers to wear comfortably.
Even lighter “police loads” still kicked harder than the .38 Specials most departments deployed at the time. Add to that the increased popularity of semi-automatic pistols and the cinematic celebrity of the .44 Magnum, and the .41’s prospects in law enforcement swiftly declined.
Despite this, the cartridge did find a second lease on life among hunters and sports shooters. Handgun hunters appreciated its reach and capability to drop deer, hogs, and even black bears without the hideous recoil of larger magnums. Silhouette shooters adored its accuracy and consistency, earning it a popularity in long-range competition.
As with the .44, the .41 never had a big selection of guns or factory ammo to speak of. It was always more of a specialty choice, but it never went away. Manufacturers like Remington, Federal, Hornady, and others still make fine loads, such as premium hunting bullets like the XTP and Swift A-Frame. Revolver enthusiasts can still get it in such classics as the Smith & Wesson Model 57, Ruger Blackhawk, and Ruger Redhawk. Several lever-action rifles even preserve the caliber in modern rifles.
The .41 Remington Magnum is today a cult favorite. It provides a combination of power, accuracy, and shootability that shooters find just right. Handloaders particularly relish its versatility, adapting loads ranging from light target rounds to heavy-hitting game rounds.
It didn’t achieve the commercial success that its proponents had envisioned, perhaps, but the .41 Magnum forged its own niche. For those who value performance over popularity, it is still a respected and lasting cartridge that will forever have a place in firearms history.